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Itinerary

Embark on an extraordinary nine-day winter expedition through the majestic heart of the Canadian Rockies, where the season transforms the rugged landscape into a serene, frozen masterpiece. This carefully curated journey invites you to explore the legendary territories of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, offering a peaceful and rejuvenating perspective found only amidst towering snow-capped peaks and the profound, crystalline stillness of the northern wilderness.

Beyond the breathtaking alpine scenery, this itinerary offers a rare bridge to the past, connecting you with the cultural soul of Alberta at the province’s premier Métis cultural interpretive centre. Here, you will be welcomed into a world of vibrant traditions and ancestral wisdom. Through immersive storytelling and authentic engagement, you will gain deep insights into the enduring heritage and resilient spirit of the Métis people, enriching your travel experience with a layer of profound human history.

Your adventure is filled with iconic highlights designed to showcase the best of the Great White North. You will traverse the world-renowned Icefields Parkway, a route celebrated globally for its dramatic glaciers and frozen turquoise lakes. Along the way, keep a watchful eye for elusive wildlife, such as elk and bighorn sheep, roaming through their winter habitats. As night falls, the expedition turns toward the heavens for the magical pursuit of the Northern Lights, seeking the ethereal glow of the aurora borealis in the dark-sky preserves. Escape the crowds on this authentic journey through untamed nature and rich culture, celebrating winter in its purest form.

A map showing a travel route with a starting point in Calgary and an ending point in Edmonton.
A dense city skyline featuring numerous skyscrapers and a tall observation tower under a pale blue sky, with trees in the foreground.

Welcome to Canada

Our journey begins in Calgary, Alberta's dynamic metropolis, where the energy of modern skyscrapers blends with the genuine hospitality of the Old West. We'll meet at the hotel for a welcome meeting, the first real moment of socialization. It'll be a chance to get to know our fellow travelers, finalize the final logistical details, and soak up the excitement of this imminent departure.

Immediately afterward, we'll immerse ourselves in the heart of the city with a guided walking tour. Strolling through the downtown streets, we'll admire the local architecture and, for those who wish, we'll be able to admire the majestic Calgary Tower, the iconic observation deck offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and the nearby Rocky Mountains. We'll conclude the day with a welcome dinner, the perfect way to break the ice and officially begin our adventure.

A vibrant turquoise lake reflects a range of snow-capped mountains, surrounded by a dense evergreen forest.

Banff and the enchantment of ice

Our day will begin early: we'll set off for Banff National Park, leaving the plains behind to immerse ourselves in the majestic alpine scenery.

Our first great thrill is to board the Banff Gondola. The cabin will quickly take us to the summit of Sulfur Mountain, where we'll walk along the panoramic walkway. From there, we'll stop to breathe in the crisp Rocky Mountain air and admire the breathtaking 360-degree views.

After lunch, our adventure continues in Johnston Canyon. Here, we'll take a guided ice walk: donning crampons, we'll trek between narrow rock walls, following a trail that will lead us past spectacular frozen waterfalls, transformed by the cold into giant crystal sculptures. After the cold hike in the canyon, there is nothing better than a warm bath. You can immerse yourself in the natural thermal waters outdoors, surrounded by snow, with an incredible view of the mountains.

The green and purple Aurora Borealis glows over a calm lake with a small, tree-covered island, surrounded by mountains at night.

The Glacier Way: From Lake Louise to the Lights of Jasper

We will begin our day by immersing ourselves in the magical atmosphere of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, where we will have the unique opportunity to walk across the frozen surface of the lake while admiring the towering snow-capped peaks that surround it.

In the afternoon, we will travel along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular drives in the world, stopping at the most iconic viewpoints to observe the majestic, ancient glaciers that dominate the landscape. Before reaching Jasper, the Columbia Icefield Skywalk awaits us, offering breathtaking views over the valley.

The day will conclude in Jasper, located in the heart of a Dark Sky Preserve, where we will head out to hunt for the Northern Lights.

A paved road runs through a valley towards a range of towering, snow-capped mountains under a bright blue sky.

Jasper's Wild Heart: Natural Spectacles and Endless Horizons

A day in Jasper National Park unfolds as a celebration of pristine nature, where time seems to slow down, allowing us to capture every nuance of the alpine landscape. We'll begin our journey along the scenic road that leads to Maligne Valley, stopping on the shores of Medicine Lake, a place of almost ghostly allure where the waters disappear underground, giving way to expanses of rock and ice shaped by the wind. We'll then continue toward the famous Maligne Canyon, where we'll be able to look out from the observation decks to observe from above the power of river erosion, which has carved out vertical walls now adorned with spectacular ice sculptures.

Afternoon on Jasper's Wild Heart

The afternoon will be spent contemplating the region's most serene lakes, such as Patricia and Pyramid Lakes. Here, a walk to small Pyramid Island will offer breathtaking views of the majestic mountain dominating the valley, providing the silence necessary to hope for a spontaneous encounter with the local wildlife that inhabits these woods. We'll end the day enveloped in the pure darkness of Jasper, one of the world's largest Dark Sky reserves, looking up to hunt for the Aurora Borealis.

Optional Activities

October/November: We'll be able to capture the "Late Foliage," admiring the unique contrast between the already snow-capped peaks and the last golden needles of the larch trees.

December/February: We'll hunt for "Methane Bubbles"; with a bit of luck and clear ice, we'll search for the famous gas bubbles trapped beneath the surface of the lakes.

March: We'll take advantage of the "Longest Days" to explore the snow-covered trails with warm, long-lasting light, ideal for our photographs.

Depending on the weather, we'll plan astronomical observation sessions together to marvel at constellations visible only at these remote latitudes.

A cityscape of modern skyscrapers with glass facades reflecting the sunset under a dark, cloudy sky.

The Soul of the Earth and the Breath of History. Métis Crossing

We'll leave the high peaks of Jasper behind for a journey eastward that will allow us to connect with Alberta's cultural soul. Our destination is Métis Crossing, the region's first major Métis cultural interpretation center, located along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Here, we'll be greeted by the vibrant stories of this people, born from the encounter between Indigenous cultures and European fur traders.

We'll participate in the included "Tales from the Trapline" experience, an authentic immersion in the life of trappers, where we'll learn ancient survival techniques, the secrets of the forest, and the local crafts that have shaped this land's identity. In the late afternoon, we'll visit the facility's wildlife park to admire the rare and majestic white bison, animals considered sacred and a symbol of hope and rebirth.

Last Northern Lights

This will be our last evening to look up at the skies and try to spot the Northern Lights. Being outside of major urban centers and surrounded by prairie, we'll enjoy a wide, open horizon, ideal for capturing the last dancing lights of the North before the end of our itinerary.

A trail with a wooden bridge leads through a forest of golden autumn trees towards snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.

Check Out and Goodbyes Canada

We'll have had an incredible adventure, one that will have taken us out of our comfort zone and into the wildest of nature. We'll look into each other's eyes knowing we've made new friends scattered across America, and who knows? Maybe one day we'll decide to share a new experience together!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages when not specified
  • Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees

  • All the extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Drive-yourself tour

    This is a Drive-yourself tour - it isn’t compulsory to drive, however if you are willing to, then please tick the box when booking your trip.

    Car type Suv (AWD or 4WD) with Winter Tires

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalCalgary (YYC)
ReturnEdmonton (YEG)
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WeRoadX

This is a WeRoadX

A trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader.

This is a trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader. They organise the whole trip: from defining the itinerary to selecting accommodation and on-site experiences. On the WeRoad website you can book the trip and manage it in MyWeRoad, just like any other WeRoad.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Canada

From
$ 3,195
Book with $ 0
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