There is nothing
quite like the untouched wilds for pure freedom, and the Canadian Rockies offer
countless acres of freedom in the form of untracked powder. As the home to
some of the finest skiing and snowboarding anywhere, the Canadian Rockies
call to snow riders from around the world. More than 120 million years in
the making has seen to that. Ok, ski legend and filmmaker Warren Miller has
helped, often featuring the Canadian backcountry in his annual snow riding
films, but most of the credit falls with mother nature. (continue...)
Every year, families and friends from far and wide pack up their cars, stock up on supplies and leave the city far behind. They head for the mountains, the lakes, and the rivers. (continue...)
Summer - Hope for the best, plan for the worst. A pair of shorts, or
bathing suit maximizes sun tanning potential. (Remember though, that a tan is
merely an indication of damage to your skin.) In combination with this bring
light pants and a shirt to protect against excessive sun and for when it begins
to cool down. In the event of poor weather or cold nights, a fleece jacket and
pants are a must as is rain gear. The weather can change very quickly in the
Canadian Rockies........ (continue...)
For
hikers and sightseers, Lake
Louise is a good base for a visit to the
Canadian Rockies. It is central
to three main hiking areas: the Lake Louise area itself, Yoho
National Park and the first 50 kilometers (30 miles) of the Icefields
Parkway. Despite their high elevation, these three hiking areas offer
trails ranging from flat lakeside strolls, to invigorating workouts that ascend
to passes or promontories. (continue...)
Cold and fast boulder-strewn streams and rivers certainly help keep things
interesting. Most of the backcountry trails have well made bridges to eliminate
the barriers created by rivers, but a few remain in their natural state - without
bridges, and the more adventurous will sooner or later find a river that needs
crossing. As with any potential hazard look it over, and decide if it is worth
the risk. (continue...)
British Columbia offers a flurry of alternatives to the traditional ski holiday
that can get the most hardcore of adrenalin junkies excited. While activities
such as heli- and snowcat skiing are well known already in the snow world, their
popularity continues because of their potential to offer runs in uncharted territory
away from ski resort lift lines and groomed runs. (continue...)
Every spring ticks come out, adding to the list of fauna that can be experienced
in the Canadian Rockies. Ticks look like a small flattened spider, they have
eight legs and two body segments. One tick can fit quite comfortably on a dime.
The pests appear harmless enough and usually are, but they can transmit disease
- albeit very rare ones. (continue...)
