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Canadian Rockies Family Multisport

Canadian Rockies Family Multisport

If you and your family can't decide between biking or hiking in the Rockies, now you don't have to. We've taken our best-loved activities and one of our most popular destinations and combined them into a terrific trip that's bound to be your family's new favorite. Come bike and hike in Banff and Jasper with our Trip Leaders, who are certified Mountain Parks Heritage Interpreters and know these national parks intimately. Pedal past glaciers inching their way down the faces of mighty peaks, hike to lakes in crayon-box hues of deepest blue and vibrant green, take to the water on an easygoing raft trip and explore miles and miles of Canada's breathtaking Rockies.

Days 1-2 Jasper National Park

Meet in Banff Picnic at Waterfowl lakes with towering Mount Cephren above Get a new perspective on the landscape on a guided raft trip down the Athabasca River Visit Maligne Lake to see its magnificent color before a downhill and rolling ride Hike through spectacular Maligne Canyon or up to Old Fort Point Kids are introduced to rock climbing by accredited climbing guides Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Jasper Brewing Company and the Tekarra Lodge

Day 3 Bow lake and the Icefields Parkway

Stride through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its jade-green namesakes and through the habitats of mule deer, beavers and coyotes Strap on crampons and take a guided walk with accredited mountain guides on the massive Athabasca Glacier Revel in the views of surrounding glaciers and the tip of the enormous Columbia Icefield Keep an eye out for resident wildlife.

Days 4-6 Lake Louise and Banff National Park

Spin from the highest point on the Icefields Parkway down toward Lake Louise; enjoying sweeping vistas of glaciers, mountains, lakes and forests You may have the opportunity to spot wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep and black bears Stroll alongside the Lake Louise's shimmering shore and follow the path of the Victoria Glacier up to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse A local kids' naturalist brings the landscape to life. Pedal a route lined with virgin forest and wildflowers toward Banff. Enjoy farewell picnic. short shuttle back into Banff.

big map Canadian Rockies Family Multisport

MOUNTAIN RETREATS: Casual Inns

Baker Creek Chalets (2 nights): This hidden gem, nestled in a wooded setting beneath the Canadian Rockies, features a great location and spacious homey cabins.

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.

Columbia Icefields (1 night): Modest accommodations located at the top of Sunwapta Pass, overlooking the Athabasca Glacier.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

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.

Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Trips 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.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking & Hiking
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
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

Minimum Ages:

Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years

Minimum age restrictions:

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:

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. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

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.
Phoebe Lang - 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!
Linda Goodwin - Frisco, CO