Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
- Natural and historic treasures discovered by foot and bike
- Walk on massive Athabasca Glacier with informative mountain guides
- Crackling campfires and star-filled skies
- Float Class II rapids on the Athabasca River
- Kids rock climb with accredited instructors
Call 800-462-2848, Every day 7am–5pm,PST
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Biking, Walking & Rafting in Banff & Jasper National Parks
It's just plain cool. Walking on a massive river of ice. A certified mountain guide at your side. Navigating 30,000 crevasses. Well, okay, not on this one hike, but they're out there. And you're doing it - not just you - the whole family, you're all there on the ice. In the back of your mind, you know that white-water rafting is next. Then rock climbing tomorrow. Wow. And maybe an elk will visit camp tonight. And you'll get up the nerve to jump in the lake. And s'mores will be for dessert. But right now you're on top of a glacier. Talk about cool.
Days
1-3 Ride a family-friendly route along the Bow Valley Parkway in the shadow of the Continental Divide
As you spin past the beautiful Bow River and towering peaks leading to our campground, keep your eye on the forest for elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and black bears
Families trek to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse for a tasty homemade lunch
While adults hike to Mirror Lake, youngsters delight at camp in experiential activities designed just for them
From Lake Louise, bike along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway to the shimmering glacier-fed waters of the Waterfowl Lakes and our campground in Banff National Park.
Day
4 Join certified mountain guides on Columbia Icefield for an adventurous ice walk, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies
A fun-filled Class II raft trip on the Athabasca River offers a unique view of the wilderness near Jasper and a ton of family fun!
Days
5-6 Relax around crackling campfires and sleep under star-filled skies
Grown-ups bike a riverside route from stunning Maligne Lake, stopping to hike at Maligne Canyon
Meanwhile, kids are introduced to the exciting sport of rock climbing with accredited instructors
Walk in the Valley of the Five Lakes, savoring views of Mounts Edith Cavell and Kerkeslin.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
The multisport trip to the Canadian Rockies was outstanding. It was everything that I had hoped for and more. The views were spectacular, and I really enjoyed the itinerary. I thought the amount of activity was perfect. Our days were filled and extremely enjoyable. Once again, your leaders are exceptional.- Cedar Knolls, NJ
It was outstanding! We are all so sad it is over. Our guides were almost clarivoyant in their ability to know when rest/refreshment was needed, pick up the mood by entertaining a tired group, cheer participants on to optimum achievement, challenge kids just enough, and keep everyone engaged and excited about what was next. Their passion for the region was contagious and their athletic ability inspirational. They were incredibly flexible and managed to accomodate those who wanted more challenge, as well as those who needed downtime.- Atlanta, GA
Without question, this was the BEST family vacation we have ever had. It beats Disney, cruises, etc. I am so happy we were recommended to you.- Rome, GA
Deluxe Camping
Lake Louise Campground
Lake Louise (2 nights) This picture-perfect campsite is situated along the Bow River beneath the gaze of Mount Temple.
Waterfowl Lakes Campground
Banff National Park (1 night) Set on the bank of the stunning and remote Waterfowl Lakes, this campsite is a great spot for viewing wildlife and the scenic grandeur of the Canadian Rockies.
Wapiti Campground
Jasper National Park (2 nights) Named for the elk, or wapiti, that roam the area, our peaceful home base looks onto the Athabasca River just a short ride from the charming town of Jasper.
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This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Biking | 7* | 300 | 38 | 1300 | ||||||
| Biking | 17* | 500 | |||||||||
| Walking | 1.4 | 100 | |||||||||
| 2 | Hiking | 6 | 1200 | 8 | 1800 | ||||||
| Kids | Gondola ride & activities (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Biking | 13* | 500 | 27* | 1400 | 34 | 1600 | ||||
| 4 | Rafting | On the Athabasca River (2 hours) | |||||||||
| Other | Guided ice walk (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 24 | 300 | 33 | 400 | ||||||
| Walking | 1.6 | 100 | |||||||||
| Kids | Rock climbing (4 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Walking | 3.1 | 100 | ||||||||
On this Family Trip, our routes follow rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
* Includes a shuttle
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For 34 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Canadian Rockies tour experts. See our award-winning Canada multisport tours, Canada biking tours and Canada walking and hiking tours.