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Banff

Five Ways to Enjoy the Winter in Banff National Park

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

best things to do in banff in winter

For Calgarians, Banff is an easy weekend getaway. For others, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip. Regardless of where you live, however, it’s easily one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Located just over an hour from Calgary, Banff is a great place to unwind and find adventure. While the summer is the parks busiest time of year due to warm weather and summer holidays, winter is an equally amazing time with far fewer crowds. In fact, winter might be our favourite time to explore the Rocky Mountains as it really feels like a winter wonderland. With snow-covered pine trees surrounded by tall mountains, there’s never a dull moment in Banff National Park. [Read more…] about Five Ways to Enjoy the Winter in Banff National Park

Winter Hiking through Johnston Canyon to See Frozen Waterfalls

By Matthew G. Bailey 41 Comments

 

Johnston Canyon Upper Fall

  • Attraction: Johnston Canyon Alberta
  • Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
  • Walking distance: 5.2km (3.2 miles)
  • Elevation gain: 135m (443 feet)
  • Johnston Canyon winter = frozen waterfalls
  • Johnston Canyon summer = waterfalls
  • Cost: Free

Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park

Like a scene from the Chronicles of Narnia, the Johnston Canyon frozen waterfalls are truly remarkable. It’s like standing beneath a giant rock-cake with icing sugar running down the sides. The views are simply breathtaking and if you’re visiting Banff National Park in the winter (or the summer for that matter), this is a must-do experience.

Hiking Johnston Canyon trail during the winter is usually quite easy. From the car park, it’s only a two or three-hour return trip. You’ll want to hike the entire 5.2 kilometre return trip so that you see both the Upper and Lower Falls. Although you don’t need snowshoes, you may want to bring ice cleats to put on the bottom of your hiking shoes as it can get icy in spots. My family wore regular hiking shoes without ice cleats and although it was quite slippery in some areas, we made it there and back just fine. Sometimes it depends on the weather.  [Read more…] about Winter Hiking through Johnston Canyon to See Frozen Waterfalls

Three Day Jasper Itinerary

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Our trip began under a blanket of clouds but it wasn’t long before they opened up to reveal the mighty peaks that make the Icefields Parkway so famous. Known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, it didn’t take long to understand why. Snow-capped mountains, lush pine valleys, sparkling glaciers, and turquoise-coloured lakes are just some of the attractions that make the drive so spectacular.

Although the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper only takes three hours, you’ll want to double that for the many scenic stops you’ll be making along the way. While it’s incredibly easy to keep busy for weeks in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, we only had three days and decided to pack them with as much activities and scenery as possible. [Read more…] about Three Day Jasper Itinerary

Flying High Over the Canadian Rocky Mountains

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

Helicopter Tour Rocky Mountains

“Look to your right,” the Pilot said as we passed some mountain sheep resting high up on the cliff. It was amazing to fly so close to the mountain peak and witness these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. They were basically resting on the peak of a mountain! I fell in love with helicopters as we soared up high and over some of the most magical scenery in the world.

It was only a few minutes prior that I was sitting in the office of Alpine Helicopter Tours, listening to a quick safety video and anticipating the adventure ahead. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and sunny weather. It’s incredible how quickly you can go from being at the base to being above the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

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Become a Cowboy or Cowgirl Amidst the Beautiful Backdrop of the Canadian Rockies

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

horseback riding canadian rockies

I honestly thought that I knew everything about the Canadian Rockies. Okay, maybe not everything, but after living in Calgary for the last 10 years, I’ve had my fair share of Rocky Mountain experiences. I’ve spent a lot of time camping near beautiful mountain lakes, enjoying world-class skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, hiking, and even riding in a helicopter for a birds eye view of one of the most incredible places on earth. I really did think I had experienced everything the rockies had to offer. That is, until I heard about Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. This non-profit group, which has been around for more than 90 years, takes customers for six-day journey’s on horseback through the backcountry of the Rockies. [Read more…] about Become a Cowboy or Cowgirl Amidst the Beautiful Backdrop of the Canadian Rockies

Snowshoeing, Tubing and Magnificent Views at Mount Norquay

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

Situated in one of the most beautiful national parks in the world is Mount Norquay, an amazing mountain for skiing and snowboarding. Known as one of the mountains where olympians train, it’s also the closest and smallest ski area to the town of Banff.

But when most people think of Mount Norquay or with any of the mountains for that matter, thoughts of skiing and snowboarding are the only things that typically come to mind. That’s the only thing I ever thought about when visiting the area during the winter time…

Not anymore.

[Read more…] about Snowshoeing, Tubing and Magnificent Views at Mount Norquay

Skiing the Continental Divide | An Amazing Day at Sunshine Village

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

Gondola sunshine village banff

Skiing (or boarding) is one of those sports that remains magical all throughout life. It’s fun, exciting, physically exhausting and often takes you to some very beautiful places that are covered in white sparkling snow. Sunshine Village near Banff, Alberta is one of those magical places. Not only does it offer some of the best scenery in the world but it also gives you the chance to ski in two different provinces in one run.

That’s right – the Continental Divide Quad chair crosses the provincial boundary between Alberta and British Columbia, giving you a very unique run and a chance to witness an area where mountain melt-off makes it into two different oceans; the Atlantic and the Pacific. Sunshine Village also offers a vertical drop of 3,514 feet, which is the longest in the Canadian Rockies and offers the longest season, which ends in late May with the incredible wrap-up party known as href=”https://www.mustdocanada.com/skiing-in-bikinis-a-tribute-to-sunshines-slush-cup/”>Slush Cup.

Powder ski sunshine village banff

Another special feature of Sunshine Village is the fact that it is situated 7,000 feet up a mountain, making the snow softer, drier and longer-lasting than other ski resorts in the area. The gondola ride to the village itself is a breathtaking experience, transporting up to 2,800 people per hour if need be for a 13-minute ride past beautiful mountain scenery.

We couldn’t have picked a better day to go ourselves. Warm weather mixed with bright blue skies created a picture-perfect backdrop for tear-worthy landscapes. Every time we got on a chair lift and ascended to the top of a run, we found ourselves marvelling at the views around us. Even as we sped down the mountain runs, we found ourselves stopping and staring in disbelief at the views surrounding us. It was like the scene from the movie Into The Wild where Chris McCandless spots a couple hundred caribou gathering nearby and begins to tear up at how truly magnificent it is.

sunshine village banff

At the top of each chair lift, you’ll find yourself with a nearly 360-degree view that battles anything you’ve ever seen in National Geographic. Finding it difficult to peel your eyes away from postcard-perfect views, you’ll need to remind yourself that world-class skiing also awaits. With 109 named runs on three mountains including chutes and bowls, you’ll want to dedicate time to explore what the resort has to offer.

Sunshine Village is suitable for all types of experience levels. Nestled amongst 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, which ranges from basic beginner runs to the some of the best off-piste destinations in the world, you’ll have no trouble finding something that suits you. Sunshine also has a 12-acre terrain park with more than 50 features for those more into doing tricks.

sunshine village banff must do canada

For those visiting Alberta, a trip to UNESCO World Heritage Banff National Park is an absolute must-do activity. Sunshine Village is located in the park and is a must-do activity any time of the year. If skiing/boarding is your thing, the season runs from early November until Mid-May. Located just 135KM west of Calgary, Alberta, Banff and Sunshine Village also makes the list of top things to do in Calgary.

The gondola runs from 8 AM until 5:30 PM on most days (with Friday closing times at 10:30 PM) and is open 7 days a week. For more information on this truly one-of-a-kind experience, visit SkiBanff.com.

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Picture of Banff Gondola is by Must Do Canada. All other pictures credited to Sunshine Village / Adam Locke.

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Jaw-Dropping Views and World Class Skiing

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

things to do in banff in winter

No matter what time of year you make it out to Lake Louise, you’re in for a treat. Beautiful turquoise lakes, stunning mountain views and in this case, world-class skiing.

Situated just 2.5 hours west from Calgary, Alberta, Lake Louise Mountain Resort is a life experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list. As if 139 ski runs weren’t enough, the resort also offers some of the best views in the world. From many of the resort’s chairlifts, you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of glaciers, valleys and the Rocky Mountains that surround them. At times I didn’t want the chairlift to end as I sat there twisting my neck to watch the stunning view that was passing us by. You’ll truly feel on top of the world. [Read more…] about Jaw-Dropping Views and World Class Skiing

Skiing in Bikinis | A Tribute to Sunshine’s Slush Cup

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Sunshine Village slush cup

It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. Sunshine, blue skies and +20 degree weather. Some people went camping. Some people had a BBQ. We (and thousands of others) went skiing at Sunshine Village near Banff, Alberta. It wasn’t a typical ski day either – It was the 85th anniversary of Slush Cup.

Slush Cup is a special time of year. A celebration of springs arrival and the last day of lift-ticket skiing. It’s a day when people from all over come out dressed in their silliest costumes (or bikinis) to watch or take part in the annual celebration, which consists of 65 competitors skiing or boarding down a hill, off a jump and into (or across) a 30-meter-long, 2.5-meter-deep pool of ice-cold water. [Read more…] about Skiing in Bikinis | A Tribute to Sunshine’s Slush Cup