Banff Winter Adventure Weekend

Get endless mileage out of the caption #winterwanderland as you explore the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, and Yoho National Park. This women-only, multi-sport small group adventure tour in Canada packages a winter’s worth of activities into one long weekend.

Trade texting gloves for mushing mitts as you kick off your weekend DRIVING A DOG SLED! Help harness the hounds before taking the reigns and gliding through Bow Valley on pooch-power. Catch your breath and enjoy a hot bevvy/baked treat while warming up next to a campfire. Bask in your cinematic arrival in the Canadian Rockies!

Next up: cross-country skiing! Learn how to slink through the gleaming Canadian Rock landscape. Once you’ve got your ski legs, we’ll venture out into the wilderness to enjoy the solitude of a super-secret trail. (DON’T TELL BUZZFEED.)

Finally, we snowshoe. We’ll penguin our way to the Elizabeth Parker backcountry hut in Yoho National Park – our private retreat for the evening. Chug cocoa in an alpine meadow near the shores of Lake O’Hara, where the only available electricity hums from the megawatt stories of your sisters. The next day is spent trekking out from the hut to return to Calgary.

All necessary equipment is covered, sister. Between adventures, we’ll leave plenty of downtime to explore Banff, relax in the hotel hot tub, and howl at the frozen moon.

What to Pack

• Check out our recommended hiking gear for all trips.
• You’ll receive a complete packing list in your Travel Guide upon booking; note that winter trips may require additional specialized items.

Arrival

• Airport City: Calgary, Canada (YYC)
• Pick Up Location: Lobby Rendezvous Hotel, Calgary
• Meeting Time: 7:30am on Day 1

Departure

• Departure City: Calgary, Canada (YYC)
• Drop Off Location: Rendezvous Hotel
• Return Time: 4pm. Fly out after 7pm on Day 4

You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip.

We require a minimum of 6 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.

2 – MODERATE ACTIVE

This trip is rated a 2 because of the lengths of the daily hikes, however the final 2 days do involve backpacking to and from Alpine Huts on snowshoes.

Not only will you be carrying approximately 30lbs of your own and shared gear, but you’ll be doing it on snowshoes in the snow. The snowshoe is a gradual uphill for 7.5 miles. The surface will be uneven and the pace slow.

All of our days will be spent entirely outdoors playing in the snow. If cold is not your thing, then maybe this adventure isn’t for you.

Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety and enjoyment of both you and your group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.

Read more about our Activity Levels.

Lodging 

• 2 nights downtown Banff Hotel accommodation with mountain views, 2 outdoor hot tubs, steam room, sauna, outdoor fireplace, Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, and within walking distance to local shops and restaurants. Shared 2 per room.
• 1 night backcountry alpine hut in Yoho National Park. Backcountry huts sleep up to 20 guests in bunk-style accommodation. Bunks are in one room, mixed gender. There will be other outdoor folks sharing the hut with us. No electricity. Composting toilet outhouse. No Wi-Fi. Remote and Rugged! Helping with meals and clean up is expected and part of the mountaineering experience.

Activities 

• All activities and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary
• Gratuities for all excursions
• Gear: 70L backpack, sleeping bag, cross-country skis, ski boots, snowshoes, poles, and group safety gear

Meals

• All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-3, L-4, D-3
• Gratuities for included meals

Practical 

• Professional leadership team with local backcountry guide(s) and Explorer Chick Guide
• Gratuities for all local guides
• A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip
• The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!

Not Included

• Rendezvous or Departure hotels
• Airfare
• Airport Transportation
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel Insurance
• Meals exclusive of itineraries
• Costs for additional activities
• Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide (read our tipping guidelines here)

Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents.