Explore the winter magic of the Canadian Rockies on a 9-day adventure. Discover Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, go snowshoeing, and experience Métis culture with chances to witness the Northern Lights.
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights. Starts: Calgary, Canada Ends: Edmonton, Canada Language: English guided tour
The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weathe conditions. The necessary adjustments will be made to ensure the best possible experience.
This popular alpine activity is easy to learn. No experience is necessary – all you need is a willingness to try. All training is provided and our team of guides will have you trained and ready to go in no more than half an hour.
Participants should be confident in their footing and have an average level of fitness – outings may be up to three hours in duration. Those who enjoy hiking trails or taking long walks at home will possess enough fitness to enjoy this activity. As with any other activity, you will get more enjoyment out of it with some preparation in advance, such as long walks with uphill sections or bike riding.
In Antarctica, the longest hike can be 2-3 hours long, while in the Arctic it can be a full day tour.
Hiking options include very easy beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography), easier short hikes, medium-difficulty extended hikes, and more challenging long hikes.
Debido a la naturaleza del campo magnético terrestre, las auroras solo aparecen en los polos. Por lo general, son visibles por encima de la marca de latitud de 60 ° en el norte y por debajo de la latitud de 60 ° en el sur (estas 'luces del sur' se denominan aurora austral).
Winter in the Canadian Rockies hits different — the air is crisper, the mountains feel bigger, and everything slows down under a thick blanket of snow. Over nine days, this adventure explores the iconic landscapes of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, cruising along the legendary Icefields Parkway and its frozen waterfalls. Travelers will experience Johnston Canyon wearing crampons, join guided snowshoeing excursions through pristine meadows, and take in the serene beauty of winter lakes like Peyto, Abraham, and Maligne.
The journey dives deep into local Indigenous culture with an inspiring stay at Métis Crossing in Smoky Lake. Guests will connect with the traditions, stories, and river-lot life of the Métis people alongside knowledgeable cultural interpreters, followed by an SUV tour of the wildlife park to observe heritage species such as rare white bison and elk. By night, starry dark sky experiences, traditional tea ceremonies, and Indigenous folklore provide meaningful moments and prime opportunities to view the Northern Lights.
Highlights:
Winter exploration across Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Parks.
Crampon hike past frozen waterfalls in Johnston Canyon and guided snowshoeing at Sunshine Meadows.
Scenic journey along the Icefields Parkway and visits to Peyto, Abraham, and Maligne lakes.
Cultural immersion and lodge stay with the Métis Nation at Métis Crossing in Smoky Lake.
Dark sky stargazing and Northern Lights viewing opportunities away from city lights.
Day 1: Calgary
Arrival and welcome meeting
Arrive in Calgary at any time. Attend an evening welcome meeting with your CEO and fellow travelers, followed by an optional group dinner.
Day 2: Calgary to Banff
City orientation and entry to the Rockies
Enjoy an orientation tour of Calgary highlighting winter spots like the 1988 Winter Olympic Games grounds, Inglewood, and East Village. Transfer to Banff and take short walks to Tunnel Mountain, Bow Falls, or Vermilion Lakes before enjoying the festive lights along the main street.
Day 3: Banff
Icewalk at Johnston Canyon and free afternoon
Travel to Johnston Canyon to walk along boardwalks using crampons to see the frozen Lower and Upper Falls. Return to Banff for an afternoon of optional winter activities, such as taking the Sulphur Mountain gondola or relaxing at Upper Banff Hot Springs.
Day 4: Banff to Lake Louise
Guided snowshoeing and Lake Louise visit
Drive to Sunshine Village and ride the gondola up to Sunshine Meadows for a half-day guided snowshoe trip. Proceed to Lake Louise for a CEO-guided walk on the Fairview Lookout Trail and self-guided exploration around the frozen lake.
Day 5: Lake Louise to Jasper
Icefields Parkway winter exploration
Drive along the Icefields Parkway with stops at Peyto Lake, Peyto Glacier viewpoints, and Abraham Lake to observe ice bubbles, accompanied by an included local lunch. Continue past Athabasca Glacier, Tangle Falls, and Sunwapta Falls before arriving in Jasper.
Day 6: Jasper
Maligne Valley hike and evening aurora search
Explore the Jasper area on foot or snowshoes. Drive up the Maligne Valley to walk the Mary Schaeffer loop at Maligne Lake. Enjoy a free afternoon in town and set out on an evening walk with your CEO to scan the clear skies for the Northern Lights.
Day 7: Jasper to Smoky Lake via Edmonton
Journey to Métis Crossing
Drive from Jasper to Edmonton for free time before continuing to Smoky Lake. Check in at the lodge overlooking the North Saskatchewan River and participate in an immersive introduction to Métis history and traditions led by local interpreters before an included 3-course dinner.
Day 8: Smoky Lake
Wildlife park tour and dark sky experience
Take an SUV tour of the Métis Crossing Wildlife Park paddocks to observe white bison and elk. Enjoy lunch and outdoor time to snowshoe or ski local trails. In the evening, enjoy dark sky storytelling, folklore, a tea ceremony, and stargazing for the Northern Lights.
Day 9: Smoky Lake to Edmonton
Transfer and departure
After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to the Edmonton Airport where the tour concludes upon arrival.
Itinerary
Day 1: Calgary
Arrival and welcome meeting
Arrive in Calgary at any time. Attend an evening welcome meeting with your CEO and fellow travelers, followed by an optional group dinner.
Day 2: Calgary to Banff
City orientation and entry to the Rockies
Enjoy an orientation tour of Calgary highlighting winter spots like the 1988 Winter Olympic Games grounds, Inglewood, and East Village. Transfer to Banff and take short walks to Tunnel Mountain, Bow Falls, or Vermilion Lakes before enjoying the festive lights along the main street.
Day 3: Banff
Icewalk at Johnston Canyon and free afternoon
Travel to Johnston Canyon to walk along boardwalks using crampons to see the frozen Lower and Upper Falls. Return to Banff for an afternoon of optional winter activities, such as taking the Sulphur Mountain gondola or relaxing at Upper Banff Hot Springs.
Day 4: Banff to Lake Louise
Guided snowshoeing and Lake Louise visit
Drive to Sunshine Village and ride the gondola up to Sunshine Meadows for a half-day guided snowshoe trip. Proceed to Lake Louise for a CEO-guided walk on the Fairview Lookout Trail and self-guided exploration around the frozen lake.
Day 5: Lake Louise to Jasper
Icefields Parkway winter exploration
Drive along the Icefields Parkway with stops at Peyto Lake, Peyto Glacier viewpoints, and Abraham Lake to observe ice bubbles, accompanied by an included local lunch. Continue past Athabasca Glacier, Tangle Falls, and Sunwapta Falls before arriving in Jasper.
Day 6: Jasper
Maligne Valley hike and evening aurora search
Explore the Jasper area on foot or snowshoes. Drive up the Maligne Valley to walk the Mary Schaeffer loop at Maligne Lake. Enjoy a free afternoon in town and set out on an evening walk with your CEO to scan the clear skies for the Northern Lights.
Day 7: Jasper to Smoky Lake via Edmonton
Journey to Métis Crossing
Drive from Jasper to Edmonton for free time before continuing to Smoky Lake. Check in at the lodge overlooking the North Saskatchewan River and participate in an immersive introduction to Métis history and traditions led by local interpreters before an included 3-course dinner.
Day 8: Smoky Lake
Wildlife park tour and dark sky experience
Take an SUV tour of the Métis Crossing Wildlife Park paddocks to observe white bison and elk. Enjoy lunch and outdoor time to snowshoe or ski local trails. In the evening, enjoy dark sky storytelling, folklore, a tea ceremony, and stargazing for the Northern Lights.
Day 9: Smoky Lake to Edmonton
Transfer and departure
After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to the Edmonton Airport where the tour concludes upon arrival.
Hotels (6 nts), Indigenous Cultural Centre Lodge (2 nts).
Meals Included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners.
Transport: Private Vehicle, Snowshoeing.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
Calgary CEO-led Orientation Walk.
Banff Exploration Tour.
Winter Hike in Johnston Canyon.
Sunshine Meadows Guided Snowshoeing.
Winter Visit to Lake Louise.
Peyto & Abraham Lake Winter Visit.
Local Lodge Lunch Experience.
Icefields Parkway Winter Exploration.
Maligne Lake Visit & Hike.
Introduction to Métis Crossing.
Métis Crossing Wildlife Park Visit.
The Magic of the Skies Experience.
Free time Banff, Jasper, Edmonton, & Métis Crossing.
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
EXCLUSIONS
Meal Budget: Allow USD330-430 for meals not included.
Optional activities.
Personal expenses.
* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.