Backroads | Canadian Rockies Family Insider

Canadian Rockies Family Insider

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but pictures simply can't prepare you and your family for the exhilarating reality of the Canadian Rockies. Forget the travel guides and coffee table books and join Backroads on an in-depth exploration of renowned national parks whose geological and natural diversity well deserve their World Heritage status. Hover above majestic Mount Assiniboine on a spectacular helicopter flight, then admire its sheer scale on a guided hike through meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Trek across the face of massive Athabasca Glacier with expert mountaineers, learning about the fragile ecosystem from local naturalists. Combining the majesty of the mountains with the comforts of luxury lodges, this is a remarkable Insider family adventure.

Athabasca Glacier

Our interpretive walk across the massive Athabasca Icefield 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.

Wildlife Essentials

The Canadian Rockies support a diversity of wildlife, from mammals to bugs and everything in between. (Hmm...it might not be a bad idea to check the kids' pockets before to you pack up to leave.) 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.

Just Breathe

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!

Channeling the Past

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 and your family will 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.

Luxury among the Peaks

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 tops 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.

Secluded Lodges : Premiere Inns

The Rimrock Resort Hotel (1 night): Its location above Banff translates into jaw-dropping views of the mountains and Bow Valley. With award-winning cuisine, a full-service spa and courteous staff, the stunning Rimrock hits all the marks.

Post Hotel & Spa (2 nights): A prestigious Relais & Châteaux member, this European-style chalet is the epitome of rustic elegance. Its award-winning restaurant, housing an impressive wine cellar of 1,500 selections, was honored with a Grand Award from Wine Spectator. A wonderful menu of services at its Temple Mountain Spa completes the package.

Jasper Park Lodge (2 nights): This intimate lodge has come a long way since 1918, when it was just a series of tents on the shores of Lake Beauvert. Now more like a "luxury summer camp" according to Condé Nast Traveler, it consistently makes the illustrious magazine's Gold List. Travel+Leisure also sings its praises - as you will after discovering the comfortable lodge's lovely views and range of activities, from golf to boating.

2008 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

8/10-15Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)

2009 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Recommended Kids Ages

Recommended minimum age: 6 years

We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:

12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities
9+ difficulty of activities
6+ several long adult dinners; there may be multiple activity restrictions
3+ activities are suited to young kids; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)

Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity.

Trip praise

Backroads is really excited to add our latest way to explore the world - Insider Trips - to our award-winning biking, hiking and multisport vacations. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus, or in a few excursions from a cruise ship or a secluded resort.

Tom Hale - Backroads President and Founder