Winter Quest Adventure Holiday 13 days/14 nights
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First Evening - Meet and Greet
An early evening get together with the guides. This allows you the opportunity to meet the guides you will be spending time with and allows for a brief discussion on the different activities and what to expect. Snacks and beverages included.
Day One - Snow Shoeing
am Spend time with your guide using a historic form of Canadian travel through pristine mountain scenery. The skills are easy to learn and the pace is relaxed. Your guide will assist you in learning how to use your snow shoes on a variety of terrain at a level comfortable for you. Learn Native lore on plants and some history of the people who lived here.
pm Enjoy a campfire lunch where you will
learn traditional methods of fire lighting and how to build a fire in many
different weather conditions. This includes examples of different fire types
and their uses and of course, the best type of fire for keeping you warm (it’s
not what you think!).
Day Two - Kennel to Trail Dog Sledding
The day begins with a snack and campfire at our kennel
location by Gap Lake. Here the guides will take you through an introduction
to dog sledding, the history of dog sledding in the Bow Valley area and dog
sledding as a sport itself. You will then have an opportunity to meet the
dogs, view the kennel area, and assist the guides with the loading of the
dogs for the drive up to the trail head. Once up at the Spray Valley, you
will be encouraged to assist with harnessing the dogs and setting up the teams.
Then
it’s out on the trail! you will enjoy an exhilarating dog sled ride with breathtaking
views of the Spray Valley. You will have the opportunity to drive the sled
with the assistance of a qualified guide and will enjoy a trail lunch along
the way.
Day Three - Cross Country Skiing
A guided cross-country ski tour to take in the views of some of our beautiful snow-capped mountains. Terrain is easy to moderate depending on ability and comfort level. Equipment, lessons and lunch are included.
Day Four - Optional Time and Night Walk
This is your day. Shop, sight-see, or check out the local history or art museums. Your hosts will be happy guide you in the right direction.
Evening After dinner, join us on an easy
evening ramble to view the infinite number of stars visible in our northern
sky. You will learn about these stars & constellations and the native
legends around them. We may even see
the Northern Lights!
Day Five - Canyon Ice Trek and Night Time Dog Sled Run
am With your guide, explore the ice flows and pictographs of Grotto Canyon. Here you will learn the Native story behind these drawings as to why they are there, who might have left them, and who we know did not leave them!
Evening
Experience the wonders of the winter land by Dog Sled at night. Enjoy some
hot chocolate while wrapped up in a warm blanket as your dog team leads you
into the evening splendours of the Rockies.
Day Six - Cross Country Skiing
A guided cross-country ski tour to try out your new found skills. Options for a more challenging ski, advanced lessons or just an enjoyable day on your skis. Equipment and lunch included.
Day Seven - Tracking and Bushcraft-Shelters
Follow the footsteps of a traditional Canadian trapper
and learn the basics of winter animal tracking. You will start by exploring
your own tracks and amaze yourself at what you can learn from them. Then,
you will go in search of other animal tracks in which to build upon what you’ve
already discovered.
Campfire lunch will be served.
The Natives and Early Explorers not only survived in this chilly land, but thrived in it! Learn how they accomplished this feat by building a shelter for the winter and stoking a fire for it.
Day Eight - Optional Time
This is your day. Shop, sight-see, or check out the local history or art museums. Your hosts will be happy guide you in the right direction.
Day Nine - Mount Nestor Viewpoint Dog Sledding
The
day begins with a snack at our trailhead at Driftwood on the Spray Lakes.
Here the guides will take you through an introduction to dog sledding, the
equipment, and dog handling. You will then have an opportunity to meet the
dogs and assist the guides with harnessing the dogs and setting up the teams.
Then it’s out on the trail! You will enjoy an exhilarating dog sled ride with
breathtaking views of the Spray Valley. This trail takes you out over the
frozen lake then up into the trees to navigate an exciting trail around Mount
Nestor to our backcountry campsite. Along the trail you will have the opportunity
to drive the sled with the assistance of a qualified guide. At our backcountry
campsite, a campfire lunch will be served. Here you will have a chance to
warm up by the fire and learn a little about the history of dog sledding in
the Bow Valley area and discuss dog sledding as a sport itself before heading
back down the lake.
Day Ten - Bushcraft Tool Making and Natural Crafting
An amazing array of tools can be made from natural items found in the forest. From making your own bush saw and backpack to learning how to take down a tree using only a knife, you can imagine yourself as an early explorer in the Canadian wilderness! After a campfire lunch, continue with some natural crafting of items such as water containers, baskets and wooden utensils.
Day Eleven - Caving
Explore the intricate channels of Rats
Nest Cave in Grotto Mountain. Expert guides lead you through a wild, undeveloped
cave system etched and sculpted through geological history by running glacial
water. Move from twist
ing
passageways to large underground chambers complete with mineral formations,
animal bones and fossils. A great introduction to this exciting underground
world!
Day Twelve - Snow Shoe Adventure
Spend a glorious fun-filled day out on your snow shoes mastering your new found skills. This adventure will take you through some of the most breathtaking and unique scenery the park has to offer
Day Thirteen - Navigation and Evening Meal
am To add to your knowledge of the native people and early explorers of this land, learn the unique ways in which they were able to find their way through this rugged terrain. Using traditional navigation techniques, as well as, more modern methods, you will spend the day exploring the trails as you never have before.
Evening Join your guides for an evening meal at one of the many fine restaurants in Canmore. A nice wrap up with the guides and hosts for a fond farewell.
Day Fourteen
If staying at the Bed and breakfast a full breakfast is served before preparing for your journey onwards.
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Some of the photos here are used with the kind permission of our guest Sarah G, UK.
