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Canadian Rockies

Overview

Since 1962, this establishment has been offering beautiful rides which allow you to explore Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park. Including part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain range, it is packed full of glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest and magnificent alpine landscape…

Highlights

  • Explore Banff national park on horseback
  • Marvel at the glorious Rocky Mountain landscapes
  • Rides are slow to take advantage of the scenery
  • Look out for tracks left by wildlife such as bears
  • Watch the sunrise over the mountains from your lodge

Essential Facts

  • 3 itineraries available
  • Max 8 riders per group (12 in camp)
  • Average of 4 - 5 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 104kg / 230lbs / 16 st 6lbs.
    more info

Description

Since 1962, this establishment has been offering beautiful rides which allow you to explore Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park. Including part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain range, it is packed full of glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest and magnificent alpine landscapes - this is some of the best scenery you can enjoy on horseback anywhere in the world! These trails teach you about life in the west, whilst bringing you close to the flora and fauna of this incredibly diverse and outstandingly beautiful area.

You start out from the office in Banff and will be taken to the stables to begin your adventure in the Rockies. Riders will be led along trails by experienced guides who will take you from one spectacular view after another, also allowing you to view the wildlife of the area in its natural habitat. Banff National Park is home to 56 mammal species including grizzly and black bears, wolves, lynx and cougar. Pack trips are available to Sundance and Halfway Lodges which offer super, authentic backcountry accommodation and incredibly scenic views.

Riders can choose to embark on trails of varying lengths. All abilities are welcome as these are strictly walking rides, taking into account the difficult terrain and the fact that the focus is on nature, scenery and enjoying an adventure in the area's remote wilderness.

Horses & Riding

Tack

All the tack used for these rides is western. The saddles have wide comfortable seats perfect for long days of riding. Bridles are simple western leather headstalls with snaffle or shank bits. Each rider will have saddlebags attached to their saddle to keep personal possessions in during the day.

Horses

With over 300 horses available at the stables in Banff, there is sure to be a great match for everyone! Many of the trail horses are rescues that have been purchased from kill pens and rehabilitated to the trail. They are a wide mixture of breeds including Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas, Draft, mules and a host of other breeds too.

Riding

There are 3 itineraries:

  • Backcountry Lodge Trail (6 days/5 nights) is a trail ride
  • Backcountry Lodge Trail (4 days/3 nights) is a trail ride
  • Backcountry Lodge Trail (3 days/2 nights) is a trail ride

Ages

9 years + for riding programmes. Under 18's must wear a helmet.

Health

General good health is recommended. Please note that these trails will see you climbing high into the Canadian Rockies; those who are sensitive to altitude should consider taking altitude sickness medication.

Weight

104kg / 230lbs / 16 st 6lbs.

Food & Accommodation

Food

Meals are homecooked ranch style. Hearty and tasty meals are served on the trail. Breakfasts consist of steak, western style eggs, Danish pastries, English muffins, cheese, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Lunches are served on the trail, dinners and breakfast at the camp.

Typical dinners include BBQ Steak, home-made baked beans, baked potatoes, caesar salad, bread rolls, dessert, coffee, juice or roast beef, french onion soup, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, beans and garlic bread with a tasty dessert. Here they pride themselves on serving plenty of delicious food.

Vegetarians can be accommodated with advance notice. Vegan diets and Gluten free diets can be arranged on payment of an additional supplement.

Accommodation

Sundance lodge is a remote lodge situated on the curve of the Brewster Creek with a backdrop of the Sundance mountain range. The cosy mountain lodge has some home comforts with a large country kitchen, a living room warmed by a wood stove, and even hot showers. Halfway lodge was used in 1920's by mountain guide Erling Strom. Now in two-storeys, Halfway lodge has remained pretty much unchanged in the last 80 years. The accommodation is very simple and maintains a rustic feel. There is no electricity and light is instead supplied by propane lamps and candles. You are kept warm and cosy indoors by the wood-burning stoves and simple outdoor bathroom facilities are shared between all guests staying at the lodge.

Itineraries

Backcountry Lodge Trail (6 days/5 nights) Standard accommodation.

Backcountry Lodge Trail (4 days/3 nights) Standard accommodation.

Backcountry Lodge Trail (3 days/2 nights) Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Sundance lodge can be used as a base for cross country skiing and hiking trips. Food and bedding is provided by the lodge, leaving guests free to enjoy the many trails around Banff national park.

Travel

There is a shuttle service which runs between Calgary airport and the town of Banff or you can hire a car.

Most guests choose to book a hotel in Banff for a few days before and/or after the trip. You will certainly need to stay in Banff for one night before and one night after the trail because riding starts early on day one and finishes late afternoon on your last day.

Testimonials

Katherine J., Sept. 21, 2023

The holiday was excellent. It was well organised and we were provided with all the details we needed about the trip with more than enough time to make sure that we were ready and prepared for it. The riding was fantastic and it was very professional. The food was also fantastic.


Jane H., Aug. 10, 2023

Once in a lifetime. Excellent Horse, comfy saddle. This trip was into the back country with minimal impact on the environment nothing could improve the holiday without negative effect on the environment so I have no suggestions for improvement.


Louise H., July 25, 2023

Once in a lifetime and absolutely incredible! The views were just unreal. As a very fussy eater I was worried there wasn't going to be any food for me, but every meal was sublime, especially the steak at our first lunch! The accommodation was immaculate and very well maintained. The tack and the wellness of the horses were faultless and impeccable. Our riding guide Lola was sublime. The ultimate cowgirl who is totally "badass" as we all left wanting to be Lola! Very knowledgable and felt totally safe in her hands. Faultless and made our trip - a total asset to the company.


Clare A., Sept. 14, 2022

Truly memorable. The horses were excellent and well-matched with their rides. I loved my horse Tumbleweed! Brooklyn and Maia, our guides, were fantastic, Brooklyn in particular. All the guides we met at the lodges were truly impressive women. They run the mule trains and, along with a huge amount of work, shoe all the horses and mules. We also met Mike, a lovely guide full of stories and a wealth of experience in the backcountry. Our guides were young but Brooklyn has worked at the stables for some years. She is a fine horsewoman, a lovely character and clearly very experienced in the backcountry. The guides worked very hard indeed as there was always work with the horses before and after riding. (Favourite memory?) Cannot choose one. Riding alongside rivers, through remote back country, stunning scenery, camp lunches, the company, the conversations and the laughter. Also, at times the peace.


Linda H., Sept. 14, 2022

Breath taking. Better than anything we could imagine. The horses were fantastic. Well cared for and tack very good. The views at Halfway House. The food was outstanding


Joanne W., Oct. 7, 2017

A once in a lifetime experience. I have been lucky enough to visit places few people go to. The food was better than expected considering the location of the second lodge. Plenty of it and 3 courses each evening. (Favourite memory?) Seeing snow on the Rockies - beautiful without but amazing (if cold!) with. Plus the outdoor shower - a unique experience. Josh (riding guide) made the trip!


Gabby W. (Lodge Trail), July 12, 2017

Very well organised from start to finish. Horses are well looked after and obviously loved. Care and attention to guests, by staff, was excellent and the lodges were amazing. Amy's food at the Sundance Lodge was exceptional and both Sundance and Halfway Lodge were immaculate. I had the pleasure of riding Denver who was beautifully behaved. Tack was great and we were able to help untack at the end of the day. Josh (our guide) was great - very attentive, informative and great fun!


Stephen W., Dec. 8, 2015

Very entertaining. The scenery and location were spectacular. The staff and guide were all very good as were the horses. Our guide was very informative and hard working.


Christian S., Oct. 3, 2011

The trip was awesome! The nature, the people, the horses! Just everything.


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Sundance Lodge

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

You will meet at the stable office just outside Banff at 9.30am (free parking available on-site). There you will be met by your guides and horses and will mount up for your first ride of around ten miles. This ride will lead you to Sundance Lodge (your accommodation for the night), via the glacier-fed waters of the Bow River and along Healy and Brewster Creeks. On the way you will stop for lunch - a traditional cowboy cook-out - along the banks of the Bow river. This will provide you with the perfect fuel to give you energy for a day on the trail.

Upon arrival at Sundance lodge, you will be greeted by a friendly lodge host and shown to your room where you can freshen up with a hot shower and get settled in. Your lodge host will take care of your every need during your stay and make sure you feel welcome and at home in the lodge.

Sundance Lodge itself is no basic mountain cabin – here you will be pampered in backcountry luxury, sleeping in comfortable beds and dining on tasty cooked gourmet meals whipped up by your talented host in the professional kitchen.

Day 2 - Halfway Lodge

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a tasty breakfast at the lodge, your adventure continues as you journey 9 miles, heading south to Halfway Lodge. The rugged peaks of the Sundance Range will loom over the eastern horizon as you follow the winding historic Erling Strom pack trail. Whilst on this route, you will be following in the footsteps of the early explorers as they trekked across the Canadian Rockies nearly a century ago. Stop along the way for a picnic in the fresh air of an open mountain meadow.

Tonight you will be staying at the cosy Halfway Lodge, located at the midway point between Banff and Assiniboine Mountain. Weary riders and explorers have been stopping at this point to rest since the early 1920s. You’ll first notice the trees begin thinning out as you approach the lodge site and the mountains will peek up above the treeline all around you. Halfway is tucked into a picture-postcard perfect setting, nestled into a quiet valley wreathed by a crown of mountain peaks.

The lodge is simple but comfortable, with propane lanterns and candles providing light and a woodstove to provide warmth - it hasn’t changed much in the last 80 years!

Day 3 - Allenby Pass Trail

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a hearty breakfast you can leave your belongings at the lodge and set off on another adventure. Today you’ll make the climb up Allenby Pass on horseback, an elevation of 8,100 feet. For many this is, understandably, the highlight of their trip as you’ll witness some incredibly breathtaking views from up there. The jagged rock formations create an enormous amphitheatre of mountains which will stretch out all around you. Up this high, it's difficult to imagine that Allenby Pass was once at the bottom of the sea, millions of years ago, but has been forced upwards by the huge pressures of seismic activity below the Earth's crust. If you look closely you may still spot small fossils of long passed sea creatures amongst the rubble and rocks.

At the end of the day, you will return to your familiar room at Halfway Lodge, where you are certain to already feel comfortable and at home. As the sun sets behind the mountains, you can sit back and relax with a glass of wine whilst sharing stories and photos with your fellow adventurers.

Day 4 - Halfway Rest Day

Riding: No riding.

Today will be a rest day at Halfway Lodge. You will be able to take an optional guided hike to a shimmering glacier fed lake at the end of the ridge, offering phenomenal views of the valley and landscape below. If you’d prefer to simply rest and relax, then there is absolutely no pressure. This lodge is a beautiful place to spend time quietly, far away from the stresses of everyday life. Take the chance to breath in the fresh mountain air, perhaps whilst sitting on the deck and getting lost in the pages of a good book. You may wish to take some time to groom your horse, who has boldly carried you over all manor of terrain so far - he will certainly appreciate the time taken to give him a good fuss.

Day 5 - Brewster Creek Trail

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast today you will say goodbye to your wonderful hosts at Halfway Lodge as it's time to hit the winding trail along Brewster Creek and back to Sundance Lodge. You won’t want to leave this cosy little lodge deep in the heart of the wilderness and a piece of your soul is bound to remain with that quiet retreat in the mountains.

Your guide will lead you back through the backcountry on a scenic and twisting trail, criss-crossing the valley in the historic footsteps of the early pioneers. A stop for lunch along the way and finally you will arrive back at Sundance Lodge again. A very welcome warm shower and a glass of wine will be waiting to greet you here, before enjoying another delicious meal prepared by your lodge host.

Day 6 - Healy Creek Trail

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Today will be your final morning at Sundance Lodge, which by now will have become a second and very welcome home due to the warm hospitality of your host. Wake up in your comfortable bed one last time and gather around for a delicious breakfast. Saying a final goodbye, you begin the journey back to Banff – a gentle 9 mile ride from Sundance back to the Stables.

You will be lead through the backcountry along winding river trails and through thick pine forests, with the jagged peaks of the Rockies standing ever proudly on the horizon. You’ll stop along the banks of Healy Creek for a lunch of fresh sandwiches, baked goods and fruit.

You’ll return to the stables at approximately 4:30 pm, with plenty of wonderful tales to tell family and friends from your time spent in the backcountry.

* Please note that weather and climatic conditions in the mountains can change quickly and unexpectedly, with snow and rain showers possible even in high summer. For this reason, routes may be changed or amended at the last minute and without warning, but always with the safety of riders and horses in mind.

Accommodation

First & last nights at Sundance Lodge and the other 3 nights at Halfway Lodge.

Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

All abilities welcome - rides are slow to take advantage of scenery and wildlife (walking pace). There is some challenging terrain so novice riders should be of an adventurous nature. Good fitness recommended.

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Accommodation for up to 12.
Departure windows

At any time during: June 20, 2024 - Sept. 12, 2024  (Departs every Sunday & Thursday)

At any time during: June 19, 2025 - Sept. 11, 2025  (Departs every Sunday & Thursday)

Pricing

2024
Single occupancy
£2390 $3015 €2795
2024
Double occupancy (per person)
£2080 $2625 €2430
2024
Triple occupancy (per person)
£2005 $2530 €2340
2025
Single occupancy
£3730 $4710 €4360
2025
Double occupancy (per person)
£2690 $3395 €3145
Included 5 nights accommodation (2 at Sundance Lodge and 3 at Halfway Lodge), all meals from lunch on arrival day to lunch on departure day, soft drinks with meals, 5 days of riding, own horse throughout as well as 5% Canadian GST.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, transfers, alcoholic drinks, Parks Canada National Park pass, tips and extras not described in the itinerary.

Extras

2024 - Special Dietary Request £70 $88 €82
Paid to Far and Ride
Supplement for a Vegan or Gluten Free Diet.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1 - Sundance Lodge

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

You will meet at the stable office just outside Banff at 9.30 am (free parking is available on-site). There you will be met by your guides and horses and will mount up for your first ride of around ten miles. This ride will lead you to Sundance Lodge (your accommodation for the night), via the glacier-fed waters of the Bow River and along Healy and Brewster Creeks. On the way, you will stop for lunch - a traditional cowboy cook-out - along the banks of the Bow river. This will provide you with the perfect fuel to give you energy for a day on the trail.

Upon arrival at Sundance lodge, you will be greeted by a friendly lodge host and shown to your room where you can freshen up with a hot shower and get settled in. Your lodge host will take care of your every need during your stay and make sure you feel welcome and at home in the lodge.

Sundance Lodge itself is no basic mountain cabin – here you will be pampered in backcountry luxury, sleeping in comfortable beds and dining on tasty cooked gourmet meals whipped up by your talented host in the professional kitchen.

Day 2 - Halfway Lodge

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a tasty breakfast at the lodge, your adventure continues as you journey 9 miles, heading south to Halfway Lodge. The rugged peaks of the Sundance Range will loom over the eastern horizon as you follow the winding historic Erling Strom pack trail. Whilst on this route, you will be following in the footsteps of the early explorers as they trekked across the Canadian Rockies nearly a century ago. Stop along the way for a picnic in the fresh air of an open mountain meadow.

Tonight you will be staying at the cosy Halfway Lodge, located at the midway point between Banff and Assiniboine Mountain. Weary riders and explorers have been stopping at this point to rest since the early 1920s. You’ll first notice the trees begin thinning out as you approach the lodge site and the mountains will peek up above the treeline all around you. Halfway is tucked into a picture-postcard-perfect setting, nestled into a quiet valley wreathed by a crown of mountain peaks.

The lodge is simple but comfortable, with propane lanterns and candles providing light and a woodstove to provide warmth - it hasn’t changed much in the last 80 years!

Day 3 - Brewster Creek Trail

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast today you will say goodbye to your wonderful hosts at Halfway Lodge as it's time to hit the winding trail along Brewster Creek and back to Sundance Lodge. You won’t want to leave this cosy little lodge deep in the heart of the wilderness and a piece of your soul is bound to remain with that quiet retreat in the mountains.

Your guide will lead you back through the backcountry on a scenic and twisting trail, crisscrossing the valley in the historic footsteps of the early pioneers. A stop for lunch along the way and finally you will arrive back at Sundance Lodge again. A very welcome warm shower and a glass of wine will be waiting to greet you here, before enjoying another delicious meal prepared by your lodge host.

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Today will be your final morning at Sundance Lodge, which by now will have become a second and very welcome home due to the warm hospitality of your host. Wake up in your comfortable bed one last time and gather around for a delicious breakfast. Saying a final goodbye, you begin the journey back to Banff – a gentle 9-mile ride from Sundance back to the Stables.

You will be led through the backcountry along winding river trails and through thick pine forests, with the jagged peaks of the Rockies standing ever proudly on the horizon. You’ll stop along the banks of Healy Creek for a lunch of fresh sandwiches, baked goods and fruit.

You’ll return to the stables at approximately 4:30 pm, with plenty of wonderful tales to tell family and friends from your time spent in the backcountry.

* Please note that weather and climatic conditions in the mountains can change quickly and unexpectedly, with snow and rain showers possible even in high summer. For this reason, routes may be changed or amended at the last minute and without warning, but always with the safety of riders and horses in mind.

Accommodation

First & last nights at Sundance Lodge and the middle night at Halfway Lodge.

Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

All abilities welcome - rides are slow to take advantage of scenery and wildlife (walking pace). There is some challenging terrain so novice riders should be of an adventurous nature. Good fitness is recommended.

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Accommodation for up to 12.
Departure windows

At any time during: June 26, 2024 - Sept. 11, 2024  (Departs every Wednesday)

At any time during: June 25, 2025 - Sept. 10, 2025  (Departs every Wednesday)

Pricing

2024
Triple occupancy (per person)
£1300 $1640 €1520
2024
Double occupancy (per person)
£1345 $1695 €1570
2024
Single occupancy
£1530 $1930 €1790
2025
Double occupancy (per person)
£1710 $2160 €2000
2025
Single occupancy
£2385 $3010 €2785
Included 3 nights accommodation (2 at Sundance Lodge and 1 at Halfway Lodge), all meals from lunch on arrival day to lunch on departure day, soft drinks with meals, 4 days of riding, own horse throughout as well as 5% Canadian GST.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, transfers, alcoholic drinks, Parks Canada National Park pass, tips and extras not described in the itinerary.

Extras

2024 - Special Dietary Request £47 $59 €54
Paid to Far and Ride
Supplement for a Vegan or Gluten Free Diet.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Check-in at the stables at 09:30am and meet your professional and friendly guides. You'll be introduced to your horse and will have the opportunity to ask any questions before you set off.

Once everyone is ready you set off for the 10 mile ride along the banks of the sparkling glacier-fed Bow River, Brewster and Healy Creeks. Stop along the way for a hot lunch on the river banks, then in the late afternoon you arrive at Sundance Lodge. This elegant and luxurious lodge offers you a chance to experience the Canadian backcountry, while relaxing in comfort.

After a hot cup of tea or coffee there's time for a warm shower before dinner.

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a hearty breakfast you can leave your belongings at the lodge and set off unencumbered for a ride deeper into the backcountry with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

On today’s ride you’ll catch a glimpse of the enormous Brewster Glacier and the rock faces of the Sundance Range as you ride along the footsteps of the original pioneers. Stop for lunch along the trail and enjoy an open-air picnic in this unforgettable setting.

At the end of the day, you’ll return to your familiar room at Sundance Lodge, where you already feel comfortable and at home. As the sun sets behind the mountains, you can sit back on the deck and relax, drink wine and share stories and photos with your fellow adventurers.

Day 3

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

It’s your last morning at Sundance, which is starting to feel like home thanks to the warm hospitality of your host. Be sure to take a few last photos to capture the moment as you prepare to hit the trail again.

Wave goodbye as you and your horse saunter back to Warner Stables. It’s another gorgeous full day of riding through wooded hillsides and winding river trails with the soaring craggy peaks of the Rockies as a backdrop. You’ll refuel with a lunch stop along the banks of Healy Creek, where we will enjoy sandwiches, fresh-baked goodies and fruit.

You’ll arrive back at approximately 4:30 pm. This two night journey is a great way to experience the unspoiled wilderness of Banff on horseback, even if you are only staying for a short time.

Accommodation

Two nights at Sundance Lodge

Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

All abilities welcome - rides are slow to take advantage of scenery and wildlife (walking pace). There is some challenging terrain so novice riders should be of an adventurous nature. Good fitness recommended.

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Accommodation for up to 12.
Departure windows

At any time during: May 20, 2024 - Oct. 16, 2024  (Departs every Monday)

At any time during: May 19, 2025 - Sept. 29, 2025  (Departs every Monday)

Pricing

2024
Triple occupancy (per person)
£825 $1040 €965
2024
Double occupancy (per person)
£855 $1080 €1000
2024
Single occupancy
£980 $1235 €1145
2025
Double occupancy (per person)
£1040 $1310 €1215
2025
Single occupancy
£1405 $1775 €1640
Included 2 nights accommodation, all meals from lunch on arrival day to lunch on departure day, soft drinks with meals, 3 days of riding, own horse throughout as well as 5% Canadian GST.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, transfers, alcoholic drinks, Parks Canada National Park pass, tips and extras not described in the itinerary.

Extras

2024 - Special Dietary Request £35 $44 €41
Paid to Far and Ride
Supplement for a Vegan or Gluten Free Diet.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.