Introduction
introduction
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When you think of skiing or snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise or Banff may come to mind. But winter getaways don’t have to be limited to these locations choices, the Canadian Badlands, Banff and Jasper National Parks and bordering Kootenay Plains also offering an exciting winter wonderland for those who decided to take grandchildren with them and look together for beautiful winter scenery, a tranquil atmosphere, and plenty of activities to keep them busy.
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What about choosing the “skip-gen winter getaway" and taking the grand-kids on holiday while parents stay home. Benefits go both ways when it comes to kids spending time with their grandparents: grandparents play a positive role when it comes to encouraging healthy emotions in grandkids they have close relationships with.
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From exploring the dinosaur world, walking on snowshoes, learning the history of First Nation People, visiting the glacier, taking gondola or experiencing Ice Skating on frozen lakes, here are a few of the best activities that will allow children to connect with nature and encourage their intellectual curiosity. ​
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This escape can form important bonds with their grandparents, whether by learning family history or exploring Canadian Badlands and Rockies together.
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EMRACING THE JOURNEY OF REDISCOVERY
Experiencing the Canadian Badlands and Rocky Mountains in the winter feels like a completely different experience from the summer as the winter transforms the visual color palette. The Hoodoos, Mountains and blue-green lakes are frozen in white and gray, while sunsets quicken with new colors. With white, fluffy snow covering the Plains, Foothills, Mountains and Trees, everything looked absolutely magical. No drive is ever the same on the Dinosaur Trail and the Columbia Icefields Parkway, one of Alberta's most scenic drives that turns into a winter wonderland. A compelling stillness settles in on the Icefields Parkway as it transforms into a beautiful scenic drive of solitude and wonder. Ancient glaciers shifting and growling, and cascading waterfalls become icefalls.
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​​​In the winter, driving these roads becomes a quiet experience mostly due to its partially plowed, icy surface and snow tires required, especially on the Icefields Parkway. High clearance 4WD vehicle and driver with skills to handle a car on unplowed, icy roads is the best choice for safety reasons.
What better way to walk and listen to the soft sound of the snow crunching underfoot. There is nothing more pretty than exploring part of the Kootenay Plains and walking along trappers path while wearing snowshoes.
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While snowshoeing, learn the history of the first Nation People and first fur traders who passed through this land on its way to discover passages to the Pacific Ocean. Travel to the edge of the Abraham Lake and hear a brief history of the area’s traditional uses and ways of the past. Let your imagination flow as you hug the almost 3,000 years old Limber Pine, the oldest known tree in Canada, that stands on the frozen North Saskatchewan River.
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​Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter. But don't worry if you are a snowshoe beginner. No previous experience or training needed.
day 1 - Calgary
​Fly to Calgary, Alberta, incorporated as a city in 1894 with a current population over 1.6 millions. The city of Calgary is situated on the Bow River, about 220 km north of the Montana border at the meeting point of the Western prairies and mountain foothills. It is the financial center of western Canada, based on its key role in the development of the region’s oil and gas industry. ​We will be waiting for you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel in Calgary.
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What's Included: Airport Transfer, Welcome Dinner
Accommodation Note: Room have two queen size beds
day 2 - Get ready for an exciting adventure with Barney
A day trip from Calgary to witness a landscape where dinosaurs walked the earth and southern Alberta was a subtropical paradise of towering redwoods and giant ferns. Today, fertile plains suddenly drop away into a world of multi-hued canyons and wind-sculpted hoodoos. Spanning east from Drumheller to the Saskatchewan border and south to the United States, this region is known as the Canadian Badlands. It is home to the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in the world.
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Duration: 6-7 hours including visit to Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.​​​​
What's Included: Private Transportation, Museum Entry Ticket, Private Guide
Accommodation Note: Room have two queen size beds
day 3 - Transfer to Alpine Lodge in Banff National Park
​Today we transfer to a mountain lodge where you will be staying for the next 2 nights. We will take the "Cowboy Trail" road that follows Canadian Rockies Eastern Slopes. After break for lunch we will arrive at Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve that is bordering the Banff National Park where you will experience the peaceful afternoon and solitude while wandering through the Historical Heritage Glacier Trail. The path is low-difficulty and safe and going through the full of mystery Kootenay Plains Sacred Grounds. We will walk along an old trappers path on snowshoes and learn about the history of the area and a variety of Pine trees, some over 2000 years old. You may have a chance to enjoy the company of Bighorn sheep living in this area. Stunning vistas and a satisfying snack break along the way, this incredible trail has something for everyone. From here we will have a 45 minutes drive to arrive at the lodge before sunset.
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Duration: 6-8 hours (trip) with approximately one hour snowshoe time.​​​​
What's Included: Accommodation, All Meals, Private Transportation, Parks Entries, Museum Entry Ticket, Private Guide
Accommodation Note: Room have one queen size & one daybed which can be made up as a smaller twin-size bed
day 4 - the icefields parkway
In 1937 the Lake Louise - Jasper Highway was completed and it is known today as Icefields Parkway. Today, it is established as one of the best scenic mountain roads in Canada. Visitors who only journey the route in summer miss out on the sparkling winter beauty that defines the true Canadian Rockies. Your drive from the lodge towards Jasper up to Columbia Icefield will be absolutely breathtaking. The experience of standing on the ancient Athabasca Glacier is well worth the trip. That way you will witness and see epic glaciers, frozen waterfalls and ice-covered lakes.
Duration: The entire return drive is roughly 120 miles and the trip will take four hours with stops at pull outs alongside the road, overlooking beautiful views.
What's Included: Accommodation, All Meals, Private Transportation, Parks Entries, Museum Entry Ticket, Private Guide
Accommodation Note: Room have one queen size & one daybed which can be made up as a smaller twin-size bed
day 5 - lake Louise and Banff
The Canadian Rockies’ roads in winter are well-maintained but YES, there are the occasional bad snow storms. This tour offers last night to stay at one of the Calgary Airport hotels and make sure to be on time at the departure gate the next day. We will depart the lodge after breakfast and on its way we will explore and visit Lake Louise and Banff. The plan for the day is to drive to Calgary during daylight hours.
Lake Louise, located within Banff National Park, is best known for its iconic turquoise blue lake and soaring Victoria Glacier mountain backdrop. There can be no better backdrop for the ultimate ice-skating or hiking out across the frozen lake that goes miles. Skate rentals are available from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise that is located right next to the lake. The hotel clears the ice for skating and builds an ice castle at the edge of the lake.
The Banff Gondola is one of the best things to do in Banff National Park in winter. On the top of Sulphur Mountain you will be treated to 360-degree views of the majestic Canadian Rockies. The Gondola is located just minutes from the town center. After purchasing tickets, kids will receive a Junior Explorer booklet so they can do a little scavenger hunt when they arrive at the top of the mountain. The ride up the mountain is so much fun and the ride is about 8 minutes long. At the peak (an elevation of 2,281m or 7,486 ft), you’ll enjoy an incredible vista of six mountain ranges.
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Duration: 8-10 hours. Including ride on Banff Gondola
What's Included: Accommodation, All Meals, Private Transportation, Parks Entries, Banff Gondola Tickets, Private Guide
Accommodation Note: Room have two queen size beds
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day 6 - end of escape
Flying out of Calgary
What's Included: Hotel shuttle transfer to the airport.
day 1, 2 & 5 accommodation
Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport