Family Paddling on the Kananaskis River

If you've ever checked out the rapids between the Widow Maker day use area and the Canoe Meadows day use area along Highway 40 in Kananaskis you wouldn't say this was a particularly family-friendly stretch of river. Rafting companies like to guide clients down this stretch of the Kananaskis river and it's not exactly something you'd send your 7 year old down alone in his own little boat. (and don't worry - we didn't!)

Fortunately, we discovered a safe calm stretch of the Kananaskis River that's as family-friendly as it gets for river paddling. We felt completely safe sending our son down the river in his own kayak and I was very comfortable on my stand up paddleboard. The river was so calm we actually spent most of our time paddling UP stream.

Family-friendly paddling on the Kananaskis River

Where to Put in for Paddling the Kananaskis River with Kids

Park at the dam at Seebe along Hwy 1X just past the Willow Rock Campground in Bow Valley Provincial Park. Highway 1X is the first exit you will come to after you pass the Hwy 40 turnoff (coming from Calgary on the TransCanada Hwy,) and it is the same exit you'd take if going to Exshaw. You'll know you've reached the dam because you'll cross over the Bow River and will see a very small reservoir to your right. This is where you park.

From the reservoir, you have three options. Paddle around the small reservoir as a short practice session, paddle up stream on the Bow River (though you might not get very far,) or paddle up stream on the Kananaskis River - our focus here.

The start and end of your paddle at the Seebe Reservoir

Paddling Up Stream on the Kananaskis River

While the Bow River is big and wide, the Kananaskis River is much more narrow, making it ideal for paddling as a family. You won't get separated from one another or feel intimidated when you are in the middle of the river far from a bank. We were never more than a few paddle strokes away from a river bank at any given time and there were huge gravel banks to pull up at every twenty metres at most. We didn't get very far because my son kept wanting to pull over to the side to throw rocks and play - another reason to take the kids here. (You could spend two hours here and never paddle more than 500 metres.)

Gravel banks in abundance for the kids to stop and play

Note if you are going to paddle on the Kananaskis River that the flow rate is highly dependent on whether TransAlta has their nearby Barrier plant on or off, and whether water is being released from the Barrier Dam upstream. You can check the schedule for the Barrier Dam here to find out when TransAlta turns their plant on and off for the day.  It also shows flow rates. We chose to arrive at the Seebe Reservoir around 1:00pm so that the Kananaskis river would have had plenty of time to fill up without having a fresh flow from a morning release.

There was virtually no flow at all on the section we did from the Seebe Reservoir and it was actually harder paddling into the wind going down stream. Water was unfortunately a bit shallow so we had to be careful with rock islands (especially a concern on my board.) My son grounded his kayak a couple of times as well (not really a concern though in the ankle deep water where he got stranded.)

If I can paddle a stand up paddleboard both up and down stream you know it's a slow moving river!

We didn't get very far on the river before it became too shallow and narrow. At this point we were more than happy to turn around though since it was my son's first time out for the season and his arms were tired.

Easy paddling on the Kananaskis River

Family-friendly Paddling on the Kananaskis River

Children with previous paddling experience should have no problems in their own boat on this section of river. We let our son use a child-sized sit-on-top beach kayak because he has done a lot of kayaking and knows how to steer to reach a bank, knows how to keep the bow of the kayak going straight, and has the balance to stay afloat on calm stretches of water without going for a swim.

Family-friendly paddling on the Kananaskis River

If you have younger children or enjoy paddling together, you could certainly use a canoe or tandem kayaks. We chose to each paddle our own vessel though and it was a lot of fun.

Pack a picnic lunch for one of the gravel banks, load the boat with sand toys, and head out for a pleasant half day outing on the Kananaskis River! 

Paddling down the Kananaskis River

Safety Notes

The Kananaskis River is glacial in temperature. Go prepared. I wore neoprene booties on my board and my son was wearing long underwear under his rain pants (despite the temperature of 20+ degrees this day.) I also made my son wear a rain jacket just in case he fell in.

Starting him Young

Fortunately, you are never very far from the parking area should somebody fall in. There are also plenty of opportunities for pulling boats over to change clothes. Pack extra dry clothing in the boat in a dry bag and you'll be fine.

 

Bonus Reading and Resources

Paddling the Bow River in Banff with Kids

Paddling and Camping on the Columbia River with Kids

 Easy Overnight Paddling Trips for the Whole Family

Paddling in Waterton Lakes National Park

Family Canoeing and Kayaking in the Canadian Rockies

Touring the Canadian Rockies on a Stand Up Paddle Board

Alberta Comfort Camping Destination Guide

I admire people who continue tenting as a family and who actually enjoy sleeping on the ground. It's natural, it's "real" and it's authentic. Unfortunately, the older I get, the less I appreciate the whole "authentic" camping experience and the more I long for comfort in the outdoors.

Comfort Camping in Banff National Park (photo: Parks Canada/ Paul Zizka Photography)

One style of camping that has grown on me over the last few years has been comfort camping. We've camped in canvas wall tents in late September, warm as can be while it dropped below zero at night, enjoyed yurt camping in the middle of winter while enjoying decadent 5-star cuisine, and have enjoyed countless nights in backcountry cabins year round when there was no way I was pitching my tent in the snow!

We've tried tipi camping (which was super cool,) have camped in remote wilderness hostels where we were the only people for miles around, and have discovered cabins that would be awesome to bike into.

It's a big world when you start exploring and sometimes a bit of comfort means you'll get out there to explore more! It means you'll go camping year round, that you'll try backcountry camping, or that you'll find ways to introduce camping to friends and family members who may not be entirely convinced on the whole experience yet. Check out the suggestions below and choose one for your family this year.

Canvas Wall Tents

If you still want to sleep in a tent but would rather sleep off the ground, canvas wall tents can be a great comfort option. Alberta Parks and Parks Canada both offer options here along with Sundance Lodges in Kananaskis.

Sundance Lodges

Located near Kananaskis Village, this family-run business prides themselves on attracting repeat visitors and groups year after year. Owner Sheryl Green says:

"We've been open for 25 years this summer and decided early on that the "family" was our target market. It's been great to see young children grow up and come back to camp with their families."
 

Canvas wall tents at Sundance Lodges, Kananaskis 

Families can camp in tipis, canvas wall tents called trapper's tents, or can make use of Sundance Lodges' unserviced tenting and RV campsites. Each trapper's tent includes a double bed with two single beds for a capacity of four people. The beds have foam mattresses on them so you just have to bring your sleeping bags and you're set to go. The trapper's tents also have a small kerosene heater and lantern (fuel supplied,) a picnic table outside, and a fire pit with a half grill.

You'll still spend most of your time outside, you'll be cooking outside, and you'll be steps away from great hiking and biking trails. The only big difference with this style of camping is that you get to sleep off the ground in a real bed, and you'll have a heater for chilly evenings or mornings. Trapper's tents are also much cozier in the rain, making Sundance Lodges a great place to come for those spring camping trips.

Please visit the Sundance Lodges website for more information on camping in a trapper's tent.

AND READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE staying in a trapper's tent here:

Moms' Comfort Camping Adventure at Sundance Lodges. 

Parks Canada oTENTiks

Families can choose to camp in a canvas wall tent called an oTENTik in both Banff and Jasper National Park. (options available in BC as well) Each tent includes three beds and can accommodate up to six people. We enjoyed a weekend in an oTENTik at the Two Jack Lakeside campground in Banff and it was extremely comfortable. We got to enjoy a premier lakeside campsite while we sat next to our fire looking out over the water. The cabin had a small propane heater in it so we were toasty warm despite camping in late September over a chilly weekend.

Camping in style at Two Jack Lakeside, Banff National Park

I have now been spoiled and would never think of camping in a normal tent again in the early spring or late fall. Comfort camping is definitely the way to go and I can only imagine how comfortable one of these tent cabins would be in the middle of summer as well. OTENTiks are ideal for families with small children needing a bit more comfort and make for a lovely way to introduce non-campers to outdoor living!

Note that with oTENTiks, all cooking and eating must be done outside of the unit. You must also bring all of your camping gear. The only thing provided is the mattresses that you will sleep on and the heater in your unit. If you want something with more amenities, read further to learn about Alberta Parks walled tents which come equipped with cooking supplies and fridges.

For more information on oTENTik camping in Banff or Jasper National Park please visit the Parks Canada website.

AND READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE camping in an oTENTik in Banff here:

Comfort Camping in Banff National Park - the Experience.

Inside a Parks Canada oTENTik (Photo: Parks Canada / Paul Zizka Photography)

Alberta Parks Wall Tents

There are several provincial parks in Southern Alberta that offer comfort camping including Dinosaur, Writing on Stone, and Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Parks. Each of these parks has a handful of walled tents for families wanting to sleep off the ground or in extra warmth. Dinosaur Provincial Park has 7 units, Writing on Stone Provincial Park has 3 units, and  Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park has 4 units. Each unit sleeps four people and includes the following:

• Electric heater, fan, lights, electrical outlets
  
  
• Cooking supplies and dishes with a small fridge, table and chairs
  
  
• One queen-sized bed and a double futon (pillows and bedding provided)
  
  
• A deck with furniture
  
  
• A barbecue with propane
  
  
• Fire pit
  
  
• Picnic table on site

Comfort Camping in Dinosaur Provincial Park (Photo: Alberta Parks)

Note that there are no stoves inside of the wall tents and you have to cook outside using the barbecue provided. You may eat inside however which is a nice perk compared to the Parks Canada o'TENTiks.

For more information on comfort camping in Alberta provincial parks, visit this link to the Alberta Parks website.

 

Comfort Camping in Dinosaur Provincial Park (photo: AB Parks Ambassador Kelsy Nielson)

Mount Engadine Lodge Glamping Tents, Spray Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis

Mount Engadine Lodge, located in the Spray Valley of Kananaskis in Alberta, has recently built several canvas tents, raised off the ground for comfort, and heated with a propane fireplace.

Each tent has a heated bathroom inside the tent (with running water, flush toilet, and a shower!) The tents also come equipped with a king sized bed (which can be split into two twin beds as well.) Finally, there is a pull out sofa  if you are traveling with children and need an extra bed.

Glamping Tents at Mount Engadine Lodge

Mount Engadine Lodge raises the bar further on comfort camping by providing all of your meals while at the lodge. Spend your day hiking, skiing, or biking, and then show up in the afternoon for tea, a charcuterie board, and dessert. Later, a 3-course dinner is included followed by a hot breakfast the next morning and a packed lunch to go.

Comfort camping at Mount Engadine Lodge

And when you're not hanging out in your tent, you're more than welcome to spend your time in the main lodge by the fireplace reading a book or playing a game with endless cups of coffee or a nice glass of wine.

This is camping with none of the work and all of the enjoyment!

Visit the Mount Engadine Lodge website for more information.

AND READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE here:

 Mount Engadine Lodge Glamping Experience (expect decadence!)

Comfort Camping at Mount Engadine Lodge

Yurt Camping

Wall tents not quite "glampy" enough for you? Check out the assortment of yurt camping options in Alberta then and get a true taste of luxury camping!

 

Mount Engadine Lodge Yurt, Spray Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis

Mount Engadine Lodge is a front country lodge with a backcountry feeling. Located in the remote Spray Valley Provincial Park, you can drive up to the front door of this lodge from where it is a 3 minute walk through the woods to the property yurt.

Yurt-Camping at Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis

A stay at the yurt (along with all stays at the lodge) includes all meals (breakfast, a packed lunch for your day's adventures, afternoon tea, and a decadent dinner,) with a side course of wildlife sightings in the meadow below.

The yurt sleeps four in bunk beds and includes warm duvet blankets in the summer. Inquire directly with the lodge regarding other bedding that you should bring. Other than the beds, there is nothing in the yurt aside from a small table (and a portable heater in winter.) Rustic nature of the yurt aside though, you won't notice the sparse amenities once you step inside the main lodge and taste the food. On our recent visit this past winter we slept in the yurt but spent the rest of our time in the main lodge. We had a lovely visit and I'm already planning another winter trip next year.

The cost for staying in the yurt is $125 per person per night but this includes all of your meals and children receive a discounted rate. A two night stay is also not required (something that's rare with luxury accommodations) so you can go out for a Saturday night and still enjoy two days exploring in Kananaskis.

Visit the Mount Engadine Lodge website for more information.

AND READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE yurt camping at Mount Engadine Lodge here:

Yurt Camping in Kananaskis at Mount Engadine Lodge.

Summer at Mount Engadine Lodge

Alberta Parks Yurts

There are yurts in both Pigeon Lake Provincial Park and in Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. They are larger than the Mount Engadine Lodge yurt and include more amenities but you'll have to do your own cooking so it's a trade off. Pigeon Lake Provincial Park has eight yurts that can accommodate 4, 6, or 8 people. Miquelon Lake Provincial Park has four yurts that can accommodate 6 people.

Yurt Camping at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park (photo: Alberta Parks)

The Yurts include the following:

•  An electric heater, lights and electrical outlets
  
  
•  Cooking supplies and dishes with a small fridge, table and chairs
  
  
•  Bunk Beds and Futons for 4, 6, or 8 people (depending on the size of the yurt)
  
  
• A deck with gas barbecue
  
  
• A fire pit
  
  
• A picnic table
  

Yurt camping is easy and you just need to bring your bedding, food, and a camp stove (for outdoor cooking only) if you wish. Lawn chairs and flash lights are also recommended.

For more information on yurt comfort camping in our provincial parks please the Alberta Parks website.

Yurt Camping with Alberta Parks (photo: AB Parks Ambassador Kelsy Nielson)

Tipi Camping

Who isn't curious about camping in a tipi or hasn't wondered what it would be like to camp in the same traditional method as our ancestors (long before four-season nylon tents!) Fortunately there are a few places that will allow you the opportunity to experience tipi camping this summer.

Tipi Camping at Sundance Lodges, Kananaskis

Mentioned earlier under "Wall Tents," Sundance Lodges in Kananaskis also offers visitors a chance to spend the night in a Sioux Canvas Tipi. Small tipis sleep two people in a double bed, and large tipis sleep four people with one double bed and two single beds.

Each tipi includes wood-frame beds with mattresses (bring your own bedding,) along with a small kerosene lantern and heater (fuel provided.) Outside your tipi you will find a picnic table and fire pit with half grill for cooking.

For more information on tipi camping, visit the Sundance Lodges website.

Tipi Camping at Sundance Lodges, Kananaskis (photo: Sundance Lodges)

Tipi Camping in Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes is the only national park to offer tipi camping in Alberta. And what a view you'll get from your site! 5 Tipis are located in the Crandell Mountain Campground on the scenic Red Rock Parkway.

Tipi Camping at Crandell Mountain is a natural experience so bring everything you would normally bring for camping. There are no beds inside these tipis and you will be cooking/living outside as you would with tenting. The only big difference with tipi camping (as compared to regular tenting) is the extremely cool opportunity to sleep in a traditional tipi.

For more information on tipi camping at Crandell Mountain, visit the Waterton Lakes National Park website.

Please note that this campground has been closed since 2019 following the Kenow Wildfire.

Tipi Camping in Waterton Lakes National Park (photo: Parks Canada)

Cabin Camping

Moving up from wall tents to yurts and tipis, we arrive at cabin camping - the ultimate in luxury camping and a small step away from renting a house at your favourite lake or park. Below are four of the best options within Alberta Provincial Parks.

The Nest lodge at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

The Nest sleeps 10 people and features a full kitchen, private bedrooms, and indoor plumbing. This is as luxurious as it gets for camping.

For more information on the amenities included, visit the Alberta Parks website.

The Nest Lodge at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Cabins

Another great option in Northern Alberta, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park offers visitors the chance to sleep in one of five lake front cabins on Lac La Biche Lake. Enjoy your own private deck from your home on Alberta's only island provincial park. (And worth noting, these cabins are open in winter too!)

The cabins sleep 8 people and feature a full kitchen. For more information, visit the Alberta Parks Website.

Island Camping in Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park

Cypress Hills Provincial Park Cabins 

Open year round, Cypress Hills Provincial Park has 13 cabins, some in backcountry locations, and others located in regular campgrounds.

We  hiked into the Tom Trott Hut one winter and it would be great for an early season biking weekend. The huts come complete with bunk beds and mattresses, kitchen tables and chairs, and include basic cooking supplies. Bring your own camp stove, sleeping bags, and drinking water.

Camping in a hut is a great way to get out with the family early season when it's too chilly for tenting. These huts are in great locations near hiking and biking trails and provide comfort for those who like to camp before the May long weekend or later into September. And if you visit the backcountry huts before the highways open in spring, you could have the cool experience of bike-packing into them. (on our list for sure!)

Backcountry Huts in Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Overview of the huts:

Elkwater Cabins - 5 cabins located in the Elkwater Campground (drive in access.) Each sleeps 3 people

Firerock Cabins - 5 cabins located in the Firerock Campground (drive in access.)Each sleeps 4 people

Graburn Hut - backcountry tut, sleeps 4 people and is accessible by vehicle in the summer only

Medicine Lodge - backcountry hut, sleeps 6 people and is accessible by vehicle in the summer only

Reesor Lake Hut - backcountry tut, sleeps 4 people and is accessible by vehicle in the summer only

Spruce Coulee Hut - backcountry hut, sleeps 6 people and is accessible by vehicle in the summer only

Tom Trott Hut - backcountry hut, sleeps 6 people and is accessible by vehicle in the summer only

For more information on these huts, visit the Cypress Hills Provincial Park website.

AND READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE camping at the Tom Trott Hut here:

Winter Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Alberta.

Many of the huts are accessible by biking or hiking

Castle Provincial Park Cabins on Beaver Mines Lake 

New as of the 2018 season, check out the cabin camping in the new Castle Provincial Park on Beaver Mines Lake. You'll be camped right at the trailhead for the gorgeous Table Mountain Hike and there are lots of recreational activities available in this park from hiking to fishing or paddling on the lake.

There are 5 cabins, each sleeping 4 people.

Cabins feature:

• One single over single bunk bed and one queen bed, all with mattresses
  
  
• Solar lighting, no plug-ins
  
  
• Wood burning stove (in main room)
  
  
• Broom and dust pan
  
  
• Fire pit and picnic table outside 

For more information visit the Castle Provincial Park website. 

Hiking in Castle Provincial Park 

Backcountry Cabins and Huts

Want to get off the beaten path and venture into the backcountry - without a tent? There are several options here with the Alpine Club of Canada.

The Alpine Club of Canada maintains and operates over twenty backcountry cabins in the Canadian Rockies. Some require mountaineering access or serious rock climbing abilities for the approach, but others are accessible via easy hiking trails. A couple of the huts in BC are even vehicle accessible in summer.

Follow this link for a complete list of Alpine Club of Canada huts and cabins and to find out what amenities are included in each cabin. Most facilities have mattresses for sleeping on, kitchens with basic cooking supplies, propane lights and stoves. Bring a sleeping bag and food, and you are almost good to go minus a few other small items.

Elizabeth Parker Hut, Lake O'Hara

Recommended huts for families across the Alberta and BC Rockies:

- links will take you to stories I have written on staying at each hut

The A.O. Wheeler Hut - vehicle accessible in summer from Glacier National Park, BC

Elk Lakes Cabin - vehicle accessible from Elk Lakes Provincial Park in BC or via a family-friendly hiking trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta
 
Stanley Mitchell Hut - accessible via an easy hiking trail in Yoho National Park, BC

Elizabeth Parker Hut - accessible via Parks Canada bus to Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park, BC and then a 5 minute walk

Stanley Mitchell Hut, Yoho National Park

And for families traveling with older children, take a look at these huts which offer a more challenging approach.

Bow Hut - accessible via a steep hiking trail in Banff National Park. Located along the Icefields Parkway and one of the only mountaineering huts accessible without a glacier traverse (recommended for strong hikers ages 8-10+ as there is one hard move crossing a large boulder over a chasm)

Asulkan Cabin - accessible from Glacier National Park, BC via a steep hiking trail (recommended for strong hikers ages 8+)

Conrad Kain Hut - accessible from Bugaboo Provincial Park, BC via a steep climber access trail.One ladder must be climbed en route, bolted to a cliff, and there are a few other narrow sections with hand lines to hold on to (recommended for strong hikers ages 8-10+)

Read more here: Family Backcountry Cabin Camping in the Canadian Rockies 

Asulkan Cabin, Glacier National Park

Wilderness Hostels

Hostelling International Canada maintains 10 wilderness hostels across the Canadian Rockies. Each hostel is unique with varying levels of comfort.

At HI Castle Mountain or HI Kananaskis you will find microwaves, indoor plumbing, and showers.

Meanwhile at HI Hilda Creek you will find your own private cabin with no hostel manager on site and a backcountry experience waiting for you.

Some hostels have private rooms, and others require children to be 6+ years old so that they can share dorm rooms with other guests.

A full list of all ten wilderness hostels can be found here.

HI Athabasca Falls Wilderness Hostel

Some of our favourite wilderness hostels for families are below:

HI Kananaskis - The hostel has 3 private rooms which sleep three people comfortably. Indoor plumbing and electricity

HI Mosquito Creek, Banff - The hostel has a private cabin for families with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a common area. (Rustic hostel with no indoor plumbing. Pit toilets located outside)

HI Athabasca Falls, Jasper - The hostel has 2 private rooms for families located in cabins away from the main building. Each private room sleeps 5-6 people. Cooking is done in a common shared cabin. (Rustic hostel with no indoor plumbing. Pit toilets located outside)

HI Hilda Creek, Banff - This is a small hostel which only sleeps 6 people. Rent the whole hostel and enjoy your own private wilderness retreat. Note that his hostel is very rustic. Backcountry experience is required and there is no hostel manager on site

HI Hilda Creek in September

Read about some of our hosteling adventures here:

Hilda Creek - Moving on to Big Adventures - and the kids get to come along!

Mosquito Creek -  Autumn Camping at Mosquito Creek

Athabasca Falls - Spring Adventures in Jasper

Kananaskis - How to Plan a Kananaskis Biking Weekend 


And to read about our winter hosteling adventures, check out this story:

Winter Camping with Kids (no tent!!!)

HI Mosquito Creek

Additional Inspiration

For more inspiration, check out these stories on a couple of backcountry lodges we have stayed at in the Canadian Rockies. While they carry a big price tag, the experience is unparalleled.

Shadow Lake Lodge, Banff - Backcountry Glamping at Shadow Lake Lodge, Banff National Park 

Sundance Lodge, Banff -  Backpacking in Style - no tent, no sleeping bags, and no cooking!

Shadow Lake Lodge, Banff National Park

Special thanks to the Alpine Club of Canada, Hosteling International, Sundance Lodges, and Mount Engadine Lodge, and Parks Canada for helping us with accommodations for this guide. 

Easter at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, Lake O'Hara

We try to plan an annual Easter getaway as a family and this year was no different. In previous years we've traveled to the sunny Columbia Valley for early season mountain biking, we've stayed at a remote cabin on the scenic Icefields Parkway and gone sledding off glacier moraines, and now we've spent the Easter weekend in glorious Yoho National Park at the Alpine Club of Canada's Elizabeth Parker Hut. I can hardly wait to see what we plan next year!

Over the past few years, my son has hunted for his Easter eggs in a mountain bike park, in snow caves, under snow drifts with the help of an avalanche transceiver, and now this year he found them hanging from trees like Christmas ornaments! What a creative and dedicated Easter Bunny we have!

Easter at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, Lake O'Hara

Highlights of this Easter at Lake O'Hara

We built the biggest, baddest, craziest luge track in the history of family backcountry ski trips. It was seriously rad (and slightly terrifying.) We spent the weekend at the Elizabeth Parker Hut with 4 other families and each child said the luge track was the highlight of their entire weekend (impressive given that it had to compete with chocolate filled Easter eggs!) We also shared the hut with a single couple from Revelstoke and they said the luge track was their highlight too! (this from adults who came into the hut to go backcountry skiing!!) I understand the family who came in to the hut after us also enjoyed the luge track and may have used salad bowls to ride down it. :)

The Lake O'Hara Unicorn

The Raddest Luge Track

Highlight number two was the gigantic snow maze that my new friend Megan and her husband Alex built for the kids. How to get invited on every future backcountry trip - build an enormous snow fortress that occupies the kids for hours!!

Building the ginormous snow maze

Snow walls that were taller than the children

The kids could have played for days outside our hut

The snow fortress had an amazing cave - of course!!

Jumping across the snow fortress walls was tons of fun for the kids

Highlight three for me would definitely be the day tour we took to Mary Lake and to Lake O'Hara. We didn't want to go into avalanche terrain so this short tour kept us safe while giving us no shortage of stunning scenery to admire. Some of us chose to snowshoe and others chose to ski. Either way, we all enjoyed our outing and it helped us gain an appreciation for how beautiful the Lake O'Hara area is in winter. If you've never visited this place in winter, it's a MUST do winter trip for sure!!

Off on our day tour to explore the Lake O'Hara area

Love how they look like they're off on an expedition!

Group Tour

The Snowshoe Boys of Lake O'Hara

Exploring on Mary Lake

Lunch at Mary Lake

Snowshoeing across Mary Lake

Our Snowshoe Boys at Lake O'Hara

They actually all looked at me for a photo!!

Lake O'Hara

Snowshoeing across Lake O'Hara

Maybe the last Snow angel of the season

Back at the Elizabeth Parker Hut

And it would be no surprise that highlight number four for everybody would be the Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday morning before skiing out. We hid the eggs in clusters of 8 so that each child got the same number of eggs and so that the younger children didn't get left behind with nothing. It worked well and the kids had fun going through their eggs after to see what they got. (our supply was pretty much gone by the time we reached the trailhead after the ski out.)

Easter Morning

It was an exciting visit to the outdoor bathrooms Easter morning!

Staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut 

The Elizabeth Parker Hut is the flagship hut (and the most popular by far) in the Alpine Club of Canada's collection. Spots at the hut are won in a lottery during the summer season and still fought for in the winter season. A visit over Easter requires that you be the first person to call the Alpine Club (precisely at 8am) one year to the date of the following Easter. Most weekends fill up a year in advance and you must be a member of the Alpine Club to make a reservation here. Non members can attempt to get a spot but you will be limited to a 30 day booking window which is near impossible at this popular hut.

Side view of the Elizabeth Parker Hut

The above photo shows the main cabin at the Elizabeth Parker Hut with the kitchen in front and the sleeping/eating/do everything else room in the back. There is a fireplace in the main room and all dishes, utensils, cooking supplies are provided in the kitchen. There are two bunks with mattresses for sleeping on but you must bring your own sleeping bags. Other than that, bring your food, your head lamps, toilet paper, and some hut booties or slippers.

Enjoy the incredible photos from Megan (my new photographer) at evilmoosing below showing off the inside of the EP hut.

The sleeping area at the Elizabeth Parker Hut on the bottom bunk

Kitchen life at the Elizabeth Parker Hut

Decorating Easter cupcakes in the dining area of the EP Hut

There is also a separate sleeping cabin at the Elizabeth Parker Hut that sleeps 8 people. The total hut sleeps 20 people in winter (24 in summer.) We chose to sleep in the smaller cabin because we have a child that needs to go to bed on the early-ish side. If this is you as well, try really hard to arrive at the hut early when staying here so that you can grab spots in the second cabin.

The Elizabeth Parker Hut showing the main cabin and smaller sleeping cabin

For more information on booking or staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, please visit the Alpine Club of Canada website.

Family-friendly Elizabeth Parker Hut

My Boo and I at the EP Hut

Winter wonderland at Lake O'Hara

Wish I were here right now!

Accessing Lake O'Hara in Winter By Skis or Snowshoes

In summer, there is a bus that takes you to Lake O'Hara, and from the bus stop, it's a short 10 minute walk to the Elizabeth Parker Hut. In winter however, you must ski the 12 kilometres to reach the lake and backcountry hut. Most people do the trip on cross country skis as the trail is often track set. Those wanting to get into the real backcountry above the hut usually use alpine touring skis though.

Skiing into Lake O'Hara on the summer road

Snowshoeing is becoming another popular way to access Lake O'Hara in winter and it's an easy packed down trail. Many children in our group chose to walk for large sections of the way in since it's mostly all uphill with 400m of height gain.

Towing kids in was a great way to motivate them up the hills (photo: M. Dunn)

Ski, Hike, Snowshoe... Many ways to reach Lake O'Hara (Photo: M. Dunn)

Happy Skiers on the way to O'Hara (Photo: M. Dunn)

We chose to ski in and out because while it took us 5 hours to ski in, it took 2 hours to ski out! We were back at Lake Louise in time for lunch.

The very fast ski out from Lake O'Hara

Winter Safety at Lake O'Hara

Regarding winter safety and avalanche danger, there is generally no risk from avalanches if you stay ON the summer road while skiing/hiking into Lake O'Hara. If you go too far off of it, you could be at risk. Once at the hut, options are also limited for where you can safely tour. Families will feel safe exploring Mary Lake and Lake O'Hara but I would not go much further than that.

Also, if you are going to ski/hike around Lake O'Hara, stay away from the left hand side of the lake. (opposite side from the Lake O'Hara Lodge and the cabins.) If you want to go look at the waterfall at the far end, approach it from the right hand side of the lake and return the same way. The far left side of the lake is at serious risk of avalanches.

Enjoy these final photos from Megan Dunn and find her on Instagram. I might have to hire her to be my full time photographer!!

Playing in the snow at Lake O'Hara

The giant snow fortress to beat all snow forts!

Great day touring at Lake O'Hara to Mary Lake

I told you the luge track was terrifying!

The kids loved the snow cave that our group built!

Sled train at the Elizabeth Parker Hut