Horseback Riding

Experiencing the Canadian Rockies on horseback takes you back to the era of Banff's early explorers. Several outfitters conduct guided trips lasting from an hour to a few days. Make your reservations well ahead, though, especially in summer and for multiday journeys. Hourly rides start at $45 per person. Short-term boarding is available in Canmore and a few other communities outside Banff.

Tours and Outfitters

Brewster Adventures. This Banff-based outfit conducts daily summer trail rides to the Plain of Six Glaciers, Lake Agnes Tea House, and Paradise Valley. You can also experience the "cowboy way of life" by moving cattle and doing chores on overnight mountain pack tours. In the winter, sleigh rides depart from the lakefront at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Lake Louise, Alberta. 403/762–5454; 800/691–5085; www.brewsteradventures.com. From C$89.

Great Divide Nature Interpretation. Fun guided interpretive full-day summer hikes and half-day winter snowshoeing trips are this group's specialty. Banff, Alberta. 403/522–2735; www.greatdivide.ca. From $74 (snowshoeing trips) and $94 (hikes).

Holiday on Horseback. Hourly and daily horseback rides are arranged by Holiday on Horseback, which also offers riding lessons and conducts multiday backcountry trips. The company operates carriage rides in summer and sleigh rides in winter. 132 Banff Ave., Banff, Alberta, T1L 1C1. 403/762–4551; 800/661–8352; www.horseback.com. From C$46.

Outpost at Warden Rock. Multiday all-inclusive horseback, stagecoach, and bring-your-own horse holidays can be arranged through this operation in the wilderness 80 km (50 miles) north of Banff. Alberta. 403/762–2767; 877/762–2767; www.outpostatwardenrock.com. From $485. Closed mid-Oct.–mid-May.

Timberline Tours. Trail rides ranging from 10 minutes to 10 days can be arranged with Timberline Tours. St Piran Dr., Lake Louise, Alberta, T0L 1E0. 403/522–3743; 888/858–3388; www.timberlinetours.ca. From C$15.