KANANASKIS AREA

SPRAY LAKES

This is it. If you only had 1 day and you would be waking up in Canmore, drive-by for coffee at A&W and go wander anywhere in Kananaskis country. Yes, there are spots with firepits so there is nothing to stop you from stargazing and taking it all in again overnight. Wool socks and mittens! You’re welcome.

Obviously a mere page is not all we have to say about the places we’re discussing here. We’ll try to do our best to keep it short and interesting.

The loop will take you about 3 hours of stunning driving on both dirt roads and paved roads. We ask you not to be too confident driving on dirt roads with our van.

The area doesn’t require you to pay any admission fees and has an abundance of wildlife. Being there during dusk or dawn will give you a better chance of spotting animals (although we’ve always seen moose around noon).

Now, you’re here because you want to see a huge standing grizzly bear. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts and you will just have to be lucky to see one. This counts for all parks. Youlia and I had to let our oil change a couple of times before we saw our first Grizzly around here. You typically change the oil after 8000km.

Highwood pass is the highest paved road in the whole of Canada, topping out at 2,206 meters. This incredible drive however, is closed from December 1st until June 15th. If you’re here when it is open. Just go.

Thankfully there is no cellphone reception during the drive. You’ll have to upload your new Instagram profile picture in Kananaskis village while enjoying your second coffee.

BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE

Chances are you have heard of the town of Banff. This is purely because social media has done its job. All across the world people come and visit this place because it is in the heart of the Rockies and they are promised a stairway to heaven.

Now think of all the pictures you’ve seen of Lake Louise, Peyto Lake or Moraine Lake. It looks like people are having golden times.

In reality, you have to get up at 3 o’clock in the freezing morning, start driving to an overflowed parking area where already hundreds of wanderlust people thought they were going to be alone. I say do go there and see the madness for yourselves. Have someone taken your picture and get out before more buses arrive.

Don’t get us wrong. There are absolutely beautiful landscapes, even more so if you’re willing to put at least 5k’s behind you and the hotspots in Banff National Parc.

You will need a park pass that’s also valid for other parks such as Jasper. Not cheap but we’ve got you covered! Buy us a beer.

JASPER

Locals say Jasper is what Banff was 30 years ago. And admitted, it is the ‘better’ place. It’s noticeably less busy and for this reason, we’ve seen more wildlife along the roads. Make sure you check out the hot springs. They are not completely natural since you’re still in a swimming pool, but it sure is a nice way to end your day and see the sun setting over another great day in the Rockies!

Nearly all campgrounds have a first come first serve policy. Our suggestion is to get to a camp spot as soon as you can during the day. You will be able to buy a fire permit. Firewood will be provided by the parc. Wildcamping is never tolerated in any of the National Parcs and if caught you can be fined up to 10 CAD. I mean probably 10.000 CAD.

NATURAL HOTSPRINGS

In somewhere only we know (and probably all the Canadians on the Westside)

If you’re a couple you will adore this natural, romantic and warm place. If you’re alone you will probably enjoy it only a little less. Oh and It’s free. Let me say that again. It’s free! Forget about hot springs in Banff or even Jasper. This is the real deal and you will be camping closeby the springs in the middle of nowhere. After this trip, you’ve earned your dirt road certificate! and an oil change…

If you want to learn more about some of the aforementioned places. Feel free to contact a travel agent in Banff. They will be more than happy to help you out. Don’t forget about the taxes!

….Or you could just message us ofcourse!

Have a good one!