Want to experience the unspoiled wilderness of Banff on horseback, but don’t have a lot of time to do it in? Then this 2-day overnight trip is perfect for you.
Meander along a trail that takes you to the tranquil Bow River. Relax and enjoy a cowboy coffee by campfire along the way before arriving at Sundance Lodge, secluded but just 16 kilometres (10 miles) from town. At night, relax on the porch or linger near the crackling fireplace and watch the starry night.
The Sundance Overnight trip for perfect for ages, families or groups of friends because anyone can do it. Plus, the journey overall is surprisingly comfortable.
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Backcountry ride to Sundance Lodge
We’ll begin the trip by meeting at Warner Stables at 9:30am for your ride and checking in at the office in the east barn (please do not arrive any earlier than 9:30am). There’s plenty of free parking at the stables and you’re welcome to leave your vehicle here during the trip. After you’re all checked in, we’ll hand out your slickers and saddle bags and introduce you to the horse that we have specifically picked just for you. Things happen on “Western Time” here so we may not leave right on the dot and you’ll have time to get to know your horse and ask any questions.
One of the aspects of these tours that guests often rave about is the connection they forge with their hooved companions. At the end of the trip, you’ll have a new four legged best friend.
Our horses are steady, responsive and can be counted on to cross any terrain, from forest paths to boulder-strewn creeks. Never been horseback riding before? Don’t worry. We will match you with a mild-mannered horse and teach you everything you need to know. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you gain confidence in the saddle, learn to trust your horse and go from greenhorn to cowboy.
On this backcountry adventure, we’ll take you along a route that the early explorers of the Canadian Rockies blazed nearly a century ago. It’s the ideal way to dip your toe into horseback trekking in Banff, even if you don’t have a lot of time.
Saddled up and ready to ride, we’ll hit the trail for the ten mile journey to Sundance Lodge. We will follow the trail alongside the rushing glacier-fed waters of the Bow River, Healy Creek and Brewster Creek. Along the way we’ll stop for a simple, hearty cowboy-style hot lunch on the banks of the river.
We’ll arrive at Sundance Lodge late afternoon, where your lodge host will greet you. Sundance is the ideal place for those who want to marvel at the beauty of the Banff Backcountry, while still being swaddled in comfort.
There are no sleeping bags or camp stoves here, you will be sipping from wine glasses, dining on food prepared by a skilled cook in a professional kitchen and sleeping in a comfortable bed. Your lodge host will cater to your every need and make you feel welcome, like you are a guest in their home.
Settle into your room and freshen up from your day on the trail, then gather around the table for a gourmet meal and an evening of conversation. By the end of this trip, you’ll have plenty of new friends from around the world.
Return to Warner Stables
After a deep and restful sleep in the peaceful quiet of the backcountry, you’ll awake to a hearty breakfast and a steaming mug of coffee.
You’ll have the entire morning to wake up slowly and savour your time at this picturesque lodge. Sundance was built in 1991, near the original Ten Mile Cabin built in 1923 where the trail riders used to stop and rest on their way to Mount Assiniboine. (Ten Mile Cabin is still there and Sundance Lodge sits where the corral would have been.)
With no emails to answer or errands to run, your time is your own. You can sit on the deck, get lost in the pages of a good book, have a chat with your horse or get to know your fellow adventurers.
We will begin our ride back to Banff in the late morning. You’ll bring along handmade sandwiches for the journey, as well as fresh-baked goodies and fruit.
You’ll return to Warner Stables at approximately 4:30 pm, with plenty of stories to tell about your adventure in the backcountry.
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Prices are based on two guests per room, but the rooms have a variety of configurations. A single room supplement is available for an additional fee.
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- Rates are based on double occupancy and a single room supplement is available for an additional fee.
- Guests participating in backcountry riding will need to be 9 years or over and a maximum of 230lbs. Banff Trail Riders is committed to the health of our horses and the safety of our guests, which means that the minimum age and maximum weight requirements are strictly enforced. As part of the check-in process, guests may be required to confirm their current weight on a scale and provide proof of the child’s age. In the event that these requirements are not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.
- Please note that children will not be paired with an adult – they must ride their own horse.
- For our foreign visitors we require an understanding of basic English for our horseback rides, so that you can understand simple instructions from our guides.
- Children aged 15 years and under must have someone 18 years and older with them.
- For safety purposes helmets are mandatory to be worn by all backcountry riders under 18 years of age. Helmets are optional but recommended for backcountry riders aged 18 years and over.
- Riders must wear sturdy closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle – no open toe shoes or shoes with big heels.
- All adult riders must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any rider under the age of 18 (documentation may be required to confirm the signatory’s authority).
- Riders must be physically capable of controlling the horse during the ride without assistance and for the health and safety of all riders we regrettably cannot accommodate any disabilities or special needs riders. We recognize that disabled riding is a unique and respected skill set that we at the barns do not have the appropriate equipment or skills to safely execute.
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