Check out the best guided hiking expeditions and tours in Canada for summer 2024! We have gathered a few of the absolute best guided hiking trips in Canada in this article.
The Best Backpacking Trails and Multiday Hikes In The Canadian Rockies
Best Places To Backcountry Ski In Canada
Best Places In Canada To Backcountry Ski And Snowboard
A guide to the best backcountry skiing in british columbia and alberta.
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Canada is up there among some of the best ski touring in the world. Deep, dependable snowfall and gargantuan mountains make for some of the best ski conditions available on the planet.
There are hundreds of places to go splitboarding in Canada and ski touring, so we have created this page to help you find the best terrain for your backcountry trip.
The best backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Canada is between the months of December to March, but you can continue to explore the mountains well into May and some avid touring junkies start getting out in late October.
Backcountry skiing in canada is a powder lovers paradise!
Earlier in the season is typically fresher snow with a lower snowpack, and more features since the snow pack hasn’t yet covered the tree stumps and boulders fully. Later in the season you are skiing on older snow, with a deeper snow pack that fills in a lot of the bigger features, smoothening out gullies and making cliffs a little friendlier.
Most of the best backcountry skiing areas in BC are host to Canadian ski guides and backcountry ski and snowboard lodges.
This article features the best backcountry ski and snowboard areas in British Columbia and Alberta. British Columbia has many areas and mountain ranges, while Alberta is limited to ski touring in the Rockies.
Where to go backcountry skiing in canada
Squamish/ whistler backcountry ski areas
Backcountry snowboarding and skiing along the Sea to Sky Highway is rich with areas to explore. Some of the best ski touring routes near Squamish are in the Elfin Lakes area and Garbaldi Lake area. Expect a variety of mellow slopes, along with some short, steeper alpine runs, like Diamond Head and Gargoyles. You can stay in the Elfin Lakes Hut for a small fee and use it as a basecamp for some long ski mountaineering trips near Squamish. The tour up to Garibaldi Lake is long, but rewarding with excellent views and amazing snow.
Travelling a bit further North, you can ski tour in the Callaghan Valley, as well as off Whistler/ Blackcomb ski resort. One popular ski touring area in Whistler is Disease Ridge, the ridge just outside the boundaries of Blackcomb.
Best for: stable snow, deep snowpack, variety of open alpine and trees, availability of huts.
duffy lakes backcountry ski area
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the Duffy Lakes area is epic and avoids a lot of the crowds found closer to Vancouver. There are several great ski touring and split boarding routes found here and the snow and terrain are both world class.
Cerise Creek is one of the best ski touring areas along the Duffy Lakes Road, offering easy touring and access to the Keith Flavelle Memorial Hut. There are many options to be found here, featuring both sheltered tree skiing and more open, advanced alpine runs.
Mount Rohr is just a few kilometres down the road from the Cerise Creek ski area, and is the access point for the Wendy Thompson Hut. Ski touring on Mt Rohr offers some incredible views, and a variety of terrain options, depending on the line you pick.
Best for: Hut access, tree and alpine skiing, venturing away from the Vancouver crowds.
coquihalla Summit backcountry skiing
Ski touring at Coquihalla Summit is a perfect place for back country enthusiasts to sharpen their skills in a relatively simple area. Coquihalla Summit is just 2.5 hours from Vancouver, so accessing it is fairly easy and most of the lines are visible from the highway. This also means that crowds can be a factor, so we recommend going during the week to have the place to yourself.
There are several ski touring and splitboarding routes at Coquihalla Summit, including Yak Peak, Nak Peak, Thar Peak, Zoa and the Needle. Various access points of the highway lead to each of these splitboarding areas.
Best for: Easy to find lines that can be seen from the highway.
rogers pass backcountry ski touring
Ski touring in Rogers Pass is some of the most epic in the world, and definitely one of the best places to backcountry ski in Canada. Rogers Pass is centrally located, right between Revelstoke and Golden, with the Transcanada Highway running right through the middle of it.
Ski touring in Rogers Pass requires a bit of preparation and knowledge, since the area is under artillery avalanche control by the ministry of highways at all times. You need to check in at the visitor center and get a day pass, to ensure that you are not entering an area with possible artillery strikes in progress.
Terrain in Rogers Pass varies from simple to complex, with long access routes passing through and directly under many overlapping avalanche paths. There is significant overhead hazard and it is impossible to tell if there are skiers and snowboarders above you, so be sure to make smart choices in where to travel, and where to stop.
There is too much to write about backcountry skiing in Rogers Pass for this article so we will expand on this in a future post, but here is a quick run down.
Illecillewaet Parking area gives access to the Asulkan Valley, hut and surrounding tterrain. This includes some iconic ski touring routes like Avalanche Crest, Glacier Crest and routes off the peaks around the Illecillewaet Glacier.
The Rogers Pass Discovery Center is the access point to Grizzly area and the route towards Balu Pass. This is also near Hermit, which is the access point for Hermit Glacier and the end of the Tupper Traverse.
Closer to Revelstoke is Bostock Parking area with access to several of Canada’s best ski touring areas, and to the East is Beaver, with access to even more places to ski tour in Canada.
Like I said, too much on Rogers Pass for this post, but we will create a dedicated article in the near future on skiing in Rogers Pass.
Best for: Virtually everything. Expect long approaches, with long runs and epic views. Significant avalanche hazard so come prepared!
revelstoke sidecountry ski touring
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has some incredible sidecountry ski areas just outside the resort boundary. You can access these areas with a day pass to take the chairlift to the top of the ski area, then take the skin track east towards Montana and Kokanee bowls, or North to Mackenzie Summit and the surrounding chutes. If you are looking for a steep and challenging backcountry ski route near Revelstoke, look no further than the chutes that drop from Mackenzie Summit area into Greeley Bowl. These include Birthday Chute, Brown Shorts and Door Chutes.
If you are looking for a longer ski touring route in Revelstoke you could head east from the top of the Stoke chair and traverse to Montana bowl and Kokanee Bowls. Here you can find some open or treed terrain, with a few aspects. Once at the bottom of the run you can traverse/ ski tour back to Ninja Traverse to return to the bottom of the ski resort.
Local Expert: Check out Revelstoke Backcountry Guides for a serious day of fun ski touring around Revelstoke!
Best for: Longer traverses to varied terrain, some easy access chutes and steeps.
whitewater ski resort ski touring
Whitewater Ski Resort is a haven for ski touring and splitboarding! Some of the most snowfall in the world (over 40 feet) and a vast array of ridges with open and closely tree’d slopes make this place epic for backcountry skiing.
If you have a pass, or a single ride pass, you can hop on the chair for the ski tour up to Prospector Peak, or beyond to Ymir Peak. Prospector has some short steep runs into a bowl, followed by expansive tree skiing and Ymir has several longer steeper and more open runs. First Choice is an incredible fall line chute and Ymir face is a steep and somewhat exposed descent into Ymir Bowl.
We recommend ski touring from Silver King chair towards Whitequeen. From the top of this backcountry ski route you can drop down the front side towards the Whitewater Road, or down “Blackqueen” on the backside into Five Mile Basin. If you drop down the back you should definitely be confident in your navigation skills, and ability to skin back up or through Hummingbird Pass to return to the road. Many skiers and snowboarders get lost back there.
Local Expert: Check out Kootenay Backcountry Guides for some highly professional ski guiding and local expertise in this area!
Best for: Easy access, safe terrain with limited avalanche path exposure.
icefields parkway backcountry skiing
Backcountry skiing in the Canadian Rockies offer some of the best ski touring routes in Canada, as well as some of the best scenery and open terrain, where dodging crowds is easy.
Banff and the Icefields Parway are not far from the significant population of Calgary, though there are no crowds here during week days. The Icefields Parkway covers roughly 230 km, stretching from Lake Louise to Jasper along highway 93. There is little maintenance here in the winter, so be sure to have all wheel drive, snow tires or chains.
There are several of Canada’s best ski touring routes and backcountry ski areas along this highway, which runs parallel to the continental divide. Here are a few of the touring routes for skiers and snowboarders that you can try this winter!
Bow Summit is an easy to see and access route along the shoulder of Bow Mountain. The access is easy, with just a few minutes approach from the highway. Observation Peak lies a few km to the North with a wide, open ridge, making for some great powder turns in the right conditions.
There are several visible ski touring routes available from Bow Lake, including the foot of Crowsnest Mountain, just to the South.
Best for: Early and late season ski touring, wide open views, light/ dry snow.
kananaskis splitboarding and ski touring
Kananaskis Country is one of the best areas in Canada to backcountry ski, with several great touring routes along the valley. Ski touring is Kananaskis Country is a popular choice for Calgary skiers and snowboarders, due to the short drive to access this area. Be weary of the cold temperatures if you are used to skiing on the coast!
There are several of Canada’s best ski touring routes in this backcountry area, including but not limited to some of the ones named below.
North and South Burstall Pass offer easy access from the highway in Peter Loughead Provincial Park, which make them popular choices. The Shark Mountain and Mount Engadine ski areas offer several amazing route options for skiers and splitboarders as well! You can end your ski touring day with a glass of wine at Mount Engadine Lodge, or pass through Canmore and stop for dinner at the Grizzly Paw Brewery.
Best for: Proximity to Calgary, low crowds on weekdays, sunny weather, epic scenery.
Southern Lakes Region, Yukon
Yup, you read that correctly. Wide open mountains (big ones), proximity to ocean, and scarcity of humans make the Yukon a really good, and highly underrated place to go backcountry skiing in Canada. I would venture as far as to say that this is one of the best places to backcountry ski in Canada, albeit a very far and tough to get to one.
There is definitely something magical about skiing up here. Could be the empty mountains that go on forever. Could be the surprisingly good craft beer in Whitehorse. Could be the northern lights that dance overhead if you stay out in the mountains overnight. Whatever it is, we highly recommend you try it.
White Pass is not too far from Whitehorse and gets an abundant snowpack as the wet ocean air rises over the pass and dumps lots of the white stuff on the surrounding mountains. There are lines right off the highway and you can easily make it back in time for happy hour.
Best for: people looking to go and do something wild and interesting. Skiing Coquihalla Pass is so mainstream.
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About the author
Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!
The Best Natural Attractions In The Yukon
Ultimate Guide To Camping In The Rockies
West Coast Trail Hiking Guide
The Best Hiking Destination You've Probably Never Heard Of
The Yukon is one of the best hiking destinations in the world.
Bold statement, but I’ll tell you why.
The Canadian Yukon is home to:
The planet’s most massive mountain
A region known as "the Patagonia of the North"
A National Park bigger than Jasper & Banff combined
The largest non-polar icefield in the world
A National Park which sees less annual visitors than the summit of Mt Everest
Loads of mountains (1368), not many people (35k) and So. Much. Wildlife.
Some of the best Northern Lights viewing opportunities in Canada!
All of which make this remote and rugged wilderness one of the best kept secrets of the hiking world.
The Yukon is home to 1368 mountains, many of them unexplored - photo by Bex Dawkes
If you’re not familiar with Canada’s best places to hike, you may not know much about The Yukon, other than that it’s cold, and some dude found gold there once. Although it does get chilly in the winter, mild temperatures and exceptionally long daylight hours during the summer months make The Yukon a fantastic hiking destination in Canada, and also host to a massive amount of beautiful natural attractions and fun things to do.
One thing that really set the Yukon apart from the hiking trails in the Canadian Rockies is the vast expanse of untouched wilderness: much of it relatively unexplored and uninhabited. Cell service is limited, resupply stations are minimal and wildlife roams free. In a remote and wild environment like this one, planning and preparation is key. But those who put in the work are rewarded with empty trails, breathtaking scenery and a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Browse through our Yukon hiking guide below and discover some of the best places and trails to hike in Canada’s north.
The Best places to hike in the yukon
The view of Kluane from Haines Junction - photo by Bex Dawkes
hiking in Kluane National Park & Reserve
Perched in the South West corner of the territory, holding its own against Alaska, is Kluane. This National Park covers more than 22,000km2 (bigger than Jasper & Banff combined) and contains 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains. Including the tallest - Mt Logan, which is also considered the most ‘massive mountain’ in the world, due to its enormous circumference. The park also houses the biggest non-polar icefield in the world, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest protected area on the planet.
Much of Kluane is unexplored by foot and can only be accessed by plane or helicopter. That being said, there are extensive hiking and mountaineering opportunities available on the fringes of this mountain wonderland.
Top trail tips:
The ‘gateway’ to Kluane is the tiny town of Haines Junction - home to just 613 year round residents. So even during the ‘busy’ summer months, you still won’t see more than a couple of other people out on the trail each day!
King’s Throne reflected in Kathleen Lake, Kluane National Park - photo by Bex Dawkes
hiking in Tombstones Territorial Park
Often referred to as ‘the Patagonia of the North’ and known as the ‘ragged mountain land’ by the local First Nation community; this magnificent park spans both the continental divide and the legendary Dempster Highway. Dramatic rock formations, striking peaks, windswept tundra, unusual permafrost landforms and rare Beringian plant species can all be discovered in a park which feels out-of-this-world.
A frontcountry campground is accessible just off the Dempster Highway, close to the park’s interpretive centre and offers a number of short trails and day hikes nearby. For the real taste of the Tombstones however, you’ll want to get further into the backcountry. Permits are required for this, so be sure to book before heading out there.
As with many other Yukon hiking destinations, marked trails in this park are rare and most of the hikes involve route finding and advanced navigation. Make sure you’re prepared for all eventualities and weather conditions - snow in July is not uncommon.
Top trail tips:
View from Miles Canyon while hiking in Whitehorse - photo by Bex Dawkes
hiking in Ivvavik National Park
Do you know how many people summit Mt Everest every year? I’ll tell you: around 800. And how many people visit Ivvavik National Park each year? About 100.
Nestled in the very northwest corner of The Yukon, this 9775km2 park borders Alaska to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the North. Created as part of an aboriginal land claims agreement, Ivvavik is a vast expanse of wilderness that very few people have explored. In fact, paths are so untrodden that there are no marked hiking trails within the park at all - meaning any visitors must be adept at navigation or hire a guide.
The park is home to hundreds of different species including: muskox, polar bears, grizzlies, moose, dall sheep, Arctic char, gyrfalcons and migrating herds of porcupine caribou, making the wildlife watching second to none.
With no roads into Ivvavik, the only way to access the park is via charter plane from Inuvik (North West Territories) or by booking a guided trip directly with Parks Canada. As Ivvavik is “about as far away as you can get from anywhere” very few put in the time and effort it takes to plan an expedition. But those who do, are rewarded with endless hiking opportunities in one of the last great wildernesses.
Top tips:
The best time to visit for hiking is mid June - mid August.
Call Parks Canada directly to discuss your trip plan with them
Hiking in the Yukon offers many of Canada’s best hiking trails.
hiking in Whitehorse
Whitehorse is home to more than 80% of The Yukon’s population. And while this bustling urban area contains all the creature comforts you might need, it isn’t known as The Wilderness City for nothing.
Drive for just 15 minutes out of the downtown hub to get into the backcountry. If you’re willing to go a little further afield, you can access areas like the Carcross Desert and Marsh Lake within an hour - offering a huge diversity of landscapes to experience, right on the doorstep.
Whitehorse has even got some amazing hiking options if you don’t have a vehicle. There are a number of hikes accessible via public transit, plus there are a couple of interpretive trails running along the banks of the Yukon River - telling the fascinating story of the Gold Rush era. While some sections might only take you an hour, it is possible to link multiple trails together to reach Miles Canyon - giving you a full day loop hike, starting right in the city centre.
Top trail tips:
Montana Mountain (Carcross)
The Yukon is a majestic, undiscovered gem of a hiking destination. Whether you’re looking for epic mountain ranges, amazing wildlife experiences, well-trodden trails or peaceful off-the-beaten path adventures; this incredible corner of Canada has it all.
To make the most of your Yukon hiking experience, discover one of the Fresh Adventures Yukon hiking guided trips - all of the epic with none of the hassle.
The Yukon is one of the best places in Canada for hikers, but can be made even better by combining with a trip in the Rockies, which are not far south of here (by Canadian standards). Check out our guide to the best backpacking trails in the Rockies!
About THe Author - Bex Dawkes
Bex may not have grown up in the mountains but if you saw her gallivanting around the Kootenays you’d think she was a local as grizzled as any! Among hucking herself off pillows and paddling through remote ocean passages, she manages to find time to keep the adventure travel world informed and capture jaw dropping beauty on her camera. She’s easiest to track down at a local brewery and, if you’re lucky enough, you may just be able to explore with her on some of our tours too!
Vancouver Island Wildlife Viewing Guide
Vancouver Island Wildlife Viewing Guide
And how to see wildlife on Vancouver Island
At 32,134 km², Vancouver Island is much bigger than most people realize - in fact, it’s about ¾ the size of Switzerland and contains about the same number of mountains! It takes 6 hours to drive from the bottom to the top (500km from Victoria to Port Hardy) and 5 hours to drive across it (Nanaimo to Tofino), so it’s definitely not just a day trip on your big Canada adventure. Vancouver Island is a unique destination deserving of its very own vacation, especially if you are interested in wildlife. Avid hikers flock to the West Coast Trail each year in search of solitude and wildlife!
This large land mass located off the west coast of British Columbia, is home to hundreds of thousands of animals and vast expanses of wilderness. If you’re looking for iconic keystone species, magnificent megafauna or beautiful birds, Vancouver Island has it all. And justifiably, it is known as one of the best destinations in the world for wildlife watching.
So whether you’re wistful for whales, burning for bears or searching for the salmon spawn, read on to get an inside scoop on the best spots to view wildlife on Vancouver Island.
DISCLAIMER: Even if you visit these destinations during the peak season, it is never guaranteed that you will see the wildlife you are hoping for. Manage your expectations, and plan other exciting things into your trip to Vancouver Island too. That way, you hopefully won’t be devastated if you have to leave before catching a glimpse of that one elusive animal.
TOP WILDLIFE VIEWING TIPS:
Be patient and quiet. Wildlife is unlikely to reveal itself to you if you’re making a lot of noise. It’s also unlikely to just magically appear in the first few moments you arrive. Stay a while: good things come to those who wait.
Be cautious. You’re in bear country - carry bear spray, hike with a friend and keep your eyes out for signs of bears, wolves and cougars.
Be respectful. These animals are wild and can behave unpredictably. Do not approach them. Do not feed them. Do not attempt to habituate them in any way. Before you arrive on the island, educate yourself on the laws, regulations and best practices of wildlife watching.
Bring a pair of binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens. Having either of these will enable you to get a good look, while remaining at a safe distance.
Hire a guide, or join a reputable wildlife watching tour. Although more expensive than going on a self-guided adventure, the locals and professionals are much more likely to know the best spots to head to. Plus, they should be well practiced on adhering to regulations and know how to remain at a safe and respectful distance.
Seeing a Humpback Whale diving in the Broughton Archipelago - photo by Bex Dawkes
MARINE LIFE
The Pacific Ocean surrounding Vancouver Island is rich in life - in fact 25% of all the marine mammals in the world can be seen in these waters. Some of the main hotspots for marine wildlife viewing are near Pacific Rim National Park on the West coast, and off the East coast - near Telegraph Cove and around the Discovery Islands.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks are migratory, visiting BC waters during the summer months to feed and spending their winters in Hawaii or Mexico to mate and calve. Clayoquat Sound near Tofino, and the waters around Telegraph Cove tend to see the largest numbers of Humpbacks every year, although there have been increased sightings around Victoria too.
Gray Whales
Gray Whales have the longest known migration of any mammal. Every year they travel from Mexico to Alaska and back again. In the spring (Feb-late April), they swim past the Western shore of Vancouver Island, with many choosing to stop and feed in the sheltered bays near Tofino. Some stay for the summer, but the majority will continue their journey northwards. Tofino hosts the Pacific Rim Whale Festival every March to coincide with the Gray Whale migration. This week long event is a fantastic opportunity to see these magnificent creatures and learn all about them and other cetaceans.
Northern Resident Orca playing in Blackfish Sound near Vancouver Island - photo by Bex Dawkes
Killer Whales (Orca)
The Northern Resident Orca pods are often seen swimming through Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound and rubbing their bellies at Robson Bight during the summer. The best chance to see them is by jumping on a whale watching tour boat from nearby Telegraph Cove, or exploring the area on a kayaking expedition. Biggs Orcas have also been spotted in many places around Vancouver Island, but much less is known about these larger Orcas. In fact, they used to be known as ‘Transients’ because we thought they didn’t roam a specific territory. Turns out that’s incorrect, but we are yet to pinpoint some reliable spots that have a higher chance of seeing them.
Dolphins & porpoises
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins and Dall Porpoises are often seen jumping around in Johnstone Strait. Sometimes if you join a whale watching tour, you get more than you paid for! Harbour Porpoises are also seen around harbour areas all over the island, with regular sightings in Tofino.
Sea Otters
Sea otters are one of the rarest marine mammals in Canada. They were hunted to extinction in the 1700s, but reintroduced to the area around Vancouver Island in 1972. Nootka Sound on the West coast of the island harbours some rich kelp forests, which is where these cute pups can normally be found - sometimes rafted together, having a nap in the afternoon sun.
Sea lions
A huge colony of California sea lions congregate in Fanny Bay near Denman Island during the winter. They travel there to wait for the Herring spawn in February. Often, hundreds will haul themselves out of the water to sunbathe on the docks. Steller sea lions like to hang out on isolated rocks, further away from civilization. So if you want to see one of these giant sea bears, your best bet is to get out on the water, on a wildlife watching tour.
Harbour seal relaxing on a rock in Desolation Sound, Vancouver Island - photo by Bex Dawkes
Seals
Harbour seals can be swimming in shallow coastal waters, all around Vancouver Island - particularly where there are calm waters and rocky surfaces to prop themselves up on. Many are often seen playing near the harbour in Victoria. Race Rocks is an established ecological reserve on an isolated rocky outcrop at the very Southern tip of Vancouver Island. It is home to the northernmost breeding colony of Elephant seals in the world. These massive pinnipeds come ashore between June-August to mate, pup and molt, spending the rest of their lives at sea. The waters around Race Rocks are very dangerous, so the safest way to view these animals is by jumping on an ecotour boat from Victoria.
Intertidal life
Marine life doesn’t have to be all about the big charismatic megafauna. If you’re more interested in the weird and colourful creatures that can be found within the intertidal zone, travel to some of the beaches on the SW corner of the Island, such as Botanical Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. During low tide, you might stumble across sea urchins, sea stars and sea cucumbers to name but a few! Just remember that although these creatures don’t move quickly, they are very much alive. Do not pick them up or disturb them, leave them in peace.
LAND MAMMALS
With such a diverse landscape, spanning everything from open coastline to fertile grasslands to rugged mountaintops, it’s no wonder that Vancouver Island’s wilderness is home to many different types of wild animals.
Intertidal zones are where to see black bears on Vancouver Island.
Black Bears
Vancouver Island is home to the highest density of black bears in North America. These omnivorous mammals are most often spotted while picking berries, munching on sweetgrass or fishing for salmon during the spawn. There are lots of Black Bears seen in the Pacific Rim National Park between Tofino and Ucluelet, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park along the SW coast and in the remote regions at the North end of the island, near Port Hardy and Port McNeill. Another hot spot is Knight Inlet - accessed via float plane from Campbell River.
Grizzly Bears
Grizzly Bears are not native to the Island. In fact, there are only a handful of Grizzlies there, and they’ve arrived very recently by swimming over from the mainland. If you want to increase your chances of spotting one of BC’s most feared predators, your best bet is to join a bear watching tour out of Telegraph Cove. The tour boats head up some of the inlets only accessible from the Island’s North East coast.
Wolves
It is estimated that around 350 Vancouver Island grey wolves live on the Island. Some of these have adapted to become ‘coastal’ wolves and incorporate fish, river otters and seal pups into their diet. The inland wolves have a more traditional diet of deer, caribou and moose. The majority of the wolf population lives at the North end of the island, where human population density is much lower. The coastal wolves are mostly seen on the West coast, north of Ucluelet. Although wolves are territorial, their ranges are large, meaning that it is very hard to predict where they might be seen. If you’re lucky, Pacific Rim National Park might be the best place to go.
BIRDS
Bird nerds beware - once you’ve arrived on Vancouver Island, you’re not going to want to leave. There are hundreds of bird species that call this magnificent island home, and even more pop in for a visit during migration season.
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles can be seen soaring all over Vancouver Island, but most typically, you’ll see them hunting near large bodies of water, or nesting in Old Growth forests. Salmon is a favourite snack, so they tend to hang around spawning zones during the fall. You’re likely to see a Bald Eagle on your visit to Vancouver Island, if you keep your eyes on the sky and spend most of your time away from densely populated areas.
A shorebird at Esquimalt Lagoon, Victoria - photo by Bex Dawkes
Shorebirds
Millions of birds fly over Vancouver Island during their annual migration from winter to summer feeding grounds. Many of them choose to stop for a rest, meaning that hundreds of types of migratory birds can be spotted on the Island during the spring. The Tofino mudflats and many beaches along the west coast, are excellent locations to see shorebirds in April & May. There’s even an annual Tofino Shorebird Festival you can attend. Esquimalt Lagoon and Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, both near Victoria, are also good locations for bird watching.
SALMON
A keystone species, Pacific Salmon are an incredibly important part of the BC ecosystem and the annual salmon spawn is a sight to behold. All 5 species of Pacific Salmon spawn on Vancouver Island between late September - early December. The best spots to see them on their journey upstream are at Goldstream Provincial Park in Victoria, Stamp River Provincial Park near Port Alberni, and in multiple streams around Campbell River.
Looking for more wildlife? Check out our Canadian Rockies Wildlife Viewing Guide for info on seeing animals in Banff and surrounding national parks.
Looking to explore Vancouver Island? Check out our West Coast guided trip from Victoria!
About the author
Bex Dawkes
Bex may not have grown up in the mountains but if you saw her gallivanting around the Kootenays you’d think she was a local as grizzled as any! Among hucking herself off pillows and paddling through remote ocean passages, she manages to find time to keep the adventure travel world informed and capture jaw dropping beauty on her camera. She’s easiest to track down at a local brewery and, if you’re lucky enough, you may just be able to explore with her on some of our tours too!
How To: A Viewer’s Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights In Canada
Wondering where you can see the Northern Lights? Or how to see the Aurora Borealis? Well here’s an insider’s guide of top tips on how to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Canada.
The Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) is a magical natural phenomenon of colourful lights, which dance across the night sky. Witnessing the Aurora Borealis is breathtaking, and for many people, a once in a lifetime experience.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Canada however, needn’t be down to luck. If this bewitching spectacle is on your bucket list, read our 7 Top Tips on how to improve your chances of watching the best show on earth!
Northern Light viewing in Canada’s North.
1- Head up North
They’re called The Northern Lights for a reason. Now, we’re not going to get all science-y on you and tell you why they can be seen from some places and not others (that’s what Google is for), but the general gist of it is: the further North you go, the more likely you are to catch them.
65-72°N is known as ‘The Aurora Zone’ and is where aurora borealis activity is most often seen. Most of that zone however (66.3° and up), is in the Arctic circle, making it pretty hard to access, unless you have a private jet. So, your best bet is to just get as far north as you possibly can. You can regularly see the Northern Lights in Alaska, Iceland, Greenland and some Scandinavian countries too, but for anyone based in mainland North America, we recommend visiting Canada to see the Aurora Borealis. With its vast open skies and relatively easy access (with direct flights to Whitehorse), we love watching The Northern Lights in the Yukon.
The Yukon is where to see the northern lights in Canada.
2- Brave the winter
The Aurora Borealis is active all year round, but you can only see it when the sky is dark. Seasonally, it could be spotted any time from August through to April, but the best chance to see it is when the nights are long and the skies are darker: i.e. winter. Typically, early winter (December - January) tends to be a good time of the year for Northern Lights viewing in Canada.
Wondering how to see the northern lights in Canada? Head north!
3- Tune in with the moon
The Northern Lights don’t always transform the entire sky into a sea of dancing demons. Sometimes, during periods of quiet aurora activity, you might just catch some swirls of light, fluttering across the horizon.
It’s during these quieter phases of auroral activity that having a truly dark sky really helps you to see the magic. A big, bright moon adds much more light to the sky than you might think. So although the Northern Lights can be seen under a full moon, it’s a good idea to make the most of the really dark nights during the New Moon phase for your aurora borealis viewing.
Northern lights viewing in Canada with the aurora borealis on the horizon.
4- Watch the forecast
Much like we can forecast the weather, some clever people have come up with a way to predict aurora borealis activity. They can tell you not only the likelihood of activity happening on a given day, but also where you might be able to see it from. Check out websites and apps like:
NOAA Aurora Forecast
Canadian Space Weather Forecast
Aurora Forecast
Auroral Oval
Aurora Alerts
Please note: there are no long-range forecasts for Northern Lights viewing. All of these models are good for short-term conditions (1-3 days). There is no way to forecast many months in advance!
A northern lights viewing tour in Yukon, Canada.
5- Chase the darkness
We’re back to that darkness thing again. This time though, it’s about getting away from artificial light. If you’re up north, in the winter, and it’s dark, your next step is to leave the city or anywhere with light pollution. Get yourself out into the mountains or the countryside, where there are no other light sources to distract your eyes from the northern lights.
While you can see aurora borealis activity from inner-city areas, you’re much less likely to witness the full enchanting spectacle. Plus, being out in the wilderness adds that extra element of feeling really ‘at one’ with nature. And that’s the kind of awe-inspiring experience we’re all hoping for, right?
Yukon is where to see the northern lights in Canada.
6- Bring a compass, or a local
The Northern Lights tend to appear in the northern part of the sky first. It would really suck if you’d hiked all the way up a mountain, then sat facing towards the south and, unbeknownst to you, the northern lights merrily danced away behind your head. Bring a compass with you (or download a free one onto your phone) and make sure you set yourself up looking in the right direction!
The other option, is to find yourself a local and get them to take you to their secret spots. If you don’t back yourself to make knowledgeable friends in the bar, consider booking a guide. Guides are not only an awesome way to make the most of your trip, but they’ll transport you to the best viewing locations and make sure you’re looking the right way! There are many northern lights tours in Northern Canada, and we run our own too!
Watching the aurora borealis in Canada on a northern lights viewing trip.
7- Stay a while
The Aurora Borealis tends to be seen most often around midnight, or between the hours of 10pm-3am. It’s a good idea to plan on being outside for that whole time (or at least be in a location when you can regularly check what the sky is doing). Just make sure you wrap up incredibly warm (it can get down to below -40°C in some of these northerly spots!) and bring yourself some blankets, hot drinks and snacks. Sometimes it’s cloudy at 9pm, but then the skies clear at 2am and reveal a dazzling display. As the old adage goes: good things come to those who wait.
Along the same vein: even if you’ve followed all of our top tips listed above, don’t expect the northern lights to appear on your very first night of looking. Aurora borealis activity comes in waves. Sometimes it will be visible every night for weeks. Sometimes it just doesn’t show up. Trips lasting more than a couple of nights will give you a longer window of opportunity. So don’t rush the experience: relax and stay a while. Plus, there are plenty of things to do in all of these epic northerly locations. You could spend your daylight hours snowshoeing, dogsledding (aka mushing), ice skating, relaxing in hot springs or curled up next to a roaring fire. I mean, you might as well make the most of this once in a lifetime northern lights viewing trip, right?
Think we missed something in our Aurora Borealis Viewing Guide? Tell us your top tips and relive your favourite Northern Lights memories in the comments below!
Check out our guide to hiking in the Yukon here!
join a northern lights viewing tour in yukon
Yukon Northern Lights Viewing Adventure
Whitehorse | 3+ Days | Guided
Experience the northern lights in full glory with a fully guided tour in the Yukon this winter! Daily aurora viewing excursions, guided snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and more!
About the author- Bex Dawkes
Bex may not have grown up in the mountains but if you saw her gallivanting around the Kootenays you’d think she was a local as grizzled as any! Among hucking herself off pillows and paddling through remote ocean passages, she manages to find time to keep the adventure travel world informed and capture jaw dropping beauty on her camera. She’s easiest to track down at a local brewery and, if you’re lucky enough, you may just be able to explore with her on some of our tours too!
The Best Backcountry Ski Lodges in Canada
The Best Backcountry Ski Lodges In Canada
Planning a backcountry skiing trip in Canada is an exciting process with tons of different opportunities for the perfect backcountry ski adventure! One of the best types of backcountry ski trips is a backcountry hut based trip.
Planning a backcountry hut ski trip in Canada is perfect for a variety of reasons, mostly revolving around staying in the area you want to ski and spending less time travelling to and from the goods each day.
There are a variety of backcountry lodges, cabins and huts available around Western Canada, each offering its own level of comfort and amenities. Some are dorm style, some offer separate rooms, some are catered and some are self catered. Some backcountry ski lodges are only accessible by helicopter, while others can be accessed by snowmobile or even by ski touring in and out.
Since there are so many backcountry lodges and ski cabins in British Columbia and Alberta, we have put this guide together to help make it easier to plan your backcountry skiing trip in Canada!
The Best Backcountry ski lodges and huts in british columbia
Here is our list of the best backcountry ski touring lodges in BC and Alberta. This is a list of lodges that are run by individuals for profit and don’t include the backcountry ski huts and chalets offered by the Alpine Club of Canada and various other mountain clubs. Naturally we didn’t list the secret shelters that people have built for themselves and their friends in their sacred powder stashes. If you think we missed a backcountry ski lodge, please let us know!
icefall lodge
Icefall Lodge is situated near Golden, British Columbia and with its “skiing first, business second” motto, it is one of the best backcountry ski lodges in British Columbia. With over 50,000 acres of skiable terrain, there is plenty to choose from.
Icefall Lodge expanded some years ago with a series of new huts, which allow you to plan a ski traverse, or stay in the Icefall Lodge or Snowfall lodge as a basecamp for your ski touring/ splitboarding trip in BC.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips in Icefall Lodge
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
sorcerer lodge
Sorcerer Lodge is a backcountry ski and snowboard lodge located at the north end of Glacier National Park in BC. The ski lodge sits above Wizard Lake and features views of Nordic Glacier. Sorcerer Lodge is a smaller ski touring lodge, with a capacity of 8 guests, making for a small group experience.
Sorcerer Lodge offers guided backcountry skiing and catering on all individual bookings. This backcountry lodge is a short helicopter ride from Golden, British Columbia.
Trip Duration: 7 night/ 8 days- shorter trips available
Typical Cost: $3400 for a 7 night guided and catered trip with flights included.
Battle abbey
Battle Abbey is a really cool backcountry ski lodge in British Columbia. They have over 10,000 acres of skiable terrain, consisting of intermediate to advanced ski area in the selkirk mountains of BC.
Battle Abbey ski hut is located a short helicopter flight SW of Golden, BC in the Selkirk Mountains.
Trip Duration: 5 days
Typical Cost: $2865 for 5 day guided and catered package, including flights.
boulder hut
Boulder Hut is one of the original backcountry ski touring lodges in British Columbia. Located deep in the Purcell mountain range near Kimberly, Boulder Hut offers 15,000 acres of backcountry ski and snowboard terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Boulder Hut offers a full and half week guided and catered package in their Canadian backcountry ski lodge.
Trip Duration: 1 week, 1/2 week trips available
Typical Cost: $2800 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
sol mountain lodge
Sol Mountain Lodge is a premier ski touring lodge near Revelstoke in British Columbia. Sol offers 30,000 acres of guided ski touring with terrain ranging from open shoulders, to steep chutes, bowls and trees. The ski lodge is located deep in the Monashee Mountain Range, which is known for plentiful and fluffy powder skiing conditions each winter.
Sol Mountain Lodge offer varying trip lengths, on a guided and catered trip style. The lodge is a short helicopter flight from Revelstoke.
Trip Duration: 5-7 nights
Typical Cost: $2950 for 6 night, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
Purcell Mountain Lodge
Purcell Mountain Lodge is a backcountry skiing lodge located near Golden, British Columbia. The lodge is situated at the base of Bald Mountain, near Glacier National Park.
The lodge is remarkably comfortable with all the features you could hope for from a luxurious mountain home. Chef’s create daily inspired creations for you to feast on, and there is a cash bar with local wines and craft beers for you to enjoy while you relax at the end of a guided ski tour.
Purcell Mountain Lodge offers a 4 or 5 day backcountry ski package. All trip packages to Purcell Mountain Lodge are guided and catered.
Trip Duration: 4 or 5 days
Typical Cost: $2400 for a 5 day trip, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
campbell icefield chalet
Campbell Icefield Chalet is one of the top ski chalets in BC. This ski chalet is located on the Western slope of the Rockies, near Golden BC. The lodge is a short helicopter flight from Golden.
Skiers can enjoy 5000 hectares of backcountry ski terrain, surrounding the lodge, as well as plenty of mountaineering or snowshoeing options.
The Campbell Icefield Chalet allows you to create your own package, with guided or self guided options, plus catered or self-catered options.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3000- $7500 for 10-15 guests self guided and catered. (unclear if this includes flights or not).
mistaya backcountry lodge
Mistaya Lodge is a backcountry ski lodge in the Canadian Rockies. The lodge is family owned and operated by a passionate family of skiers and hikers.
Mistaya Lodge offers a week long guided and catered ski experience in the Rockies. The lodge is located up the Wild Cat Creek Basin, a 20 minute flight NE of Golden, BC.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
mallard mountain lodge
Mallard Mountain lodge is a a ski and snowboard touring lodge tucked in the Rockies near Valemont, British Columbia. The lodge typically hosts 6-8 skiers and snowboarders, so there is plenty of room to breathe and you don’t have to worry about anyone ever poaching your line!
They offer a variety of backcountry ski trip lodge options, from all inclusive, to self catered and guided.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3975 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
amiskwi ski lodge
Amiskwi Lodge is located in the Rockies, NW of Field BC, and NE of Golden, BC. The backcountry lodge is the perfect basecamp for a variety of ski touring and backcountry snowboarding missions. This backcountry ski cabin can sleep approximately 14 guests and offers entirely self catered and guided ski trips in BC.
Amiskwi Lodge is accessible by helicopter only, with flights from Golden.
Trip Duration: 7 days
Typical Cost: $1180 for a week, including return heli transfer. (self guided and catered)
burnie glacier chalet
Burnie Glacier Chalet is a backountry ski and mountaineering lodge thatclaims to be the furthest NW ski lodge in BC. The lodge is located in the Howson Mountain Range, east of Terrace, bC.
Burnie Glacier Chalet sleeps 11 guests with 2 guides and a cook in a cozy, post and beam timber frame lodge.
Being located so close to Burnie Glacier means easy access to several world class ski zones and a variety of mountaineering and climbing opportunities in the summer.
Trip Duration: 1 week
Typical Cost: $3000 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
blanket glacier chalet
Blanket Glacier Chalet is a backcountry ski cabin located near Revelstoke, British Columbia. The lodge is accessible via a short helicopter ride and sits right at the start of some pretty epic alpine terrain.
The chalet is a small and rustic a-frame, with a lot of character and a wood fired sauna to relax in after a day of guided skiing.
Backcountry skiing at Blanket Glacier is a epic opportunity to explore an endless amount of surrounding peaks, headwalls, chutes and trees that are all around Blanket Glacier. This is an incredible place to backcountry ski in Canada and is a backcountry ski lodge that offers a lot of fun.
Trip Duration: 4 or 5 day trips
Typical Cost: $2000/ 5 days, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
callaghan country wilderness ski touring lodge
Callaghan Country Wilderness Lodge has some really cool options to choose from on your backcountry ski trip, which is what makes it one of the best ski touring lodges in Canada.
You can choose between flying in, getting in with a snowmobile, or ski touring the 13 km to get to the lodge.
You can build your own package as well, opting for an all inclusive and guided ski touring package, or pay on a nightly rate that includes all meals.
Try a completely self-propelled adventure, or go for a fully guided week to have everything taken care of for you.
Callaghan Country Wilderness Lodge is located just SW of Whistler, in the coast mountains of British Columbia, which means they get tons of snow (albeit heavier snow than the interior).
Golden Alpine Holidays- backcountry ski lodges
Golden Alpine Holidays form a group of backcountry lodges and ski touring cabins near Golden, BC. Golden Alpine Holidays run 4 separate backcountry ski lodges, all within the Northern end of the Selkirk Mountains and the Esplanade Range. This is just West of Kinbasket Lake and on the edge of the Columbia Mountains. The area is renown for very deep snow, that is dry and super light and fluffy.
Their 4 lodges are:
Sentry Lodge: featured in several ski movies, the terrain around Sentry is an incredible mix of steep trees, pillows and alpine terrain. Come see for yourself!
Sunrise Lodge: The original of the GAH lodges. Sunrise Lodge is at the northern end of the Esplanade Range and features a perfect variety of tree skiing and alpine terrain.
Vista Lodge: Near Vista Lake and providing access to the alpine zones off Cherub Glacier. Vista Backcountry Lodge is famous for its spring skiing.
Meadow Lodge: The perfect base for some of the best pillow lines and steepest and longest alpine runs in the Esplanade Range.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2800 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
Dezaiko Lodge
Dezaiko Lodge is a backcountry ski and snowboard lodge that is located roughly 80 km east of Prince George. That puts them at the 54 degrees N latitude, which means lots of cold and fluffy snow for you!
“Dezaiko” means big mountains, and you will see why the lodge is called that when you get here. The backcountry lodge is open for 7 day all inclusive guided ski trips each winter.
Oh yea, they also claim to have the best tree skiing here. Want to find out for yourself?
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
hilda backcountry ski touring hut
Hilda Hut is a backcountry ski hut owned by Valkyr Adventures, who also run Valkyr Lodge below. Hilda hut is suitable for slightly more advanced skiers than the Valkyr Lodge, with access to some steeper terrain that the Selkirks are best known for.
Hilda Hut has space for 12 skiers and snowboarders, with 6 double bedrooms. There is a sauna, as well as a games table and two woodstoves. You can use the electricity provided by the lodge’s micro-hydro plant.
Mount assiniboine ski lodge
Mount Assiniboine Lodge is a backcountry ski and wilderness lodge tucked deep in the Rockies near Banff. The lodge is situated in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, near Og and Magog Lakes and Mount Assiniboine.
Mount Assiniboine Lodge offers a fully guided and catered ski touring experience, with helicopter access to get to the lodge. The ski terrain is mixed between alpine and tree skiing, and the scenery is the highlight of the experience here.
Trip Duration: 2-4 nights
Typical Cost: $350 per night for a guided and catered trip and roughly $450 for flights.
Valkyr backcountry lodge
Valkyr Lodge is a backcountry ski lodge located in the backcountry of the Selkirk Mountains. The Valkyr Mountain Range is known for the rugged peaks, alpine lakes and rolling alpine meadows. The lodge sits at 2210 meters in elevation and offers over 4000 hectares of backcountry skiing terrain.
Some of the highlights are skiing Naumulten Mountain, Mount Rollins and Mount McBride.
powder creek lodge
18,000 acres of epic skiing in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia make Powder Creek Lodge one of the best backcountry ski lodges in Canada.
The lodge is a short helicopter ride from Kaslo, BC, which is near Nelson. There is a huge amount of gnarly alpine terrain, as well as softer tree ski options throughout their tenure.
You can book individually in their guided/ catered weeks, and some weeks are possible to book the entire lodge for a self guided group that is still catered.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2850 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
talus ski lodge
Talus Lodge is sort of in the mmiddle of nowhere in BC, which is what makes it so special. West of Alberta, South of Mount Assiniboine, and SE of Radium is how you would describe the location of this backcountry lodge.
Talus Lodge sits in the Rockies, with space for 12 guests. The easiest way to get here is by helicopter, although you can also opt to ski tour in to the lodge. The lodge itself is one of the nicest on this list, with lovely views and a larger and more open floor plan than most backcountry lodges seem to have.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
valhalla mountain lodge
Valhalla Mountain Lodge was one of the original backcountry ski lodges in British Columbia. They offer epic ski touring in 10 backcountry basins with enough terrain for you to ski your heart out.
The lodge is rustic and cozy, complete with a cedar log sauna.
You can book the entire lodge, which comes with a custodian, and you can add guiding and catering or do your own thing.
The entire lodge goes for roughly $25,000 for ten people for a week, with guiding and catering included.
valhalla mountain touring lodge
Valhalla Mountain Touring offer an amazing ski touring and splitboarding experience just north of Valhalla Provincial Park in British Columbia.
The lodge is home to 7 bedrooms, and the lodge can accommodate 12 guests. The lodge can be accessed with their own snow cat, which is an hour ride away from the staging area.
Valhalla Mountain Touring is home to 19,000 acres of epic ski terrain and they are no strangers to the infamous “cold smoke” of the Kootenays.
Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2700 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.
wells gray adventures- backcountry ski cabins
Wells Gray Adventures have three amazing cabins nestled in the heart of Wells Gray Provincial Park. The cabins are: Trophy Cabin, Fight Meadows and Discovery Cabin.
Discovery Cabin is the best cabin for backcountry skiing, since the terrain accessible from here is much more advanced than at Fight Meadows.
Trophy Cabin is also a great backcountry ski hut, with access to shorter steep runs and some longer runs that are slightly further away.
You can use a helicopter to access both these cabins, and you can actually ski out from Discovery Cabin.
Planning a backcountry ski trip here is easy with their build your own package options. You can rent a cabin for roughly $650 per night for up to 8 guests, and can choose to add a guided to your package. It is also possible to book a guided and catered option at Wells Gray Adventures.
ymir ski touring lodge
Ymir Ski Touring Lodge is an interesting and quirky backcountry touring accommodation near Nelson, BC.
The lodge is at the treeline, tucked away in the mountains behind Whitewater Ski Resort. The lodge is accessible by a short helicopter ride from Nelson.
It is not clear what the offering from Ymir Ski Touring Lodge is, but you should get in touch with them to plan an amazing ski touring trip near Nelson.
Where Will Your Next Backcountry Ski or Snowboard Trip Take You?
Bottom line is that all these huts are there for you and offer an incredible experience. We encourage you not to get too hooked on just one lodge and to try several and explore more terrain. Finding new zones and exploring new areas is the magic of backcountry skiing.
Remember that these lodges all fill early, so make sure you plan and reserve your trip far in advance.
Happy pow hunting!
Our backcountry Ski & Snowboard Trips
Kicking Horse Intro To Backcountry course
Spend 5 days honing your big mountain skills and backcountry skiing with professional guides to learn from and a fun group of like minded people to hang out with.
Revelstoke Guided Backcountry Package
Bring your crew and strap on your pow sticks for a few hard charging days of guided backcountry skiing in one of the best places to powder ski in the world. Period.
About the author
ALEX ROSS- LEAD GUIDE/ FOUNDER
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!
Canada's Best Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Guides
Canada’s Best Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Guides
Helping connect you to the best ski guides and snowboard guides in british columbia and alberta.
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is epic in Canada and for good reason. Huge, steep mountains, topped with over 40 feet of annual snowfall make for some unforgettable backcountry ski trips in the winter.
Ski touring and splitboarding can be intimidating activities to dive into, so going with a qualified backcountry ski guide or backcountry snowboard guide can be the difference between a stressful day and one of the best ski trips of your life.
We’ve made it easy for you to find and plan your trip with the best ski guides and snowboard guides in Canada with this list below. Each of the backcountry ski companies on this list are in some of the best places to backcountry ski in Canada and are some of the top ski operators in Canada.
What makes the best backcountry ski guides in canada?
location, location, location
Yes, the age old motto applies to backcountry skiing as well. We have picked out these backcountry ski operators based on the quality of their operations, and also where they are located to ensure that you have the ultimate skiing experience. We’re looking for locations with epic powder and mountains that command respect. Not so much convenient airports and glitzy shops nearby.
experienced professional guides
There is a huge difference between a ski or snowboard guide that can keep the group moving efficiently and have an adaptable plan that delivers the goods and a guide that is behind the curve, resulting in less powder slashes for you. The backcountry ski guides on this list are highly skilled and able to keep your ski trip moving smoothly.
safety
Safety should definitely be a top priority when going ski touring in British Columbia. These ski guides are highly trained and have developed a professional plan and operation that is designed to keep you safe.
innovative backcountry ski experiences
While the common day of ski touring in BC is usually departing from a resort base with your guide, or meeting at a trailhead, many of these backcountry ski companies in Canada have really unique and innovative experiences available to you. Perhaps try a 3 day adventure, staying in expedition tents in the backcountry, or take a quick heli ride to a remote and untracked tenure, or stay in a cabin as a basecamp while you explore the ski zones in all directions. Most of the ski guides on this page offer a variety of custom day guiding as well as guided hut trips and ski touring traverses.
Backcountry ski and snowboard guiding companies in canada
Adrenaline Descents
golden, british columbia
Adrenaline Descents is a backcountry ski company based in Golden, British Columbia. They have some of the best ski guides in Golden and know the Kicking Horse sidecountry ski touring routes like the back of their hands.
They can also do custom guiding on hut trips in BC and can guide you through Rogers Pass and the Canadian Rockies.
Adrenaline Descents truly unique backcountry ski experience is their multiday ski guiding, whichis based in a remote expedition camp in the mountains near Golden. Take a sled up into a remote valley and do 2-3 days of guided skiing while staying in warm tents, staying cozy by the wood stove. This is such a great way to get away from the bustle and immerse yourself in a backcountry skiing experience.
Flow Guiding Service
golden, british columbia
Flow Guiding Service, based in Golden BC are true local experts at finding you those epic lines the Dogtooth Range are known for. You can hire Flow Guiding Service to take you out for a day adventure, or help you plan and go on a guided hut ski trip in BC as well.
Flow Guiding Service are not just backcountry ski guides, but also expert abckcountry skiing instructors. They offer a full range of AST courses to help you hone your own safety skills and knowledge in the backcountry.
revelstoke backcountry guides
revelstoke, british columbia
Revelstoke Backcountry Guides are the best backcountry ski company in Revelstoke, British Columbia. They have a range of offerings, each tailored to maximize your day and provide a top notch guided ski touring experience.
Hire Revelstoke Backcountry Guides for a day of ski touring in the Revelstoke Mountain Resort sidecountry, made easier with their exclusive early lift access to get you to the goods earlier.
You can also head out for a bigger day of ski touring and splitboarding in Rogers Pass with them, exploring some of the best backcountry ski routes in Canada’s ski touring capital!
If neither of those are epic enough, they offer a really badass day of heli -accessed ski touring in their own tenure near Revelstoke. This is the ultimate way to escape the masses, and well.. everyone for that matter, skiing far in the backcountry in a powdery untracked world.
high country ski guides
golden, british columbia
High Country Ski Guides are one of the top ski guiding companies based in Golden, British Columbia. While Ian, their lead guide, is not out guiding powder hungry skiers around, he is ensuring avalanche safety for the highways and mountain operations, so you can be assured, he knows what he is doing.
High Country Ski Guides offer guided day touring as well as a variety of hut based mutliday ski touring trips. Join them on a guided ski trip to Icefall Lodge or Golden Alpine Holidays, where you spend an amazing several days exploring the best backcountry powder stashes with some of Canada’s best ski guides.
capow
revelstoke, british columbia
Capow is pretty epic as far as backcountry ski and snowboard guiding companies in BC go. The most notable thing they do differently is bring a fun and relaxed tone to backcountry skiing in Canada.
Join them for some basecamp stays at Blanket Glacier Chalet, complete with guided ski touring and splitboarding each day and a sauna to get rowdy (or relax) in. Staying in the “Eh Frame” means you get to stay in the alpine and enjoy your time exploring the gems, rather than slogging each day to get up high.
They also offer a female ski touring week to help women get more into backcountry skiing. If you are planning on learning more about avalanche terrain and safe travel in the backcountry, their BL-AST course would be a great choice for you.
Mount Assiniboine Lodge
canmore, alberta
Ski touring from Mount Assiniboine Lodge is definitely worthy of being on every backcountry skiers bucketlist. The views are unmistakable; Mt Assiniboine is like the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies, and the ski terrain is extensive.
To experience ski touring at Mount Assiniboine Lodge you can take a helicopter from Canmore to get bumped to the lodge location in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Get settled into their rustic, yet elegant lodge, enjoying some fine cuisine and all the luxuries of a backcountry ski lodge.
The Mt Assiniboine Lodge ski guides are experts and know the area like the back of their hand. You can join them for guided ski touring in the area, or opt to explore on your own. Ambitious skiers could even tour to the lodge or back out. Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!
canadian adventure company
valemont, british columbia
Canadian Adventure Company is based in the Canadian Rockies at Mallard Mountain Lodge. Their lodge is right smack in the middle of nowhere, so this is a great place to socially distance yourself, and be sure to not find any crowds or tracked out snow.
Mallard Mountain Lodge is accessed by helicopter from Valemont, BC. The snow is cold, fluffy Rockies snow, and lots of it. The terrain is a perfect mix of rolling alpine terrain and intense, steep mountains.
You can customize your trip, creating a fully catered package, or a self-catered package to suit your desires. You can also join their expert Canadian ski guides, or venture out on your own self-guided ski touring days.
kootenay backcountry guides
nelson, british columbia
The powder skiing around Nelson is epic and so is the ski touring! Make sure you get the most of it by joining Kootenay Backcountry Guides for a fully guided day ski touring near Nelson.
Kootenay Backcountry Guides is one of the best Canadian ski guide companies in BC, providing a superior level of safety and professionalism.
Join them for a group date in the Whitewater Ski Resort sidecountry, or head up to Kootenay Pass for the endless terrain up there.
You can also hire their ski guides for a custom day built around you and your group. They also offer some really great AST courses in Nelson, helping skiers and snowboarders educate themselves on avalanche safety.
The banner photo on this page is from Kootenay Backcountry Guides
Summit mountain guides
nelson, british columbia
Summit Mountain Guides are experts at all things mountain travel. They are an excellent guiding company for a variety of experiences and locations.
With Summit Mountain Guides you can explore Lake Louise area, Rogers Pass, Nelson area and even access some heli-assited ski touring with them. They also help plan and guide hut trips all over BC.
Altus Mountain Guides
squamish, British Columbia
Altus Mountain Guides are a top notch guiding company in Squamish, British Columbia. They specialize in rock and snow. They teach AST courses, intro to backcountry courses, offer custom guided ski touring days, guided ski traverses and hut trips, and are the guides behind Phantom Heli, a new heli ski operation based in the coast mountains.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
canmore, alberta
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures are based in Canmore, Alberta and are local guiding experts in the Canadian Rockies.
They have two focuses: one on guiding and one on instructing.
Hire Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for a custom day of guided skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry of the Canadian Rockies, or the sidecountry of Lake Louise ski resort.
They also host a backcountry ski touring camp in Rogers Pass, using Revelstoke as a basecamp each year.
Mountain addicts
fernie, british columbia
Mountain Addicts are a ski guiding company based in Fernie, British Columbia. They offer some of the best guided backcountry skiing in the area with their team of expert ski guides.
They offer several intro to ski touring and splitboarding courses, as well as a course specially offered for women.
They also offer AST courses to help you learn about avalanche safety in the mountains.
You can also hire them for a custom day of guided ski touring in Fernie.
skookum backcountry adventures
Whitehorse, yukon
Skookum Backcountry Adventures are based in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. That’s right…. Way up north, where no one thnks to go ski touring in Canada.
They offer some base camp style, mutliday ski touring expeditions, which area really amazing. With abundant powder, literally zero tracks and towering mountains you probably didn’t even know existed, this place is sure to surprise you!
Skookum Backcountry Adventures are one of the best backcountry ski guiding companies in Canada and should definitely be on your bucketlist.
about the author
Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!
Ikon Pass VS Epic Pass Canada
ikon pass vs epic pass comparison in canada
Both Ikon Pass and Epic Pass have some amazing deals to offer skiers and snowboarders around the world. While both passes have their own pros and cons, we are here to help you compare the two passes in Canada. Which is the best ski pass in Canada? We will touch on several important considerations in this IKON Pass vs EPIC Pass comparison in Canada below!
Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass is a heavy hitter in the ski pass game and seems to be growing each year. We have outlined what the Ikon Pass includes in Canada below. The pass inclusions consist of two parts- unlimited skiing and limited days at partner resorts. The Ikon Pass includes unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain and Mt Tremblant, with limited ski days at Red Mountain, Skibig3 and Revelstoke Mountain Resort. If you are a skier living in Montreal or Toronto area, and plan on doing a ski trip in British Columbia or the Rockies this winter, this pass makes perfect sense, as well as if you plan to visit any of the American resorts on the Ikon Pass.
Ikon pass benefits in canada
Full ikon pass- $1529 cad
Unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain
Unlimited skiing at Tremblant
7 days at Skibig3 (Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay- total of 7)
7 days at Red Mountain
7 days at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
No blackout dates
Base ikon pass- $1119 cad
Unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain
Unlimited skiing at Tremblant
5 days at Skibig3
5 days at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
5 days at Red Mountain
Blackout dates apply (Dec 26- Jan 2, Jan 16-17, Feb 13-14)
Epic pass
The Epic Pass has been shaking up the ski industry for a few years now, offering unlimited skiing at all Vail owned ski resorts, including Whistler/ Blackcomb. The Epic Pass offers very little to skiers on the East Coast of Canada, and even to skiers on the East Coast of the USA. In Canada, East Coast skiers can only ski 7 days total in Quebec, and if they do that, the only other benefit is unlimited skiing at Whistler during a ski trip to the West Coast. For skiers around Vancouver there is an obvious appeal to the Epic Pass with unlimited skiing at Whistler/ Blackcomb, just two hours North of Vancouver. Vancouver skiers can also benefit during a trip to the RCR resorts in interior BC with a total of 7 included days. This could look like a ski week to Kicking Horse, Kimberly and Fernie, with 2,2 and 3 days at each of the resorts, which are only a few hours apart from each other.
Epic pass benefits in canada
Unlimited skiing at Whistler/ Blackcomb
7 days skiing at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (7 total days at Kicking Horse, Fernie, Kimberly, Nakiska, Stoneham and Mont Sainte-Anne)
ski season pass comparison
It’s true, both the Ikon Pass and Epic Pass both have pros and cons. Perhaps the most significant factor when comparing the two passes is where you live and ski the most. If you live in Toronto or Montreal and ski near there, taking a trip or two each winter, I would recommend the Ikon Pass. Also, if you live on the East Coast or plan to ski in the Eastern United States, I would recommend the Ikon Pass, since it includes far more resorts on the East Coast. If you plan on attending our guided ski and snowboard tours in British Columbia, I would suggest the Ikon Pass.
If you live in Vancouver and ski locally, taking a trip once or twice a year, I would recommend the Epic Pass. If you are attending our guided ski tour in the Rockies I would suggest the Epic Pass.
Another consideration for skiers in Western Canada is that the Ikon Pass includes 21 ski days at 5 resorts, while the Epic Pass includes only 7 days at 4 resorts, plus the unlimited skiing at Whistler.
Whichever pass you end up with, we hope to see you on one of our guided small group ski and snowboard trips along the Powder Highway. These trips are a perfect way to dodge crowds and get the powder stashes with local guides! Best of all, you save big on our tours with both the Epic Pass and Ikon Pass!
About the author
Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!
Wildlife In The Canadian Rockies
Common Wildlife To Spot While Hiking In The Canadian Rockies
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is very popular for hikers from all over the country and world. The scenery is otherworldly, the weather pleasant but the abundant wildlife may be another reason why it is so popular.
Banff and Jasper National Parks are teeming with wildlife and if you are lucky you could spot several types of animals on your hike in the Canadian Rockies. Here are a few of the more common types of wildlife to spot while hiking in the Rockies, as well as some tips on where are when to find them.
Notes About Wildlife Viewing in Canada
Wildlife viewing in the Canadian Rockies is very popular and can be very rewarding. It is important that we behave in a way that will promote sustainability and protect the future of the animals that we love to see. Here are some tips on making sure they are safe:
Don’t feed the wildlife. Please though. Everyone knows this, and yet most people still want to give the squirrels and birds just a little chunk of their granola bar. Well, that totally counts as feeding the wildlife and everyone does it, so please try not to. You can still get the photos of the squirrel.. just pretend to give it food if you have to. When you feed wildlife it disrupts the natural processes that are so important in the Rockies. There are birds that eat seeds, and if they get used to eating cashews and stop eating pine seeds, the pine trees will die off. They are already endangered. That might not sound so bad, but that pine tree is a keystone species, meaning that when it fails, the whole system comes crashing down. Just don’t feed the animals.
Maintain your distance from the animals. We see it all the time… tourists getting out of their cars and way too close to bears on the side of the road. ARE YOU CRAZY?! I saw someone almost get charged by a grizzly, because the sound of our tires on the gravel upset the bear. If the tourist was in their car they would have been safe. Just remember, these are wild animals. Mating elks are very dangerous, and bears- well you should already know they can do some damage. If they get used to humans, their behaviours change and eventually a park warden has to kill them. Let’s just stay a bit further back.
That’s it! Enjoy your trip to the Rockies and I hope you have some successful wildlife viewing!
where to see wildlife in the canadian rockies
There are many places to see wildlife in the Canadian Rockies, including the national parks and the areas just outside them. Spotting bears in Banff National Park is very common, and there are many places to find grizzlies in Jasper National Park as well. Hiking and walking tours in the Canadian Rockies are a great opportunity to spot wildlife too! Below is an overview on finding wildlife in each national park.
wildlife in banff national park- Animal viewing guide to the Rockies
Spotting wildlife in Banff national park is easy if you look in the right places. You can even see elk in Banff fairly often, as they hang around the gold course and along the side of the river. You can find black bears and grizzlies in Banff national park as well, plus a variety of ungulates like moose, elk, deer and caribou. Hoary marmots can be found in the alpine during hikes in Banff National Park- just listen for their distinctive whistle!
Here are a few key places to see wildlife in Banff National Park:
Norquay Road: At the big bend in the road you can park and enjoy the view. There are often big horn sheep in the grassy field right below you. Occasionally there are coyotes around here too. I also had a close encounter with a cougar right at the far end of this field, so keep your eyes open!
Minnewanka Loop: keep your eyes peeled for big horn sheep near the road by the lake and for elk in the open grassy areas and along the side of the road.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: Watch for black bears on the drive up to Moraine Lake. There are often grizzlies in Larch Valley during the fall, when they come out to eat berries. You will need to be in groups of four to access these trails in the fall.
Icefields Parkway: There are numerous areas to see wildlife on the Icefields Parkway. Big horn sheep are often see around “Big Bend” area, just south of the Athabasca Glacier viewpoint. It is not uncommon to see elk around Saskatchewan Crossing, and bears along the side of the road the entire way up. The Parker Ridge Hike is a great place to see big horn sheep on a sunny day!
Vermillion Lakes: This is where to see moose near Banff, as they are often in the marshy areas on the far side of the lake near dawn. Elk, deer and other animals are often in this area as well.
spotting animals in jasper national park- Where to see Wildlife
Jasper National Park is teeming with wildlife and if you are lucky, you may be able to see bears, big horn sheep and lots of elk around Jasper. For a decent chance to see elk in Jasper, head just south of town, near Wapiti Campground and look between the highway and the river. They often travel up and down the banks of the Athabasca River early in the mornings, especially in early summer when they have their young. Seeing black bears in Jasper National Park is common as well, especially during the drive to Maligne Lake. Keep your eyes peeled in the ditch. If you see something really black, it’s probably a black bear.
Here are a few key places to see wildlife in Jasper National Park:
Maligne Lake Road: watch for black bears in the ditch, and even grizzly bears along the side of the road. At the beginning of the road there are often elk along the open grassy areas.
Miette Hot Springs Road: the road to Miette Hot Springs can be a great place to see bears crossing the road. Watch your speed!
Pyramid Lake Road: keep your eyes peeled to see elk near Jasper. They are often along the side of the road, among the Aspen trees. There are often black bears and grizzly bears near Jasper along this road as well.
Wapiti Campground: Wapiti is a word for Elk, which is evident if you stay in this campground. Watch for elk travelling up and down the river banks in the early mornings of June and July.
wildlife in yoho national park- Canadian Rockies wildlife
Finding wildlife in Yoho National Park is easy most of the time. There are often elk walking along the braided gravel islands of the Kicking Horse River, especially in the spring and early summer as they raise their young calves. There are lots of black bears and grizzlies in Yoho National Park as well. They can be found in bushy areas with berries growing, like sun facing avalanche paths.
Here are a few ideas of where to see wildlife in Yoho National Park:
Kicking Horse River: Watch for mother elk with their calves along the river banks and islands during the spring.
Field: there are often black bears in the avalanche slides around the town of Field. They like the avalanche slides for the berry bushes that grow here, so keep a look out in berry season!
Emerald Lake: There are often black bears around the lake and can often be big horn sheep up high on the sunny slopes of the mountains surrounding the lake.
seeing wildlife in Kootenay national park- Wildlife viewing guide
Kootenay National Park isn’t as popular among visitors to the area, but it seems a very popular place for wildlife! I think a lot of this is because the railroad doesn’t travel through this corridor, which means that settlers didn’t fight forest fires in this region as much. Forest fires are really good at building habitat for the animals we like to see in the Rockies, like elk and bears. Grizzlies love to eat the Buffalo Berries that grow in the sunny patches on south facing slopes, and elk like to snack on the small Aspen Trees that grow low down in the sunny valley bottoms.
Some key places where to see animals in Kootenay National Park:
Burn patches: forest fires are scary and make the news, but they do wonders to create animal habitat in the Rocky Mountains. Look in the old fire sections to see elk and grizzly bears eating the new plants that pop up in the sun!
Along the side of the highway, particularly halfway from Banff to Radium. There are often deer and elk along the sides of the road.
Grizzly bears and black bears can often be seen from the road as they travel through the park.
Grizzly bears in the canadian rockies
Grizzly bears are a much revered and exciting animal to see in the Canadian Rockies. They can reach up to eight feet in height and can weigh to to 270 kg. They hibernate for roughly 6 months in the Rockies, so they need to work hard the rest of the year. Did you know that male grizzlies sometimes kill baby grizzly cubs?! Here are some tips on seeing grizzlies in Canada.
Look where their food is…. and they eat a lot of things, so good luck! Notable items on a grizzly’s menu are: goat and sheep that died during the winter, roots, ants and other insects, berries (lots of them, especially buffalo berries) and fattened up ground squirrels.
Grizzlies are most predictably found in open, sun facing slopes during the early fall, eating mass amounts of buffalo berries.
Grizzly bears can be brown, blond, and even near black! You can identify a grizzly by the hump on its shoulders, which comes from digging.
seeing black bears in the rockies
Black bears are fairly common to see in the Rockies, and it’s great to know that their population is actually on the rise, so good job bears! They usually weigh around 200 kg, and stand up to seven feet tall. Black bears in the Canadian Rockies also hibernate for just over 6 months. They usually give birth every 2 years, and raise their young for roughly 18 months. Here are some tips on seeing black bears in the Rockies:
Look where their food is… Black bears are omnivores, and rarely hunt live game. Their diet consists of berries, insects, roots, grasses, animal carcasses, and fish.
Black bears are generally seen closer to human centres than grizzlies are.
You can recognize them by the lack of a hump between their shoulders and the straight line from their forehead to the tip of their nose. Their colours range from white to brown to black and even black-blue.
Black bears seem to like disturbed areas, where many edible shrubs grow, like burned patches, roadside and avalanche paths.
finding elk in the canadian rockies
Elk are one of the more common types of wildlife to spot in the Rockies, though they are still very special. They can run over forty miles per hour and can jump over eight feet high! They mate in the fall, during rutting season, which is when their antlers are the largest. During this time, and all other times, elk should be considered dangerous and can be very territorial. Here are some tips on where to see elk near Banff and in the Canadian Rockies.
Elk eat grasses, small bushes and saplings. Like grizzly bears, they don’t seem to mind the bitter buffalo berry bushes either.
Elk are often see travelling along river banks in the early morning.
Mother elk usually travel in large herds in the spring and early summer when they are raising their calves.
Female elk usually live in harems of roughly twenty females with one bull elk who protects them.
where to find moose near banff
Moose are the largest animals found in North America and are generally up to 7 feet tall, weighing up to 1500 pounds. It is estimated that there are roughly 1.5 million moose in the world, spread across wild, open spaces in the northern hemisphere. Moose are hard to find in the Canadian Rockies, but that’s not for a lack of them. A moose and I nearly had a head on collision once during a run!
Moose are most active and easy to spot during dawn and dusk.
They eat twigs, willows, aspen and other brush, especially marshland brush.
The best palces to see moose are often in wet areas, often waist deep in water, munching away.
Moose can run up to 50 km, and can swim almost 20 km per hour!
Moose in the Canadian Rockies eat up to 70 pounds of food per day!
where to find hoary marmots in the rockies
Hoary marmot are the largest of the ground squirrels in the Canadian Rockies. They weigh up to 7 kg and are just over two feet long. How to identify a hoary marmot? The term hoary refers to the silver, grey fur on their back, and they have a little white patch around their nose. Did you know that hoary marmots are the kings of hibernation? They sleep between 7-8 months of the year.
Hoary marmots in the Canadian Rockies live in small colonies of up to 35 individuals.
Marmot live in cold, barren alpine areas, usually with lots of grass and sedges.
Hoary Marmot are often heard before being seen. Listen for a shrill whistle, made by the lookout of the colony. When you hear this, look for a marmot perched on a rock and keeping an eye out on you.
big horn sheep- where to find them
Did you know that big horn sheep in the Canadian Rockies are relatives of domestic farmed sheep? You can tell the difference between males and females by the curled horns on males’ (rams’) heads and the short, spiked horns on females (ewes). Big horn sheep weigh up to 120 kg and can live up to 15 years. Here are some tips on seeing bighorn sheep near Banff, Lake Louise and the Rockies.
Big horn sheep graze on grasses and small shrubs that grow in the Canadian Rockies.
Big horn sheep live in steep, rocky terrain in the alpine.
Big horn sheep have very keen eyesight to help them spot and avoid predators, like bears, wolves and cougars.
They are very nimble and can run up nearly sheer cliffs. They can stand on a ledge the size of a mail envelope!
Viewing guide to wildlife in the Canadian Rockies
It is easy to spot wildlife while hiking in Canada, especially in the Canadian Rockies. Just remember, no matter when you visit the Rockies there are ample opportunities to see wildlife. That being said, I always recommend keeping in mind that there is so much more than wildlife to enjoy during your trip. Wildlife is, well…. wild, so we can’t control it. Sometimes you hit the mother load, sometimes you strike out, but that’s what makes seeing wild animals so special! Below are a few of our tours in the Rockies where we often enjoy some amazing wildlife sightings. By camping in the Rockies, you more than double your chance of seeing wildlife!
Another incredible wildlife viewing destination is Yukon Territory.
You can check out our Vancouver Island Wildlife Viewing Guide here too!
Related tours
best of banff and jasper hiking tour- Hotel Based
7 day rockies camping adventure
12 day rockies hiking tour- Camping Based
About the author
Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!
Best Areas In Canada To Go Hiking This Summer
Best Places in canada for hiking
With so many amazing places in Canada for hiking the real challenge can be picking where to go hiking in Canada! With so much wilderness and beautiful landscape, this country is a paradise for hikers.
Not only that but the varying seasons in Canada can make for some amazing scenery on your hiking trip in Canada. Imagine the fall colours in Southern Ontario in autumn, or the wildflowers in the alpine meadows of the Rockies in spring. Nothing beats a multiday backcountry hike in the Rockies with in glowing Autumn colors!
In no particular order below are a few of our favourite areas to go hiking in Canada.
cape breton, Nova Scotia
If you are looking for somewhere to go hiking in Canada, look no further than Cape Breton in the autumn. Rolling hills meet black beaches and rugged, rocky shoreline, with rich red and yellow forest reaching down to the sea. There are many amazing places to hike on Cape Breton, including Black Sands Beach, Meat Cove and the Bras D’or Lakes. Take your pick, or hit them all on your hiking trip!
Bruce Trail, Ontario
The Bruce Trail stretches from Niagra to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, In fact, the Bruce Trail is 885 km long, so there are many options for you to pick from. One thing that makes this trail special is its proximity to the Niagra Escarpment, which is an ancient seabed, consisting of limestone layers that have been pushed to the surface. Many of the trail sections along the Bruce Trail feature high cliffs and lookouts, as well as caves and karst formations. One thing I love about hiking along the Bruce Trail is the canopy of foliage that forms a ceiling overhead. You feel like you are hiking in your own little world, with much of the sun being blocked and a cool shade underneath the leaves. This gigantic trail makes for much of the best hiking in Canada.
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
While not as visually impressive as the Rockies, hiking in the grasslands of Saskatchewan offer some breathtaking vistas with wide open skies and shimmering grass plains, blowing rhythmically in the breeze. Best of all, you are almost guaranteed sunny weather, which makes this a great area to hike in Canada.
Kluane National Park, Yukon
Larger than life meets more beautiful than life in the Yukon. Kluane Lake is an impressive sight on its own, and the breathtaking icefield spilling out of the Wrangell St Elias Mountains to the West are just a cherry on top. There are several options for hiking in Kluane National Park, some high and some low. Whatever you go with, you are sure to be impressed. This is actually a stop in a future tour that we are planning! Kluane National Park is surely one of the best hiking areas in Canada.
Banff National Park
OK, so all the national parks in the Canadian Rockies are amazing for hikers, but Banff National Park just might take the cake with such a massive variety of hiking trails and opportunities to see wildlife. Jump on a hike around Lake Louise for glacier views and impressive panoramas over the lakes, or head a bit further North to hike along the Icefields Parkway. Hiking on the Icefields Parkway is full of surprises, like climbing over Parker Ridge to see the epic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier stretching out below. Banff National Park is rich with single day hikes and multiday backpacking routes as well. Ambitious hikers could spends years hiking in Banff and not even scratch the surface. A few trails we recommend are Plain of Six Glaciers, Parker Ridge and Cory Pass, to name a few. Join one of our hiking tours in Banff National Park and we will show you a whole lot more!
Squamish and whistler
The coast mountains surrounding Squamish and Whistler are a hiker’s haven, which is why we planned a new guided hiking tour there, beginning in summer 2021. Rolling alpine meadows stretch to rocky mountain fortresses, accessed by lush old growth forests. It’s very easy to fall in love with this place, and it definitely is home to many of the best hiking trails in Canada. Try hiking up to Garibaldi Lake, Elfin Lakes, or taking a walk at the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola. Better yet, try out our tour and experience all the best hikes in one epic week!
Tofino
While most people don’t really think of hiking in Tofino, we beg to differ. There are hikes that get you up high and there are hikes that keep you down low, under the forest canopy, hiking through the lush rainforest on the west coast. Some of our favourites are Lone Cone, Rainforest Loop, and the Nuu Chuh Nulth Trail. Check out the visitor centre at the same time for some history! Tofino is definitely one of the best places to hike in Canada!
Here is a guide to spotting wildlife on Vancouver Island.
So now the rest is up to you. Where are you going hiking in Canada next summer? Let us know your favourite hikes in the comments below, and hopefully we will see you out on a guided hiking tour soon! Happy trails!
Three Amazing Day Hikes Near Banff
Three Amazing Day Hikes Near Banff
Planning a hiking vacation in Banff? Lucky you! Time to start researching the best hikes around Banff and well… doing squats. With tons of options for all levels of hikers, it can be hard to pick out the hikes that you would like to do so hopefully this article will help you find the best hikes around Banff and Lake Louise.
Selection Criteria
Naturally it can be hard to pick out a hike for a variety of different hikers. Some like a big slog, some like a relaxing walk etc, so in this article we are assuming that you are a fairly avid hiker and would like to hike for 3-6 hours, getting up fairly high and enjoying some amazing views. The hikes below are what we believe are some of the best hikes near Banff for you.
The Hikes
Plain of Six Glaciers- Big Beehive- Lake Agnes Loop
The Canadian Rockies were pioneered by the railway almost 150 years ago, shortly before the formation of Banff National Park. During the early beginnings of Banff and Lake Louise the Canadian Pacific was looking for ways to convince visitors to come and see the Rockies from all around the Commonwealth. They hired Swiss Mountaineers to explore the peaks around Lake Louise, making mountaineering popular in Canada. Tourism grew, and with all the fudge shops it’s hard to remember that the Rockies are first and foremost famous for the stunning mountains that surround them.
This is easy to remember on the amazing day hike in Lake Louise. You hike roughly 5 km past the shores of Lake Louise, and up roughly 500 meters to the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house. This is a historic stop, dating back to the turn of the last century, and with epic views of Victoria Glacier and into Abbot Pass. After a victory tea at the tea house and on the way back down you can head on the connector trail to get up high on Big Beehive with incredible views of Lake Louise and beyond to get to Lake Agnes and the other tea house on the shores of the alpine lake.
With stunning views of Lake Louise, glaciers, dramatic mountains and plenty of photo stops this is surely one of the best hikes near Banff.
Cascade Mountain- Summit Route
One of the most amazing sights from downtown Banff is the peak of Cascade Mountain towering above the town. This is such an amazing sight that the streets are actually oriented so Cascade Mountain can be seen from anywhere on Banff Avenue.
Without question, one of the best hikes near Banff is the trail to the summit of Cascade Mountain. This Banff day hike is not for the faint of heart though, so be warned. The return length is roughly 18 km with an elevation gain of 1450 meters.
The trail winds through subalpine forest before breaking onto the ridge and into the open alpine. The alpine section is absolutely epic, climbing over loose rocks and around ledges and ridges until you reach the peak. Once you are there you are rewarded with views like you’ve never seen before. This is definitely one of the best hikes in the Rockies.
Eiffel Lake
Back to Lake Louise area for another one of the best hikes near Banff. This time though, you head up to Moraine Lake and start your hike from there. Eiffel Lake is an incredible hike in the Lake Louise area, with stunning alpine views, wildflowers and one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Rockies.
The trail is roughly 14 km return with 400 meters of elevation gain. You climb through a switchbacking section of spruce forest and then break through the trees into the open, where the views start.
From here hike straight up the valley until you reach Eiffel Lake, enjoying incredible views of the Ten Peaks to your left. The lake viewpoint is the perfect place to have a picnic with a few sneaky marmots prowling around nearby. Come and see for yourself why this is one of the best hikes in Banff National Park!
If wildlife viewing is your thing, you can read up on where to find wildlife in the Rockies here!
Don’t miss out… do all three hikes!
You can join one of our Rockies guided hiking tours and do all three of these plus several more hikes that are too secret to include in this post. Our torus are the perfect way to experience the best of the Rockies without having to do all the research yourself, and you get to hang out with 11 other amazing guests from around the world.
The Best Ziplines In British Columbia
The Best Ziplines In British Columbia
We love adventure and nothing screams adventure more than throwing yourself off a towering platform and hurtling through the fresh mountain air. British Columbia is an amazing place and is blessed with so many ziplines that it can be hard to make sure you find the best one for your vacation. That is why we compiled this list of what we believe are the best ziplines in British Columbia, listed in no particular order.
Photo: Kokanee Mountain Ziplines.
Kokanee Mountain Zipline
We love this Zipline in British Columbia for several reasons. Sure, there are the six ziplines weaving their way through ancient forest groves, but Kokanee Mountain Zipline also just has that wow factor- fresh air, big trees, and mountains all around. Enjoy the view on the longest zipline which is over 700 meters in length. Local tip: come on out in the summer and pair this with a visit to Ainsworth Hot Springs!
Treetop Flyers
The perfect addition to your Okanagan vacation, come on out to Treetop Flyers, which is one of our favourite ziplines in British Columbia. They rock because of their canyon ziplines and a giant “jump swing” that is sure to get your heart pounding. You can really feel the passion coming through from the owners here. Add it to your trip and see for yourself!
West Coast Wild
Just like everything on Vancouver Island, this zipline adventure is an incredible experience. Wind your way across a dramatic canyon and look down into the crystal clear water far below. The guys at WC Wild have created a truly amazing course and you can pair your time here with a scenic floatplane ride or a river paddle. Local tip: come in September and you might see salmon spawning in the river below!
Sky Trek Adventure Park
Nestled just down the road from Revelstoke and conveniently beside the Enchanted Forest, this is a really amazing adventure park that is very family friendly. With climbs, drops, swing and zips, you can really do it all here. Add this stop on your way to Revelstoke!
Adrena-LINE Zipline Adventures
100 acres of coastal rainforest are the setting for your zipline adventure as you get up close and personal with the ancient forest canopy. This place really packs it in with 8 ziplines, a Unimog ride and 2 suspension bridges as part of the package. Add this to your visit to Victoria, since they can pick you up from downtown (not in the Unimog, that would be way too cool).
Superfly Zipllines
Explore Whistler’s backcountry like never before. Soar through the alpine up to 200 meters above the ground, approaching speeds of 100 km per hour. (Take that eagles). You can also soar side by side with their dual lines. Oh and some of their zip lines are up to 1.3 km long. Definitely one of the best ziplines in British Columbia. Check it out!
Oyama Zipline
Super fun ziplines in the Okanagan Valley. Check out Oyama Ziplines and cruise through their seven station course. This zipline is right outside both Kelowna and Vernon, and boast incredible views of Kalmalka Lake (one of the most beautiful lakes in the world according to National Geographic). Local tip: Pair this with a wine tasting (or five) with all the nearby wineries.
Mineral Mountain Ziplines
Planning a visit to Fairmont Hot Springs? Well make sure you don’t miss out on the thrilling ride offered by Mineral Mountain Ziplines. The 6 ziplines are sure to treat you to a good time, and to top it off, the mountains around Fairmont Hot Springs are some of the most beautiful around. (And to top all that off, you can pair this with a soak in their thermal pools). Enjoy!
Well, those are the ziplines in British Columbia that we think you should check out. Let us know if you are planning a trip out here and we can point you in the right direction. Don’t forget to tag #freshadventurescanada with your favourite photos from your adventure. Bon voyage!
Best Place In Canada To Visit During Summer?
Best Place in Canada To Visit This Summer?
We think this is more a question of should you visit the Canadian Rockies, or take a detour and hit the Westcoast, including Vancouver Island.
What Are You Looking For In A Canadian Destination?
Let’s think about what would make the perfect destination for your summer vacation. Here is a list:
Sun and good weather
Wildlife
Beautiful ecology (trees, plants, flowers)
Lack of crowds
Natural attractions
Good infrastructure (think hotels, parking lots, visitor information centers etc)
Great food and drink
Culture and history
So now the question is where has the best of these factors?
Why Visit The Canadian Rockies in Summer?
OK, so the Rockies are definitely on your bucket list, or at least they should be. With epic scenery as far as the eye can see and everything the eye looks, there is no shortage of beauty here. In fact, it seems like every photo you take could be a professionally shot post card. This is one of the reasons the Rockies are one of the best places to visit in Canada during the summer.
The food is decent. The cultural food around the Rockies would be what the early settlers ate, or what the First Nations ate during their travel through the mountain corridors. I suppose this would be buffalo (bison), elk, and venison, all of which can be found at any restaurant worth their salt in the Rockies. Try the Grizzly House in Banff for some really exquisite meat selections.
I can’t say that the Rockies aren’t crowded, although the crowds are easy to escape, especially if you are on a guided tour with Fresh Adventures, and your local guide is an expert at dodging crowds and taking you far into the mountains, away from the rest of the people.
The infrastructure is great, with ample hotels and parking lots (most of which are sold out or over-run though. There is plenty of history, and the culture that goes with that.
Overall I would rate the Rockies very highly as one of the best places to visit in Canada during the summer.
Why Visit Vancouver Island During The Summer?
OK, so full disclosure I shouldn’t write this article. Why? I am biased. I spent countless days, weeks even, exploring both Vancouver Island and the Canadian Rockies. In fact, I have lived in both of them as well. I do currently live on Vancouver Island, and I have to admit, I do have a favourite during the summer. And that is Vancouver Island.
So where is the best place to visit in Canada during the summer? I would have to say Vancouver Island is, and here is why…
Vancouver Island has an incredibly diverse landscape, ranging from flat grasslands to forests and also to mountain ranges that stretch as far as the eye can see. Most people don’t realize that Vancouver Island has mountains on it, but most people also don’t know Vancouver Island exists!
There are towering mountains along most of the Island, many mountain ranges that do a great job at rivaling the mountains in the Rockies.
As far as a lush ecosystem goes the Island is the hands down winner, with massive old growth trees, and ferns that date back to prehistoric times. You can’t help but feel like a baby dinosaur as you walk through these forests.
There are plenty of hotels all around the island, and most of them are actually available during the summer (except around Tofino). There are also parking lots anywhere you need them, and believe it or not, you can actually park in them (except Cathedral Grove).
The food on Vancouver Island is amazing, with a definitely focus on seafood. Feast on fresh mussels, salmon, halibut, crab and shrimp, all caught in the same water you just swam in. There are berries everywhere.. oh the berries…. enough to live off, and the best part is that most people (including the locals) don’t know the majority of the berries are edible, which means that you can feast on them when your Fresh Adventures guides show them to you.
There are virtually no crowds on Vancouver Island.. ever. Oh yes, and there is a ton of wildlife. There are over 10,000 black bears on the island, and near the water you are downright likely to see eagles, sea lions, seals, bears and even whales or porpoises.
So Where Is The Best Place To Visit In Canada During The Summer?
My vote is Vancouver Island.
Check out our 8 Day Vancouver Island Camping Adventure for the perfect guided Westcoast experience.
About The Author
Alex Ross - Founder and Adventure Guru
Alex moved to British Columbia over 10 years ago, right after graduating university in Halifax. When he came he planned on working as a dishwasher in the Rockies, but after 24 hours he threw in the towel and moved back to the coast to drive boats, walk dogs, guide adventures and surf. After moving around a bit over the past ten years he now lives on Vancouver Island and loves it.
Why Get Stoked On Revelstoke?
Why Guided Ski Tours Are The Way Forward
Life is too short for bad ski vacations!
Think about your last ski vacation…. wass it truly epic? Memories to last a lifetime? Did you push past your limits? Escape the crowds and find a secret stash of your own?
We hope that it was all that and more, but more and more people are reporting that they were mildly enthused on their last ski trip.
So what is different about a guided ski trip?
Everyone has something they are really good at. Some of you can find accounting errors deep in the books, some can whip up an incredible meal, and some can sniff out the best powder stashes on a mountain while evading the snow-hungry crowds.
Unless the latter is you, why put yourself in charge of delighting your inner kid on your next ski trip. Instead, imagine joining a guided ski tour and spending a week skiing with someone who does it for a living, lives and breathes it, and spends every waking moment on the mountain.
Going on a ski trip with local guides means that you can skip the few days of exploration and missing the perfect run by just a few feet, and jump straight into the goods. Remember that amazing little stash you found on the last day of that trip? Imagine if every run was like that. Bam! Bam! Bam! One incredible run after another, curated and delivered on a silver platter by your goggle-tanned guide.
The Hidden Perks of Skiing With A Guide
So what else is better about being on a guided ski/ snowboard tour? Well for one, let’s admit… driving in winter can be horrible, and driving on the wrong side of the road, in a foreign place, on glare ice, while fumbling with a map is even worse. What’s more fun? Settling back and enjoying the views, while a local handles the driving for you.
What’s worse than driving in winter? Blowing right by a secret set of hot springs that you didn’t know were there, and having cold feet when you could be soaking in that healing water! One of the most overlooked benefits to joining a guided ski tour is that your guide is equipped with a legendary arsenal of local gems that took years to explore and find. During our guided ski trips we stop at several amazing natural hot springs along the way, including a set that are tunneled into a cave inside a mountainside.
On top of all that, when you join a guided ski tour, we plan the finer details for you, so you can dine at all the best hand picked restaurants that deliver time and time again, plus stop at local craft breweries, distilleries, and get hooked up with the best shop to go to in each town!
So next time you are planning a ski vacation- why not try a guided ski trip? Give us a shout to learn more about our ski tours on the Powder Highway.
About The Author
Alex Ross- Founder and Lead Guide
Alex was born in Ontario with his head turned west, yearning for the mountains of British Columbia. As soon as he graduated university he scampered to BC for a life of adventure. 10 years later, he’s lucky enough to be writing wildly mediocre blog posts on why you should be skiing with him and his team of professional ski bums.
A New Kind Of Canada Ski Vacation
Are Canada Ski Tours Right For You?
Imagine arriving in the heart of the legendary Canadian mountains, strapping your skis on and instantly skiing the same incredible powder stashes that the locals has been searching for year after year.
This used to be a difficult feat, made possible only with an over-insured car rental, driving through blizzards and slushy mountain passes, with most of your beer budget going to tight-lipped locals in exchange for tips on secret local favorites.
Cheer up shredder- with a new and revolutionary way to enjoy ski vacations in Canada your chances at hitting the good stuff just got better. Introducing Canada ski tours, by Fresh Adventures.
Put the mega-resort brochure down and join us for a British Columbia ski tour, visiting 4 totally off-the beaten path resorts over the course of an 11 day ski trip. With 8 days of guided skiing in BC, 3 excursions to secluded hot springs and daily doses of vibrant apres ski these Canada ski tours are sure to be the ski vacation of a lifetime.
No longer do you need to spend your entire Canada ski vacation at a single resort. Instead your guided ski tour will allow you to experience several resorts in one go, with no lift lines, Canada's best powder and some of the best intermediate and advanced ski terrain on the planet. Check out some Canada ski tours and guided ski vacations now.