My Rockies Adventure: Exploring Calgary Banff & Jasper on a Travel sphere Touring Trip

In April 2024 I was lucky enough to join a Travelsphere work trip to Canada, exploring Calgary, Banff and Jasper. I have booked the Canadian Rockies for clients for years, but there is nothing like standing on the Icefields Parkway yourself or strapping on snowshoes at the top of a mountain to really understand what it feels like – and the views are to die for!  It was April so still snowy and the bears were very illusive as only the male bears start to come out but unfortunately, we didn’t spot any!

Here is a peek behind the scenes of the trip: the highs, the views, the food and some top tips!

I flew from Heathrow to Calgary flying with Air Canada

The journey started in the best possible way: no massive queues!

Calgary airport has self‑service immigration pods where you scan your passport and have your photo taken. I braced myself for a long wait, then suddenly we were through security in about ten minutes. It was one of the quickest arrivals I have ever had into North America, which set the tone nicely It was a pleasant experience!

Our first night was at the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown. It is a handy base for exploring the city, and after a quick freshen‑up we headed straight back out – id recommend this for a short stay.

Calgary: Music, Views & A Walking Tour

Our first stop was Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. It is a brilliantly put‑together space, full of interactive exhibits and musical history. Even if you are not a hardcore music buff, it is easy to get drawn in, and the building itself is striking.

Next up was we headed out on a Calgary walking tour with Calgary Walks & Bus Tours. I always love doing a walking tour on the first day in a new city. It helps you get your bearings, and you pick up little snippets of history and local stories that you do not get from a guidebook. Calgary has a friendly, down‑to‑earth feel and lots of public art tucked around the corners.

We then headed up the Calgary Tower. It is one of those must‑do viewpoints, and on a clear day the views stretch right out to the Rockies. I did the classic “stand out on the glass edge and take far too many photos” thing, trying to capture the mountains in the distance and the grid of the city below.

Dinner that evening was at Charbar, a lively spot by the river. Think good atmosphere, great flavours and exactly what you need to fight off jet lag. After a full first day, it was back to the Hilton for a good sleep before we hit the road.

Heritage Park & Heading for Banff

The next morning, we checked out and made our way to Heritage Park, a historical village on the edge of Calgary. We started with a hearty breakfast, then wandered through the old‑style streets and period buildings. It feels a bit like stepping back in time, with costumed interpreters and heritage vehicles, and it gives a nice sense of Western Canadian history before you dive into the mountains – id definitely recommend a visit!

After the tour it was finally time: Off to Banff.

First Taste of Banff

We checked into the Mount Royal Hotel right in the heart of Banff. It is a handy base: restaurants, shops and cafés all within a short stroll, and the mountains cradling the town on all sides.

For lunch we went to the Juniper Hotel Bistro, which sits just outside Banff with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. This was one of those “yes, I really am in the Rockies” moments. Mountains in every direction, fresh air, and that lovely feeling of being somewhere completely different it had stunning views and I ate the most amazing food too!

Banff Gondola, Sulphur Mountain

The following day we took the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. If you are nervous about heights, it is worth knowing that the cabins feel sturdy and the ride is smooth, and the payoff at the top is absolutely worth it!

At the summit there are boardwalks and walking trails, so you can stroll at your own pace and soak up the views. The panorama from up there is unreal: layers of snow‑capped peaks, the Bow River valley below, and Banff you can see in the distance.

We rounded the day off with dinner at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, enjoying more of those mountain views while working our way through hearty dishes that taste even better after a day in the fresh air. Then it was back to the Mount Royal for another cosy night.

Icewalks & Lakes: Johnston Canyon & Lake Louise

Next morning started with breakfast at Brazen, the restaurant at the Mount Royal Hotel. This quickly became one of my favourite breakfast spots of the trip: good coffee, generous portions and a nice buzz.

We then transferred to Johnston Canyon for an ice walk. In winter and early spring, the canyon turns into a frozen wonderland, with cliffs of ice and suspended walkways hugging the rock. It is an easy‑to‑moderate walk, but the scenery feels dramatic: turquoise frozen falls, narrow canyon walls and icy blue pools. If you have clients who like photography, this is a dream.

After that we continued to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Even if you have seen the hotel in photos a hundred times, it is still a show‑stopper when you see it for real: the chateau sitting right on the edge of the lake, ringed by mountains.

We joined a guided lakeshore walk with a mountain heritage guide, who brought the area to life with stories about the early explorers, mountaineers and how the resort developed. It is always the guides that turn a beautiful view into something memorable, and this was no exception.

Back in Banff, we had dinner at Bluebird Restaurant and Lobby Bar, then returned to the Mount Royal for one last night before the next stage of our journey.

Along The Icefields Parkway to Jasper & A Bald Eagle sighting!

The drive from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is one of the great scenic drives of the world and doing it in person really confirmed why I recommend it so often.

We made classic stops along the way:

• Peyto Lake viewpoint: even partly frozen, it is stunning, with its distinctive wolf‑ or fox‑head shape and that glacial turquoise colour starting to emerge.
• The Columbia Icefield area and Athabasca Glacier: a stark, powerful landscape of ice and rock, with a real sense of the forces that carved these valleys.

On the way we were treated to a special sighting: a bald eagle up close, soaring and circling near the highway It is one thing seeing pictures, but when you glimpse that flash of white head and massive wingspan, it gives you goosebumps! This was one of the highlights of the trip and the coach could not stop, or it would have scared the eagle off as it stopped right by the roadside!

Every corner seems to reveal another waterfall, ridge or frozen lake. The scale is hard to describe until you are in it.

We rolled into Jasper and checked into are accommodation the Lobstick Lodge. That evening’s dinner was at the Jasper Brewing Company, which was a real highlight: relaxed, friendly service and excellent food. It is the kind of place for a casual but quality evening out.

The night was not over yet though. We finished with a visit to the Jasper Planetarium for a planetarium show and telescope experience. Jasper is part of a designated dark sky preserve, so on a clear night the stars are extraordinary. Even with some cloud, the guides made it fascinating, using the planetarium dome to “fly” us through the night sky.

 

Maligne Valley, Snowshoeing & A Foodie Tour

The next morning, we had breakfast at Chateau Jasper, then set out on a Maligne Valley tour with Sundog Tours. This area is classic Jasper: wild, slightly less polished than Banff, and very beautiful – I think Jasper was one of my favourite places on the trip!

We explored Maligne Canyon, another dramatic gorge with rushing water and viewpoints along the way. In winter and early spring, the contrast between ice, rock and trees is particularly striking – which we were lucky to see..

In the afternoon it was time for another first for me: snowshoeing at the Jasper Sky Tram.

The Sky Tram whisks you up to a high viewpoint above town, and then we strapped on snowshoes and went for a walk. There was also a big hill, which turned out to be a proper little challenge. Picture a group of travel professionals in snowshoes, laughing, puffing a bit and cheering each other on. It was one of those “I am so glad I did that” experiences we certainly had a few giggles here!

Back in town, we swapped hiking gear for appetites and set off on a foodie tour of downtown Jasper. This was such a fun way to spend an evening: popping into different local spots, tasting a range of dishes, and even trying elk. It is a great idea for clients who like a social, food‑focused experience and prefer to sample several places in one go and get some top recommendations from a local foodie!  And first time I had eaten the traditional poutine which is classic French fries topped with cheese and hot gravy!

We also did a site inspection at the Jasper Inn & Suites, which gave me another good accommodation option to match to different client styles and budgets.

Afterwards we had some free time to wander Jasper, pick up souvenirs and just enjoy the relaxed, small‑town feel.

Homeward Bound

On our final day we departed Jasper and had breakfast at Terra, a restaurant with a strong local feel. Then it was time to start the journey back, with lunch on route via Banff, a last look at those mountains, and onwards to Calgary for our flight back to London.

As always with a good FAM, I came home with:

• A deeper feel for the pace of a Rockies itinerary.
• First‑hand experience of what the drives and walks are really like.
• A list of tried‑and‑tested places to recommend from walking tours to gondolas, breweries and foodie tours.

Who This Trip Is Perfect For

After doing it myself, I would especially recommend a Rockies itinerary like this for:

• Couples or friends who love big scenery and active days balanced with good food and cosy evenings.
• Solo travellers who like small‑group touring, meeting others and having everything organised – also when you’re not self-driving you have time to spot wildlife out the window – we were constantly on the hunt for bears!
• Anyone who has the Canadian Rockies on their “bucket list” and wants a well‑planned, no‑stress way of ticking it off.

Top Tips for A Canadian Rockies Adventure

1. Build in at least one “nothing” day if not on a guided tour
The views are huge, the days are full and the altitude plus time difference can be tiring. It is worth having at least one day where nothing is planned so you can wander, sit in a café or just enjoy the hotel hot tub without rushing out.

2. Layer, layer, layer
In April we had everything from bright sunshine to proper chill. The secret is layers: a good base layer, fleece or jumper, and a waterproof / windproof outer. It means you can adjust quickly on gondolas, ice walks and canyon trails.

3. Good footwear makes a big difference
You do not need hardcore mountaineering boots, but you will be much happier in decent walking shoes or boots with grip, especially for places like Johnston Canyon, Maligne Canyon and any snowshoeing. Trainers can be slippy on ice and packed snow – I invested in comfy snow boots too!

4. Pack small extras for comfort
Thin gloves, a hat, sunglasses and a scarf are worth their weight in gold. The sun can be surprisingly strong on snow and ice, so good sunglasses and SPF are a must.

5. Do the gondolas, even if you are unsure about heights
Banff Gondola and the Jasper Sky Tram are absolute highlights. The cabins feel solid, the rides are short, and the views at the top more than make up for any wobbles. If you are nervous, stand in the middle of the cabin and avoid looking directly down.

6. Join at least one guided walk or tour
The landscapes are beautiful on their own, but a good guide completely changes how you experience them. Our heritage guide at Lake Louise and the Maligne Valley guide both added so many stories and details that I would never have known otherwise.

7. Say yes to something a bit out of your comfort zone
For me on this trip it was the snowshoeing and that big hill at the top of the Jasper Sky Tram. For you it might be an ice walk, a foodie tour with unusual dishes, or staying out late for the planetarium and stargazing. These are often the moments you remember most.

8. Eat local and book popular spots ahead
Places like Jasper Brewing Company, Charbar, and the food tour stops were genuinely good eats, not just “because we were on a tour”. In high season, the most popular restaurants get busy, so it is worth having a rough plan and some reservations, especially in Banff.

9. Travel light but leave room for layers and souvenirs
You do not need formal clothes, but you will likely pick up the odd hoodie, hat or local treat. Aim for a comfortable soft‑shell or puffer jacket, practical day‑pack and a bit of space in your case for goodies on the way home.

10. Let someone else do the driving
One of the joys of doing this type of escorted trip is not having to worry about driving the Icefields Parkway yourself. You can sit back, watch for wildlife and enjoy the views while someone else keeps an eye on the road and the weather.

11. Give yourself a buffer day when you get home
The combination of time difference, activity and fresh air is wonderful but full‑on. If you can, plan a quieter day after you get back before diving straight back into work.

 

If you are tempted by Banff, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway, I would love to chat through dates, your pace and the best way to see Canada for you and plan it around what you enjoy. I can help with everything from flights and hotels to tours, transfers and those special little experiences that turn a good trip into a great one! Whether it is a self-drive in a campa to a planned guided tour I can put together all trips that suit your travel style!

Contact me to start planning your own Canadian Rockies adventure or any other Canadian adventure!  One of my top selling trips is Rockies with paired with an Alaska Cruise which works well and don’t forget the once in a lifetime experience onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train that’s also another must!

Get in touch today and let’s start planning your Canadian Adventure!