Snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers and sweeping vistas are the allure of Banff National Park.
Step out into the Canadian wilderness and enter the home of some of North America's wildest creatures: grizzly bears, black bears, caribou, elk and wolves. Conquer on horseback the rugged back-country trails during the day and return to a rustic, yet cozy, mountain lodge each evening. Here you will learn all about the lifestyle in the West as the cowboys will guide you through Banff National Park, the photographers haven of the Canadian Rockies. These pack trips take fellow adventurers deep into the heart of the rugged Rocky mountain range to explore some of the most spectacular landscapes.
The horses, chosen especially to meet your needs and experience, will win you over with their charming personalities and amaze you with their versatility and trail abilities. You will no doubt form a "partnership" during your ride and come to respect your new friend immensely! This is a wilderness trip for folks who are looking to have a touch of backcountry luxury. Sundance and Halfway Lodges provide just the right combination. Days are spent riding and exploring on horseback, while evenings are spent in the cozy lodges. Meals are always an event and the cooks ensure you are well fuelled for the day's adventures.
We call that roughing it the civilized way!

You will be staying at the Sundance Lodge and then at the Half Way Lodge.

Completed in 1991, Sundance Lodge now sits on the original site of the horse corral for Ten-Mile cabin, built by Canadian Pacific Railway back in the 1920's. The cabin itself remains standing and was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers traveling to Mount Assiniboine, whose names you can still see carved into the logs.

Sundance Lodge sits alongside a gentle curve on Brewster Creek, with the Sundance mountain range as a backdrop. Built entirely with fir logs, the lodge has 10 sleeping rooms, a large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area where you can curl up by the wood stove and lose yourself in a good book. And although it is a remote back-country lodge, we decided to add what we felt was an important comfort from home - hot showers! (Please note that, for environmental reasons, showers are restricted to one per stay.)
Private sleeping arrangements are possible depending upon trip size, but are not guaranteed. Sundance has 10 sleeping rooms with 3 beds in each room; rooms are designated on a 'choose your own' basis once at the lodges.

Surrounded by the beauty of towering peaks, Halfway Lodge has been a welcome haven for over 80 years. Rich in tradition, this cabin was used back in the late 1920's by mountain guide Erling Strom as a stopover for his guests traveling from Banff to Mount Assiniboine. Then a single storied cabin, Strom's wranglers spent the night sleeping in tents while the guests found floor space within. Halfway has remained pretty much as originally built, with the exception of a second story added in 1967 when a bear made an appearance through an unexpected entrance - the roof!

Thanks to the bear, Halfway now sleeps a maximum of fourteen guests in four rooms (single beds only). The lifestyle at this rustic backcountry cabin remains much the same as it was 80 years ago - simple. Propane lanterns and candles provide the lighting, and a wood stove keeps the water hot and the cabin warm and cozy.

Meals: Enjoy a hearty breakfast in wilderness each morning before you ride out for the day. Your lunch is served as a casual picnic on the trail and there is usually time after for some exploring on foot, fishing (you are welcome to bring your rod) or a well deserved snooze in the grass. Although we can try and cater to some specialty diets, and there are only very basic meat-free options available, we do not offer an actual “vegetarian” main course.

** The 4 day trip departs on a Sunday and spends the first night at Sundance Lodge, the second night at Halfway Lodge and returns back to Sundance for the final evening.

** The 5 day trip departs on a Monday and spends the first night at Sundance Lodge, the second and third night at Halfway Lodge and returns back to Sundance Lodge for the final evening.

You don't need to assist with tacking up the horse, your guide will do everything for you. If you would like to learn, please ask! Tack is western only and the horses are neck reigned. July is generally the busiest month, with the Stampede in Calgary.
Each of the trips includes approx. 5 - 6 hours of riding each day. We ride for approx. 2 ½ to 3 hours in the morning, stop for lunch on the trail and ride another 2 ½ to 3 hours in the afternoon. The rides are all done at a walk in order to take full advantage of the scenery and wildlife viewing and due to the rugged mountain terrain of the region!

Day 1 - Riders meet in Banff at 9:30 AM and are transported by van to the stables. There they are met by their guides and horses and mount up for the ten mile ride to Banff Sundance Lodge via the glacier-fed waters of the Bow River, Healy and Brewster Creeks.
Day 2 - The adventure continues southward with a ride up to Halfway Lodge. The trail winds along the historic Strom pack trail with the rugged Sundance Range dominating the eastern horizon.
Day 3 - After a good night's rest at Halfway Lodge and a hearty breakfast, it's down to the corral to mount up for the day's ride. Trips may take riders to the headwaters of Brewster Creek or to the breathtaking views enjoyed at the top of Allenby Pass, at an elevation of 8,100 ft.
Day 4 - After a warm good-bye to the cook and Halfway, the trail leads back to Sundance Lodge. This will be home for the next two nights.
Day 5 - The day begins with a hot, ranch-style breakfast, fuel for the ride up Fatigue Creek. At midday, both horse and rider enjoy a restful break in the Fatigue Valley, while the lunch horse is unpacked and coffee is brewed. The lofty heights of the Continental Divide provide spectacular vistas of both Alberta and British Columbia
Day 6 - The gang gets together for one last day on the trail, a "soft" ten-mile ride from Sundance to Martin Stables, arriving at approximately 4:30 p.m. The adventure has come to a close, but the magic of your holiday will linger on to be relived and shared.

The 4 day trip departs on a Sunday and spends the first night at Sundance Lodge, the second night at Halfway Lodge and returns back to Sundance for the final evening.

The 5 day trip departs on a Monday and spends the first night at Sundance Lodge, the second and third night at Halfway Lodge and returns back to Sundance Lodge for the final evening.

--Subject to change!

Other Info
Meeting: Banff
Airport: Calgary, AB
Transfer: Pick up Banff: Banff 9:30 AM - Drop off: 4:30 PM

Climate: It is no coincidence that visitor activities available in Banff National Park are as varied as the park's climate. A year in Banff National Park would give a visitor a taste of everything in terms of weather and recreation. The summer sees sunny, warm days for such things as horseback riding, hiking, biking, camping, and climbing. The winter brings crisp, snowy days for tracking, skating, and alpine and nordic skiing.

July is the warmest, with average highs of 22°C (71 F) in the Town of Banff. January is the coldest month with average lows of -15°C (5 F), though the mercury can drop into the minus thirties.

The relative dryness of the air in Banff, however, makes even extreme temperatures more bearable.

Likely the most reliable characteristic of the weather in Banff National Park is its variability. The weather at one point in the park may be quite different from that of other points relatively near by. At one specific location the weather can vary considerably from year to year, and from day to day, so be prepared!

Even if it is warm and sunny, always take rain gear and a sweater. You might need them by the time you reach your destination.

The weather can also change dramatically throughout the day. The dryness of the air causes temperatures to vary considerably from night to day. The temperature on a summer night can drop to a few degrees above freezing even if daytime temperatures climbed into the upper twenties (80's F).

Vacationing in such a variable climate means thinking ahead and having a sense of adventure!

What does the climate in Banff National Park affect?

Climate, more than any other factor, determines what will exist in an ecosystem. The climate is the primary determinant of what types and amounts of vegetation will exist in an area. The types and amounts of vegetation determine the types and numbers of herbivorous and omnivorous animals. At the top of the ladder are the carnivores, dependent on all below them. So the answer to the above question is, "Climate influences everything in Banff National Park!"

Wildlife habitat is sculpted by the weather. During the winter some animals, like bears, can hibernate. Others animals, like voles, adapt by traveling through tunnels in the snow. Still others, like bighorn sheep, are dependent on the grass that hides beneath the snow. In the winter, they must make their way down toward the valleys or to the few windswept slopes to find food. Their long term populations are determined by the numbers that their winter habitat will support.

Humans in Banff National Park have habits similar to those of the wildlife, and we respond to the changes in weather in a similar way. In winter, we may choose to hibernate in our own way. Those that do not, stay pretty much to the montane valleys, perhaps traveling to the few high mountain slopes where the conditions are right for skiing. In the summer we again range high up into the mountains to hike, ride horses, bike, climb.

Visitors to Banff National Park must remain aware of the effect that climate has on all the animals (humans included) in the Park. Make sure that you are informed, and prepared to enjoy and endure all of the kinds of weather that you will encounter. Please be sensitive to Banff's wildlife and to their efforts to respond to the park's climatic cycles. Remember that humans share Banff's valleys and mountains with the park's wildlife and vegetation.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out on a mule and our animal's comfort is very important to us. By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that. You must pack your gear in soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag. It cannot have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs. Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.

The length of your trip will alter what you need to bring. This list is ideal for a 6 day trip.

The following list details essential items to bring with you:

A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or a fleece jacket.
Rain gear -- A raincoat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have one, we recommend an oilskin slicker. We have a limited supply of full-length oilskin slickers for rent for $7/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. Slickers are available for pick up upon check in.
Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts, 1 long-sleeve shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 T-shirts. Adjust according to the length of your trip.
Jeans -- We suggest one pair for riding in during the day and another pair for wearing around camp. Two pairs of jeans are all you should need on any of our trips. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.
Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not recommended. Plastic bags inside your boots can help to keep your feet dry on rainy days.
Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around the lodge, and a pair of slippers or indoor shoes to wear inside the lodge. An extra pair of dry socks is also recommended.
Toiletries -- Towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc. Please note that we do not have any electricity at our lodges. WE SUPPLY TOILET PAPER AND HAND SOAP AT BOTH LODGES
Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!
Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine. Please ensure that your hat fits snug and will not blow off in the wind
Gloves and a scarf -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins (bring two pair just in case one gets wet). A silk or cotton scarf/bandana is recommended for extra warmth.
Sunscreen -- sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
Your camera -- Please ensure your batteries are well charged, as you will not be able to charge them at the lodge.
Liquor -- Please make sure that all bottled liquor is well wrapped in plastic and placed in the middle of your duffel to prevent it from breaking. Plastic bottles are preferred. Canned mix and beer is available for sale at both lodges. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30lb limit.
Water bottle -- for refreshment while you are riding.
Cellular phones do not work in the areas you'll be riding in so leave them somewhere safe.

It's a good idea to reserve ahead if you are interested in renting saddlebags or rain slickers.

Items to have with you while riding...
You'll be riding 5-6 hours each day with breaks and leisurely lunches. Your rain gear will travel with you on the horse and your guide will help you attach it to the saddle. If you would like to bring saddlebags (we don't supply them), please fill them with only those essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Day-packs, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to the saddle.

We have a limited supply of saddlebags for rent for $2/day, however we suggest you book them early, as last year this was a popular service. These are available for pick up upon check-in (sorry, no earlier).

Banff Lodge Ride

Rates include:

Packages and Options

Rates do not include:

What does the climate in Banff National Park affect?