Mountains, Meadows & Cowboy Country

Calgary is known for hosting the world’s biggest Rodeo show annually: the Calgary Stampede. But this diverse city is also the gateway to the iconic Rockies, which are truly majestic. Picking up your car, you will drive to the stylish Hotel Le Germain where you can tuck into hearty local dishes made from local ingredients at the roast house and make the most of the hotel’s expert concierge service and contemporary suites overlooking the city.

The Trans-Canada Highway makes for a scenic drive, passing prairies and majestic peaks and driving through Banff National Park. Sitting inconspicuously at the heart of Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Field is a tiny historical hamlet surrounded by natural gems. It is home to a small population of 200 people and with its small town charm and prime location, it is a natural adventure playground without the big crowds. The famous Lake Louise is only a 20-minute drive away.

Channelling the spirit of the Rocky Mountains, the Cathedral Mountain Lodge, with its luxury log cabins, cosy fireplace and Goldilocks-style rustic furnishings, is the perfect place to retreat to. Fed by meltwater from the glaciers in Banff National Park, Moraine Lake, when full, is a distinctive shade of blue thanks to the light refracting off rock flour deposits. Enjoy the beauty of this amazing lake from the complimentary canoes provided at sister property Moraine Lake Lodge.

En route to Jasper, visit the vast Columbia Icefield, which covers 325 square kilometres and is home to ancient glaciers, waterfalls and the electric-blue Peyto Lake. Experience the glacier SkyWalk, a cliff-edge walkway which stretches along the Sunwapta Valley, where you'll be able to see almost 300 metres below you on a glass-floored observation platform. You can also head out on the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer. 

The alpine beauty and unspoilt wilderness of Jasper makes it one of the best places in Canada for exploring the great outdoors. The Jasper National Park offers unparalleled views of the snow-capped Rockies, and you can visit the Miette hot spring for a dip out in nature. 

Staying in a beautiful cedar chalet or cabin, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge will be your home during your stay and comes with a Jacuzzi and envy-inducing lake views.

Today, you’ll make your way to Clearwater and the Alpine Meadows Resort for a couple of days of relaxation in your cosy log cabin, which has its own kitchen so you can make your own meals and snacks. You’ll be surrounded by forest and mountains here, where you may see black and brown bears roaming.

Make the most of the complimentary canoes and row boats and head out on the lake outside your cabin. Further afield, you could visit the beautiful waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park - also known as Canada’s Waterfall Park, there are nearly 40 waterfalls here amidst a spectacular alpine wilderness carved by volcanoes and glaciers over the centuries.

Your next stop is the Sundance Guest Ranch, set in the vast and beautiful mountain and forest landscapes of the Thompson River Valley, sprawling thousands of acres, which are perfect for horse riding. Don your cowboy boots and head out for scenic morning and afternoon rides on the trails, accompanied by the resort’s expert wranglers. Everyone can be accommodated, from first timers to experienced riders. Away from the saddle, you can also go hiking and river rafting here.

Back at the ranch, unwind in the pool or the games room, and enjoy a movie in the lounge.

Whistler’s beautiful snow-capped peaks are world-famous, and a firm favourite with the ski set. Your hotel here, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, sits in the heart of the dramatic mountain landscapes, where you can relax at the end of the day by the wood-burning fire on the terrace.

During your stay, you’ll get to experience treetop canopy trails and zip line rides across a network of suspension bridges, boardwalks and tracks through an old-growth rainforest. You can also go on a bear-watching trip to see the black bears of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Other wildlife in the area includes Coastal Mountain black-tailed deer, coyotes and marmots, as well as birds such as owls and red-tailed hawks. You’ll travel in a 4x4 around the forests and meadows, and walk to spots where bears feed and hibernate.  

Head to Vancouver (where you will drop off your car) for a dose of city culture, as well as a final chance to venture into Canada’s vast wildernesses. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, suspended above the Capilano River amidst ancient cedar forest, and travel up to the peak of Grouse Mountain in a gondola for fantastic views over the city.

Children and adults alike will love the FlyOver Canada experience, a simulated ride incorporating state-of-the-art technology and a huge 20m screen, which takes you all over Canada and its main attractions in thrilling style, complete with special effects such as wind, mist and scents.  

Stay at the sleek Fairmont Waterfront, where you can enjoy the ocean and mountain views from the pool.