Rockies Christmas Premium Tour: 5-Day Banff & Icefield Holiday Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average fitness; mostly easy on-foot activity with short walks and standing during sightseeing.
Overview
Spend five days crossing BC to the Canadian Rockies for a Christmas framed by sleigh rides, Indigenous storytelling, and ice-blue lakes. This coach tour pairs scenic drives with short winter activities and four nights of hotel accommodation in Banff.
Rockies Christmas Premium Tour: 5-Day Banff & Icefield Holiday Adventure
Select participants and date
A blue-black sky lightens as the coach slips out of Vancouver before dawn, headlights carving a ribbon through frost. By mid-morning the air has a bite to it; mountains raise themselves from the road like slow-moving weather. On this five-day Christmas circuit, the Rockies stop being a postcard and start behaving like a place — demanding attention with frozen lakes, brittle forests, and the low, steady sound of snow underfoot.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for variable mountain weather
Temperatures can swing from mild daytime sun to bitter nights; pack base layers, a warm midlayer, and a waterproof shell.
Bring traction for ice
Microspikes or crampon-style traction are useful for short walks on frozen lakesides and village sidewalks.
Carry small cash and a card
Some optional activities like the Banff Gondola or souvenirs may require on-site payment; smaller towns sometimes have limited card readers.
Give wildlife space
Bow Valley Parkway and roadside pullouts are prime for viewing elk and deer; remain in the coach or stay well back from animals and follow guide instructions.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Elk
- Bighorn sheep
History
The route traces corridors of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the mountain passes that made transcontinental travel possible, with Indigenous histories shared locally by First Nations hosts.
Conservation
Travelers should stay on designated paths, avoid feeding wildlife, and follow Parks Canada guidance to reduce disturbance to wintering animals and fragile alpine habitat.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Banff
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Insulated waterproof jacket
Keeps you warm during sleigh rides and outdoor stops in sub-freezing temperatures.
winter specific
Microspikes
Provides secure footing on icy paths and frozen lake edges.
winter specific
Warm gloves and hat
Protects extremities during extended stops and evening activities outdoors.
winter specific
Daypack with water bottle
Carries layers, camera, and snacks for short walks and town exploration.
winter specific