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! Continue along the Icefields Parkway and watch the landscape change as you pass the Endless Chain Range Check out the impressive Athabasca Falls, where the most powerful river in the park plunges over a cliff of eroded limestone and quartzite Back on your bike, continue down the Athabasca Valley, tracing the path of the 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 Families reunite to float the gentle Class II rapids of the Athabasca River, following a route used by early fur traders and explorers Traveling by boat offers a new perspective on the landscape - as well as more chances to see wildlife 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.
Trip Highlights
- 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
Casual Inns
Baker Creek Mountain Resort (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 (1 night): A simple mountain retreat offering an atmosphere of secluded tranquility on the bank of Bow Lake.
Tekarra Lodge (2 nights): A cluster of simple cabins with fireplaces and porches, nestled in pines above the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette Rivers.
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 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 7/8-13 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $630 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $630 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $630 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/19-24 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $630 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, rock climb and ice walk: 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+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners, routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children, difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
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