BREATHTAKING BANFF

RIDE the jewel of the Canadian Rockies with our insider guide to three top outfitters ready to take you into the vast Banff National Park.

- ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

Snowcapped mountains. Expansive green valleys. A sparkling, glacier-fed lake. This is Banff, Alberta. Banff National Park—part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a jewel in Canada’s crown.

Avid trail riders wishing to experience the park’s breathtaking beauty have a variety of options from which to choose. To help you plan your trip, we’ve gotten the inside scoop from three top area outfitters: Banff Trail Riders, Banff Adventures Unlimited, and Brewster Adventures.

BANFF TRAIL RIDERS

About the outfitter: Banff Trail Riders melds history, exploring, and modern-day amenities, carrying on the long tradition of horseback riding in Banff National Park. Banff Trail Riders’ guides will skillfully take you into a wilderness that has fascinated travelers since the 1800s, following trails blazed in the 1920s and stopping at historic log cabins along the way.

Horse details: Trail mounts are handpicked to suit each rider, says Amanda Markey, office manager for Banff Trail Riders. She also notes that each horse has years of experience negotiating the area’s mountainous terrain and emphasizes the abundance of care each horse receives.

“What is truly special about our herd is the care and attention that we have for each one of our boys,” Markey relates. “Our herd is all geldings, and each one has his own name, personality, tack, and breeding. Each member of our team has their favorites, and we always look forward to Christmas when previous riders send their equine friends presents from Santa. Truly, our horses are family.”