Canadian Rockies: Northern Lights Winter Explorer - 9 Days

Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening and afterwards choose to have an optional dinner together as a group.

Grab some breakfast on your own at a cozy local spot in town before enjoying an orientation tour of Calgary led by your CEO. See some of the city’s winter highlights like the home of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, Barb Scott Park where ice skaters flock, Inglewood—Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, and East Village; the liveliest. Then, transfer to the magical winter atmosphere of Banff, stopping en route for lunch on your own. Upon arrival see some of the highlights on foot before short walks to either Tunnel Mountain, Bow Falls, or Vermilion Lakes. As darkness comes early, enjoy the festive lights along the iconic main street and find a cozy restaurant for dinner on your own.

In the morning travel to Johnston Canyon and witness the beauty of this place blanketed in sparkling winter snow and towering icicles. The group will walk on the trail and boardwalk to the frozen Lower Falls and Upper Falls using crampons. Drive back to Banff in time for lunch on your own and then enjoy a free afternoon for optional winter activities. Choose to take the gondola up to Sulphur Mountain or relax in the warmth of Upper Banff Hot Spring. From sleigh rides, to tubing, or skating, there are so many opportunities to get out and explore the gorgeous winter landscape.

Depart Banff in the morning and drive to Sunshine Village, a ski resort located on the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park in Alberta and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia. Here, you will meet your local guide and ride the gondola up to Sunshine Meadows for a half-day snowshoe trip through the pristine winter wonderland environment. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you go. Return to the base of the resort for lunch on your own and then drive to Lake Louise. Enjoy a guided walk with your CEO on the Fairview Lookout Trail and then have time for a self-guided walk around Lake Louise. Take advantage of free time to check out the ice castle or try ice skating on the lake. If you’re feeling really festive head out on a sleigh ride. Your overnight stay will be in Lake Louise Village.

Get ready for a winter exploration of the famous Icefield Parkway today. Leave Lake Louise in the morning and stop along the way at Peyto Lake to stretch your legs on a walk. This stunning glacial lake is a serene winter wonderland between December and March, plus it’s often less crowded which offers a quieter excursion through nature’s vast beauty. Depending on conditions the group may be able to walk on Abraham lake to observe the stunning visual display of the bubbles in the ice. Sit down for an included lunch amid the pristine wilderness surrounding Abraham Lake and enjoy a delicious local culinary experience. Then, hit the Icefield Parkway with stops to Athabasca Glacier, Tangle Falls, and Sunwapta Falls. Arrive in Jasper by early evening and have dinner on your own in town.

After breakfast on your own in town the group will explore the Jasper area via hiking or snowshoeing with your CEO. Then, drive along Maligne Valley up to the lake to walk the 3km Mary Schaeffer loop offering unparalleled winter views. You’ll be back in Jasper in time for lunch on your own and a free afternoon for optional activities like an introduction to ice climbing, skiing at Marmot Basin, or a canyon icewalk. In the evening, if you have a clear sky, take a walk to try and see the northern lights accompanied by your CEO.

After having breakfast on your own in Jasper the group will drive to Edmonton for some free time in town before continuing onwards to Smoky Lake. Enjoy a stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the majestic North Saskatchewan River and become inspired, educated, and familiar with the vibrant spirit of Métis culture. The lodge operated by this local Indigenous nation offers a place to share warmth and space within their rich culture located directly adjacent to their Cultural Gathering Centre. Before an included dinner featuring a 3-course meal of sustainably sourced local ingredients, there will be an immersive introduction to Métis Crossing led by knowledgeable Métis interpreters, taking travellers on a journey through the history, traditions, and river-lot life of the Métis people.

Connect with nature this morning at the Métis Crossing Wildlife Park. Your interpreter will accompany the group on a SUV tour of the paddocks where you can become immersed with the natural beauty of the Métis heritage species, including the rare white bison and elk. Gain a deeper understanding of the interconnected relationships between nature, communities, and natural systems on the Métis land. Head back to the lodge for lunch and downtime before choosing to explore the nearby trails. Strap on snowshoes or skis and set out to explore. This evening hear why the skies were so important to the ancestors of the Métis and observe stars and constellations above. Listen to legends and folklore from this Indigenous community and enjoy a tea ceremony under the dark sky. If conditions allow, you may be able to witness the beautiful Northern Lights.

After breakfast at the lodge the group will transfer to the Edmonton Airport where the tour ends upon arrival. Please do not book onward travel prior to 2pm.