Fly into Calgary International Airport. From here it is about a 90-minute trip up Trans-Canada Highway into Banff National Park. The drive is pretty direct and mellow, but if you would prefer to avoid winter driving, shuttles are available from the airport.
Visit the town of Banff. This vibrant ski town offers plenty of lodging, restaurants and shopping and has access to miles of snowshoe trails.
Rent snowshoes. There are plenty of ski and sports stores in Banff that rent snowshoes, including Mountain Magic Equipment on Bear Street. If you'd prefer to have a knowledgeable guide, book a snowshoe tour through a local tour company--snowshoes will be included.
Banff offers snowshoe opportunities for all experience and fitness levels, from mild strolls around the town to lengthy back country excursions. Discuss trails with staff at the store where you rent your snowshoes and pick up a map. Fenland Trail offers a nice flat, 1.2 mile stroll through the woods. If you're looking for a challenge, try the Sulphur or Tunnel mountain summits. Visit the Parks Canada website for further trails and descriptions.
Continue north up Trans-Canada Highway 1 for about 40 minutes to the Lake Louise area. Book a stay at the Skoki Lodge. Here, your snowshoeing begins the minute you arrive, as you will have to snowshoe 6.8 miles just to access the lodge. Once there, you'll be surrounded by wilderness and snowshoeing trails and will stay in a rare, rustic setting without electricity or running water. A stay at the lodge includes all meals.
During the day snowshoe the surrounding peaks and valleys and enjoy the solitude and captivating views. The lodge provides a packed lunch for you to take with you on your adventures.
If you would prefer more access to the comforts of civilization, stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. You can rent snowshoes right in the hotel, and access a lakeside trail and network of more challenging trails right at the foot of hotel stairs.
