As the mercury drops and snow begins to fly in Alberta our thoughts turn from summer activities like hiking, cycling, and camping to winter ones such as skiing. While some may moan and groan throughout the cold season, we simply love being outside in the snow. We’re blessed to have some of the best skiing in the world here in Alberta, and living in Calgary gives us easy access to the Rocky Mountains. There isn’t much in the way of bad skiing in Alberta, but each resort does bring something a little different. This is our local take on the best ski resorts near Calgary, hopefully we’ll inspire you to book a trip to Alberta to explore the slopes this winter! Continue reading “The Best Ski Resorts Near Calgary”
Best Cities to Walk and Eat in North America
There are few experiences more satisfying than walking and eating your way around a new city. In fact, eating while exploring is one of our favorite activities here at Zen Travellers, and we have the worn shoes and belly bulges to prove it. Here are some guides to walking and eating in a few our favorite North American cities. Montreal, Chicago, and Mexico City are all cities with streets that are made for walking and eats that are sure to satisfy.
Continue reading “Best Cities to Walk and Eat in North America”
The Best Hikes to See Golden Larches in the Fall
Another summer hiking season has come and gone in Alberta but fall offers up one last chance to experience the Canadian Rockies in their full golden splendour. The locals call this time “Larch Madness.” We always make a point to end our hiking season on this exceptionally high note and have a few recommendations for the best hikes for a range of abilities to see the golden larch trees in the fall!
Over the next couple of weeks the larch trees that line the mountainsides in Kananaskis and Banff turn a beautiful golden colour. They stand out amidst the evergreens and shine against the bright blue sky and granite peaks lightly dusted with snow. This special time of year only lasts a couple of weeks and is certainly a rewarding way to end your hiking season.
Continue reading “The Best Hikes to See Golden Larches in the Fall”
Hiking (Responsibly) in Tonquin Valley
With so many stunning trails and views picking a highlight of Jasper National Park can be a challenge, but hiking in the Tonquin Valley must be a contender. The combination of sky-high views of the rugged “Ramparts” range jutting up from serene alpine lakes, and the chance to see rare wild mountain caribou make it as worthy a destination as any.
It is also an accessible backcountry trail that can cater to many ability levels and even be trekked on horseback. Considering all these factors, it’s easy to see why the Tonquin Valley is a popular area for locals and tourists alike. But it just may be getting a little too popular for its own good.
Backcountry Zen: The Northover Ridge Hike
Few trails in the Alberta Rockies are as challenging but immensely rewarding as the Northover Ridge hike. Deep in the heart of Kananaskis Country (a series of provincial parks that are closer to Calgary and less busy than Banff National Park), Northover Ridge is a 36km loop that takes the average hiker about 3 days.
The trail straddles the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia and is a considered a very challenging trip due to a narrow ridgewalk and the need for advanced route finding skills as we learned all too clearly (more on that later). Despite these challenges, the path through meandering wilderness, breathtaking views, and exhilarating climax atop the ridge adds to its reputation as one of the best backpacking trips in Alberta. To that end, opinionated experts such as the Copelands who wrote Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, give it such a resounding recommendation that we knew that it had to be part of our Alberta Bucketlist. Continue reading “Backcountry Zen: The Northover Ridge Hike”
Hiking the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park
Great for beginners and experienced hikers alike, the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park is one of the premier hikes in Western Canada. Few trails deliver like the Iceline Trail hike; multiple waterfalls, expansive mountain vistas, and up-close views of majestic glaciers all along one incredible route, perfect! The trail begins near the town of Field, in British Columbia and the extra hour of driving from Banff allows you to get away from the crowds.
Yoho is generally more peaceful than its more famous neighbour and the scenery is equally stunning. The hike follows remnants of the Emerald Glacier and with the majority of it is above treeline you’ll be treated to stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. For these reasons and its easy accessibility from Calgary, we figured this gem was deserving of a place on our 2017 Alberta Bucketlist despite being in British Columbia. Continue reading “Hiking the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park”
Paddling the Milk River
Updated for 2020
Because 2020 is the year that won’t quit, a diversion failure in Montana has meant that the Milk River has all but dried to a trickle. Communities along the river are facing drought conditions and the repairs aren’t expected to start until September. Unfortunately, this is not the year to do this amazing paddle. Read on to plan next year’s trip.