Winter Adventures in Canada's Yukon & Alberta: Whitehorse, Calgary, Banff & Jasper - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse (Yukon), Self-Guided City Walk

Welcome to Whitehorse, the Yukon's capital and Northern Canada's largest city. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and begin your acclimation.

Venture out to explore the city independently. Perhaps start with a stroll through the downtown core to peruse the colorful storefronts, locally-owned boutiques, and quaint cafés housed in historic buildings dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush era. Continue to the MacBride Museum of Yukon History to learn more about the territory's rich history through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits. You'll also discover the history of the First Nations people of the Yukon, as well as their traditions, culture, and connection to the land.

Check what's on in the evening at the Yukon Arts Centre, as there are always exhibitions, live performances, film screenings, or workshops. When you get hungry, head over to Front Street along the Yukon River waterfront to find somewhere for dinner. Try local dishes like Arctic char, a bison burger, or game meat prepared in a hearty stew to warm you up before you settle in for the night.

Day 2: Half-Day Dog Sledding, Northern Lights Evening Viewing Tour

Explore the area in style today as you lead your own team of well-trained sled dogs through the Yukon's rugged wilderness. Don't worry if you don't have experience, as your passionate guide will teach you about the art of mushing and give you all the necessary gear for a safe and comfortable journey. You'll set off down the snow-covered trails surrounded by towering evergreens and may even spot wildlife like caribou, moose, wolves, and foxes along the way. After two hours with your energetic dogs, return to the kennel to drop them off and warm up with a hot drink.

In the evening, set off on another tour, this time to chase the aurora borealis. Transfer to a specially crafted viewing location, where you can enjoy hot drinks and complimentary snacks while waiting for the sky to come alive. When it does, watch the mesmerizing patterns of light dance across the sky in vibrant curtains of green and purple. It can be hard to capture the northern lights on camera, but your guide can help with your camera settings. Before taking you back to your hotel, your guide will also teach you about the natural phenomenon and the legends it has inspired among the Yukon's First Nations communities.

Day 3: Free Morning, Afternoon Yukon Wildlife Preserve Tour

Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel or exploring more of the area. You could rent skis or snowshoes to pick up one of many scenic trails surrounding Whitehorse or stay cozy indoors in art galleries, boutiques, and cafés.

In the afternoon, join your guide for a three-hour tour of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, which spans 700 acres (283 ha) of varied habitats, including forests, wetlands, and open meadows. Start with a 20-minute transfer through the picturesque countryside, then traverse the preserve in comfort in search of wildlife. As many animals call this preserve home, you may spot northern species like moose, caribou, bison, lynx, and Arctic fox in their natural habitat. Along the way, listen to your guide share insights about the region's habitats and history and the preserve's conservation efforts to protect its wildlife.

Afterward, transfer back to Whitehorse for a free evening. Despite the cold, the city has a lively nightlife scene with plenty of cozy pubs and live music venues, so you can spend the night sipping craft beers or cocktails alongside the locals.

Day 4: Visit the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Relax in the Takhini Hot Springs

Day 5: Half-Day Snowshoe & Icefishing Tour

Slip into your warmest clothes this morning as you're heading out on a four-hour snowshoeing and ice-fishing tour. Start with a transfer to a frozen lake, where you can learn the art of snowshoe walking. When it's time, you'll snowshoe across the icy landscape to get to the middle of the lake. Your guide will help you drill a hole in the thick ice and set up all your fishing gear. Cast your line into the hole and wait patiently for a tug. With some luck, you may catch whitefish, lake trout, Arctic grayling, or northern pike before returning to your hotel to warm up and relax. 

Day 6: Fly to Calgary (Alberta), Visit Glenbow Museum, Dinner at Sky 360

Say goodbye to Whitehorse and the Yukon today as you transfer to the airport for a 2.5-hour flight south to Calgary, Alberta's largest city. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in, then enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. You could head to Stephen Avenue Walk, a pedestrian-friendly street with heritage buildings housing shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Pop in and out of the stores to find souvenirs or sit down for a drink and a bite. Continue to Glenbow Museum to browse the exhibitions and collections highlighting Western Canadian heritage. 

Through the array of artifacts, installations, and interactive displays, learn about topics like the development of Western Canada and its impact on First Nations communities.

End the night at Sky 360, a revolving restaurant at the top of Calgary Tower, for panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains. Choose from an array of gourmet dishes showcasing the province's finest ingredients, including locally sourced meats and produce, while the restaurant slowly rotates. End the night with a seasonal cheesecake or English trifle before returning to your hotel. 

Day 7: Drive to Banff, Scenic Helicopter Ride, Sunsets & Stars Walking Tour

Pick up your rental car this morning and hit the road for a 1.5-hour drive west to Banff, a charming resort town within Banff National Park. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway past towering peaks, crystal-clear rivers, and dense forests. If you want to stop anywhere to stretch your legs and/or have something to eat, consider the charming mountain town of Canmore. When you arrive in Banff, you'll get the best introduction to the area with a 25-minute helicopter ride over the jagged heights of the Canadian Rockies.

Head to the helipad and complete a safety briefing before boarding the aircraft and rising into the air. Look down at the snowcapped peaks of Mount Temple and Mount Victoria and the turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Fly above the lush Spray Valley and Goat Mountain before finally touching down back at the helipad.

In the evening, join a sunset and stars walking tour within the national park. See the sun dip below the horizon, transforming the sky into orange, pink, and gold hues, then follow your guide down the trails lit only by your headlamps, seeking out nocturnal creatures like owls, coyotes, and foxes. Don't forget to look up to see the sky full of stars uninterrupted by city lights.

Day 8: Johnston Canyon Icewalk, Ride the Banff Gondola, Optional Lakes Visit

Today's activity is a guided tour of the frozen Johnston Canyon, starting at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm. Either way, begin with a 30-minute transfer to the canyon, where you'll follow your guide down the well-maintained path along the frozen Johnston Creek. Walking, you'll encounter intricate ice formations, towering limestone cliffs adorned with icicles, and frozen waterfalls. Admire the Lower and Upper Falls from different viewpoints to marvel at the frozen-in-time sculptural ice they've turned into. After the four-hour tour, return to town and explore the area as you choose.

Day 9: Optional Snow Tubing, Cowboy Guided Sleigh Ride & Banff Upper Hot Springs

The day is yours to spend as you wish. You might start with snow tubing at either Mount Norquay or Lake Louise ski resorts. The former is only 10 minutes outside Banff, while the latter is 40 minutes away, though you could include a little time to admire Lake Louise's turquoise waters if you didn't do so yesterday. No matter which ski resort you choose, you're sure to enjoy sliding down the groomed lanes of packed snow again and again, taking advantage of the resorts' towing systems that can pull you and your tube to the top. 

Following the tubing fun, explore more of the park on a horse-drawn sleigh through the picturesque Bow River Valley. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and snuggle under the warm blankets as you traverse snow-covered meadows and forests for 40 minutes. Then, warm up with a hot drink and s'mores around a comforting fire. End the day at Banff Upper Hot Springs to soak in the mineral-rich waters, soothing weary muscles and possible bruises with a view before heading back into town for dinner.

Day 10: Ski or Snowboard in Sunshine Village, Lake Louise or Mount Norquay

Two of the most popular winter activities in Banff are skiing and snowboarding, so you'll spend the day discovering some of the area's best ski resorts and powder. If you want to use your time wisely and visit multiple ski resorts, get the SkiBig3 Lift Ticket to gain access to Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay for the day. This ticket also comes with a shuttle service, so you won't have to worry about driving to each ski resort and finding parking. Consider spending the morning at Sunshine Village, as it's aptly named for its sunny weather, creating ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding. 

After exploring some of the 3,300 acres (1,335 ha) of accessible terrain, including wide-open bowls and challenging chutes, continue to Lake Louise, which offers iconic views of the glacial lake. The resort's terrain ranges from gentle beginner slopes to challenging expert runs, so there's something for everyone. End the day close to town at Mount Norquay, the smallest ski resort of the three, offering more freedom on the slopes. When sufficiently fatigued, head to the cozy lodge at the base of the mountain to relax and warm up with a hearty meal and hot drink.

Day 11: Drive to Jasper via Icefields Parkway, Columbia Icefield Adventure

Bid farewell to Banff this morning as you set off on a 3-4-hour drive to Jasper, a charming mountain town amid the Canadian Rockies. The drive will take you along the iconic Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic highways in the world, as you pass an array of glaciers, waterfalls, and mountains. Stop at the Peyto Lake Viewpoint parking lot on your left and follow the short trail to the observation deck overlooking the frozen, turquoise Peyto Lake. Back in the car, make your next stop the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre to join a tour of the lower 1.24 miles (2 km) of the Athabasca Glacier.

Strap on your crampons and follow your guide across the frozen surface as you learn about the geological forces that shaped the landscape and its ancient ice formations. Stop to admire shimmering blue meltwater pools along the glacier and the deep crevasses that have formed over the decades. The journey continues with a shuttle to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored walkway suspended 918 feet (280 m) above the Sunwapta Valley. After the tour, complete the drive to your hotel in Jasper to check in and relax following the day's events.

Day 12: Explore Jasper National Park, Ride the Jasper SkyTram

Enjoy a free day in Jasper to explore the town and the surrounding Jasper National Park, which transforms into a winter wonderland with snowcapped peaks, frozen lakes, and frosted forests. There are plenty of winter activities to choose from in the park, including cross-country skiing along scenic trails, snowshoeing through tranquil forests, or ice skating on frozen lakes, such as Lake Mildred. You can also spot wildlife in the park, like elk, bighorn sheep, and wolves, so keep your eyes peeled.

In the afternoon, ride on the Jasper SkyTram, the country's highest and longest guided aerial tramway. Ride the tram to the upper station on The Whistlers 7,425 feet (2,263 m) above sea level and step out onto the viewing platforms to admire the surrounding mountains. After enjoying the view, set off on a hike down one of the mountaintop trails. Try to time your visit for sunset to watch the golden light transform the mountains, forests, and winding rivers before you take the tram back down. 

Day 13: Relax in the Miette Hot Springs, Visit the Jasper Planetarium

Spend another day discovering Jasper and its natural surroundings, starting at Miette Hot Springs, renowned for having the hottest mineral water in the Canadian Rockies. Unwind in the bubbling spring surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests. If you're up for a hike, consider following the Source of the Springs, a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) out-and-back trail to see where the water emerges from the ground. Along the way, read the informative signs to learn more about the area's geological features and the natural history of the hot springs before returning to your hotel in town.

In the evening, continue to the Jasper Planetarium for an immersive show about the stars, planets, and celestial phenomena. After the show, step outside to observe the night sky using the Rockies' largest and most powerful telescopes. While waiting for your turn, learn more about astronomy, local First Nations constellations, and the science behind the universe. If you're lucky, you may spot the aurora borealis (northern lights), so train your eyes to the heavens and have your camera ready.  

Day 14: Drive to Calgary, Free Afternoon in the "Cowboy Capital"

Your penultimate day in western Canada starts with a five-hour drive back to Calgary along the Icefields Parkway. You have a second opportunity to stop at any points of interest you may have missed the first time, like Athabasca Falls. Walk to the different observation decks to see the colossal ice formation the waterfall has turned into before completing the drive to your hotel in Calgary. When you're ready, venture out to explore more of the city at your own pace. Head to the Calgary Zoo, open year-round, to see animals Canadian species, such as grizzly bears, wolves, and bison, as well as from around the world.

Warm up in the indoor exhibits like the ENMAX Conservatory, a botanical garden that houses tropical birds and butterflies. You can grab dinner at the zoo or return to the city center and wander through Kensington, a charming pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a Bohemian vibe. Browse the array of cozy cafés, upscale bistros, and international eateries to choose somewhere for dinner. If you haven't had Canada's national dish yet, poutine, now's the time to try it. It's a simple dish made with crispy fries, cheese curds, and gravy, but it's sure to warm you up.

Instead of the zoo or following dinner, you might consider renting a pair of skates to glide atop the ice at Olympic Plaza's outdoor rink in Calgary's downtown, capping the fun with a cup of hot chocolate. 

Day 15: Visit the Calgary Farmers' Market, Depart

Your 15-day journey draws to a close today. If you have time before your flight, you could explore more of the city on your own. Head to the Calgary Farmers' Market to shop for artisanal goods you can bring home, like maple syrup. Then, indulge in artisanal cheeses, premium charcuterie, or freshly baked goods paired with a craft beer or cider before driving to the airport for your flight home. Just ensure you leave with enough time to return your rental car first. Safe travels!