Rocky Mountain High, starring Château Lake Louise 

Oh Canada – winter is a magical time in the majestic Canadian Rockies! The epic grandeur is a winter scenery lovers’ dream, with glistening mountain peaks and a wonderland of alpine towns frozen in white. Come join our new 8-day Alberta Adventure from Calgary to the National Parks of Jasper and Banff and fabulous Lake Louise.  You’ll feel at one with nature on our scenic excursions and capture postcard-like photos. The brave, the bold and the curious are drawn to the profound beauty here in a real-life Snow Globe of Fun.  

Our past groups loved it. This year, we added some unique experiences of urban excitement and outdoor activities. Want to feel merry this December?  Together, we Will discover the wonders of the Dark Sky Preserve through telescopes on our Northern Lights Tour. Ride gondolas up to view six mountain peaks,  followed by an elevated half-mile nature walk along spectacular Sulphur Mountain.  Soak in Banff’s famous Upper Hot Springs, enveloped by the Cascade mountains.  Photograph the frozen waterfalls of the Grotto Ice Canyon. Visit a Wolf Sanctuary followed by a Wildlife safari in search of the iconic moose, elk, caribou

and bighorn sheep.  Hop on our group Sleigh Ride with draft horses under a star-lit sky. There’s free time for dogsleds, snow tubing, skating, even Bavarian curling and more.

It culminates in our luxurious day at the world-renowned Fairmont Château Lake Louise Resort, crowned by one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Established in 1890, they know how to take advantage of snow here. December gets so festive; it’s part of the high season!   You’ll love the special cocktails at their cool Ice Bar, followed by lakeside campfires with s’mores. Revel in the 5-star spa, unique wellness classes and the wine tastings. Visitors here enjoy snowshoeing through the forest and endless groomed trails for cross-country skiing. 

Coolcations are trending in 2025.  Come take a walk on the wild side with us into an untamed wilderness to get your best Christmas card photo ever. It will make you fall in love with winter in an entirely new way.  

Our Glorious AFS Itinerary

Tap for printable PDF itinerary

Dec 6 –    Welcome to Calgary, Alberta! 

Dec 7 –    CALGARY – JASPER – WOLFDOGS & NORTHERN LIGHTS

After breakfast, we check out from Calgary and head an hour’s drive to the nonprofit Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. It’s a unique experience to view the majestic nature of these rescued wolfdogs through close-up encounters with the cascade pack. Hear stories about each wolf, getting to know their true nature with an understanding of wolf behavior and how it differs from that of domestic dogs. You’ll learn about the importance of wolves in our ecosystem. It’s an immersive visit with our gentle ambassadors who welcome you into their space and get some special close-up selfies

Dark Sky Northern Lights Tour – This evening, we set out on the award-winning tour to discover the wonders of the Dark Sky Preserve.  Jasper’s designation as the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve of 11,000 mi.² makes it the premier spot to witness this natural wonder and have a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. 

We begin inside the Planetarium Dome Theater.  Astronomy guides will commentate about the constellations, the Milky Way, deep space objects, and the edge of the universe. It’s an interactive experience when you can touch a meteorite, a rock from Mars, and the moon and see life space videos.

We then head outside to see Canada’s largest and most powerful telescope. Participants can look through it and enjoy a laser-guided tour of the stars and use binoculars to view constellations.   If skies are clear, we hope to see the new phenomenon called “the White Aurora Borealis “dancing in the sky or any colors of the northern lights.

Dec 8 –    JASPER – BANFF, Winter Wildlife Tour

This morning we continue our journey from Jasper to Banff in the heart of the Rockies.     Banff National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, was Canada‘s first park. This mountain paradise has over 1000 miles of maintained trails for great hiking and skiing.  Peaks surround the charming town of Banff and have everything one can wish for with unique specialty shops, museums, cafés with the freshest Canadian cuisines, and lively bars.  Check into the deluxe Royal Canadian Lodge with its roaring lobby fireplace, heated indoor pool with hot tubs, and a great restaurant.

Canadian Wildlife Tour.   Late afternoon, as the sun sets, the wildlife of Banff National Park becomes more active.  Prepare your camera.  We travel by van through Athabasca Valley in search of Canada’s iconic creatures, such as moose, elk, caribou, coyotes, wolves, big horn sheep, and more.  Our naturalist guides will teach you how

the park protects these animals and their natural habitat from many threats to the ecosystem.

 Return to the hotel and enjoy the nightlife of lively Banff.  (Fun opportunities abound for leisure time, such as snowshoeing the painted pots, booking a dog sled ride, or Banff mountain tubing.)

Overnight:  Royal Canadian Lodge       2 nts.            B

Dec 9 –   Banff – Grotto Canyon Walk and Hot Springs. 

After breakfast, we embark on the exhilarating Grotto Canyon Ice Walk. On this popular adventure, we explore the frozen

wonderland along a narrow canyon with unique rock walls, karsts, sparkling blue caverns, and massive frozen waterfalls.  This guided venture immerses you in the serene beauty of winter landscape photos like no other.

Pack your swimsuit; it’s time to warm up as we had to Banff Upper Hot Springs to immerse ourselves and have ultimate relaxation. The naturally fed soaking pools are the only hot springs in the national park, and we’re establishing 1887. Water temps average 95° to soak in rejuvenating mineral waters under the jagged peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Changing rooms, café, and gift shop are on site.

Royal Canadian Lodge.                   B

Dec 10 –  BANFF – LAKE LOUISE.  Gondola ride, Sulfur Mountain & Sleigh ride

We check-out after breakfast and proceeded for a breathtaking Gondola ride up to the Sulfur Mountain region for panoramic views. On our ride up to the summit, you’ll have views of six mountain ranges. At the top, gaze out at the Canadian Rockies from the rooftop observation deck. Grab a bite at the Sky Bistro and warm up in the “Above Interpretive Theater.”  Then enjoy a nature walk along a mile long boardwalk that is elevated 6000 feet along the ridge of Sanson Peak.  Pass the historic cosmic ray station and 1903 weather observatory over to the Sundance Trail. You may choose to walk as little as or far as you like, but guarantee great photo ops along the way.   Our past group saw many marmots, Canada‘s cute mascots, an endangered species.  Some may want to hike down but most will ride the gondola.

Continue two hours to fabulous Lake Louise, Canada‘s most photographed lake, crowned by Victoria Glacier as a backdrop.  Check into the 5-star Fairmont Château Lake Louise resort to spoil yourself with unparalleled beauty at this iconic winter destination.

Early evening, bundle up for an authentic holiday sleigh ride. It’s a magical experience for our group ride in Banff National Park along Lake Louise.  Wrapped in blankets provided, enjoy views of the glacier and the glow of the Fairmont under a star-lit night.  Pulled by majestic draft horses, you’ll sense an all-inspiring peace in the silence.  This winter wonderland transforms into a scene for your favorite Christmas card photos

Back at the resort, Eat Drink and be Merry! You can dine in the Fairview, Louisa, or Wallerstube restaurants or grab sandwiches in The Pantry.  Enjoy afternoon high tea or cocktails in several bars with amazing views.  Be sure to visit the Ice Bar, the coolest ice bar in the Rockies that is set in one of the most scenic frozen landscapes of the world.  Warm up with mulled wine, chili orange hot chocolate, cinnamon bitters or the special Canadian ice wine. Constructed with blocks of ice, it takes labor-intensive weeks to build.  Or visit the Santa bar, a whimsical pop-up for festive cocktails.

 (Note, the new 2025 calendar of special December events here are not out yet as we print this 9/20/24, but expect some special fun!..   The Social Skate Experience across the lake under the stars. Festive holiday movie night outdoors with cozy blankets and delicious treats. Locate the elf on the shelf placed around the hotel and complete their “chain of kindness” tasks around the property. Capture your photo seated in Santa’s chair in the Victoria room. Join a painting class of the surrounding scenery, a holiday escape scavenger hunt, festive card making, a gingerbread house workshop, Christmas cookie decorating,  the Paint and Sip class or a Mixology experience.

Fairmont Château Lake Louise    2 nts  LINK              B

Dec 11   Free to Play

After a breakfast buffet, the day is yours to choose how to enjoy your snowy escapade, whether it’s the exhilarating thrills of snow tubing and fabulous cross-country ski trails or serene relaxation in the Oasis Spa. They offer a festive forest meditation by candlelight, winter wellness walk, yoga and more. Unique experiences include ice fishing, the Night Owl snowshoeing adventure, and lessons in Bavarian curling, an old game on the ice to learn the basics with the FLL activity team

The hotel has equipment rentals for ice skates, cross-country or downhill skiing.  Ski shuttles depart hourly to nearby slopes, and the tubing park.  Each night, there are wine tastings, karaoke and lakeside campfires with s’mores.

.Dec 12- Lake Louise to Calgary City Tour

 Check out at 11 AM and we head a few hours back to Calgary    Enjoy a panoramic city tour with a drive past Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue to walk the historic district bustling with shops and cultural spots.  Then admire the Peace Bridge a modern architectural wonder expanding the Bow River and get a glimpse of the famous Calgary Stampede grounds and more.

Check back into the hotel and enjoy a Farewell Dinner to toast your fellow travelers over a winter journey well done.

Clique 1nt.   B D

Dec 13 – Depart home

Check out of the hotel and arrange a time with the hotel airport shuttle.

Deposit:  $200

LAND PRICE: $3595  per person, twins share – at a year out, please note this is estimated price. Still awaiting 2025 group rates at Château Lake Louise resort but this should be accurate. Will advise if different.  Based on a minimum of 26 participants.  Small group price (20 – 24) is $3895.

Gratuities for licensed guides, drivers, and porters of $80 will be added to the invoice for your convenience.

Have you read the Trip Tips yet? Scroll to the top of the page and click the link.

Itineraries are prepared up to a year ahead and things can change.  Modifications may be made.  

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