Take a Winter Adventure in the Snowy Canadian Rockies
This winter, transport yourself to a land of frozen lakes, snow-capped mountains, and jaw-dropping lake and forest vistas. Your winter wonderland awaits in the Canadian Rockies, and we have all the details on an unmissable itinerary just for you.
Photo courtesy of Backroads
Oh, Canada. Our neighbors to the north. Canada is a country so full of natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for nature lovers and adventurers at heart. While it can be a delight to visit in the summer, there is nothing like experiencing this gorgeous country when it is blanketed in snow, and our dear friends at Backroads have put together a snow-filled winter adventure just for you. Thankfully, there is still some availability in the upcoming season!
During this six-day, five-night getaway to the Canadian Rockies, you’ll explore Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks. Discover a world of winter wonders, with everything from frozen waterfalls to sparkling glaciers to towering frosted peaks. Snowshoe through a magical land of canyons and valleys, and reward yourself by slipping into a steaming outdoor hot tub. Ice skate below Mount Temple and be whisked through marvelous scenery via dogsled. Of course, you’ll be treated to fabulous hotels along the way, like the prestigious Fairmont Banff Springs and the Post Hotel.
Best of all, Backroads is part of our trusted Virtuoso network, and the team at Poe Travel has been working with them for years. This means that, as a guest of Poe Travel’s, you will be given the rockstar treatment from start to finish.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
6 days, 5 nights
*Please note that this itinerary may vary slightly by departure date.
Days 1-2
Banff & Kootenay
Upon touching down in Canada, you’ll hit the ground running in Kootenay National Park, where you’ll embark on a snowshoe jaunt through the dramatic beauty of Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots. Take in frozen waterfalls and limestone walls as you immediately immerse yourself in the icicle-laden beauty that is Canada in the wintertime.
Photo courtesy of Backroads
Watch for moose tracks as you trek along Tokumm Creek, and in the resort town of Banff—where you’ll be staying for two nights—a gondola at the base of Sulphur Mountain will whisk you to the summit. At the top, you’ll be awed by 360-degree vistas of snowcapped peaks and valleys.
Head to Spray Lakes Provincial Park, where you’ll learn the basics of mushing before you hop on for an exhilarating dogsledding tour of your own as you sled along snowy trails beneath towering pinnacles.
Finally, put on your ice cleats and trek through Johnston Canyon. Here, you can watch ice climbers as they make their way up the frozen falls while you pass through a surreal landscape of icy pillars, turquoise pools, and snowy crags to the unforgettable Cathedral of Ice.
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs
Hotel Spotlight: Fairmont Banff Springs
This hotel is truly the stuff of legend, so it’s only fitting that it was built in the style of a Scottish baronial castle. Set in the heart of Banff National Park and offering magnificent panoramic views, luxurious guest rooms, and an award-winning 35,000-square-foot spa, it has frequently been named in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best! The hotel combines chic sophistication with a rugged outdoor environment and has countless dining opportunities for you to enjoy during your stay.
Day 3
Kootenay & Yoho National Parks
Spend the first part of the day snowshoeing through Kootenay’s pristine and far-flung Chickadee Valley. You’ll find yourself surrounded by imposing glacier-clad peaks as you enjoy your last bit of time in this astonishing national park.
Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to your lodge in Yoho National Park, where we would recommend a relaxing soak in an outdoor hot tub surrounded by alpine scenery. This is the perfect way to relax after your active day in Kootenay.
Hotel Spotlight: Emerald Lake Lodge
Photo courtesy of Emerald Lake Lodge
Welcome to your home for the evening, a secluded turn-of-the-century lodge built of hand-hewn timber and featuring simple cabins. The wilderness will become home to you as you find yourself nestled in the woods above a spectacular tree-rimmed glacial lake. With fireplaces dating back centuries and a bar that was salvaged from an 1890’s saloon, you’ll be immersed in the history of this place, all right on the shores of the famous lake in Yoho National Park.
Days 4-6
Emerald Lake & Lake Louise
Before you depart Emerald Lake Lodge, you’ll get some time to properly explore Emerald Lake and its stunning alluvial fan on snowshoes.
Afterwards, head to the Post Hotel on the incredible Lake Louise. A winter stay at the Post Hotel means that you simply must enjoy a bit of ice skating on the hotel’s outdoor rink. You will feel as though you have fallen into a postcard.
Lake Louise is a World Heritage Site for good reason, and a snowshoe trek of the lake offers unforgettable views of Mount Victoria and its towering glaciers. For your final snowshoe adventure, you’ll traverse the glacier-fed Peyto Lake and the Mistaya Valley. This is nothing short of a magnificent way to end your journey through wintery Canada.
Photo courtesy of The Post Hotel
Hotel Spotlight: The Post Hotel
This European-style mountain chalet is set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers and is a member of Relais & Châteaux. The epitome of old-world elegance, the Post Hotel is private and intimate, a true home-away-from-home. In fact, this was one of our founder, Fred Poe’s, favorite hotels in the entire world, and he certainly knew the world. The hotel’s pool and spa have frequently been named in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best list.
Available Dates
There is still availability on several winter journeys in the upcoming season, including one journey that will see you spending Christmas in the Rockies.
Photo courtesy of Backroads
Please inquire with our team directly so we can look into holding space for you if you are interested, as these spots will book up fast! Here are the dates that still have some availability:
December 21-26, 2021
January 16-21, 2022
January 30-February 4, 2022
February 6-11, 2022
February 13-18, 2022
February 20-25, 2022
February 27-March 4, 2022
If you wish to extend your trip beyond the five nights included in the Backroads itinerary, the team at Poe Travel would be happy to put together a tailor-made extension for you depending on your interests and your wishes for the rest of your time in Canada.
If you’d like to get away to the Canadian Rockies (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us. We will check dates, availability, and pricing to set you on your way.