Click, click. Check out those giant deer...Wait - they're elk? Cool! What makes the lake so blue? Doesn't even look like real water. Click. Hey you guys! There's a bald eagle in that tree! Just saw a marmot, too. Click, click. I think I see that mountain we climbed yesterday. Mom, Dad: Say cheeeeese! Click, click. Get one of me and the Trip Leaders. Now with my bike. Click. We're going rafting tomorrow, right? That waterfall is the tallest thing I've ever seen! This is the best - click, click - vacation ever.
Day 1 Awesome views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain are yours to admire while biking from Banff to Lake Minnewanka.
Day 2 Old-fashioned charm meets contemporary sophistication at the award-winning Post Hotel
There's nothing quite like a morning spin past towering peaks, virgin forests and the blue-green Bow River A short walk through Johnston Canyon reveals a stunning waterfall.
Day 3 Gaze at the reflection of Mount Victoria in the turquoise waters of Lake Louise
The younger crowd teams up with a local guide for a rock-climbing lesson Meanwhile the grown-ups embark on a classic Rockies hike to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse If you can pull your eyes away from the spectacular view of peaks and glaciers, you may spot marmots in the boulder fields nearby 
Join local bear expert and researcher Colleen Campbell for "Bear Biology 101."
Days 4-6 Rafting on the Kicking Horse River
- a splashing good time with a taste of white water thrills! Admire views of Mount Quadra and Bident Mountain during a stroll to Consolation Lake At Emerald Lake Lodge, relax in the outdoor hot tub or paddle a canoe on the lake Dig into a farewell lunch before returning to Banff.
Trip Highlights
- Awesome views of Mount Rundle, Cascade Mountain and Lake Minnewanka
- Old-fashioned charm meets contemporary sophistication at the award-winning Post Hotel
- Majestic Mount Victoria reflected in the turquoise waters of Lake Louise
- Kids enjoy a fun-filled day rock climbing with expert guides
- Rafting on the Kicking Horse River - a splashing good time
Premiere Inns
The Rimrock Resort Hotel (1 night): A grand contemporary lodge on Sulphur Mountain with awe-inspiring views of Bow Valley and the surrounding Rockies. (pool, spa)
Post Hotel & Spa (2 nights): This European-style chalet set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers is the epitome of rustic elegance. A Relais & Châteaux member. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Emerald Lake Lodge (2 nights): A secluded turn-of-the century lodge, built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, on the shore of a spectacular tree-rimmed glacial lake.
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 | 0 | 20 | 600 | 36 | 1200 | ||||
| 2 | Biking | 7* | 300 | 39 | 1000 | ||||||
| Biking | 17* | 500 | |||||||||
| Walking | 1.4 | 100 | |||||||||
| 3 | Hiking | 6 | 1200 | 8 | 1800 | ||||||
| Kids | Rock climbing (4 hours) | ||||||||||
| 4 | Biking | 6* | 0 | 23 | 1400 | ||||||
| Biking | 15* | 300 | |||||||||
| Hiking | 4 | 300 | |||||||||
| 5 | Walking | 3.0 | 100 | ||||||||
| Rafting | River float trip (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Walking | 3.0 | 0 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 7/1-6 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27 Price: $3598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10 Price: $3398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/12-17 Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/19-24 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/26-31 Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $930 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to raft is 12 years/90 lbs. Minimum agre restrictoin to rock climb: 6 years
General Info on Minimum Ages:
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/restrictions of activities and route
- 9+ several long adult dinners, difficulty/restrictions of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
Honestly, the best family week we have spent together.- Villanova, PA
Fantastic in all respects. Felt very prepared for it and can't think of much to change or anything that could've been materially better. Great family trip.- Milwaukee, WI