Top 10 Outdoor Family Vacations
The 10 Best Outdoor Vacations for FamiliesOutdoor family adventures are popular for a reason. They…
Spend your days trekking among the most beautiful scenery in the world, where you and your fellow travelers are the only living souls in sight (except for the occasional flock of bighorn sheep). On our Alberta vacations and adventure tours, you can expect to hike the stunning Athabasca Glacier, tackle the Class III and IV rapids of Kicking Horse River, and set off on daily hikes amid the soaring peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
After all that adrenaline-pumping fun, we promise plenty of relaxation, too. Delicious food and luxurious accommodations await, perfect for unwinding over good conversation, a soak, or perhaps reading a book by a warm fire. Also, we promise not to let you leave before you check out the internationally acclaimed shops and galleries of Banff.
Read about North America's National Parks, and learn from the experts!
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Earn Your Lunch
I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
Alberta enjoys four distinct seasons from snowy winters to mild summers. With the highest number of sunny days in all of Canada (more than 2,300 hours of sunshine each year), Alberta is the perfect place to explore. Alberta adventure vacations can be taken any time of year, but our top pick for the best time to visit Alberta is the summer months from June to August.
You’ll find that the beginning of spring (March and early April) is still quite snowy, and the temperatures will stay on the cooler side (10-25 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the perfect time to take advantage of “spring skiing” and other snow sports, when the weather is warmer than mid-winter, but the snow is still powdery and fresh. Late April and early May will warm up day by day until you see late spring temperatures in the 60s. You’ll still need that jacket for cool evenings.
Most of our Alberta adventures take place during the summer months and this seems to be when the weather is at its finest. You’ll see upper-60s to mid-70s for high temperatures, which is just perfect for scoping out wildlife, taking on the Class II to IV rapids of the Kicking Horse River or taking on a full day hike over Sentinel Pass. Even in mid-summer, you’ll likely run into plenty of snow in the high country and will even get to experience walking on a glacier – it doesn’t get much cooler than that!
Alberta in the fall is a real treat as the tourist season winds down, the aspens turn a dazzling shade of gold, and sunshine-filled days continue to hold throughout October. This is the perfect time to hike in the high country as most of the snow has melted with constant exposure to summer sunshine and the winter storms haven’t hit yet. Expect highs in the upper 40s to 60-degree range.
Albertans spend half of their year in the snow, so they’ve found lots of ways to enjoy the cold winter! Spending a wintry vacation in Alberta means you’ll likely be downhill or cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or engaging in the ultimate snowball fight. While temperatures will be chilly (below 0 to 20 degrees F), you can wage a war on the cold by throwing on the layers when playing outside during the day.
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If you’re planning an Alberta vacation, you may be wondering what the experts know that you should, too. Below are a few tips to get you started from our seasoned team:
On your Alberta vacation, you will take advantage of all kinds of activities: hiking, biking, glacier trekking, rafting, and more! You’ll find that these activities will probably be more enjoyable for you if you practice being active before you ever step foot in Alberta. Many of the hikes and bike rides are hilly (you are in the Canadian Rockies after all!) and probably at a higher elevation than what you’re used to at home. Walking, running, cycling, swimming, and taking fitness classes are all great ways to prepare your body for an active vacation. Find an exercise you enjoy and stick with it three to five times per week to get yourself ready.
You’re headed to the Rockies which means the weather can be unpredictable. You’ll want to check the weather forecast before you pack so you know what to prepare for. One thing we can tell you to pack with certainty is layers of clothing. Often it will be cool in the morning and warm up to shorts and t-shirt weather later in the day. You’ll want to have your lighter under-layers packed, but you’ll also want some light pants and mid-weight pullovers or jackets as well. Don’t forget to bring a quality raincoat – afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Rockies and you can enjoy so much more when you’re comfortable!
If you’re headed to Alberta, you’ll likely fly into Calgary, a dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River. There are tons of things to see and do, whether you want to visit a zoo, take the kids to an amusement park, walk around a museum, sip on local beers at a brewery, shop downtown, or eat at one of the delicious eateries scattered around the city. It also seems that there is a different festival going on every week and you can find an up-to-date list of events on the VisitCalgary.com website.
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A trip to Alberta should be on every traveler’s bucket list. The snow-capped Canadian Rockies, turquoise blue mountain lakes, and abundant wildlife promise an unforgettable adventure in Alberta’s high country.
We’ve compiled a few Alberta travel tips from our team to make your travels easy and enjoyable:
On your Alberta vacation, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Alberta’s “Big Five” – grizzly and black bears, big horn sheep, elk, moose, and mountain goats. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re hiking the trails, cycling the bike paths, or just riding in the van down the Bow Valley Parkway. You never know what you’ll see!
Unless you’re native to Canada, you’ll need a passport for entry, but if you’re coming from the United States, you won’t need a visa. If you reside in a different country, you’ll want to check out the Government of Canada’s website to see if you need to apply for a visitor visa prior to entering Canada.
In the Canadian Rockies, you should count on a wide range of weather. First, prepare yourself mentally to enjoy your vacation, regardless of the type of weather! It could be sunny, windy, rainy, or snowy at any time of year (especially in the higher elevations). With a positive attitude and good gear, you’re likely to enjoy your vacation in any type of weather. You always want to have a light hat and gloves (even in the height of summer) and lots of layers to pile on or shed off, depending on the conditions.
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As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”
