Lodge Stay & Horseback Ride from Banff

For folks who are looking to take a little bit of home into the back country, this tour provide just the right combination. Evenings are spent in a cozy lodge. That's roughing it the civilized way!

Specific dates for trips are listed below, please be sure to look over them carefully and choose the date that works best for you. When choosing date on availability calendar, be sure to choose the starting date for your vacation.

This rate is only for the months of May, June, September, and October. For this same event in July and August, please order Lodge Stay Horseback Ride from Banff-July & August - 3 Day.

Important Notes

With a herd numbering over 300 horses, almost anyone can be accommodated but please note that some restrictions on age and weight may apply.

Check-in is in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Transportation to Banff is not included in this tour. After check-in, you are transported by van to the stable in Banff where you will meet your guide, who will explain some basic trail riding guidelines.

Banff is only 80 miles (130 km) west of the Calgary International Airport and is easily accessible by shuttle bus or rental car. Shuttles depart 7 days a week from the airport, three times daily. It is important to call to confirm all shuttle departure times and prices. Most major car rental agencies have offices at the airport. Your extra luggage and valuables may be left in our care in Banff. You can leave your vehicle at the stables (directions given upon check-in). It is not recommended that anything of value be left in your car while on your trip.

The Canadian Goods & Services Tax is included in your ticket price. Also included in the ticket price is a $10.00 per person, per night Parks Canada backcountry user fee. This fee is to help offset the costs of maintaining a national park visited and used by over 2 million travelers every year. Your contribution will help to cover trail maintenance and repair, warden services, wildlife monitoring, and public information and safety.

Travel, Health, and Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Each rider will be required to sign a liability waiver. Safety experts recommend hard hats and narrow boots.

Gratuities - not included in your ticket price - are customary and very much appreciated.

3 Day Ride - Monday and Thursday departures

This trip spends 2 nights at Sundance lodge and a valley ride on the second day along the Brewster Creek.

What to Bring

It is essential that guests be prepared for all kinds of mountain weather. A List is provided to strongly recommend exactly what Essential items you should bring. This list was prepared based on personal experience of the guides, so please take this list to heart! Mother Nature can be unpredictable up here in the mountains, so guests need to come prepared for every type of weather. Clothing that is easily layered works the best. You can always remove what you don't need, but you still have it just in case. Also, bring your most comfortable gear -- this is not the time to break-in new boots or a new hat.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
May: High...14C/57F...Low...2C/34F
June: High...19C/66F...Low...5C/41F
July: High...22C/71F...Low...7C/45F
August: High...22C/70F...Low...7C/44F
September: High...16C/60F...Low...3C/38F
October: High...10C/50F...Low...-1C/31F
These are average temperatures at an elevation of 4538 feet. Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out to the lodge on a mule and the animals' comfort is very important. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that.

You must pack your gear in a soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag. It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a TOTAL MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 30 POUNDS. It's a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing. Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30 lbs weight restriction.

If you would like to bring saddlebags (saddlebags are NOT supplied), please fill them only with essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc. Your guide reserves the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to the saddle.

Please note that the bed, bedding and pillows are provided. The length of your trip will alter what you need. The following list details essential items to bring with you:

- A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or a fleece jacket.
- Rain gear -- A raincoat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have one, we recommend an oilskin slicker.
- Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts or long-sleeve shirts (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 T-shirts.
- Jeans -- Suggested one pair for riding in during the day and another pair for wearing around camp. Two pairs of jeans are all you should need. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.
- Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not recommended. Plastic bags inside your boots can help to keep your feet dry on rainy days.
- Sneakers or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around the lodge. An extra pair of dry socks is also recommended.
- Toiletries -- Towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc. Please note that we do not have any electricity at our lodges. TOILET PAPER AND HAND SOAP ARE SUPPLIED.
- Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!
- Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine. Please ensure that your hat fits snug and will not blow off in the wind,
- Gloves and a scarf -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins. A silk or cotton scarf/bandana is recommended for extra warmth.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
- Your camera -- Don't forget extra film.
- Liquor -- Please make sure that all bottled liquor is well-wrapped in plastic and placed in the middle of your duffel to prevent it from breaking. Plastic bottles are preferred. Canned mix and beer is available for sale at both lodges. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30 lbs limit.
- Water bottle -- for refreshment while you are riding.

Your Lodge

Completed in 1991, the Lodge now sits on the original site of the horse corral for Ten-Mile cabin, built by Canadian Pacific Railway back in the 1920's. The cabin itself remains standing and was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers travelling to Mount Assiniboine, whose names you can still see carved into the logs.

The beautiful Lodge sits alongside a gentle curve on Brewster Creek, with the Sundance mountain range as a backdrop. Built entirely with fir logs, the lodge has 10 sleeping rooms, a large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area where you can curl up by the woodstove and lose yourself in a good book. And although it is a remote backcountry lodge, there is still an important comfort from home - hot showers! (Please note that, for environmental reasons, showers are restricted to one per stay.)

Note: At the Lodge, private sleeping arrangements are possible depending upon trip size, but are not guaranteed. There are 10 sleeping rooms with 3 beds in each room; rooms are designated on a choose-your-own basis once at the lodge.

This rate is only for the months of May, June, September, and October. For this same event in July and August, please order 3-Day Sundance Lodge Horseback Rides from Banff-July & August.

Hotel pickup and transportation to the check-in point in Banff are NOT included. Rates are per person in US dollars and include taxes. There is no child discount for this tour. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-235-2251.