8 Reasons to Take a Canadian Rockies Holiday

Whenever someone asks me about a trip that I’ll remember for a lifetime, my Canadian Rockies holiday is pretty much the first thing that springs to mind.

I spent two weeks exploring the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia on a West Canada road trip last year, and it has to be one of the best road trips I’ve ever done. Need to be convinced? Here are just some of the reasons I fell in love with the Canadian Rockies – and why I think you will too!

*post written in collaboration with Canadian Affair*

The Rocky Mountain landscapes

I mean, reason number one will be pretty obvious if you’ve ever seen a picture of the Rockies. Honestly though, those stunning snaps are *nothing* compared to seeing it all IRL. Even driving along the highways, you’ll unravel sight after sight of pure awe-inspiring gorgeousness.

If you really want to experience the majestic beauty of it all, I’d totally recommend a heli-hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies, like the one I experienced. Basically, no words can do justice to how truly mindblowing it was!

Wildlife spotting is a given

On my Canadian Rockies road trip, I spotted bears in multiple locations, from running around behind someone’s back yard to chilling by the side of the road. It was the first time I’d ever seen bears in the wild, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.

It’s not just bears though – smaller wildlife bounce their way around the mountains. In Whistler, I met a particularly noisy group of marmots, and even though I didn’t see one myself, moose can be spotted in the more remote areas.

Obviously bear safety in Canada is something you should acquaint yourself with, though!

Quaint, quirky towns

It’s not just the parks and natural scenery that’s pretty here – the towns you’ll come across on a Canadian Rockies holiday are pretty special too. My favourite town that we visited was Banff – set in the surroundings of Banff National Park, it’s a short walk from some brilliant hiking trails and outdoor adventures. The ‘mountain town’ vibe is laid back, active and with plenty of great restaurants and bars.

You can camp out in the most beautiful locations

If you’re looking for the best cheap holidays to Canada, camping is an affordable way to experience the amazing Canadian Rockies. And the views when you open your tent? Truly unbeatable.

Loads and loads of awesome hiking trails

If you’re interested in hiking, Canada’s the perfect place to get some steps in. The aforementioned amazing landscapes mean you’ll be constantly surrounded by incredible views. In all the national parks, there are a variety of hiking trails for all levels of ability, from easy walks to more challenging climbs.

Discover the top hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

The people are super friendly

I mean, stereotypes come from *somewhere*, right? Everyone we met in Canada went out of their way to make us feel welcome and were really open about sharing their love of their own country.

You’ll get to taste authentic poutine

For the uninitiated, poutine is basically good old chips and gravy, with the added bonus of cheese curds on top. CHEESY CHIPS AND GRAVY. This classic Canadian dish is the perfect way to warm up after hiking your way through the Canadian wilderness!

Lakes, lakes and more lakes

Think of the most iconic images of Canada, and you’ll probably be thinking of a classic lake shot. Lake Louise is one of the most famous, but there’s also Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Maligne Lake, Emerald Lake…and all the little ones in between!

They’re not just there for your eyeballing pleasure either – canoeing on Emerald Lake was one of the real highlights of my Canadian Rockies holiday.