The best groomed and well-trained horses await at Banff Trail Riders to give you the most beautiful tours. These horses of this touring company are easy to handle, irrespective of your experience with these magnificent steeds. They take you on a trail along the Bow River Valley and up towards the Sulphur Mountains. They also give you the perfect inside-out tour of the verdant Banff National Park. The really enthusiastic guests can opt for a horseback camping experience in the wilderness surrounding Banff. Whether you choose a short ride or something more comprehensive, it is certain that Banff Trail Riders will ensure an unforgettable experience.
Just a short drive away from Banff lie the pristine Vermilion Lakes. The three lakes lie sprawled at the foot of Mount Norquay, surrounded by the peaks of the Canadian Rockies and sheltered by the blue canopy of an open sky. The lakes and their surroundings offer visitors a chance to indulge in a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing and wildlife watching. The site is especially popular amongst amateur and professional photographers who cannot resist the lure of the lakes' untouched beauty. The lakes are clearly visible from the highway and make a remarkably breathtaking sight indeed, especially at sunset when the scene is awash in the red, gold and crimson hues of the setting sun. The scene inspires romance and is a great choice for a leisurely drive on date night.
This ski resort has been offering downhill thrills since 1926 in one of Canada's prettiest locations: Banff National Park. Mount Norquay reaches 2,133 m (6,998 ft) in elevation, which means that it boasts gentle beginner slopes, exciting expert runs and everything in between. There is also a fully maintained snowboard park for those who love to grind. Mount Norquay is a true family resort that provides rentals and lessons to skiers of all ages and abilities. For after-ski activities, march your tired legs into one of Canada's best ski lodges for a stiff apres-ski libation.
Sunshine boasts Canada's best snow, and it is one of the few resort operators that does not require snow making equipment; all the white stuff is real. Twelve lift systems bring skiers of all abilities to any of ninety-one runs spread out over three mountains. Some of the runs are the steepest in the Canadian Rockies. For beginners, Sunshine offers rentals and lessons.
A slice of raw nature awaits trekkers at the Ghost River Wilderness Area, one of the most well protected wilderness areas in the Alberta region. Venture about onto its rugged terrain by foot, but certainly do not expect modern facilities on your way. Completely untouched by modern civilization, the pristine beauty enveloping this park is what visitors come here for. This breathtaking park lies a little to the south of Lake Minnewanka, and occupies numerous valleys caved out by coercive glaciers, as well as sublime mountain lakes and endless meadows. Visitors are likely to spot native wilderness such as the bighorn sheep, deer, moose and the occasional mountain lion. Entry to the Ghost River Wilderness Area is permissible only by foot. It is also a renowned spot for ice climbing enthusiasts.