A Rocky Mountain Dream

The Canadian Rockies are an untouched wilderness stretching endlessly, full of opportunities across diverse landscapes, like nowhere else on Earth, and one family’s base for an extraordinary trip. When a grandmother came to EXP with a lifelong dream of exploring the region, we knew this wouldn’t just be any vacation but an exciting journey spanning generations.

The Rockies offered a landscape that promised something for everyone, from the most energetic grandchild upwards. From soaring 12,000-foot high peaks to the deep turquoise glacial waters, the seven-day itinerary was packed full of experiences.

The Fairmont Palliser, Calgary, welcomed the family for their first night.

Local EXP guides in Calgary first welcomed the family. You could feel the excitement building as they stepped into the historic Fairmont Palliser. The hotel gave them their first taste of adventure, providing a cozy retreat after an evening of city exploration.

The following morning, the first – of many – unexpected highlights was the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, not just a stop but a lesson about the non-profit’s wilderness conservation. The children’s wide-eyed wonder set the tone for the entire trip, which was filled with experiences that were so much more than sightseeing.

A visit to the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.

Epic landscapes then began to unravel, beginning with Lake Louise. Named after Queen Victoria’s daughter, this iconic lake carries history as deep as the waters. The family’s base for exploring this magical region and national park was the castle-like Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Despite the lake’s popularity, our guides knew an excellent spot for a leisurely walk and a brunch picnic in nature for them to enjoy before continuing with the day’s activities. Nearby and next on the agenda was to explore Moraine Lake, half the size but twice the charm. This glacier-fed wonder is something you need to see to believe – like most of the landscape here. Our guides led all family members down to the docks, where they boarded canoes and spent a few hours gently paddling across the ever-changing waters.

An afternoon canoeing on Moraine Lake.

Fairmont Lake Louise was the family’s base for exploring.

While the oars were appreciated, they were swapped out for four legs on a private guided horseriding tour the next day. As they trotted through the spruce forests, the guide told them generations of mountain stories and shared tales of the trail’s history. As the trail was fairly steep, horseriding made it accessible for all, and the top was well worth it.

The destination was a true hidden gem and a reflection of Canadian wilderness – the Lake Agnes Teahouse, standing since 1901, thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway. Imagine their delight when greeted by the aroma of 100 different teas and freshly baked cakes, a perfect surprise for the granddaughter’s birthday treat. The cherry on top was the jaw-dropping views across Lake Louise and nearby Mirror Lake.

Horseback riding through the forest trails.

Birthday tea and cake at the Lake Agnes Treehouse.

Leaving Lake Louise in the rearview mirror, the family’s journey continued along the Icefields Parkway, justifiably known as one of the world’s most scenic drives. Two hundred and thirty-two kilometers of natural wonder awaited them, from ancient glaciers and idyllic mountain lakes to sweeping valleys. This is where Earth really shows off; en route, they even paused to watch a moose casually going about his day.

Upon reaching their mountain retreat – the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, they enjoyed a relaxing evening with a private chef cooking up a barbecue for them to enjoy under the star-studded skies. The luxury cabins here provided the ultimate retreat for the whole family.

Well-rested and poised for the next adventure, the following morning started with a leisurely exploration of Jasper. The EXP guides explained the recent devastating wildfires in Jasper to the family and detailed our ongoing efforts to support local communities. The day unfolded with the promise of two different adventures to suit all.

The youngster’s white water rafting on the Sunwapta River.

The grandparents enjoyed some relaxation while the children’s adrenaline was in full flow during a three-and-a-half-hour whitewater rafting experience on the Sunwapta River. Later that afternoon, the entire family took to the most quintessential Canadian lake, Malgine.

A late afternoon boat cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.

A photographer’s dream – quite literally, as the most photographed view in the Rockies – the family enjoyed a boat cruise to Spirit Island that was timed perfectly to capture the light of late afternoon. The Captain told stories of the lake’s history, bringing the postcard-perfect picture to life.

Picture perfect views while cruising Maligne Lake.

There are moments during trips that reshape your perspective of the world; standing at the edge of the Athabasca Glacier is one of them. As the week drew to a close, the family had the privilege of exploring the stark glacial landscape with a local guide, an expert in this delicate ecosystem. Equipped with specialized gear, they were transformed from tourists to explorers.

Hiking the Athabasca Glacier.

Taking those first steps on the glacier with ice crunching below feet, the guide pointed out not only the glacier’s beauty full of textures and colors but also its vulnerability stories of climate and time transforming the area. The silence was profoundly broken only by the occasional crack and shift of ice, a reminder that the landscape is truly alive.

Panoramic views from the Sulpher Mountain lookout.

Their final stop on the adventure was Banff, where they headed up Sulpher Mountain via gondola. As they reached the top, looking down onto the pine forests and mountain peaks was the perfect finisher to the family’s trip of a lifetime. Taking in this bird’ s-eye view, the guide led the family along an easy-going trail.

The gondola ride to the farewell dinner.

A farewell dinner was then enjoyed at the mountain’s summit, which was full of local cuisine, wine, and laughter. It was a fitting finale to conclude a fantastic trip that offered something for everyone. As Calgary’s airport awaited them, the family left with more than endless breathtaking photographs but memories and adventures they would share with the next generation.