As the only spa downtown in Jasper, Alberta, Canada the Wild Orchid Salon and Spa offer as perfect opportunity for visitors to relax and unwind in the Canadian Rockies.

Wild Orchid provides everything from bride-to-be massages to men’s haircuts, with registered massage therapists always at the ready for anybody looking for a rub. Packages range from hour long Reiki and hot stone massages to full day pampering that includes everything manicures and herbal tea to scalp massages and facials.

Also worth a try is the spas Wild Fiesta package, which is a partnership between the Wild Orchid and La Fiesta a well-established local restaurant near the spa. The package includes a 60 minute couple’s massage, a three course meal and the restaurant’s famous sangria.

There are of course other options for those looking for a spa treatment in Jasper, with most of the best associated with the larger hotels such as the Jasper Park Lodge. However, for the value and its location right in the heart of Jasper’s downtown, the Wild Orchid Salon is worth looking into.

There is something for people from every walk of life when it comes to day hikes in Jasper National Park. From slow strolls to quad busting climbs, the day hikes in this section of the Canadian Rockies will make their mark on just about any park visitor. With spectacular sites that range from renowned glacial rivers and lakes to pastoral mountain meadows, many within a stone’s throw of the town site, there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy a day hike in Jasper. But remember, not all paths are created equal and these few tips might make sure you are not wasting your time in the Canadian Rockies.

Lake Annette Loop

Located close the town of Jasper, this paved loop is an easy hike for just about anybody and is even wheel chair accessible. With ample opportunity for picnicking, swimming and canoeing many people make their way to the Loop throughout the year. But just because it’s easy doesn’t make it average and you’ll find an ample amount of Rocky Mountain magic to hold your attention. This includes everything from the beautiful blue glacial waters to a quicksand-filled pond to the inspiring peaks of the Temple Mountain and all the wildlife that Japer is famous for.

Athabasca Falls

Although it is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies it is Athabasca Falls is one of the easiest sites to get to. Although there are stairs along the way, which does limit some people, the entire trail is paved. As you can imagine for a place this beautiful and this accessible, it can get very busy during peak times, but it’s worth braving the crowds to get a good look.

Cavell Lake

When the early morning light hits the waters of Jasper National Park’s Cavell Lake you will think you’ve woken up in Valhalla. And maybe you have? Although the Lake is rather large, the walk and the drive to get there from the town of Jasper to get a good look at this Rocky Mountain wonder are not. The mostly gravel path offers little in the way of elevation gain and makes this must see site for those wanting a simple day hike in Jasper.

Canadian Rockies Hiking or Walking Tours: Let Someone Else Haul the Gear

The opportunities for hiking and walking here in the Western Canada provide some of the most beautiful and stunning natural scenery in the world. Here in the Canadian Rockies’ Alberta province there is a confluence of unspoiled wilderness, mountain culture and natural history.

What’s more, you can stay comfortable boutique hotels and lodges in the famous alpine resorts in the Albertan towns of Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and right here in Jasper, or you can opt for a more primitive adventure, camping nearby and traveling to different trails each day. There are also rustic log cabins at Mount Assiniboine, where the wilderness starts at the doorway.

Of course if you’re the do-it-yourself type, there are plenty of trails for you here in the Canadian Rockies. But if you would prefer a guided hiking or walking tour, there are many professional guiding companies to be found here that can arrange a trip for you and your group.

The benefit of the hiking and walking tours is that you can leave behind the large backpacks and enjoy the splendor of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, carrying little on your back, and you have a professional guide that not only will keep you from getting lost, but can educate you on the culture, history and biology of Western Canada and its national Parks.

It’s also possible to arrange for a private hiking or walking tour.

click here for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures 200 – 50 Lincoln Park Canmore, Alberta
click here for Banff Travel call toll free: 888-659-3394 211 Bear Street Bison Courtyard Banff, Alberta

Panoramic Alpine Beauty and Fresh Air: Camping in the Canadian Rockies

Many visitors here choose the luxury resort and boutique hotel accommodations that can be found in Banff, Alberta. Others opt for a tent: camping is a great and inexpensive way in which to enjoy all that Banff National Park and Canadian Rockies have to offer. There are 13 campgrounds with a total of 2,468 sites in Banff National Park that cater to everyone, whether they prefer tents, trailers or RVs.

Most campgrounds in Banff National Park are booked on a first come, first served basis, though reservations can be made for Tunnel Mountain and Lake Louise campgrounds starting in the spring.

Tunnel Mountain

These campgrounds are close to Banff, located on – you guessed it — Tunnel Mountain. From here you can walk or take the bus to downtown Banff. Many campsites here feature a wide-angle view of the valley, hoodoos, and the Banff Springs Golf course. Services such as food, laundry and a water slide are close by. Interpretive programs are offered at the campground theater throughout the summer.

• 321 full service sites are available in the Trailer Court, open from May – October.
• 188 power-only sites are available in Village II, open year-round.
• 618 non-serviced sites are available in Village I, open from May – October.

Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake campgrounds are located 12 kilometers from Banff, along the Minnewanka loop. Both are wooded, offering picturesque and secluded sites as well as ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. These sites are available on a first come, first served basis, so arriving early is recommended. Check-out time is 11 a.m.

Two Jack Main Campground

This is the larger of the two campgrounds; it is open from mid-May through mid-September.

• 380 secluded campsites
• kitchen shelters
• flush toilets
• no showers available

Two Jack Lakeside Campground

Directly across the road from the main campground, the lakeside campground is smaller, with several sites backing right onto Two Jack Lake.

• 74 wooded secluded campsites
• kitchen shelters and dish-washing stations
• flush toilets
• heated showers

Johnston Canyon

This mid-sized campground is located 25 kilometers from Banff if you’re traveling west along the Bow Valley Parkway. The best part about this campground is that it is close to Johnston Canyon Trail, one of the loveliest – and consequently most popular – hiking trails in all of Banff National Park and perhaps all of the Canadian Rockies. The campground is open from early June through mid-September; all sites are available first come, first served.

• 132 sites
• heated showers

Castle Mountain

Located halfway between Banff and Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway, the Castle Mountain Campground is beautifully wooded and secluded. Even so, it is located close to a small store, gas station, bar and restaurant, for those that like to rough it without getting too rough. Castle Mountain Campground is open mid-May through early September, sites are available first come, first served.

• 43 wooded sites
• flush toilets
• kitchen shelters

Protection Mountain Campground

Protection Mountain Campground, which operates under the Campground Host volunteer program, is located in an area sprinkled with wildlife and hiking trails, 48 kilometers from Banff or 17 kilometers from Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway. This small campground may be remote, but is nevertheless a bit genteel, as rustic camping goes. The Protection Mountain Campground operates from late June through early September, with sites available on a first come, first served basis.

• 89 sites
• flush toilets
• piped cold water
• kitchen shelters
• fire rings and firewood
• recycling bins
• food storage

Lake Louise

Lake Louise lies about an hour’s drive north of Banff town, and is one of the most beautiful places in the province of Alberta – a province full of beautiful places in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The Lake Louise campgrounds lie in a wooded site along the Bow River, 1 kilometer from the Village of Lake Louise and 4 kilometers from the lake itself. Several hiking and biking trails are accessible from these campgrounds.

Because the Lake Louise campgrounds are located within sensitive wildlife habitat, there are several initiatives in place to protect both people and animals. To educate campers, Parks Canada presents interpretive programs at campground theaters throughout the summer. These sites can be reserved beginning April 2; to make a reservation, please visit Parks Canada or dial toll free 1-877-737-3783 (1-877-RESERVE) (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM), TTY: 1-866-787-6221.

Lake Louise Trailer Campground: open year round

• 189 drive-thru sites in the summer, 30 in the winter
• power hook-ups
• flush toilets
• piped hot and cold water
• showers
• recycling bins
• sanitation station

Lake Louise Tent Campground

This campground is open from May to October, however in early spring (April/May) and late fall (October/November), tents and soft-sided trailers are not permitted in the Lake Louise Campground to help protect both people and bears. During these shoulder seasons, tent camping is available at Mosquito Creek, Tunnel Mountain Campground, and Kicking Horse (closes October 6; 23 kilometers west on the Trans-Canada Highway).

• 210 unserviced sites
• flush toilets
• piped hot and cold water
• showers
• kitchen shelters
• fire rings and firewood
• recycling bins
• food storage

Mosquito Creek

Named after the not-so-subtly named Mosquito Creek, this campground sits underneath the majestic cliffs of Mount Hector, 24 kilometers north of Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway (. Open year round, this campground offers just the very basic of amenities.

• 32 unserviced sites
• well water (hand pump)
• dry privies
• kitchen shelter with wood cook stove
• fire rings and firewood

Waterfowl Lakes

Waterfowl Lakes Campground is located 57 kilometers north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, at the spot where the Mistaya River flows into Waterfowl Lake. Open from late June through early September, this campground offers easy access to Cirque and Chephren Lakes via a hiking trail. It also is administered as part of the Campground Host volunteer program.

• 116 unserviced sites
• flush toilets
• piped water
• kitchen shelters with wood cook stoves
• fire rings and firewood
• food storage
• recycling bins
• sanitation station

Rampart Creek

Rampart Creek Campground, located near the Columbia Icefield, is set in a location ideal for wildlife viewing and taking in awe-inspiring views of the mountains. This small campground is open late June through early September.

• 50 unserviced sites
• well water (hand pump)
• dry privies
• kitchen shelters with wood cook stove
• fire rings and firewood
• smoke-free loop
• recycling bins
• food storage

Fishing the Rockies: Grab Your Pole and Catch Your Dinner or Just Kick Back and Relax

It was Thoreau who said “time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains.”

But then someone else said “a bad day’s fishing is better than a good day at work.”

Whether you see trout fishing as a spiritual exercise in self renewal, or just a good way to relax while on holiday, the mountains of Western Canada are an excellent place in which to do it. Naturally there are some excellent spots for fishing around Banff, Alberta.

The upper Bow River, running directly through Banff National Park, is known worldwide among anglers for opportunities to catch brown trout (up to 10 lbs/4 kg), Rocky Mountain whitefish (to 5 lbs/2.2 kg), and the occasional cutthroat, brook, and bull trout.

Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, located just minutes northeast from the city of Banff, is another well-known destination among lake trout anglers.

Several local guides and outfitters are available to lead angling trips, including Banff Fishing Unlimited, Alpine Anglers and Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours. A National Park Fishing Permit is required. Angling season runs April through October.

Fly Fishing

The fly fishing season begins in May and runs through to October. Dry fly fishing peaks in July, August, and September. Fly fishing guides include Tightline Adventures, Hawgwild Flyfishing Guides, Banff Travel, Alpine Anglers, Upper Bow Fly Fishing Company, and Banff Flyfishing.

And remember: “There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.”

Want first hand advice on where the fish are biting? New to fly fishing? Let the folks at Banff Travel arrange your fishing trip in Banff National Park. Walk and wade or drift in a boat, the choice is yours.

click here for
Banff Travel

call toll free: 888-659-3394

211 Bear Street
Bison Courtyard
Banff, Alberta

Placid Waters or Adrenaline Soaked Whitewater: Take your Pick for Canoeing and Kayaking in Banff National Park

When it comes to water sports and outdoor recreation, it’s tough to beat Banff, Alberta – still alpine lakes, lazy, slow moving rivers, and rippling and foamy mountain creeks and epic whitewater — all here in Banff National Park.

There are plenty of places for canoeing and kayaking in and around Banff – the Bow and Spray Rivers run through town, after all. Furthermore, the range of canoeing and kayaking opportunities offers something for paddlers of all levels, be they novice, expert, or somewhere in between.

Whether you are looking for adrenaline soaked adventure or just want to relax and take in the alpine beauty and wildlife, you can do it here in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Canoeing

Canoes can be rented at Blue Canoe, at the north end of Bow Avenue (also accessible from Wolf Street) in downtown Banff. From the canoe docks on the river, paddlers who put in directly right here can explore a gentle leg of the Bow River or follow 40 Mile Creek into the Vermilion Lakes. Both routes offer opportunities for wildlife viewing.

More experienced paddlers can take their canoe to one of three different legs of the Bow River:

• Lake Louise to Castle Junction
• Castle Junction to Banff
• Bow Falls to Canmore

North of Banff on Lake Louise, canoes can be rented at Moraine Lake Lodge and at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With hourly rentals here, you can take as much or as little time as you like to explore the pristine mountain lakes and unspoiled alpine scenery here.

Kayaking

Kayaking on the lakes around Banff town are an excellent way to not only enjoy the natural beauty of Banff National Park in serene settings, but also to observe the area’s wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s also an excellent opportunity to laze away an afternoon fishing.

Banff Travel offers half-day guided tours in inflatable kayaks, including a scenic “calm water” trip down the Bow River, with instruction in basic kayaking techniques and safety.

The best kayaking spots include:

• Lake Minnewanka
• Vermilion Lakes
• Johnson Lake
• Two Jack Lake
• The Bow River between Castle Junction and Banff town

If creek boat or play boat describes your kayak – if you’ve been reading this thinking “Wildlife and natural beauty is great and all, but where’s the fun stuff? Where’s the whitewater?” Don’t worry, Banff has that too. Local routes for experienced whitewater paddlers include:

• Bow River (Banff Springs Golf Course to Canmore) – Class I-II
• Upper Bow River – Class III-V
• Pipestone (at Lake Louise) – Class IV
• Red Earth Creek – Class V+*

*Yes, that’s right, V+, as in should only be attempted by expert creek boaters/kayakers. There are epic 20- and 30-foot drops, log jams — anything the experienced whitewater kayak junky could want – on this short, intense little river which empties into the Bow River between Banff town and Castle Junction.

Hard boats not your idea of watercraft? Prefer inflatable rafts? Don’t worry, there’s whitewater rafting and float tours available in Banff National Park.

If you’re looking for a guided trip, maybe something more family-friendly than epic Class V rapids, we can suggest Banff Travel.

click here for Banff Travel

call toll free: 888-659-3394

211 Bear Street
Bison Courtyard
Banff, Alberta

Enjoy a Relaxing Float or Thrilling Whitewater in Banff National Park: Whitewater Rafting and Float Tours

You can enjoy a sedate float tour or you can get flush with adrenaline and see what you’re made of – figuratively speaking (we hope) – on the rivers in Canada’s Banff National Park. Either way, it’s an excellent way to cool off in the summer months.

There are several local operators in and around Banff, Canada that provide whitewater rafting trips covering a range of lengths and difficulties – but all are bound to be enjoyable and exciting.

• Banff Travel
• Banff Ski Hub
• Blast Adventures
• Canadian Rockies Rafting Company
• Hydra River Guides
• Kootenay River Runners
• Rocky Mountain Raft Tours
• Wet ‘N’ Wild Adventures Ltd.
• Wild Water Adventures

BanffLIFE’s non-profit Mountain Adventure Program also offers whitewater rafting trips exclusively for local young adults (ages 18 – 35).

Float Tours

Epic whitewater not your thing? Looking to relax on your holiday or vacation getaway in the Canadian Rockies? That’s no problem, there are several popular float tours offered in and around Banff:

Canadian Rockies Rafting offers a three-hour Bow River Eco-Float. This is a nice and leisurely river float with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, as well as a stop for viewing of wildflowers and other flora. There are also early evening options, which not only offer the unique opportunity to enjoy the river as alpine twilight descends, but the chance to witness increased beaver activity. Experienced river guides provide interpretive information along the way.

Rocky-Peak Holidays offers a one-hour Hoodoos Float Tour. This float launches beside Bow Falls and lands beneath the north face of Mount Rundle. It includes an interpretive presentation by the rafting guide. Bus pick-up is available from The Banff Park Lodge 15 minutes prior to tour departure or the Banff Springs Hotel five minutes prior to departure. Otherwise, meet at the launch site.

Rocky-Peak Holidays also offers a two-hour Rundle Float Tour, which launches from the base of Mount Rundle’s towering North Face and covers a section of the Bow River where wildlife, waterfowl, and wildflowers are abundant. At the end of the float, a 15-minute walk returns the group to the bus. Hotel pick-up and drop-off included.

If hard boating is more your thing, there is also plenty of opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in Banff National Park. Click here for more information on whitewater rafting in Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies.

To arrange an easy rafting trip or an epic whitewater adventure on the Kicking Horse River, we can recommend the adventure specialists and guides at Banff Travel.

click here for Banff Travel

Q: Best Way to See Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies? A: From the Air on an Airplane or Helicopter Tour!

Panoramic alpine mountains souring thousands of meters in the air above Alberta, towering above alpine forests and meadows covered with wildflowers. Through it all thread unspoiled rivers and streams, fed by snow-melt and glaciers and emptying into the pristine mountain lakes of Western Canada.

What better way to experience the stunning, awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park than from the air?

Local sightseeing tours are available by both helicopter and airplane. For those that aren’t physically capable of scaling mountains or trekking for several days its perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Western Canada.

There are a number of airplane and helicopter tour operators in and around Banff National Park, but we can recommend Banff Travel to get you up in the air.

Click here for more information on Banff activities, boutique hotels, resorts and other accommodations.

click here for Banff Travel

Heli Hiking: Take the Scenic Way to the Backcountry of the Canadian Rockies

If you’re looking to get out into the real backcountry of the Canadian Rockies outside of Banff, Alberta, one option — especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, or might not be physically capable of hiking up a mountain — is heli-hiking.

Like heli-skiing, heli-hiking lets you enjoy the fresh air and scenic alpine beauty of the Canadian Rockies in and around Banff National Park by scaling the mountains via helicopter. A typical heli-hike offered through Banff Travel, for example, offers a 15-minute scenic helicopter ride to a beautiful, wild area high above the Bow River Valley. From there, you’ll get three to four hours of hiking. These hikes are available to people of all ages and abilities; the pace and distance of the hike is tailored to what your group wants to do and is physically able to do.

You can also book a 25-minute ride, which takes you over magnificent mountain ranges and drops you off on Mount Charles Stewart, where your the hike of a lifetime awaits. The hike, led by a top guide, takes you through scenic alpine meadows and ridges, offering stunning landscapes and beautiful flower-filled alpine meadows. Once again, distance and pace are adjusted for each group.

Click here for more information on Banff activities, boutique hotels, resorts and other accommodations.

To arrange your heli-hiking excursion contact Banff Travel.

click here for Banff Travel

call toll free: 888-659-3394

211 Bear Street
Bison Courtyard
Banff, Alberta

Scale the Glaciated Alpine Ranges of the Continental Divide in the Canadian Rockies

Banff National Park includes a huge section of the Canadian Rockies range from the crest of the Continental Divide along the British Columbia-Alberta border on the west, nearly to the edge of the prairies on the east.

This tremendous mountainous terrain makes for excellent rock climbing and mountaineering in around Banff, Lake Louise and the other towns of Western Canada.

Local climbers distinguish between the higher, often glaciated alpine ranges along the continental divide, and the slightly lower, drier ranges to the east. The Trans Canada Highway provides the main east-west route through the park with access to the town and service centers of Banff and Lake Louise.

A park highway, which parallels the main Divide Range from Lake Louise to Jasper, offers some of the most spectacular alpine peaks and glaciers on the continent.

Popular Mountain Climbing Sites in Banff National Park

Moderate-Level Climbing in Banff

• Cascade Mountain and Mt. Rundle: near Banff townsite and Mt. Fairview in the Lake Louise area, popular for scrambling.
• Mts. Edith and Cory: each located close to the road near Banff for roped rock climbs and attractive peaks, popular for scrambling.

Moderate to Difficult Level Climbing in Banff

• Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: the High summits around these areas provide some of the most popular alpine climbing areas in North America, they contain everything from moderate scrambles to the most serious alpine faces. Extensive trails provide excellent access. This is a good area in which to focus an initial summer climbing trip to the Canadian Rockies.
• Castle Mountain: west of Banff offers a number of steep rock routes on gritty dolomitic limestone.
  Mt. Louis: has challenging multipitch limestone rock climbs and a spectaculer, spirelike summit.

New to rock climbing or would like to take some lessons and try the sport on for size? Want to climb with a guide with intimate knowledge of the local routes? Contact Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or Banff Travel.

click here for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures 200 – 50 Lincoln Park Canmore, Alberta
click here for Banff Travel call toll free: 888-659-3394 211 Bear Street Bison Courtyard Banff, Alberta