Backroads

Our interpretive walk across the massive Athabasca ice field is one of the true highlights of your Canadian Rockies experience. More than 1,000 feet thick, the glacier continues its inevitable slide toward the toe at a blistering speed of 2.6 inches per year. Few visitors enjoy such a close encounter with the largest fresh water source on the globe.

The Canadian Rockies support a diversity of wildlife, from mammals to bugs and everything in between. Denizens of this robust ecosystem include mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and caribou, which you'll have the chance to observe at work and play throughout your adventure. Grizzly and black bears also roam the landscape, and while sightings are less common, when they happen, you'll have an expert at your side.

Some travelers come for the scenery, some for outdoor adventure - and some just need a hit of crisp clean mountain air. According to a recent study, vacationing in these altitudes can offer real health benefits. So if you find you sleep better and feel less stressed on this trip, it's not in your head, it's in the air - too bad they can't bottle the stuff!

The spirit of those who first dared to forge trails into the rugged Canadian Rockies landscape gets into the blood of those who live here. Their lifestyle is defined by a history of pioneering exploration and a deep affinity for the land and its wildlife. You'll glimpse these early explorers in some of the colorful personalities you'll interact with on your Insider Trip - men and women who live and breathe their mountain heritage as professional guides, wildlife researchers and naturalists. They're more than happy to share their expertise and enthusiasm, bringing the region's past, present and future to life.

Hailed as a "masterwork" by the Los Angeles Times, the Post Hotel at Lake Louise sets the standard for luxury accommodations in the Canadian Rockies. This Relais & Châteaux member and Four Diamond winner has topped the Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure rankings year after year. The Post's owners, our good friends André and George Schwarz, are gracious hosts who add a personal touch to your stay here. Their sincere warmth and curiosity about your day's adventures make you feel more like an old friend than a hotel guest.