About the Experience
Experience the bluebird skies and alpine rapture of Canada’s very first national park on our Banff Horseback Riding Tour! Before saddling up, see some of Banff’s biggest bragging rights from the fairytale Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to the unforgettable palette of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. You’ll see the hoodoos, Lake Minnewanka and Bow Falls too.
With your sure-footed horse, you’ll ride along the historic Erling Strom trail that runs parallel to crystalline glacier-fed rivers and meadows blurred with wildflowers. The wild blooms paint the broad hillsides with their palette of royal blue lupines, bright white and yellow alpine lilies and deep red Indian paintbrushes.
Our days will be spent picnicking and riding into the panoramas of craggy Sundance and Cascade Ranges and venturing deep into the lodgepole pines and stands of fragrant spruce.
On this signature 8-day backcountry riding adventure, you’ll be able to recharge with pampered stays at Sundance and Halfway Lodge. We’ll be in the company of brazen bighorn sheep, nimble mountain goats, grizzly, black bear, bugling elk, whisky jacks (aka: Canada or gray jay, or more appropriately ‘camp robber’) and playful marmots. Nights will be spent clustered around a stoked wood stove, sipping wine while swapping stories and guitar picks. This is Jann Arden and k.d. lang country–yes, there is an in-house guitar! It’s a prerequisite!
Following a historic pack trail, we’ll ride up Allenby Pass, where the Rocky Mountains embrace those in their daunting midst.
We eventually climb to an elevation of 2,468m (8,100 feet) on this trip but the terrain is gentle for most of the way, with a few short, steep sections on the trail to Allenby Pass.
For a soft cowgirl experience–this is it. You will be travelling at a walk (not cantering or galloping) on this trip. More experienced riders may prefer a more challenging WWE equine experience. Our Adventure Team and in-house horse trip expert can help you decide which riding trip is best for your skill set and desires!
Expect knock-out backcountry cuisine, deep sleeps and the relief of being far from the grasp of cell phone reception, internet and Wi-fi.
About the Experience
Experience the bluebird skies and alpine rapture of Canada’s very first national park on our Banff Horseback Riding Tour! Before saddling up, see some of Banff’s biggest bragging rights from the fairytale Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to the unforgettable palette of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. You’ll see the hoodoos, Lake Minnewanka and Bow Falls too.
With your sure-footed horse, you’ll ride along the historic Erling Strom trail that runs parallel to crystalline glacier-fed rivers and meadows blurred with wildflowers. The wild blooms paint the broad hillsides with their palette of royal blue lupines, bright white and yellow alpine lilies and deep red Indian paintbrushes.
Our days will be spent picnicking and riding into the panoramas of craggy Sundance and Cascade Ranges and venturing deep into the lodgepole pines and stands of fragrant spruce.
On this signature 8-day backcountry riding adventure, you’ll be able to recharge with pampered stays at Sundance and Halfway Lodge. We’ll be in the company of brazen bighorn sheep, nimble mountain goats, grizzly, black bear, bugling elk, whisky jacks (aka: Canada or gray jay, or more appropriately ‘camp robber’) and playful marmots. Nights will be spent clustered around a stoked wood stove, sipping wine while swapping stories and guitar picks. This is Jann Arden and k.d. lang country–yes, there is an in-house guitar! It’s a prerequisite!
Following a historic pack trail, we’ll ride up Allenby Pass, where the Rocky Mountains embrace those in their daunting midst.
We eventually climb to an elevation of 2,468m (8,100 feet) on this trip but the terrain is gentle for most of the way, with a few short, steep sections on the trail to Allenby Pass.
For a soft cowgirl experience–this is it. You will be travelling at a walk (not cantering or galloping) on this trip. More experienced riders may prefer a more challenging WWE equine experience. Our Adventure Team and in-house horse trip expert can help you decide which riding trip is best for your skill set and desires!
Expect knock-out backcountry cuisine, deep sleeps and the relief of being far from the grasp of cell phone reception, internet and Wi-fi.
DAY ONE: BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Did you know Banff National Park is the oldest park in Canada? Established in 1885 you’re stepping into history and Alberta’s most coveted playground!
Our trip will begin in the afternoon. We’ll gather in the rendezvous hotel lobby at 5:30pm (please check-in to the hotel beforehand) and meet our energetic local guide for introductions and a snapshot of what lies ahead. We’ll strike out under the perennially bluebird skies, check out the famed Banff Ave. strip and swap stories over dinner at a popular go-to restaurant in the lively mountain town.
Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Fox Hotel & Suites
DAY TWO: BANFF’S BEST
Our private local guide will meet us at the hotel for a sightseeing bus tour showcasing all the best bits of Banff and Lake Louise. The tour will include pure natural marvels and historically significant highlights like the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, located in the pounding heart of Banff National Park. The “Castle in the Rockies” has spoiled guests for over 130 years. Located on the convergence of the Bow and Spray River, the luxe hotel opened on June 1, 1888 and it (*spoiler alert*) truly is a surprise encounter…you’ll see on Surprise Corner Lookout.
We’ll visit the wide cascade of Bow Falls, the expansive emerald glacial Lake Minnewanka and Hoodoos Viewpoint, too!
What’s a Hoodoo? They are rock formations that have been sculpted by weather, erosion and time. The hoodoos are also referred to as spires, rock needles, goblins or “fairy chimneys.”
It will be a gem of a day as we take in the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies”, Lake Louise and the equally surreal blue Moraine Lake. Both lakes are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their paralyzing natural beauty.
Spoiled by scenery and a full day of bluebird skies and squawky whisky jacks, we’ll return to our Banff hotel for a sweet second night’s stay ahead of our backcountry ride.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Fox Hotel & Suites
DAY THREE: INTO THE MOUNTAINS
After a filling carb and protein load at breakfast (at our hotel) we’ll meet for a 9am shuttle that will transport us to Warner Stables just five minutes away. Have your credit card on hand for the check-in process. You’ll need to leave a deposit for any extras you might enjoy on the trip. It will be credited to your card at the end of the trip or you can use it toward tipping the guides and staff.
Here our trusty horses will be specifically chosen for us. They will know where to step even on the most precarious of trails, so we can fully trust this team of geldings to get us where we are going in style. When we arrive at the stable, the group’s personal duffels will be packed onto the patiently waiting mules and transported to Sundance Lodge, a backcountry retreat for horseback riders.
Fringed by forest just 16km (10 miles) from Banff against the daunting Sundance Mountain Range, the 10-room log cabin and surroundings are off-grid remote and the quietude is instant.
The purity of the mountain air will clear and reset your mind. If you’re a Capricorn, keep in mind that things happen on “Western Time” here so we may not leave right on the dot. This is the ideal time to get acquainted with your horse and ask our guide any pressing questions.
Once we have organized our gear and saddled up, we will begin our scenic journey to Sundance Lodge, temporarily following the aggressive waters of the Bow River and fast-flowing run of Healy and Brewster Creek. En route, we’ll stop for a classic cowgirl cookout along the banks of the river – the perfect fuel to give you energy for a day on the trail.
Fuelled up and first day jitters calmed, we’ll saunter into Sundance Lodge at around 4:30pm. Our uber-friendly lodge host will direct us to our rooms where we can unpack and to the shared/common bathrooms for reviving hot showers. Our lodge host will cater to our every whim and ensure that we feel like a pampered guest in their home.
Expect total backcountry luxury at this rustic lodge–we’re talking cloud-like beds, crisp linens and cozy duvets. Our menu will be wholly gourmet and prepared by our talented host in the professional kitchen.
After dinner, we’ll take a walk around the impressive grounds and visit the horses and mules. The antics of the resident marmots grazing on the lawn are also entertaining.
Inside the lodge, there are plenty of board games and a guitar if you feel like strumming a cowgirl tune or two. This is Jann Arden and k.d. lang country after all!
If it’s chilly, we can stoke the wood stove and feel the true cabin vibe. Who knows how to play the Indigo Girls “Closer to Fine”? It’s kinda the theme of this trip!
Please note: There may be other guests (co-ed) staying at Sundance Lodge with us!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Sundance Lodge
DAY FOUR: BACKCOUNTRY BLISS
Our cowgal adventure continues as we journey 14.5km (9 miles) southward. The jagged granite peaks of the Sundance Range loom over the eastern horizon as we follow the snaking historic Erling Strom Trail.
We’ll be following in the footsteps (and hoofprints) of ambitious early Canadian Rockies explorers from a century ago. We’ll stop along the way for a picnic in the open mountain meadow. Those artistically-inclined will be triggered to capture it all in graphite or watercolour.
Tonight we will stay at the appropriately named Halfway Lodge, located at the midway point between Banff and Assiniboine Mountain. Weary riders have been stopping here to rest their laurels and horses since the 1920s.
As we approach, the transition is obvious. Lodgepole pines and spruce begin to thin out with elevation and a cauldron of mountains dominate the backdrop of the treeline.
Halfway Lodge was constructed by Erling Strom in the 1920s as a stopover spot for the guests he led on trips from Banff to Mount Assiniboine. Strom’s resilient wranglers slept outside in tents!
With propane lanterns and candles providing ambient lighting and a wood stove for radiant warmth, the Lodge hasn’t changed much in the last 80 years. The only big change occurred in 1967 when a second story was added, due to an unexpected guest’s arrival. A bear made a surprise entrance–through the roof! The added roof height has proven to be an efficient deterrent.
Please note: There are no indoor bathrooms at Halfway Lodge. There is an outhouse and a gorgeous outdoor shower with hot and cold water.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Halfway Lodge
Time In the Saddle:
- Riding time: Approx. 5-6 hours including picnic lunch
- Riding distance: Approx. 14. 5km (9 miles)
DAY FIVE: BANFF’S WILD SIDE
After a giant breakfast, we’ll set off and ride into the sunset! Well, we won’t ride that long…but it just sounds good.
Today we’ll make the goosebump-inducing climb up Allenby Pass on horseback, an elevation of 2,469m (8,100ft). For many, this is the highlight (and HIGH) of the trip, as we’ll be rewarded with an enormous vista of the jagged rock formations and natural amphitheatre of the mountains surrounding us.
It’s mind-boggling to learn that millions of years ago, Allenby Pass was a sea floor. If you look closely, you can spot intricate fossils of vintage sea creatures on the rocks.
At the end of the day, cheeks flushed bubblegum pink with fresh alpine air, we’ll return to the comforts of Halfway Lodge. As the sun slips behind the mountains, we have no agenda but relaxing. If you need a to-do list it’s this: have a glass of wine, sit back, swap stories, laughs and photos with your fellow Wild Women!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Halfway Lodge
Time In The Saddle:
- Riding time: Approx. 4-6 hours including a leisurely lunch
- Riding distance: Approx. 5-8km (3-5 miles) depending on the time of year and trail conditions
DAY SIX: ENJOY THE BACKCOUNTRY
Today is an official rest day at Halfway Lodge. There’s no pesky internet, Wi-fi or cell reception so we are off the hook! We can connect with nature instead and there’s an optional hike today. The trail leads to a shimmery glacial-fed lake at the end of the valley with extreme views of the valley below.
If you’d rather chill out, doodle, journal or cat nap, there’s no pressure! Halfway Lodge is the perfect place to tune into the wild versus the wildly pinging of notifications of our phones.
We can also spend time grooming our gorgeous, stoic horses. It’s a groom with a view, after all!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Halfway Lodge
Time In The Saddle:
- Riding time: None!
- Relaxing time: A lot!
DAY SEVEN: BACKCOUNTRY RIDING
Today we’ll follow the winding trail along Brewster Creek back to our old stomping grounds at Sundance Lodge.
Our guide will slice us through the velvet backcountry where we’ll crisscross the valley in the ghostly shadows of early pioneers. We’ll stop to smell the wildflowers and have lunch along the way.
Back in the cozy comforts of Sundance Lodge we’ll have time for hot showers and glasses of wine before a decadent farewell dinner prepared by our doting professional chef and lodge host.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Sundance Lodge
Time In The Saddle:
- Riding time: Approx. 5-6 hours including picnic lunch
- Riding distance: Approx. 14. 5km (9 miles)
DAY EIGHT: FROM ROCKIES TO HOME
Yawn, stretch. Coffee! This is our last serene morning at Sundance Lodge. We’ll gather for a nourishing breakfast with all the spoils and say goodbye to our hosts and begin our journey back to Banff.
Our final day on the trail will involve a gentle 14.5km (9 mile) ride from Sundance back to Warner Stables. Our guide will lead us through the wild clutches of the backcountry. We’ll follow winding river trails and quietly move through tall stands of fragrant pine forests with the jagged peaks of the Rockies on our shoulders.
We’ll stop along the banks of Healy Creek for a lunch of mile-high sandwiches, sweet baked treats and fresh fruit.
We’ll return to the stables late afternoon, brimming with tall tales from the backcountry. There will be big sighs, big hugs and the burning question–where next?
Transportation will be provided from the stables back to Banff town centre (4:30 – 5:30 pm arrival). You will be dropped off at your hotel provided that it is in Banff. Please note that accommodation in Banff is not included on Day 8 but you should definitely consider spending a few extra days here, Lake Louise or Calgary to absorb a little more of Alberta!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: None
Time In The Saddle:
- Riding time: Approx. 5-6 hours including picnic lunch
- Riding distance: Approx. 14. 5km (9 miles)
- Arrive in Banff on Day 1 – meet at the rendezvous point by 5:30 PM
- Connect to Banff via Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Take the Banff Tours airport shuttle or read about other options here.
- If you drive to Banff, you can park your vehicle at the Fox Hotel & Suites (461 Banff Ave) for the first two nights of your trip.
- On Day 3, you will head out on the backcountry portion of the trip. You’ll take a pre-arranged private shuttle to the Warner Stables. If you drive to Banff, you will drive to the stables. The address for Warner Stables is 100 Sundance Road, Banff. You’ll need to be there for 9:00 AM.
- Please note that the parking lot at Warner Stables is not secure or monitored, so we recommend not leaving anything valuable in the vehicle. That said, we haven’t had any incidents.
Group Rendezvous Point
- Date: Day 1
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Front Lobby of Fox Hotel & Suites (461 Banff Ave, Banff, Alberta, T1L 1H8)
- Fox Hotel & Suites (*this is where the trip starts)
- Mount Royal Hotel
- Banff Lodging Company
- Samesun Hostel
- Fairmont Banff Springs
- You’ll return to the stables late afternoon on Day 8, the final day of your adventure. Transportation will be provided from the stables back to Banff town centre.
- You need to make your own arrangements to stay in Banff or head back to Calgary, after you are dropped off in Banff late afternoon.
Drop-Off Point:
- Date: Day 8
- Time: Late afternoon, approximately 5:30 PM
- Location: Banff Town Centre (Downtown)
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
US citizens at land and sea borders have other options, such as an enhanced driver’s license, permanent resident card or NEXUS card. See Canada Border Services for approved identification documents.
- Visa
Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Those who are exempt require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA; $7 CAD), with the exception of Americans. This must be applied for prior to travelling and can be completed online. It usually takes minutes but can take days. See How To Apply for Electronic Travel Authorization.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip price is based on shared accommodations. Hotels and mountain lodges are two women per room.
- Potable Water
Potable water is provided throughout the trip. Extra bottled water is carried with our lunch by mule for the daytime, and available at the lodges when we’re not riding.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
- Elk & Avenue Hotel
Just a few steps from the quaint streets and ample restaurants, shopping and nightlife of downtown Banff, Elk + Avenue Hotel brings an upscale twist to the classic mountain escape. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing après-ski sanctuary or a big night on the town, the contemporary designed rooms pair clean, minimalist design with cozy Rocky Mountain-inspired elements to create the ideal accommodation for exploring the best of Banff.
- Sundance Lodge
Sundance Lodge is a rustic 10-room log cabin that was built in 1991. Set against the looming Sundance Mountain Range and surrounded by thick woods, Sundance Lodge feels remote and secluded despite being just 16 kilometres (10 miles) from town. The lodge is powered by solar and heated by burning wood and there are indoor washrooms and heated showers onsite.
Check our Facebook posts. Reminders: you need to be a member of our amazing fun group to see the posts!!!
- Halfway Lodge
Set at the base of Allenby Pass, weary riders have been resting their heads at Halfway Lodge since the 1920s. Things are kept simple: propane lanterns and candles provide the lighting while a woodstove provides the heat and keeps the coffee warm. Meals are produced in a small, but fully functional kitchen, and the shower facilities are in the great outdoors (yes, there is hot water!).
- Other People At Our Accommodations
Yes, there will be other guests on-site at the Hotel and Lodge, and there may be others riding through on horseback or mountain bike.
- Environment Canada Weather for Banff Keep in mind that the city of Banff is at an elevation of 1383 metres (4540 feet), and you will be climbing to 2470 metres (8100 feet) on this trip, where it is generally a few degrees cooler.
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
If you need to change currency you will usually find a currency exchange counter at international airports in Canada. You will have to show your passport in order to be able to exchange money.
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
- Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
One of the most convenient ways to get cash in Canadian dollars is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network.
- Credit Cards
If you have a credit card, you can use the ATM to purchase Canadian currency directly. Your monthly balance usually shows the exchange rate you received on purchases made with the credit card.
- Cash
The best way to offer your tips to guides and ranch staff (tips can also be charged to your credit card for this trip).
- Taxes
Alberta uses GST and the current rate is 5%.
Getting Fit
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Ride!
You will be spending many hours each day with your bum in a saddle, so please ensure you get some riding in before this trip. While this trip is rated “beginner,” we do recommend that you have some familiarity with horses, being around them and riding, at least a little bit, to make it a more comfortable and enjoyable adventure.
- Work your Core
Keeping good posture and balance on a horse requires a strong core, especially when going up and down steep trails. Doing pilates, or a balanced (focused on strength as well as flexibility) yoga program, can be a great way to prepare for this trip.
- Take every opportunity you can to be active.
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
- Join a local walking or running group.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
- Warm up, cool down and stretch.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
- Hydration.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
- Nutrition.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
- Have fun!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
Riding Skills
Our Banff Backcountry Riding Adventure is beginner friendly for those who are fit and up for the adventure.
A beginner is one step up from a non-rider! A beginner has begun the journey of riding horses, and has been on and around horses at least a few times. Maybe you’ve done a handful of trail rides, or taken a few lessons. Maybe you’ve been taking lessons for a few months and you’re still mastering posture and balance at a walk and trot. If you’ve begun your horseback riding journey, even if it was a few years ago (a refresher never hurts!), then you are a beginner!
If you are a non-rider, it’s essential that you spend some time on and around horses prior to embarking on any multi-day horseback riding trip.
Western Style Riding & Tack
The saddles used are western style saddles. Therefore, you should be familiar with riding on a western saddle and neck reining. On western saddles, riders keep their legs straight, and sit deep in the saddle, for a more relaxed posture. Western trail riding on mountain horses is like riding in a Sport Utility Vehicle, and you should expect an ‘off-road’ experience!
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Starting At$4,495Deposit$495Duration8 DAYS
- 🇨🇦CAD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
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What's Included
- Experienced, awesome female wrangler guide(s)
- Attentive lodge hosts
- Ground transfers between Banff and Warner Stables as outlined in the itinerary
- Guided Banff + Lake Louise highlights bus tour
- Two nights accommodation in Banff plus five nights at Sundance Lodge and Halfway Lodge with a fully catered menu and all-you-can-drink cowgirl coffee
- All decadent meals from dinner Day 1 to lunch Day 8
- Horses, all tack (saddles, bridles etc.) plus pack horses and equipment. Please do not bring your own saddlebags, they will be provided. (Western-style)
- Helmets are provided and must be worn while mounted
- Impromptu sing-a-longs by the roaring wood stove
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price