Larch trees have risen to celebrity status here in the Canadian Rockies, and there’s little wonder why. These coniferous trees shed their needles, but before tucking in for the winter they turn so vibrantly yellow that they light up the landscape. If you’re keen to trek amongst the fall’s golden glow, branch out with this select list of larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

From resorts to natural hot springs and hot pools that require a ski or hike in, soak up one of these experiences in the Canadian Rockies and neighbouring regions!

Fernie isn’t on the tourist trail to the extent of Banff or Jasper, but for those who venture to this small mountain town nestled in the Elk Valley, the rewards are worthwhile. With jaw-dropping landscapes, alpine meadows, and imposing mountains, Fernie has an abundance of world-class day hikes you don’t want to miss.

You can’t get a more Canadian destination than Banff, and you can’t get a more Canadian activity than canoeing. So, we figured there’s no better tribute than to pair these two together! Whether the canoe is your chosen mode of water transport, or you’re keen on using a SUP, kayak, rowboat or raft, here’s our guide to some of the best places to paddle.

Mountains may show us the scope of nature, but waterfalls show us her power. The continuous flow of raging water running across rugged rocks and cascading over the edge is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, there is something particularly peaceful, relaxing and mesmerizing about waterfalls. It is this combination that makes them a majestic sight to see. Whether you’re after a quick roadside stop or a lengthy hike, we’ve created a list of some of our favourite waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies.

Food brings people together, and so do campfires. Aren’t some of your fondest memories made around a crackling fire with the enticement of a warm meal making your mouth water? On your next adventure, give these classic meals a try with our step-by-step recipes and ideas for upgrading them with a modern twist.

In Volume 4 of the Canadian Rockies Annual, our Rocky Mountain Round-Up features the best local spots to catch the northern lights. Check out these resources suggested by Paul to help aspiring astro-photographers make the most of their time under the stars.

In Volume 3 of the Canadian Rockies Annual, we featured Wilderness First Aid courses as part of The Kit: Resources for Mountain Living. Here is a round-up of courses on offer throughout the Canadian Rockies, and where to find them.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a backcountry pro, west of Calgary the Rocky Mountains have more terrain than you could ever hope to cover. From steep couloirs to mellow glades, you don’t need to drive far to hit the uptrack! Check out these popular touring areas – all within 200 km of Calgary.

Mountain biking season is here. Wondering where to start? Here are our top early-season trails to get the wheels turning and the legs burning.

If there’s a buzzword around Banff these days it’s busy. But instead of bracing yourself, embrace everything Banff has to offer – from off-the-beaten-track hikes to the chance to be a real ambassador if you’re lucky to call Banff home. Here are six ways to make the most of it!

Guidebook, handbook, history, photography: the canon of Canadian Rockies literature is vast – just like the mountain range that has inspired it. And while no list is ever quite complete, we’ve curated a selection of mountain literature that belongs on the bookshelves of every Rockies enthusiast.

We asked our readers what their favourite ways were to enjoy the beauty of Canada’s Mountain Parks. We received over 500 submissions with answers of all kinds, from summit picnic spots to the best frozen waterfalls to climb. Looking for your next adventure? Scan this list for ideas that come from passionate, outdoorsy people who get out there the most.

In Volume 3 of the Canadian Rockies Annual, Colette Derworiz profiles the Powwow Trail, the series of powwows that occur across Alberta, British Columbia and parts of the United States. As she describes in the article, “They are open to everyone, including non-Aboriginal people from any culture.” As powwows aren’t widely advertised, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you connect with a powwow happening near you.

Without a winter to brag about, many of us have this lingering feeling that winter is still just around the corner. Hate to break it to you friends, but she’s gone. At least until next season, which, fingers crossed, will be a doozy. Until then, contributor Abby Cooper brings us her best suggestions for summer stashes in the Canadian Rockies.

From its first introduction to the Banff area by Scandinavian Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) workers and Swiss mountaineering guides, skiing has grown to be the very heartbeat and pulse of Canadian Rockies culture. Skiers may have traded in their pea coats and wooden skis for Gore Tex shells and the perfect camber, but the spirit of the sport remains in Canada’s first national park.

Once bustling centres of industry, these townsites were filled with dreamers and doers, plans and prospects. Today, very little remains of them all.

Many ski towns once started with an entirely different industry in mind: mining. Abby Cooper clips in to explore the relics of the mines in Fernie and Kimberley, B.C., linking turns as much as linking together the stories of a bygone era.

High up on the flanks of Fossil Ridge in Yoho National Park lies the Burgess Shale Formation, a bed of rock so significant it has been catapulted to international acclaim. Why? Perfectly preserved amidst those layers of black shale are rare and ancient specimens that give us clues about the history of life – and help us make sense of life as we know it today.

“We don’t always think of our own local history as necessarily being of any greater importance than just to whoever is living here at the time.” Colleen Skidmore, curator of This Wild Spirit at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, gives us insights into the legacy of the women who were pioneering explorers in the Rockies and why their trials and triumphs still resonate with us today.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to walk the streets of Banff Avenue with the original establishments and shops? Or how modern ski events compare to those from fifty years ago? This winter we teamed up with the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to discover just that in our #RockiesThrowback series: the settings, people, and events that made up Canadian Rockies mountain culture of long-gone eras and shaped our culture into what it is today.

The Banff National Park East Gate holds a special significance for many people who come through it. And thanks to Annie Staple, there is an importance not only to the protected lands that lay beyond, but also to the history of the gates and the timber archway that once indicated the park’s eastern boundary. Here is the remarkable story of the park’s first gatekeeper, and why you should take a moment to think of Annie the next time you pass through.

Not quite hiking, not quite climbing: scrambling, as we call it, is a phenomenal way to reach summits and gain those lofty views. But while scaling certain peaks may not require ropes and harnesses, scrambling takes you into inherently dangerous terrain where a mistake could have enormous consequences. Crowfoot Media’s Editor-in-Chief checks in with Paddy Jerome (Public Safety Specialist with Alberta Environment and Parks – Kananaskis Region) for his best scrambling safety advice.

When it comes to climbing, efficiency and speed make a big difference in both safety and enjoyment. Applying some tools of the trade can help you achieve both of these. With the advice of top-notch climbers, Abby Cooper rounds up some of the best climbing hacks that’ll make your rock world operate a little smoother.

Ten years ago I was a total mountain newbie. The ‘hut life’ was the ultimate dream, and one I probably trampled through without knowing it. Here’s why: the quintessential hut experience – the kind of backcountry trip we all idealize – depends on a mostly unspoken etiquette in order to retain its sacredness among outdoor enthusiasts. Call these my own hard-learned lessons or (now) pet-peeves, here are ten sure-fire ways to break the code and attract some serious stink eye.

We're seeing more and more women amping up their outdoor game – skiing backcountry lines, ripping down mountain bike trails, and getting pumped at local crags – and it takes the right environment to foster this development. SheJumps is an all-women, non-profit organization whose focus is to create just this: the perfect vibe to move past the uncomfortable stages in learning, and help take new steps in outdoor pursuits. Whether tuning up a mountain bike for the first time, or dipping a boot in the crystallized waters of ski mountaineering, SheJumps has got your back.

The Swatch Freeride World Tour sees the best of the best battle it out all over the world deep in the backcountry, and Banff's Audrey Hebert is taking it on. In this interview, Hebert gives us the lowdown on how she got into snowboarding, her picks for local powder day runs, and an insight into the unique challenges of competing at big mountain events.

In the life of an aspiring freeskier, there are as many stress-filled nights as there are powder-filled days. It’s an endless tug-of-war between following your passion and finding security; a game that’s rarely won. Filmmaker Daniel Thomson and skier Alex Armstrong chat with us about Daniel’s new film ARMY, what it takes to make skiing happen as a lifestyle, and why it’s worth it.

This isn’t just a backcountry ski lodge – it’s a glimpse of life lived off-the-grid with simple necessities, extraordinary hosts, and some sweet skiing. Abby Cooper dives into the daily life of the Yancey clan at Boulder Hut, where "school" means everything from homework to hospitality to life skills learned only in the alpine.

It’s an intensive course that doesn’t feel intense. Like the layers of an unpredictable snowpack, the lessons of an immersive AST 2 course in the backcountry settle gradually. Here at Purcell Mountain Lodge, you don't learn behind a desk. The lessons seep into the stories you swap around the dining table and in the pause for thought on the uptrack, where a few feet to the left makes all the difference...

In our latest Mountain Lodge Spotlight, our Editor-in-Chief spends a weekend with her family at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, and discovers that a great vacation can happen just five minutes from home. Whether you're a visitor or seasoned local, this mountain getaway offers the perfect mix of accessibility and tranquility, even if you’ve got a four-year-old in tow...

At the heart of mountain culture in the Canadian Rockies is the tradition of mountain lodging that beckons travellers to disconnect, unwind and enjoy a warm drink by the fire. Our Mountain Lodge Spotlight series features just this – a long-standing history that continues to this day. Whether in the backcountry or at the roadside, these mountain lodges feature stunning locations and good old mountain hospitality.

Luxury in wilderness comes a bit off the beaten track for many getaway lodges in the Canadian Rockies. But, Emerald Lake Lodge maintains a semblance of isolation and the elegance of simplicity, despite being just a short drive away from the nearest village. The historic Swiss-inspired lodge is just as inviting as the peaks seen from its windows, beckoning visitors to explore and enjoy the splendour of Yoho National Park. Tera Swanson tells you the best ways to experience this mountain gem in winter.

Luxury in wilderness comes a bit off the beaten track for many getaway lodges in the Canadian Rockies. But, Emerald Lake Lodge maintains a semblance of isolation and the elegance of simplicity, despite being just a short drive away from the nearest village. The historic Swiss-inspired lodge is just as inviting as the peaks seen from its windows, beckoning visitors to explore and enjoy the splendour of Yoho National Park. Tera Swanson tells you the best ways to experience this mountain gem in winter.

At the heart of mountain culture in the Canadian Rockies is the tradition of mountain lodging that beckons travellers to disconnect, unwind and enjoy a warm drink by the fire. Our Mountain Lodge Spotlight series features just this – a long-standing history that continues to this day. Whether in the backcountry or at the roadside, these mountain lodges feature stunning locations and good old mountain hospitality.

The women's snowboarding scene is taking centre stage in the Bow Valley, and it’s all thanks to Abby Furrer. The manager and buyer at Banff's Rude Girls have built – and is still building – an all-female, intimidation-free snowboarding community that is starting to turn heads. Here's why...

Mountains make the greatest teachers and provide us with countless opportunities to contemplate, question and learn. At 99, Richard Guy has had nearly a century of lessons during his life-long relationship with the mountains. In this installment of “Three Things I’ve Learned”, writer Lynn Martel taps into the wisdom of this mathematician and mountain adventurer, who truly embodies a life lived to the fullest.

We all go outside to clear our heads, but some of us have more clearing out to do than others. Margo Talbot delves into the destructive forces of post-traumatic stress and how nature's healing power can bring us back into balance. 

Bernie Schiesser calls it fate, but the cast of characters in his bio reads like a who’s who of Rockies history. Over the course of his long life, Schiesser’s positive energy and remarkable contributions to many aspects of mountain life have firmly established him on that same roster. Here’s the story behind the man – the pioneer, guide, and backcountry host – who will forever have a legacy in the Canadian Rockies.

Few people have spent as much time in the mountains, and know them as intimately as Chic Scott. As a historian, writer, and ski pioneer in the Rockies, Chic has gained extensive knowledge and wisdom about the mountains he calls home. In the latest installment of “Three Things I’ve Learned,” Joanna Croston profiles Chic’s contributions and taps into the wisdom of this Rockies legend.

Nature is our greatest teacher. Charlie Russell learned this over a lifetime, as a child on his father’s ranch just outside of Waterton Lakes National Park, as a rancher himself, an eco-tourism leader in British Columbia and, most famously, living among grizzly bears in Russia. Sky England interviews Russell, now 74, about his life’s work and what the natural world has taught him.

Ask Dave Carlson where the name ‘Unlimited’ comes from and he’ll tell you it’s all about optimism, opportunism and having a “no boundaries” attitude. We caught up with the Banff/Canmore storeowner to get behind the scenes at one of the Bow Valley’s favourite independent retailers. We came away with a whole lot more.

Only one woman can become the first woman to ski down Mt. Everest. It was a lofty goal for Canmore’s Maegan Carney, and one that slipped through her fingertips in 2003. Lynn Martel reports on how Carney’s journey intersects with Kit Deslauriers’ successful descent of the world’s highest mountain in October 2006. Deslauriers recently presented her new book, Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits, at the 2015 Banff Mountain Book Festival.

It’s hard to come by a better spokesperson for avalanche safety than Marty Schaffer. This ACMG Ski Guide has grown up in the ski industry his whole life, works closely with Avalanche Canada, and now runs his own ski guiding operation, CAPOW – Canadian Powder Guiding. He gives us the low-down on why backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts should upgrade their Avalanche Skills Training, what an AST 2 course has to offer, and what the biggest mistakes are that he’s seen in avalanche terrain assessment.

Christine Feleki is a Canmore native who is about to push some serious boundaries. Contributor Abby Cooper caught up with Christine to hear about her current venture to become one of the first female splitboarding guides to take the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) test. Turns out, she is one of those incredibly humble and driven human beings that make you want to live a better life, love more, and be a better person. She must be from Canmore…

Good things come out of the Bow Valley, and this new craft distillery is just the latest. Bringing together local grain, local water, and local people, Wild Life Distillery offers authentic Rockies spirits made in small batches 100% on-site. We talked to co-owner Matt Widmer about the ins and outs of the distillery industry, and what to expect when they open their doors.

Banff attracts flocks of tourists and the local ski scene is bright and robust. It is thanks, in part, to the families that form the backbone of the ski culture, who work at the resorts, and lend a hand to ski clubs and programs. Writer Kevin Hjertaas profiles one such family, whose modesty is as impressive as their accomplishments on the slopes.

Mountaineering requires a fair amount of gear, and between your hard goods and clothing needed for an array of weather, you need to be careful not to leave crucial gear behind. Abby Cooper caught up with ACMG/IFMGA-certified guide, Lilla Molnar, to find out what’s in her pack, and her best tips for packing for a day spent high in the alpine.

Many hikers won’t think too much about what goes in their pack until something goes wrong on their adventure. Whether it’s a First Aid incident or an unexpected night out, your day pack should be fully loaded with items you’ll need if your day takes a turn for the worst (or to prevent that from happening in the first place). We called on IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide, Eric Dumerac, to show us how he packs his kit.

As backcountry touring rises in popularity, the sport’s gear is proliferating left, right and centre. So, how do you choose the best gear? What’s been tried, tested and true? We turn to pro freeskier, Eric Hjorleifson, for his rundown on what he puts into his pack for a day out ski touring. Here are his favs (and some sweet hacks, too!).

Mountains make the greatest teachers and provide us with countless opportunities to contemplate, question and learn. Many decades of experiences in the mountains have left Joe Lammers with some well-tuned advice for mountain enthusiasts. In this installment of “Three Things I’ve Learned”, Abby Cooper taps into the wisdom of this public avalanche forecaster whose ski career has taken him from the world of TV to ski patrol and everything in between.

At 90 years old, Eddie Hunter is still skiing harder than most people half his age. People can’t seem to get enough of this “Wise Man,” so prominently featured in the Sherpas Cinema Sculpted in Time series back in 2015. The spotlight keeps shining and Eddie can’t seem to figure out why. Kevin Hjertaas sat down with Eddie to find out what he thinks of his own ‘celebrity’ status, and what a lifetime in the mountains has taught him. Here’s what he found out.

In 1916, Conrad Kain led the first ascent of Bugaboo Spire – the hardest technical route in the world at that time. This summer, a team of climbers set out to recreate that experience using period gear – hobnailed boots, a hemp rope and a 100-year-old camp stove – and captured it on film. Tera Swanson interviews expedition photographer and project publicist, Ivan Petrov, about the challenges of the centennial climb, and how it compares to Kain’s original ascent.

Mountains make the greatest teachers and provide us with countless opportunities to contemplate, question and learn. At the ripe age of 97, Dorothy Carleton recounts some of her life’s greatest lessons.

Karsten Heuer is known for many things, in particular big journeys across the Canadian landscape. In this in-depth interview with the conservationist, biologist and author, Lynn Martel uncovers what has inspired his journeys, and where they’ve brought him today.

In this interview with Canadian alpinist, Barry Blanchard, we get beyond the pages of his first book, The Calling: A Life Rocked By Mountains, and dig into his writing process, favourite climbs, tactics for enduring a sufferfest, and how fatherhood has affected his climbing.

Nancy Hansen never talks about her objectives before she climbs them, with one exception: Mt. Everest. This spring, the 46-year-old Canmore mountaineer will attempt to climb the world’s highest mountain with German alpinist, Ralf Dujmovits, 53, via the Norton Couloir on Everest’s northern (Tibet) side. We caught up with Hansen while she’s in Bühl, Germany, to train in the Alps, and discussed her fears about this upcoming expedition, what drives her, and why she compares climbing to a game of chess.

Each winter, skiers and snowboarders duck the lines that separate in-bounds from out at ski areas throughout Western Canada. Enticed by the untracked terrain beyond the ropes, many do so without avalanche training and the gear that could save their lives if the slope goes for a slide. Here’s how you can prepare yourself for your next slip into slackcountry.

We all hope we’ll adventure furiously in the mountains for years and years without incident. But each and every time we step out into the great outdoors – each time we seek that joy-filled rush only the mountains can bring – we tap into the potential that something will go wrong. For Abby Cooper, getting caught in an avalanche was a wake-up call to trust her gut feelings. Here is her story.

We all know things can go wrong in the mountains. We prepare ourselves by taking courses, gearing up, and carrying our emergency beacons. But are we prepared for what comes after a trauma?

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a backcountry pro, west of Calgary the Rocky Mountains have more terrain than you could ever hope to cover. From steep couloirs to mellow glades, you don’t need to drive far to hit the uptrack! Check out these popular touring areas – all within 200 km of Calgary.

When wildflowers take over the once snow-covered mountain slopes, avalanche specialists in the Canadian Rockies are far from done their job of keeping us safe. Come summer, many professionals from Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada are still busy with avalanche work. What are they up to when the snow stops flying?

Opening Day. It’s the day all ski and snowboard enthusiasts look forward to – a chance to be among the first up the chair and down the slopes. But opening a mountain for skiing isn’t as simple as turning on a lightbulb – far from it. Sarah Magyar from the Lake Louise Ski Resort walks us through what goes on behind the scenes.

Calling off a mission is not easy. Mountain folk tend to suffer from serious FOMO and have a hard time saying “no” to the peaks, their friends, and the potential for a great time. But, sometimes bailing on an adventure is the right thing to do. Abby Cooper outlines the factors that influence these decisions and provides a mental checklist to help you make the right call.

It’s hard to come by a better spokesperson for avalanche safety than Marty Schaffer. This ACMG Ski Guide has grown up in the ski industry his whole life, works closely with Avalanche Canada, and now runs his own ski guiding operation, CAPOW – Canadian Powder Guiding. He gives us the low-down on why backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts should upgrade their Avalanche Skills Training, what an AST 2 course has to offer, and what the biggest mistakes are that he’s seen in avalanche terrain assessment.

Christine Feleki is a Canmore native who is about to push some serious boundaries. Contributor Abby Cooper caught up with Christine to hear about her current venture to become one of the first female splitboarding guides to take the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) test. Turns out, she is one of those incredibly humble and driven human beings that make you want to live a better life, love more, and be a better person. She must be from Canmore…

Many ski towns once started with an entirely different industry in mind: mining. Abby Cooper clips in to explore the relics of the mines in Fernie and Kimberley, B.C., linking turns as much as linking together the stories of a bygone era.

Some trips are about the destination, others are about the journey. The backcountry trips that stick with us most are the ones that captivate us every step of the way. A hike connecting North Molar Pass, Fish Lakes and Molar Pass (also known as South Molar) is one such unforgettable adventure. Expansive alpine meadows, impressive rock headwalls and encircling peaks will have you spinning round and round in slow-motion 360’s as you soak up the infinite views.

With six national parks and eight provincial parks within just over an hour’s drive, Golden, British Columbia, has rightfully been dubbed the “Heart of the Parks.” But, what’s even closer than a handful of these famous parks – and equally impressive – is the Blaeberry Valley, less than 20 kilometres from downtown Golden and ripe for untamed adventures. Abby Cooper gives us the inside scoop.

Anyone willing to put in some mileage on their hiking boots should consider a multi-day trip into Egypt Lake in Banff National Park. Forested valleys, striking pinnacles, clusters of small lakes, and exciting alpine passes distinguish this area from its other backcountry counterparts. Hit it up in July to enjoy carpets of wildflowers, and warm weather that’ll make you eager to jump into one of the many lakes along the way.

It has been 140 years since bison roamed free in Banff National Park. But, this month, all that has changed as a small herd of Plains bison was translocated from Elk Island National Park to Banff. With the help of Bison Belong, an organization dedicated to the animal’s reintroduction, we put together a timeline to put this recent success into context.