Chills and Thrills

Warm-up to winter on a snowy break in Banff.

- By Kristy Alpert

I was still sore from a grueling fat tire bike ride up to a mountaintop backcountry cabin with Discover BanffTours as I strapped on my crampons and prepared for my next wintry adventure. I had come to Banffwhile the roads were still powdered with freshly fallen snow, determined to transform myself from a summertime beach bum into a full-fledged winter lover. Timely encouragement from experienced guides helped warm my hesitations during activities like winter hiking and ice climbing, and it wasn’t long before I found myself smiling ear to ear, ice axes in hand, as I made my way up a frozen canyon wall to discover my newfound love of chilly elements.