Canadian Rocky Mountains Winter Tour
2007

This Rocky Mountain winter-land holiday begins in Calgary where we head west to a fairyland of towering snow-covered jagged peaks, icy blue lakes, crisp mountain air and frozen crystal like waterfalls. Feel the sun on your face as you dogsled in Canmore and breath the crisp, dry air. See delicate snowflakes dance and glisten around you as you snowshoe near Louise looking for signs of wildlife.

Heading further west to Yoho National Park, you can take a stroll near the beautiful Emerald Lake Lodge and listen to the wolves howl at night. From the Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho we head north to the town of Jasper where a guided ice-walk to the Maligne Canyon awaits you. After a challenging day of ice-walking curl up with a good book and warm drink in front of a rock clad fireplace. Don’t forget to step outside in the evening to look for the northern lights and marvel at the millions of stars.

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Day 1: Banff, AB.
We depart Calgary at 8:00 am and make our way to Lake Louise for an afternoon of snowshoeing. The Rockies are a delight to explore on snowshoes, especially near world famous Lake Louise. The snow acts as a canvas, recording the tracks of snowshoe hares, pine martens and even the occasional lynx. There are hidden secrets too: beneath the snow pack are hibernating grizzly bears and a vibrant winter ecosystem fueled by mice and wolves. After snowshoeing we will make our way back to check into our hotel and enjoy the Banff nightlife.

Day 2: Banff, AB.
Groomed trails, beautiful scenery and mountain air - Banff's Sunshine Village provides a spectacular location for downhill skiing or snowboarding and beginner lessons are available. Today we hit the slopes early and have a full day on the mountain. For those who choose not to ski, the Banff townsite offers shopping, museums and hotsprings.

Day 3: Bow Lake, Icefield Parkway
Today is set aside for a myriad of optional activities: guided ice-climbing with some local mountain ice climbers, cross country skiing at the Canmore Olympic Nordic ski Centre and scenic alpine helicopter flights. In the late afternoon we travel down the Columbia Icefield Parkway. The Columbia Icefield is the largest of the chain of icefields along the Great Divide separating Alberta and British Columbia. This 325 square km. accumulation of ice feeds six large glaciers. You can see three of them - the Athabasca, the Dome, and Stutfield - from the Icefields Parkway.

Num-Ti-Jah Lodge overlooks one of the most dramatic scenes in the Canadian Rockies: out of Bow Lake the mountains rise steep and rugged and the blue ice of Crowfoot Glacier hangs suspended over the turquoise water. To the west, the craggy peaks of the Great Divide tower over Bow Glacier. After dinner, the fireplaces at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge invite you to linger and share stories with fellow travelers about the beauty of the great Canadian winter.

Day 4: Jasper, AB.
A morning drive along the Icefield Parkway takes us from Bow Lake to Jasper. In the afternoon the group will depart with a local tour operator for a three hour Maligne Canyon Icewalk through the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. The group will actually walk on the frozen floor of the canyon with photo stops at Queen Maligne and Angel icefalls. Transportation, boots and cleats are provided.

Day 5: Jasper, AB.
Whether it's skiing, skating, scenic driving, snowshoeing or ice climbing - Jasper National Park gives everyone a chance to combine exploring the park with the magic of a winter wilderness experience.

Day 6: Kamloops, B.C .
Today we head off to Valemont, B.C. in the Mount Robson Valley for an included morning adventure of dog-sledding. You will experience a trip through a pristine mountain valley that you follow by dog team, past snow-covered trees, waterfalls, open meadows and abundant wildlife. Crisp mountain air and beautiful scenery is in plentiful supply during this 2.5-hour trip which also includes hot apple cider, and lunch prepared over an open campfire. Alaskan Huskies are used for our dog sled excursion - one of the best dogs ever bred. In the late afternoon we make our way to Sun Peaks resort near Kamloops.

Day 7: Kamloops, BC
Sun Peaks Resort just north of Kamloops offers 3678 acres of skiable terrain, making it the second largest ski area in B.C. Vast alpine bowls brimming with fresh powder invite the skier and snowboarder for a day of fun on the slopes. Snowmobiling, tubing and x-country skiing are also available.

Day 8: Golden, B.C.
Driving through the Columbia River Valley, also known as the Rocky Mountain Trench, we see the BC Rocky Mountains to the west and the Bugaboo Mountains on the east. After taking lunch at the small town of Revelstoke, we pass through five avalanche tunnels before arriving at Roger's Pass (elevation 4,534 feet/1382 m), located at the summit in Glacier National Park and one of the great mountain crossings in BC. We arrive in Golden in the late afternoon.

Day 9: Golden, B.C.
On this day we'll have the option to go downhill skiing or snow boarding at one of the best ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is ideally situated to produce a sparkling, light, dry snow, aptly named "Champagne Powder". The varied terrain offers a winter playground for those new to alpine adventure and the perfect opportunity for adrenaline junkies to charge down a 4,133 foot 'ski out', the second longest in Canada. Those not wishing to downhill skiing may wish to experience the excitement of snowmobiling on scenic trails and alpine meadows. The snowmobile guide will take you through some of the most beautiful winter scenery you have ever seen. You can also choose from other activities offered at the resort including ice climbing, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

Day 10: Calgary, AB.
After a leisurely breakfast we make our way into Calgary. Depending on the tour schedule we may have time for some last minute shopping in either Banff or Calgary.

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Gateway Accommodation We offer door-to-door service at a number of modest priced hotels in downtown Vancouver. Please call us for a recommendation and to book your gateway accommodation. If you prefer hostel type accommodation, contact: Sandman Hotel Calgary Best Western Calgary Carriage House Inn    Transportation Getting to Calgary   Weather Calgary Weather Jasper Weather   Parks & Attractions Jasper National Park Banff National Park Banff Hot Springs Banff Gondola Yoho National Park Mt. Revelstoke National Park Mt. Robson Provincial Park Wells Grey Provincial Park Athabasca Glacier / Columbia Icefield   Rocky Mountain Books Call toll free 1-800-255-5057 for info on tour availability

Rocky Mountain Winter Tour
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