Alberta: Banff National Park & the Canadian Rockies

Your vacation is about to begin! Enjoy your flight and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.

Start off your first day in Calgary right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then meet your VBT representative and the rest of the group in the lobby at 12:30 p.m. for your transportation to Banff (travel time is approximately 1.5 hours) Plan to have lunch before the journey. Please come dressed for cycling (with your pedals or saddle if you use your own), as there will be no place to change into cycling clothes before the warm-up ride. Check-in at your hotel is 4:00 p.m.

Once you arrive in Banff, in the heart of breathtaking Banff National Park, meet your trip leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session. Then, stretch your legs on an invigorating warm-up ride. As you cycle, the true majesty of the Canadian Rockies reveals itself as snow-capped peaks rise around you. Your destination is a loop ride around the Banff golf course, past the pristine waters of the Bow River.

Later, shuttle from your hotel to a nearby restaurant and raise a toast to your arrival during a special welcome reception, followed by dinner.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Banff Warm-up — 19 km (11 miles)

What to Expect:

Your warm-up spin gives you the opportunity to get used to the fit and gearing of your bike. During a scenic ride through town and to the quiet golf course, you’ll feel refreshed and renewed as the cool alpine breezes brush your cheeks in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains. You may even encounter wapiti grazing on the plush grass.

Cumulative Distance Range: 19 km (11 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic shuttle to Lake Louise. This is one of the most famous lakes in the world, renowned for its magnificent mountain setting. The glacier-fed lake was named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. There will be time to walk the gorgeous paved trail to the end of the lake and back.

Next, shuttle a little further down the road and return to your bicycle for an invigorating ride along the magnificent Bow Valley Parkway. This stunning wilderness corridor is celebrated for its preservation of Banff’s scenic heritage. As you descend, you may want to pause at the various interpretive displays, perhaps learning more about sites like Morant’s Curve (a must for railroad buffs) or Castle Cliffs. Pause for a hearty picnic lunch prepared by your trip leaders. Later, approach the Flames of Life, an area where prescribed burns have been used to stimulate plant growth and support natural habitats. Those looking for additional exercise may add a loop ride to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

After a rewarding day, arrive back in Banff, the highest town in Canada. Tonight, dinner is at your leisure in town. Your trip leaders will recommend their local favorites.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Lake Louise village to Castle Mountain — 27 km (17 miles)

Afternoon: Castle Mountain to Banff — 32 km (21 miles) | Lake Minnewanka Loop (optional) — 25 km (15 miles)

What to Expect:

Spend a leisurely morning with our shuttle as you head to picturesque Lake Louise. After walking along the shore, shuttle down to the village. Begin riding on the Bow Valley Parkway, one of the very best road bike routes in Canada and an important wildlife corridor. Pause for a picnic lunch near Castle Junction. This afternoon, ride mostly downhill along the Bow Valley Parkway, passing the beautiful Vermillion Lakes just before arriving in Banff. There will be a few hills but there is generally a tailwind in this direction. The parkway speed limit of 60 kph (37 mph) makes for safe and comfortable cycling, with several one-way sections. Watch out for bear jams! If you still have legs, you can continue cycling on an optional loop ride to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

Cumulative Distance Range: 27 — 59 km (17 — 38 miles)

Included Meals: Lunch

After a leisurely breakfast, leave Banff by way of the Legacy Trail, a paved biking and walking route which opened in 2010 to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of Banff National Park. The magnificent mountain views, wild roses, and Indian paintbrush will stimulate your senses. A former coal mining center, Canmore is now an enchanting town. Lunch on your own at one of the many eateries including Crazyweed or the Grizzly Paw Pub before perusing Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s flagship store, Olde Time Candy Shoppe, or The Wild Life Distillery.

Rejoin your group for a tasting of the local artisanal beer. Then, continue cycling along the quiet Bow Valley Trail to Exshaw for transportation to your hotel for the next three nights, Crosswaters Resort, located in Kananaskis Village. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Banff to Canmore — 24 km (17 miles)

Afternoon: Canmore to Exshaw — 16 km (10 miles)

What to Expect:

The Legacy Trail is a paved bike path that stretches from Banff to Canmore. The ride is mainly downhill with a few short, gentle hills. There is a picnic area with outhouses mid-way through the route. Stay to the right as the trail is open to pedestrians and horse-back riders. All dogs must be kept on leash. After lunch on your own in Canmore, enjoy an included beer tasting. Then, continue cycling to the hamlet of Exshaw on the Bow Valley Trail, a paved secondary road, past Gap Lake. You’re likely to see some bighorn sheep and, at times, you may have to brake for livestock crossing the road. If time allows, you may opt to hike to Grotto Canyon, a 4 km (2.5 miles) out and back which is a favorite trail for the locals. Be forewarned that there are some slick sections getting over some rocks. From Exshaw, shuttle 30 minutes to your hotel in Kananaskis village.

Cumulative Distance Range: 16 — 40 km (10 — 27 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, cycle from the village to Barrier Lake, an aqua-hued reservoir created for hydroelectric power generation on the Kananaskis River. Mount Baldy looms over the lake and during World War II, prisoners in a nearby internment camp were occasionally permitted to make the ascent as long as they promised to return. Cycle back to Boundary Ranch and meet your group for a traditional barbecue lunch.

This afternoon, you may join optional activities such as a horseback trail ride from Boundary Ranch (advanced reservations recommended for summer tours; call 403.591.7171), a hike from your lodge, or a round of golf. Other options include relaxing at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa in one of their outdoor pools, steam rooms, sauna cabins, or salt-water float pool.

Tonight, dine at your leisure in the village. Stop by the fire pit for s’mores and star gazing.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Hotel to Barrier Lake to Boundary Ranch — 32 km (20 miles) | Barrier Lake Interpretive Trail Hike — 5 km (3 miles)

Afternoon: Boundary Ranch to Crosswaters Resort — 7 km (4 miles)

What to Expect:

The ride to Barrier Lake is on a paved road with a wide shoulder and mountain vistas in every direction. It is an easy, leisurely ride. There is an option to hike the Barrier Lake Interpretive Trail, a 3-mile out and back to a ridge with views of the northern and southern mountains. Retrace your way from Barrier Lake to Boundary Ranch. After lunch, partake in an optional activity in the area or cycle back to Crosswaters Resort.

Cumulative Distance Range: 39 km (24 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, shuttle to the Highwood Meadows day use area near the top of Highwood Pass, Canada’s highest paved pass. Located in the high country wilderness of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, the sharp hooves of bighorn sheep and mountain goats and the heavy pads of grizzlies have passed this way before you. The Ptarmigan Cirque Trail will take you through a sub-alpine forest at 7,545 feet in elevation, then to a fragile alpine meadow covered by snow for nine months of the year. The meadow is similar to the arctic tundra due to the buffeting winds, dryness, and temperature extremes. Relax and enjoy these epic views. Afterwards, spin down the valley and admire the natural beauty of Kananaskis Valley. Pause for a picnic lunch prepared by your trip leaders.

Return to your hotel to unwind or go on a hike on the Coal Mine trail from your hotel.

Later, gather for your farewell dinner at the hotel.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Ptarmigan Cirque Trail Hike — 4 km (2.7 miles) | Highwood Pass to hotel — 46 km (29 miles)

Afternoon: Coal Mine Trail Hike (optional) — 5 km (3 miles)

What to Expect:

Shuttle to Highwood Pass and begin your hike on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. This loop trail features a waterfall and is rated moderate due to a short section of steep switchbacks in the beginning. Aside from the switchbacks, the hike takes little effort and is popular with families. Note: this trail may be closed early in the season due to snow.

After the hike, coast down through the valley, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch. Then continue cycling to your hotel.

The optional hike on the Coal Mine Trail is an out-and-back that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. It has a steady incline (800 ft. gain) on a wide trail through the forest and then narrows and opens up to great views. The coal mine operated from 1947 to 1952. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash.

Cumulative Distance Range: 46 km (29 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a final included breakfast at Crosswaters Resort. Your complimentary transportation to the Calgary International Airport (YYC) departs from Crosswaters at 8:30 a.m. (travel time is a little over 1.5 hours.) You will arrive at approximately 10:00 a.m. for your departure flight. We recommend a flight out of Calgary no earlier than 12:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast

At 12:30 p.m., meet your VBT representative in the lobby of our Calgary hotel, either Hotel Arts or Hotel Clique Calgary Airport (tours starting on July 9 and 16, 2023). Plan to have lunch before the journey. Please come dressed for cycling (with your pedals or saddle if you use your own), as there will be no place to change into cycling clothes before the warm-up ride.

Travel to Banff at 12:30 p.m. promptly (travel time is approximately 1.5 hours). Check-in at your hotel is 4:00 p.m.

Once you arrive in Banff, in the heart of breathtaking Banff National Park, meet your trip leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session. Then, stretch your legs on an invigorating warm-up ride. As you cycle, the true majesty of the Canadian Rockies reveals itself as snow-capped peaks rise around you. Your destination is a loop ride around the Banff golf course, past the pristine waters of the Bow River.

Later, shuttle from your hotel to a nearby restaurant and raise a toast to your arrival during a special welcome reception, followed by dinner.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Banff Warm-up — 19 km (11 miles)

What to Expect:

Your warm-up spin gives you the opportunity to get used to the fit and gearing of your bike. During a scenic ride through town and to the quiet golf course, you’ll feel refreshed and renewed as the cool alpine breezes brush your cheeks in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains. You may even encounter wapiti grazing on the plush grass.

Cumulative Distance Range: 19 km (11 miles)

Included Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic shuttle to Lake Louise. This is one of the most famous lakes in the world, renowned for its magnificent mountain setting. The glacier-fed lake was named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. There will be time to walk the gorgeous paved trail to the end of the lake and back.

Next, shuttle a little further down the road and return to your bicycle for an invigorating ride along the magnificent Bow Valley Parkway. This stunning wilderness corridor is celebrated for its preservation of Banff’s scenic heritage. As you descend, you may want to pause at the various interpretive displays, perhaps learning more about sites like Morant’s Curve (a must for railroad buffs) or Castle Cliffs. Pause for a hearty picnic lunch prepared by your trip leaders. Later, approach the Flames of Life, an area where prescribed burns have been used to stimulate plant growth and support natural habitats. Those looking for additional exercise may add a loop ride to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

After a rewarding day, arrive back in Banff, the highest town in Canada. Tonight, dinner is at your leisure in town. Your trip leaders will recommend their local favorites.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Lake Louise village to Castle Mountain — 27 km (17 miles)

Afternoon: Castle Mountain to Banff — 32 km (21 miles) | Lake Minnewanka Loop (optional) — 25 km (15 miles)

What to Expect:

Spend a leisurely morning with our shuttle as you head to picturesque Lake Louise. After walking along the shore, shuttle down to the village. Begin riding on the Bow Valley Parkway, one of the very best road bike routes in Canada and an important wildlife corridor. Pause for a picnic lunch near Castle Junction. This afternoon, ride mostly downhill along the Bow Valley Parkway, passing the beautiful Vermillion Lakes just before arriving in Banff. There will be a few hills but there is generally a tailwind in this direction. The parkway speed limit of 60 kph (37 mph) makes for safe and comfortable cycling, with several one-way sections. Watch out for bear jams! If you still have legs, you can continue cycling on an optional loop ride to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

Cumulative Distance Range: 27 — 59 km (17 — 38 miles)

Included Meals: Lunch

After a leisurely breakfast, leave Banff by way of the Legacy Trail, a paved biking and walking route which opened in 2010 to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of Banff National Park. The magnificent mountain views, wild roses, and Indian paintbrush will stimulate your senses. A former coal mining center, Canmore is now an enchanting town. Lunch on your own at one of the many eateries including Crazyweed or the Grizzly Paw Pub before perusing Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s flagship store, Olde Time Candy Shoppe, or The Wild Life Distillery.

Rejoin your group for a tasting of the local artisanal beer. Then, continue cycling along the quiet Bow Valley Trail to Exshaw for transportation to your hotel for the next three nights, Crosswaters Resort, located in Kananaskis Village. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Banff to Canmore — 24 km (17 miles)

Afternoon: Canmore to Exshaw — 16 km (10 miles)

What to Expect:

The Legacy Trail is a paved bike path that stretches from Banff to Canmore. The ride is mainly downhill with a few short, gentle hills. There is a picnic area with outhouses mid-way through the route. Stay to the right as the trail is open to pedestrians and horse-back riders. All dogs must be kept on leash. After lunch on your own in Canmore, enjoy an included beer tasting. Then, continue cycling to the hamlet of Exshaw on the Bow Valley Trail, a paved secondary road, past Gap Lake. You’re likely to see some bighorn sheep and, at times, you may have to brake for livestock crossing the road. If time allows, you may opt to hike to Grotto Canyon, a 4 km (2.5 miles) out and back which is a favorite trail for the locals. Be forewarned that there are some slick sections getting over some rocks. From Exshaw, shuttle 30 minutes to your hotel in Kananaskis village.

Cumulative Distance Range: 16 — 40 km (10 — 27 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, cycle from the village to Barrier Lake, an aqua-hued reservoir created for hydroelectric power generation on the Kananaskis River. Mount Baldy looms over the lake and during World War II, prisoners in a nearby internment camp were occasionally permitted to make the ascent as long as they promised to return. Cycle back to Boundary Ranch and meet your group for a traditional barbecue lunch.

This afternoon, you may join optional activities such as a horseback trail ride from Boundary Ranch (advanced reservations recommended for summer tours; call 403.591.7171), a hike from your lodge, or a round of golf. Other options include relaxing at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa in one of their outdoor pools, steam rooms, sauna cabins, or salt-water float pool.

Tonight, dine at your leisure in the village. Stop by the fire pit for s’mores and star gazing.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Hotel to Barrier Lake to Boundary Ranch — 32 km (20 miles) | Barrier Lake Interpretive Trail Hike — 5 km (3 miles)

Afternoon: Boundary Ranch to Crosswaters Resort — 7 km (4 miles)

What to Expect:

The ride to Barrier Lake is on a paved road with a wide shoulder and mountain vistas in every direction. It is an easy, leisurely ride. There is an option to hike the Barrier Lake Interpretive Trail, a 3-mile out and back to a ridge with views of the northern and southern mountains. Retrace your way from Barrier Lake to Boundary Ranch. After lunch, partake in an optional activity in the area or cycle back to Crosswaters Resort.

Cumulative Distance Range: 39 km (24 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, shuttle to the Highwood Meadows day use area near the top of Highwood Pass, Canada’s highest paved pass. Located in the high country wilderness of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, the sharp hooves of bighorn sheep and mountain goats and the heavy pads of grizzlies have passed this way before you. The Ptarmigan Cirque Trail will take you through a sub-alpine forest at 7,545 feet in elevation, then to a fragile alpine meadow covered by snow for nine months of the year. The meadow is similar to the arctic tundra due to the buffeting winds, dryness, and temperature extremes. Relax and enjoy these epic views. Afterwards, spin down the valley and admire the natural beauty of Kananaskis Valley. Pause for a picnic lunch prepared by your trip leaders.

Return to your hotel to unwind or go on a hike on the Coal Mine trail from your hotel.

Later, gather for your farewell dinner at the hotel.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Ptarmigan Cirque Trail Hike — 4 km (2.7 miles) | Highwood Pass to hotel — 46 km (29 miles)

Afternoon: Coal Mine Trail Hike (optional) — 5 km (3 miles)

What to Expect:

Shuttle to Highwood Pass and begin your hike on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. This loop trail features a waterfall and is rated moderate due to a short section of steep switchbacks in the beginning. Aside from the switchbacks, the hike takes little effort and is popular with families. Note: this trail may be closed early in the season due to snow.

After the hike, coast down through the valley, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch. Then continue cycling to your hotel.

The optional hike on the Coal Mine Trail is an out-and-back that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. It has a steady incline (800 ft. gain) on a wide trail through the forest and then narrows and opens up to great views. The coal mine operated from 1947 to 1952. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash.

Cumulative Distance Range: 46 km (29 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a final included breakfast at Crosswaters Resort. Your complimentary transportation to the Calgary International Airport (YYC) departs from Crosswaters at 8:30 a.m. (travel time is a little over 1.5 hours.) You will arrive at approximately 10:00 a.m. for your departure flight. We recommend a flight out of Calgary no earlier than 12:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast