This is what your friends will say when you show them your Canadian Rockies travel pics. This mighty mountain range is a (huge) segment of the Rocky Mountains which spans 4800 kilometres from British Columbia to New Mexico. It’s home to four national parks – Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho – and some of North America’s most breathtaking scenery. Think impossibly blue lakes, sprawling glaciers and ice fields, and ink-blank skies occasionally graced with the Northern Lights. If you like the sound of trekking in the shadows of snow-dusted peaks, standing in the mist of some of Canada’s tallest waterfalls or canoeing to a secluded beach to camp under the stars, then a Canadian Rockies trip has your name all over it.
'Are we there yet?', isn't something you'll be saying on the drive to Icefields Parkway. Spanning 232 kilometres between Jasper and Banff national parks, this remarkable route takes the phrase 'scenic drive' to a whole new level. Admire the views as you weave beneath mountaintops studded with jagged peaks, drive past ancient glaciers and stop to take in the mind-boggling colour of Peyto Lake.
When journeying through the Rockies, fascinating landmarks aren’t the only things you should keep an eye out for. Tens of thousands of animals call the Canadian Rockies home including bighorn sheep, moose, bald eagles, beavers and grizzly bears (to name a few). Spot these local critters grazing on grass, scurrying through the forest floor or soaring through the skies in search of prey.
If you Google 'Canadian Rockies', there's a good chance Lake Louise will dominate the image results. This iconic lake is one of the most photographed places in the Rockies thanks to its deep turquoise colour that pops against the surrounding peaks. But don't just admire it from afar – paddle across it in a kayak in summer or skate across it in winter.
Calgary might be the gateway to Banff National Park, but its craft breweries and budding dining scene make it a must-visit on any Canadian Rockies trip. Enjoy an Alberta beef burger and a bloody Caesar along Stephen Avenue, check out Prince’s Island Park or see the city skyline from the top of Calgary Tower.
Witnessing the ethereal Northern Lights for the first time is something you’ll never forget. There are multiple spots in Canada to see this natural phenomenon, including Slave Lake. If the conditions are right, you'll witness magical hues of green light dancing across the dark winter skies.
With snow blanketing Banff National Park come December, strapping on a pair of snowshoes and exploring the white wilderness just makes sense. Follow your guide as you trudge along forested trails and listen to the satisfying crunch of fluffy powder beneath your feet. There'll be a cup of hot cocoa with your name on it at the end of your icy adventure.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to
share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that
include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip
or reveal personal details.
Filter by rating
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Matthew · Traveled March 2024
Fantastic tour. I saw the Northern Lights and many amazing sights. Itinerary is exactly what was promised and tour leader Sara did an amazing job. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 19 Mar 2024
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Robyn · Traveled February 2024
Toured in Feb 2024. This is not a level 2 Physical Rating tour. More like 3-4. The sighting of the Northern Lights is very random. Lots of walking on Icy steeps, , creek beds and steep Paths, requiring sliding down between rocks. Hours spent on winding roads. Suggest if you have motion sickness, the front seat positions in the minibus are not guaranteed. Hotels do not always provide in-house breakfast. So wrap up.
Review submitted 21 Feb 2024
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Cheryl · Traveled February 2024
Overall, the Canadian Rockies are spectacular. All of the people in our group were fun to be with, and we made some great friends. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, patient, and flexible given the physical abilities (or inabilities) of the members of the group and tried to tailor the tour to accommodate as many people in the activities as possible. My issue was with Intrepid's misrepresentation of the physical activity level rating, the inaccurate pricing of optional activities, the required travel insurance policy, the sub-par lodging, and the labeling of the trip as a Northern Lights trip when there were only 2 nights out of 10 listed in the itinerary that gave us an opportunity to see them.
Review submitted 25 Feb 2024
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Jenni · Traveled February 2024
Alberta is beautiful, and worth visiting, but this trip did not meet expectations and requires improvements. I can't recommend it at this stage unfortunately, but do visit via a different trip!
Review submitted 01 Mar 2024
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Louise · Traveled December 2023
This is a great trip full of amazing activities that one could never do unless they were in a winter wonderland, like the Rocky Mountains in Canada. We would not have accessed the type of scenery and places and activities had not been for a skilled guide and driver this made it all possible.
Review submitted 17 Dec 2023
Canadian Rockies travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
There are a few ways you can get to the Canadian Rockies depending on where you're travelling from.
The easiest (and quickest) way is to fly to Calgary, about an hour and a half from Banff National Park. (Most of our Rockies trips begin in Calgary or Vancouver, anyway). You can then hire a car at the airport or jump on a shuttle bus to Banff.
You could also fly to Edmonton, which is about a four hour drive away from Banff and Jasper.
Covering almost 200,000 square kilometres across Alberta and British Columbia, the best way to get around the Canadian Rockies is to join a tour or drive.
If you've flown into Calgary (the closest airport to Banff National Park), you can hire a vehicle from several car rental companies and continue your journey to the Rockies.
Without a car, you may struggle to travel around the region's national parks.
The best time to visit the Canadian Rockies depends on the activities you want to do. Summer is for kayaking, swimming, hiking and camping, while winter calls for ice skating, dog sledding and skiing down Canada's best slopes. Winter also offers a chance to see the Northern Lights.
The summer (June through August) is the peak season in the Rockies thanks to the milder weather, which also means higher accommodation prices and more people on the trails. Try going in the 'shoulder' months of April, May, September or October for a balance of good weather and smaller crowds.
Packing for a trip to the Canadian Rockies is similar to packing for a trip anywhere. What you pack largely depends on the time of year you're travelling.
If you're going in winter, pack appropriate weather clothing such as gloves, beanies, waterproof jackets, long pants etc.
If you're travelling in summer, pack sunscreen, a sunhat, t-shirts, dresses, and shorts.
You should also pack the essentials: a camera, a reusable drink bottle, and a backpack/day bag.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.