If you are looking to plan an epic family winter vacation in the Canadian Rockies this season, there are plenty of possibilities at your disposal. Below, we’ll run down the basics that will help you make this happen.
Pick out a hotel that meets your needs
Your family adventure in the Canadian Rockies begins by picking out the perfect hotel. The best ones contain amenities which make travelling as a family that much easier.
In Banff, the Moose Hotel and Suites is a great choice, as its kitchenette suites allow you to prepare many of your meals in-house, while its rooftop hot tubs give you and your partner an amazing place to relax while the kids whoop it up in the pool.
Jasper has a number of excellent options as well. The Jasper Inn will do the trick nicely, as they have indoor hot tubs, saunas, and pools for fun and relaxation after a full day in the mountains, while their on-site restaurant has a well-done breakfast buffet that will save you time in the morning.
In both cases, you may simply choose to have a quiet evening on some nights during your trip. If you are still craving excitement, though, logging on to gaming sites like Party Casino will help to fill the void. With slots, blackjack, and online poker available, there is no shortage of the fun you can have from the comfort of your own hotel bed. Not quite convinced? Weigh the plusses and minuses, and if you decide to do it, we wish you good luck at the tables.
Teach your kids to shred in epic surroundings
There are numerous world class mountains throughout the Canadian Rockies where you can ski and board in paradise. You may be afraid your kids will hold you back if they have yet to click into a board or a set of skis, or that something bad will happen on their first go.
Don’t be, as resorts like Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Marmot Basin attract some of the most skilled, passionate, and kid-friendly instructors you’ll ever meet. While you get reacquainted with what it feels like to shred a real black diamond run, your children will be picking up basic snow skills from fun-loving, safety-minded teachers.
Go dog sledding in a winter wonderland
Not the type of family which embraces alpine sports? There are plenty of other activities you can pursue in the Canadian Rockies. Skating on Lake Louise or snowshoeing trails around Banff are common choices, but if you are looking for a true low-impact winter family activity, going dog sledding is a must.
While you’ll have to drive outside the national parks to do this, you’ll still be within or close enough to the mountains to make this a truly magical experience. Whether you choose to go to Valemount or Canmore, your kids will adore the sweet doggies that will pull you through snow-covered trees as the peaks of the Rockies rise around you.
Shake off the chills
Even the most fun of winter activities will make you and your little ones a wee bit chilly. If you are in Banff or Radium, BC, you’ll have a pair of hot springs run by Parks Canada at your disposal. With pools of steamy water averaging 37 degrees Celsius available, you’ll perk right up, while your kids have fun making frost mohawks in each others hair.
The hot springs in Jasper are closed in winter, but if you don’t have a hot tub at your hotel to defrost in, the town’s recreation centre does, along with a steam room, lap pool, and waterslide.
