Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
- Natural and historic treasures discovered by foot, pedal and paddle
- Family-friendly bike routes through an alpine landscape of unimaginable beauty
- Ice trek on Athabasca Glacier
- Spot signs of marmots, deer, beaver and coyote
- A float trip down the Athabasca River
Call 800-462-2848, Every day 7am–5pm,PST
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Natural Treasures in Banff & Jasper National Parks
How can a place be so beautiful? You might think it's too perfect to touch. And then you hear the wilderness. Beckoning you. How can you say no? So you hike, bike, climb and paddle on pristine trails, scenic byways and rushing rivers. Cross a massive glacier on foot. Behold thundering waterfalls. Rock climb? Yes, that's even an option for the youngsters. And as your family gazes into jewel-blue Lake Louise, remember that the kids hear the wilderness too. Hear it saying dive in... cannonball!
Days
1-2 Pedal along the Bow River, past towering peaks and virgin forests 
A scenic walking trail leads from Johnston Canyon to a series of picturesque waterfalls Walk through subalpine forest lined with larch trees 
Marvel at the blue-green hues of Moraine Lake, beneath the striking Wenkchemna Peaks Take advantage of a late-afternoon photo op at Lake Louise, a world-renown beauty and World Heritage site flanked by imposing, glaciated spires.
Day
3 Family-friendly bike routes through an alpine landscape of unimaginable beauty As you shadow the Continental Divide, tumbling glaciers and soaring peaks flank the long gradual ascent toward Crowfoot Glacier Stroll along the shores of Bow Lake for a closer look at Bow Glacier Falls Keep on the lookout for pikas, bighorn sheep and elk.
Day
4 Ice walk on Athabasca Glacier with accredited mountain guides; this glacier is just one part of the enormous Columbia Icefield! Float down Class II rapids on the Athabasca River.
Days
5-6 Kids learn to rock climb, hanging on each word of their expert instructors Grown-ups gape at Maligne Lake's magnificent color, then spin to Maligne Canyon, a spectacular limestone slot canyon best explored on foot Amble through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its jade-green namesakes and through the habitats of mule deer and coyotes.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
We had perhaps the best family trip ever on our Canadian Rockies Family adventure and carry with us memories that will last a lifetime. We cannot wait to go on our next Backroads trip. What an outstanding experience! Thank you.- San Francisco, CA
Our 50th anniversary family trip was absolutely wonderful. I never looked at anyone at any time that they didn't have a big smile on their face. We (some of us) were often tired, but it was a good feeling and one of accomplishment. Our group consisted of folks from Ironman to couch potato abilities and we were all satisfied!- Frisco, CO
It was a great trip....I wish that I could start over and do it again this week!- Cincinnati, OH
Casual Inns
Baker Creek Mountain Resort
Lake Louise (2 nights) This hidden gem, nestled in a wooded setting beneath the Canadian Rockies, features a great location next to a babbling brook.
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge
Bow Lake (1 night) A simple mountain retreat offering an atmosphere of secluded tranquility on the bank of Bow Lake.
Tekarra Lodge
Jasper (2 nights) A cluster of simple cabins with fireplaces and porches, nestled in pines above the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette Rivers.
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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 | 30 | 1000 | ||||||
| Biking | 17 | 500 | |||||||||
| Walking | 1.4 | 100 | |||||||||
| 2 | Hiking | 5 | 1800 | 7 | 2400 | ||||||
| Kids | Consolation Lakes hike (3.6 miles; 200’ elevation gain) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Biking | 8* | 500 | 24* | 1400 | 31 | 1800 | ||||
| Hiking | 6 | 500 | |||||||||
| 4 | Biking | 8* | 300 | 19 | 700 | ||||||
| Other | Guided ice walk (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 24 | 400 | 31 | 400 | ||||||
| Walking | 1.6 | 0 | |||||||||
| Rafting | On the Athabasca River (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| Kids | Rock climbing (4 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Walking | 3.1 | 100 | ||||||||
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with little significant gain or loss in elevation. 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.
