FAQ

Our age limit for riders is 8 years old, no younger! All minors under 18 years old participating in a horse activity must have a parent or legal guardian on the ride with them.

Our weight limit is 230lbs per rider.

As avid horse people, we at Banff Trail Riders understand the healing properties of being around horses.  Due to wide open national park format of our trail rides, we do not have an enclosed/controlled equine riding environment. We also fully respect the specialized coaches, training and equine equipment required to safely facilitate therapeutic and disabled riding. As a result we reserve the right to limit the availability of horseback riding due to anything which may in our judgement pose a threat to the health and safety of either horse, rider, fellow riders or guides. This includes but is not limited to being able to independently, promptly and without assistance respond to, follow and execute on trail  guide direction as well as mount and unmount independently and without assistance.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss these with you.

Guests are not allowed to ride double on one horse.

To ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and horses, no dogs (including service dogs) are permitted on our horseback rides or anywhere on the property. This policy helps prevent any interaction between dogs and horses, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

Pregnant ladies must have a doctor’s note to ride.

Yes, reservations are recommended for all trail rides and are required for trail rides longer than 3 hours and Cookouts.

All of our rides travel at a walk and in single file. This is to ensure everyone’s safety on these shared trails.

Guests should arrive at the location 30 minutes before the ride is scheduled to depart.

You must wear sturdy, closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle and long pants are best for riding. Please note that sandals of any kind are not permitted. Mosquito repellent is highly recommended.

Yes, helmets are provided and are mandatory on all our trail rides.

We use western tack and western trained horses.

No experience necessary. Our guides will provide a brief riding instruction.

Horseback rides run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. Please do not wear a rain poncho, as they can flap in the wind and spook the horses.

A 10% gratuity is mandatory for all group bookings of 10 or more guests. This gratuity helps us ensure high-quality service for larger groups. If the gratuity option is not selected at the time of booking, our team will contact you directly to arrange for this payment prior to your tour.

Safety is our priority on the trail and we all depend on each other to be alert and tuned in to everyone’s safety and well-being. We have a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. Any guest suspected of intoxication or impairment upon arrival will not be allowed to ride and their fare will NOT be refunded

Our weight limit is 230lbs per rider.

Our minimum age for this activity is 9 years old. All minors under 18 years old participating in a horse activity must have a parent or legal guardian on the ride with them.

No experience is necessary. Our guides will provide a brief riding instruction.

Unfortunately due to the remote nature of the lodges and the nature of the multiday tour, the adventure is not suitable for pregnant riders.

As avid horse people, we at Banff Trail Riders understand the healing properties of being around horses.  Due to wide open national park format of our trail rides, we do not have an enclosed/controlled equine riding environment. We also fully respect the specialized coaches, training and equine equipment required to safely facilitate therapeutic and disabled riding. As a result we reserve the right to limit the availability of horseback riding due to anything which may in our judgement pose a threat to the health and safety of either horse, rider, fellow riders or guides. This includes but is not limited to being able to independently, promptly and without assistance respond to, follow and execute on trail  guide direction as well as mount and unmount independently and without assistance.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss these with you.

You’ll be riding 5-6 hours each day with breaks and leisurely lunches.

We have guest parking at Warner Stables. Please be aware the parking lots are not locked or guarded.

To ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and horses, no dogs (including service dogs) are permitted on our horseback rides or anywhere on the property. This policy helps prevent any interaction between dogs and horses, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

Biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste. We do supply toilet paper and hand soap at the lodge. Please note there is no electricity at the lodge.

There is limited selection of alcohol available to purchase at our lodges.

You will lose phone reception approximately half way to the lodge. There is no cell service or internet at the lodge.

Please refer to our detailed packing lists for items to wear and bring on the lodge trips.

Your rain gear will travel with you on the horse and your guide will help you attach it to the saddle. If you would like to bring a saddlebag, please fill them with only those essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed — they are hard on your back and hard on the horse’s back, and do not tie properly to the saddle. We have a limited supply of saddlebags available free of charge which are available for pick up upon check-in (sorry, no earlier).

Please arrive at Warner Stables ready for check-in at 9:30am for lodge trips. Please arrive at the time provided and not any earlier to reduce time spent waiting at the barns before your ride departure.

Nightly accommodation, dinner, breakfast and packed trail lunch. A surcharge of $15/day per person applies to gluten-free and vegan dietary requests. All bedding is provided.

Rates are based on double occupancy, and solo guests that would prefer their own room can pay a single supplement fee.

A detailed list will be provided in your booking confirmation, and is also available here.

A 10% gratuity is mandatory for all group bookings of 10 or more guests. This gratuity helps us ensure high-quality service for larger groups. If the gratuity option is not selected at the time of booking, our team will contact you directly to arrange for this payment prior to your tour.

There are no age restrictions for the public sleigh ride and children under 3 are free. However on the public sleigh ride children under 3 are not guaranteed a seat (they may have to sit on your lap).

We do not offer pick ups for the sleigh rides, however the location of the sleigh rides is conveniently located close to downtown Banff.

To ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and horses, no dogs (including service dogs) are permitted on our horseback rides or anywhere on the property. This policy helps prevent any interaction between dogs and horses, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

We recommend that everyone dresses warm with mitts, hats and boots. You are outside in the cold for 40 minutes so be sure to have multiple layers and a thick winter jacket.

Blankets are provided for the time of ride to keep you warm. Not available for purchase or to take home.

Marshmallows are not provided on public sleigh rides, but s’mores kits are available to purchase at the stables. Private sleigh rides include a s’mores kit.

Unfortunately you are not able to bring your animals on this tour as it may scare the horses.

There are two different public sleigh sizes, a 9 seater and 16 seater. The sleigh may or may not be full on your tour.

A 10% gratuity is mandatory for all group bookings of 10 or more guests. This gratuity helps us ensure high-quality service for larger groups. If the gratuity option is not selected at the time of booking, our team will contact you directly to arrange for this payment prior to your tour.

Please arrive between 2pm and 4pm at Sundance Lodge. Please ensure that you arrive no later than 4pm.

Free parking is available at the Healy Creek Trailhead on Sunshine Road near Sunshine Ski Resort (approximately 10kms from the Town of Banff).

Please ensure that you display a valid Banff National Park Pass in your vehicle and a sign saying that you are staying at Sundance Lodge (Sundance Lodge car signage will be provided upon booking). Please be aware the parking lots are not locked or guarded.

The 11km trail from the Healy Creek Trailhead is rated easy to moderate and will take 2.5 to 4 hours depending on experience level and pace.

Nightly accommodation, dinner, breakfast and a packed trail lunch. From 2023, a surcharge of $15/day per person applies to gluten-free and vegan dietary requests. All bedding and towels are provided.

Active wear suitable for skiing. Layers are best, warm base layers, top layers and outerwear suitable for the temperature and weather. Comfortable clothing for inside the lodge and a backpack to carry belongings. We would also recommend a flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses and camera (charged).

Guests will also be required to purchase a Banff National Park Pass. These locations will be checked for passes throughout winter and guests will receive a fine if they don’t have a pass.

To ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and horses, no dogs (including service dogs) are permitted on our horseback rides or anywhere on the property. This policy helps prevent any interaction between dogs and horses, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

Biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste. We do supply toilet paper and hand soap at the lodge. Please note there is no electricity at the lodge.

There is limited selection of alcohol available to purchase.

You will lose phone reception approximately half way to the lodge. There is no cell service or internet at the lodge.

A 10% gratuity is mandatory for all group bookings of 10 or more guests. This gratuity helps us ensure high-quality service for larger groups. If the gratuity option is not selected at the time of booking, our team will contact you directly to arrange for this payment prior to your tour.