They write:
“Local company Kananaskis Outfitters has one-upped your date game Rolodex with their one of a kind mountain experience. Follow their skilled interpreter on a fresh, starlit tour through forest and snow, and sip hot cocoa in a secluded meadow. Bam. Romance.”
We love it!
Read the full article here.
The writer and outdoorsman George W. Sears declared in his 1884 classic Woodcraft: “We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it. We get it rough enough at home.”
Sears, who wrote under the pen name Nessmuk, saw nature as a reprieve from the pace and pressures of the city. But these days, while “roughing it” generally refers to recreating in the outdoors, the idea of “smoothing it” has essentially disappeared.
So we tracked down three modern outdoor adventurers with ties to the Kananaskis region — Olympian Chandra Crawford, outfitter Claude Faerden and executive director of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Peter Tucker — and asked how they embrace the rougher, more physically challenging aspects of winter adventuring in the Rockies while also reclaiming the lost art of “smoothing it.” These three know magic happens even at minus-20 degrees and that whether you’re going hard out there or engaging in more easy-going pursuits, ultimately, as Tucker says, it’s about giving winter “a big bear hug.”
Written by Brianna Sharpe
Published in Avenue Magazine Calgary
“I get to take families, school groups, and co-workers out into the mountains, tell them stories, and teach them techniques and skills. Even just to instill a sense of awe and wonder…”
Regardless of what you’re doing, outdoor activities all require equipment of some sort and if you’re anything like me you aren’t committed to just one sport, so the gear just continues to pile up. Outdoor enthusiasts are passionate about their chosen pastimes and their extensive gear collections are a source of pride. We’ve all walked into the local shop with no intentions of buying, only to leave with the latest ‘needed’ item, and an even longer wish list. Gearheads like us have all dreamed about ditching the nine to five and opening our own spot to live our best life. Michelle Faerden used to be like the rest of us, but turned that dream into reality more than thirteen years ago.
Read the rest of the article here.
Written by Tyler Dixon
Published in the Calgary Guardian
Kananaskis Outfitters now rents pedal-assist mountain bikes for use on approved trails!
Alberta Parks has launched a pilot program allowing pedal-assist e-bikes on designated pathways and trail networks until October 2020.
Officials with Alberta Parks say e-bikes won’t be allowed at the Canmore Nordic Centre, or more wilderness setting trails such as the 80-km High Rockies Trail that winds through Bow Valley Wildland, Spray Valley, and Peter Lougheed provincial parks as part of the pilot.
But, they say, e-bikes are permitted on several trails near Kananaskis Village, such as the 9.7-km paved Bill Milne Trail, 5.1-km Kovach Trail, 0.8-km Link connector, and first four kilometers of Ribbon Creek, as well as 4.2-km paved trail through Bow Valley Provincial Park.
“The feedback we’ve received so far has been quite positive from both local retailers and rental outfits, as well as from members of the public,” said Michael Roycroft, the manager responsible for specialized facilities and trails for Alberta Parks in K-Country.
Only pedal-assist bikes are permitted. No throttled e- bikes
Only some trails allow e-bikes. Check with your local shop or Visitor Information Center.
One of the countless wonderful things about the Rocky Mountains is the endless amount of activities and sports to partake in.
If you’re interested In mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, or all of the above, you can do it here! The thing is, when you’re new to a sport or activity, there’s one thing that stands between you and your next adventure: the gear. It can be expensive and confusing to get all the gear you need for a specific sport. So, rather than breaking the bank and buying everything, why not rent? Renting is a great way to dabble in everything, try something new you might not be sure about yet, and save money!
We offer a ton of rentals for both summer and winter sports and activities. Now that the sun is shining, we’d like to introduce you to our summer rentals and hopefully, you’ll be as stoked as we are to get geared up and get out there. Here’s a list of our summer equipment rentals for you to choose from:
Ready for your next mountain biking adventure? We offer e-bikes, adult front suspension bikes, premium adult full suspension bikes, children’s bikes, and chariot bicycle trailers. Whether you’re looking to ride with friends or with the whole family, we can set you up. Ranging from $20-60/half-day or $30-110/day, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve also got a rental hot-spot located right on Barrier Lake. There you can find paddleboards, canoes, tandem kayaks, single kayaks, wet suits, and more. A summer day spent paddling on the lake truly can’t be beaten! These boats/boards are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and rented by the hour. While you’re there, you should check out the beautiful sandy beach.
If you’re not much of a land animal, we can help you out in the water, too. You can pick up canoes from the shop along with life jackets, paddles, and more for $75/day. In addition, you can come by and grab inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards for your next SUP adventure for only $55/day. If you pick up boats at the shop, you’ll need to transport them to wherever you’d like to set sail.
Bear Spray
Hiking Poles
Baby/Toddler carrying backpack.
Tennis racquets. Basketballs and Soccer balls.
Corporate wellness, team-building, and group adventures are things that we’ve done a lot of in the past and deeply enjoyed doing. Seeing teams bond and explore together in alternative atmospheres, sometimes outside of their comfort zones, is a truly magical thing. As we delve further into these areas, we’ve decided to take a step back and ask ourselves what they mean to us and why it is that we find the experiences so special and so very necessary. We’re excited to share what we’ve come up with today!
You may think you know what corporate wellness means or looks like, the term is being thrown around a whole lot lately. For some, it looks like standing desks, for others it looks like a yoga class at lunch hour, and for others, it is as simple as a health spending account. Though all of these wellness-related changes in the workplace most definitely have their benefits, we’re beginning to realize a bit of a problem with workplace wellness: it’s happening in the workplace!
It’s difficult to step outside of your daily stressors or even just your daily routine if you’re trying to do so exactly where these things take place. Because we are aware of the ever-expanding stress levels in the workplace and the rapidly declining employee engagement rates, we’ve decided to explore the world of corporate wellness in the best way we know how: through exploration. Getting outside, connecting with the outdoors, disconnecting and disengaging with stressors, and exploring the Rocky Mountains.
Wellness is not simply one thing, it means something drastically different to everyone. For some, it’s yoga and meditation, for others it’s reading and relaxing, and for us, it is simply being outdoors, connecting with both yourself and your surroundings. Our aim in the sphere of corporate wellness is to listen first. What is it that you need? If you’re a large group hoping to head out on a short hike or enjoy some team-building activities, we can help. If you’re a small group who’d simply like to get your eyes off your screens and get some fresh air in your lungs, we can help. We know how to connect individuals with the outdoors in an accessible, approachable, fun way that will make an impact beyond just their time on the trail.
Tell us a bit about yourselves, what your challenges are, and what you’re hoping to achieve. We’ll craft a custom corporate wellness day, series, or program for you and your team. Your needs are at the forefront every step of the way. Remember, wellness is a proactive journey. It’s important to explore corporate wellness when your team is experiencing both highs and lows. It’s about progress, not the achievement.
This is your journey, we’re simply offering you the knowledge, guidance, and tools to make it the best it can be.
Ready to disconnect to connect with Kananaskis Outfitters? We want to hear from you! Click here to uncover the perfect experience for you and your team.
These are some of the experiences we offer:
Kananaskis Amazing Race
Hiking and Snowshoeing
Big Canoeing
Mtn Biking and Fat Biking
Village Scavenger Hunt
There’s a whole lot to do in Kananaskis and we want to make sure you get the most of it!
We just going to come right out and say it: it is COLD. It’s been an especially cold winter in the Canadian Rockies, to say the least. Though many of us are dreaming of warmer days and starting to plan for spring and summer adventures, winter is here to stay for a little while longer.
Rather than hibernating, we want to help you face and embrace the remaining winter months in the best way possible: unique and scenic winter adventures. From moonlight snowshoe tours to awesome programming at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, we’ve got you covered out here in Kananaskis Country. Here are 7 things to keep you busy this month in Kananaskis:
Join Kananaskis Outfitters for an unforgettable snowshoe tour through the Kananaskis Forest. When the sun goes down the forest comes alive with outstanding sights and sounds you may not notice in the light of day. An expert guide will lead you through the trails, pointing out animal tracks and traces along the way. In addition, you’ll learn about the awe-inspiring spread of stars that unfolds above you. See Kananaskis in a new light, learn some fun and interesting facts to share with your friends, and enjoy a unique experience in the wild. This low-impact hike is perfect for all ages (12+) and abilities. Click here to learn more book your tour.
From March 22nd – March 24th, Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is hosting an amazing winter festival as a tribute to Canadian winter culture. Kananaskis Outfitters will be offering snowshoe tours, a massive outdoor winter Olympics, and more. On top of that, guests can enjoy an artisan market, all the maple they can eat, children, teens, and adult programming, mountain yoga, and so much more. This is not an event that can be missed! On top of all that, it’s located in the Canadian Rockies. Does it get much better than that? Click here.
If you love biking, don’t let a little snow stop you! Fat biking is an awesome way to experience your favourite two-wheeled sport year-round. Kananaskis Outfitters offers a Fat Bike Frozen Waterfall Tour that is the perfect way to experience fat biking and the gorgeous K-Country at the same time. If you’re a seasoned biker or fat biker already, come rent bikes and take off on your own. The tour does require some biking experience. Trust us, you’re going to be as obsessed as we are with fat biking the second you hop on. Click here for tour details.
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge will be hosting spring break events and activities from March 25th – April 6th, 2019. Throughout the week, guests can experience unique teen activities, family activities, and entertainment nights for people of all ages. Here is just a little taste of what’s going on: a Kananaskis Amazing Race by Kananaskis Outfitters, dreamcatcher-making workshops, family entertainment night, mountain yoga, Winter Olympics by KO, and more. Spring Break in Kananaskis is sure to be memorable and one of a kind! Click here for more information.
Nestled within the cozy and welcoming Kananaskis Village sits a small skating pond perfect for lacing up and enjoying some relaxing and enchanting winter laps. You can rent skates at Kananaskis Outfitters. If you’re looking for something a little more fast-paced, you can also rent hockey sticks and head out to the rink to play shinny! No matter what your skating style is, we can hook you up with everything you need.
Cross-Country skiing is an excellent way to get your outdoor cardio in while there’s snow on the ground. Whether you’re looking for a guided trip, need to rent your gear, or want to venture out solo with your own gear, Kananaskis Outfitters has the info, gear, and experience to give you the exact adventure you’re in the market for. You won’t believe how still and silent the Kananaskis wild feels once you’ve got a few kms behind you. Click here for tour info.
At Kananaskis Outfitters we are committed to getting people outside exploring all year round. We’ll help remove any barriers standing between you and the great outdoors while giving you exactly what you need to try something different and have a blast in Kananaskis. If you want to hop on one of our tours or rent gear for your winter adventure in Kananaskis, it’s not too late! But, time is ticking. Let’s get the most of what little winter is left before we start planning our summer adventures.
See you soon!
“Here’s the thing. Canada can’t escape the winter. So Canadians have made it as fun as it can be with some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery (and no crowds).”
We had the pleasure of taking William O’Connor and his partner in crime, Alejandro snowshoeing up to Chester Lake and they loved it!
“I will admit I was a bit meh on the prospect of snowshoeing—people in the U.S. always seemed to react so unenthusiastically when I brought it up. Instead, it was …”
Read more about their Winter adventures here.
We were fortunate to have Andrew Penner rediscover Kananaskis. Here’s his piece from the Calgary Herald.
“The momentum has really been building here,”
“We’ve seen steady year-over-year growth and there is definitely a new shine on everything here in Kananaskis. We still don’t have the crowds like other mountain destinations, but that’s a good thing. Kananaskis has always been about the mountains, the raw and rugged landscape, and the development here has always been in harmony with this. The new Kananaskis Nordic Spa, with its Canadian Rockies ‘flavour,’ is a great example of this.”
Kananaskis Outfitters also rents quality sporting gear including Nordic skis, snowshoes, fat bikes, and ice skates. Their popular winter tours include winter stargazing, fat-biking to a frozen waterfall, and beginner snowshoeing.
Just an hour west of Calgary lies a place where civilization as you know it disappears. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains envelopes you, the air is scented with pine, and the reception bars on your cellphone wink out, one by one. You are officially on your own.
Kananaskis is often overlooked with nearby Canmore and Banff offering the comforts of big city life while enjoying the relaxation and scenery of the mountains. But after making a visit to Kananaskis Village and taking in the adventures the area has to offer, we’re certain you will be back over and over again.
The YEG Fitness family took a 3-day adventure to the beautiful Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in the early fall when there were still leaves on the trees after a late-summer snowfall. The drive into Kananaskis Village is one that takes you off the busy Trans Canada Highway so you can appreciate the beauty of the area. It gives you the opportunity to leave the busy city life behind get a feel for the adventure that awaits.