Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Four Season Outdoor Playground
Alberta's Kananaskis is the Rockies best kept secret. To the southwest of Banff National Park, 'K Country' as it is known, is an unspoiled paradise. Full of picture perfect mountain scenery, wildlife and flora, Kananaskis can be visited at any time of the year. There are excellent cross-country skiing trails, which become excellent hiking trails in the spring. Whether you camp, stay in a lodge or in a luxury hotel, all the facilities in 'K Country' are of an excellent standard.
This region has an outdoor adventure or activity with your name on it. Whether you're on your own or prefer the services of a professional guide, now is the time to try something new.
Bike along paved pathways or rugged foothills and mountain trails on your own or with a guide.
Towering mountains, pristine lakes, evergreen valleys, and glacial streams . . . Kananaskis is an area of striking contrasts where you can re-establish your links with the wilderness. This is one of Alberta's largest outdoor recreation areas and it has been developed to offer outdoor recreational opportunities in a mountain setting. The Park Visitor Centre provides information on facilities and recreation opportunities. You will also find entertaining displays dealing with the natural and cultural history of the area. The park's trails offer a variety of hiking experiences, ranging from barrier-free trails to high alpine backcounty adventures. Certain hiking trails also provide access to Banff National Park and Elk Lakes Provincial Park in British Columbia. Bicyclists can enjoy many kilometres of paved trails. Mountain bikers will also find a number of challenging trails open for their use. The Elbow Lake Trail provides access to the trails of the Elbow and Sheep Valleys and are available for equestrian users.
Fishermen can choose from hiking into a high alpine lake or fishing from the shores of the Kananaskis Lakes.
The 36-hole Kananaskis Country Golf Course challenges all levels of golfers. Boundary Ranch and Inside Out Experience join forces to give those looking for adventure an experience of a lifetime. A Surf 'n' Saddle Tour combines trail riding through the Kananaskis Valley with the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kananaskis River. With over 150 kilometres of summer hiking and interpretive trails, as well as extensive cross-country trails, both hikers and nordic enthusiasts can enjoy trekking through the Kananaskis Valley. These trails can either be enjoyed on your own or have an escorted day trip. Numerous trails are also available for mountain biking.
Imagine taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Kananaskis Valley while snow gently falls around you. Or perhaps hearing the rhythmic "swoosh-swoosh" of skis along the snow will help you escape. In addition to skating and cross-county skiing, Kananaskis Country offers alpine skiers the family-oriented Nakiska, home to the alpine events of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Cross-county ski over 85 kilometres of groomed trails in the Kananaskis Lakes area or try the 30 kilometres of skier-set track of the Smith-Dorrien Trail system.
Click on any logo below for additional information...
Golfing
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Wherever the game is played, the name Robert Trent Jones Sr. is synonymous with golf architecture at its finest. When the designer revered the world over for his championship courses first arrived in Alberta's Kananaskis Valley, he was moved to say: "It's the best natural setting I've ever been given to work with."
Jones took full advantage of the spectacular site in creating two shining entries in his remarkable resume - the Mount Lorette and Mount Kidd golf courses. Together they are the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, world-class golf at its finest.
In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, less than an hour's drive from either Calgary or Banff, visitors find a golfing paradise. The rugged surrounding peaks tower a full 9,600 feet above sea level, the courses themselves are almost 5,000 feet, forming an unforgettable background, the cascading Kananaskis River a constant and pleasant companion.
Golf Magazine declared: "Kananaskis reigns as the world's pre-eminent 36-hole golf complex." And Golf Digest described Kananaskis as: "Best in Western Canada" "Five-star service." "Two jewels in the Rockies." Golf Digest also awarded the facility its "Great Service" and "Great Value" rating with both the Mt. Lorette and the Mt. Kidd courses receiving 4 1/2 stars.
Phone: 1-877-591-2525
Fax: (403) 591-7072
Horseback Riding
Boundary Ranch
Boundary Ranch offers an opportunity to enjoy Western ambiance and hospitality at its finest!
Trail Rides from one hour to full day on the most scenic trails in the Canadian Rockies. Try the Surf and Saddle, a trail ride, steak lunch and white water rafting for a full day adventure! Back country Pack Trips (up to 6 days) offer one of the most memorable vacations you will ever experience!
Unique log and cedar facilities house the Western Entertainment Center featuring Rick Guinn's Steakhouse with Boundary Burgers, Steaks and other delicious BBQ items along with Ranch sized Cookies and home baked pies. The Gift Shop features high quality apparel and western souvenirs.
Group Facilities (15 to 600) feature great BBQ menus and entertainment packages including Bus Holdups, Hay and Sleigh Rides, Gunfights, Wild West Rodeos and live entertainment.
Whether you are on your own or with a group, Boundary Ranch has something for everyone visiting Alberta's Kananaskis!
Phone: (403) 591-7171
Fax: (403) 591-7326
Email: info@boundaryranch.com
Rafting, Hiking, & Mountain Biking
Inside Out Experience
Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting with our professional, knowledgeable and safety conscious guides. As you surf, splash, play games and paddle through the rapids our guides will teach you about the history, flora, fauna & geography of the area. We provide everything from family rafting to more thrilling whitewater adventures in a setting that is sure to amaze you. An orientation lesson & all equipment required for your enjoyment in the great outdoors is provided and much more...
Join our professional guides for a half day or full day of hiking on a trail suited to your skill level. As you explore beautiful mountains, canyons, peaks & waterfalls our guides will teach you about the flora, fauna, history & geography of the area.
Enjoy the thrilling & exhilarating sport of mountain biking on a trail suited to your skill level with our professional guides. Choose from a half day, full day or combination tour. A suspension mountain bike & helmet are provided and most tracks are gravity assisted (we drive you up).
Phone: (403) 949-3305
Toll-Free: (877) 999-7238
Email: info@insideoutexperience.com
Kananaskis Outfitters
Don't waste your precious vacation time driving around Calgary picking up your gear; or paying for 3 days when you really only want it for one. Play here ... Rent here!
Conveniently located in the Kananaskis Village Center we have everything you need to explore Kananaskis. Hop on one of our full suspension mountain bikes and enjoy the endless trails. From high elevation mountain passes to single track down hill trails to paved bike paths; K country has something for the entire family. Or perhaps your looking for a relaxing day on the water. Rent one of our lake canoes and spend the day floating on the Upper or Lower Kananaskis Lakes.
In the winter Kananaskis transforms in to a cross country skiing and snowshoeing paradise. With over 100 kms of groomed and track set ski trails we guarantee you'll never be bored. Located minutes away from the trail head you can almost ski out our front door or if your interested in another area our friendly knowledgeable staff can point you in the right direction. We are a Rossignol Nordic Demo center equip with 2007 beginner friendly waxless skis, waxable classic skis and skate skis.
Planning a group or corporate function? Snowshoeing is the perfect activity, as easy as walking and as enjoyable as skiing. We carry a large number of snowshoes and there are many well marked snowshoe trails in the village or just a short drive away. Also located in the village you'll find a beautiful outdoor skating pond and hockey rink. Why not rent a pair of skates for an hour or two and enjoy the view.
Summer Rental Items: Mountain bikes, Road bikes, Trail-a-bikes, Chariot trailers, Hiking Packs, Canoes (complete with car kit), Trekking poles, Tennis Racquets, In line skates
Winter Rental Items: Cross country ski packages (boots, skis, poles), Snowshoes, Snowshoe poles, Skates
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PO Box 279
ph: 403 591 7000
kananaskisoutfitters@telus.net
web : www.kananaskisoutfitters.com
Skiing/Snowboarding
Nakiska
The Kananaskis Valley offers some of the best downhill skiing and snowboarding in Alberta, with a wide variety of terrain surrounded by some of the most picturesque mountains in Western Canada.
Built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games, Nakiska is less than an hour from Calgary. Left to the people of Alberta as an Olympic legacy, Nakiska is a superb facility that prides itself in excellent snowmaking and grooming. Laying down acres of "picture perfect corduroy" on a daily basis, Nakiska is a cruising and carving paradise, favored by families who prefer the calm of Nakiska's un-crowded slopes to the hustle of the Banff area, give the opportunity for a day's worth of cruising or carving in a matter of hours, making Nakiska one of Alberta's best-kept secrets.
Phone: (403) 244-6665
Fax: (403) 244-6665
North America Toll Free Reservations 1-800-258-7669
Email: info@skinakiska.com
Outdoor Activities
University of Calgary Outdoor Centre
The Outdoor Centre can introduce you to the many unique recreational opportunities in Alberta’s Kananaskis. Whether you go sea kayaking on Kananaskis Lake during the summer; enjoy the breath-taking scenery and colours on an autumn hike; explore the well-maintained cross-country ski trails during the winter; or learn about bear safety during the spring, the Outdoor Centre has something for everyone, every season!
Need to rent outdoor equipment for your own adventure? The Outdoor Centre has over 10,000 quality rental items to choose from. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find the appropriate item and size to suit your activity, all at reasonable prices! We rent equipment for every season including: tents and camping equipment, rafts, kayaks, GPS, fishing waders, canoes, mountain bikes, cross-country skis, backcountry skis, avalanche safety equipment, ice-climbing equipment, and much more!
Book your guided trip, instructional course or equipment rentals with the Outdoor Centre before you head out to Alberta’s Kananaskis!
Open daily 8am - 8pm -- KNB 180, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary
Phone: (403) 220-5038
Fax: (403) 220-0472
Web: www.calgaryoutdoorcentre.ca
Email: outdoor@ucalgary.ca