Canadian Rockies Cabin Based Adventure
Calgary, Canada
Trip Highlights
- Off-Grid Cabin
- Remote Canadian Rockies Hiking
- Canoe the Kootenay River
- Expansive Alpine Views
- Professional Backcountry Chef
- Radium Hot Springs
- Kootenay National Park
- Mountain Towns
Description
Join us on this one-of-a-kind Canadian Rockies getaway! This trip is set at a remote backcountry mountain cabin with access to incredible hikes in and around Kootenay National Park. Our cabin-based trip affords us a high level of solitude as we go off-the beaten path. We’ll start in Calgary and drive from Alberta into British Columbia for this 6-day exploration of some absolutely stunning country. At our cabin, we’ll have a professional backcountry chef to keep us well-fueled for all of our adventures. We’ll take a day off from hiking and paddle the Kootenay river. After our most challenging hike of the trip, we’ll head to Radium Hot Springs for dinner at a pub and a soak in the famous hot springs.
$ SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip has mostly moderate days of hiking (up to 7 miles) with challenging elevation gains and losses (up to 3000 ft.), with light day packs. This is a moderately challenging trip with comfortable cabin accommodations in the evenings and moderate day hikes during the day. There is also an included canoe day, paddling on mostly flat water for up to 5 hours.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 7 miles
Backpack Weight:
10-15 lbs.
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Gains up to 3000 ft.
Heights Exposure:
Significant Exposure
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 lb. backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Some significant heights exposure walking on ridgelines with steep slopes on either side
- River canoeing on mostly flat water for 5 hours
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Canadian Rockies hike a solitude 3. You can expect to have some solitude, as much as an hour at a time without seeing other groups.
We require a minimum of 4 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 65-60 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group or family!
In many areas we can run trips with group sizes larger than our normal capacity of 12 guests. There’s no minimum number of guests on a private tour, and in many cases, we have flexibility around minimum age as well.
For all international trips outside the United States, we quote private trip requests on a case by case basis. Please complete the form below to inquiry about a private tour.
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Itinerary
Pre-Trip Orientation
The evening before your trip, your guide will arrange for the group to meet via a video call at 5 pm to answer any last-minute questions and ensure you have the appropriate gear.
Day 1
- Drive: 3 hours
- Hiking Distance: 4-5 miles/6.5-8 km.
- Elevation Gain:
- Elevation Loss:
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
- Accommodations: Nipika Mountain Resort
On this Candian Rockies hiking adventure, we will pick you up at 10 am from the Calgary Airport or downtown Banff if you’ve come a few days early to explore) and begin our drive to our cabin set just outside of Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. Once we arrive, we’ll take some time to settle in and get acquainted with our remote mountain getaway! We will enjoy a delicious snack, take a tour of the property, meet our hosts, and embark on a beautiful hike through the area to see the Kootenay and Cross Rivers, Natural Bridge, and more. We’ll head back to the cabin and enjoy appetizers and a dinner.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles/11 km.
- Elevation Gain:
- Elevation Loss:
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
- Drive Time: 30 min. each way
- Accommodations: Nipika Mountain Resort
Get ready for a beautiful day exploring the Canadian Rockies! After a lovely breakfast at the cabin, we will load up and drive about 30 minutes on a fairly rugged dirt road. Today’s hike has a challenging, steep uphill and we’re rewarded with absolute beauty and outstanding views overlooking our mountain cabin, into Kootenay National Park and beyond.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles/11 km.
- Elevation Gain:
- Elevation Loss:
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
- Drive Time: 90 min. each way
- Accommodations: Nipika Mountain Resort
Get ready for another exciting day! After breakfast, we will embark on a trek to Pedley Pass, a spectacular hike that takes us to a beautiful tarn lake and afterwards challenges us to a scenic ridge traverse. To reward ourselves after the hike, we will stop in the beautiful town of Invermere, British Columbia and take some time to walk around town, shop, and relax before we have dinner at the Station Pub overlooking Windermere Lake.
Day 4
- Drive Time: 45 minutes each way
- Accommodations: Nipika Mountain Resort
We’ll rest our legs today but don’t worry, we still have a lot of adventure in store! Today we paddle the Kootenay River — a must do in this area. We’ll meet our certified river guides and start on a fantastic day on the river. We will finish the day off relaxing and having free time around the resort. You’ll have your choice of roaming the property, playing disc golf, relaxing or taking a dip in the pond.
Day 5
- Hiking Distance: 7-10 miles/11-16 km.
- Elevation Gain:
- Elevation Loss:
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
- Drive Time: 90 min. each way
- Accommodations: Cabin in Kootenay
Get ready for another memorable adventure today! Today, we will embark on a hike to Diana Lake. We’ll drive to the trailhead after breakfast and begin our hike. We will enjoy a lush forest walk as it opens to expansive meadows with beautiful wildflowers and stunning creeks. Beautiful rocky mountain peaks and steep, colorful slopes will surround us! From here, we continue our hike through the sub-alpine meadows and creek crossings until we get to Diana Lake. At Diana Lake, we will have lunch at the picnic tables. If the lodge is open, we will enjoy some alpine nachos. Please bring cash for a beverage and snack from the lodge. From here, if you’d like a longer hike, you can gain more elevation through majestic subalpine meadows to a higher point on the ridge. After we all have had our fill, we will begin our descent. As we make our way back down the trail, let us enjoy spectacular views of the peaks and valleys from a different perspective. Post-hike we’ll load up the van drive to the beautiful town of Radium Hot Springs for a hearty dinner, some ice cream, and a stop at the famous Radium Hot Springs. Once we are all refreshed from the dip, we will head back to Nipika!
Day 6
- Hiking Distance: 4 miles/6.5 km.
- Elevation Gain:
- Elevation Loss:
- Trekking Duration: 2-3 hours
- Drive Time: 3 hours to Calgary Airport
We wake up early for our last breakfast at our beautiful mountain cabin. From here, we will load up the van and prepare for our last Canadian Rockies hike. The hike will have us exploring the beautiful Simpson River Trail in Kootenay National Park. Here, you will escape the crowds and see regenerating forests post-fires, wildflowers, and extraordinary color contrasts. Once we have completed the hike, we will load up the van and continue the rest of the drive through Kootenay and Banff National Park back to Calgary. We’ll have a sack lunch on the way. We can either drop you off in downtown Banff or take you to the Calgary Airport.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Private vehicle shuttles
- Calgary Airport transfers (or option for transfers from Banff)
- 4 nights lodging at a backcountry mountain cabin
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 7
- Certified river guides and equipment
- Bedding, pillows, and towels in the cabin
- Gear including daypack and trekking poles
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
- Transportation to/from Calgary, Alberta
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 10-20% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred, or USD is also appreciated.
Meals: What to Expect
This trip includes a mix of sack lunches from a bakery, meals prepared by a professional backcountry chef + your guide, and in-town meals in the small mountain towns of British Columbia.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Lodging: What to Expect
This trip is set at a truly unique destination: Nipika Mountain Resort. This family-owned backcountry lodge is remote and perfect jumping off point for some of the most incredible hikes in the region. The cabin is timber log framed and includes a full kitchen, family room for socializing, and a porch perfect for enjoying a nice drink at sunset. Nipika is an eco-resort and is completely off the grid, though it has electricity (solar), heat (fireplaces and woodburning stoves), and hot water (from salvaged dead wood burned in a central boiler). There is a disc golf course and a pond for swimming.
There are a couple of important things to note:
- You will be sharing a communal cabin with your guide and other guests. There are other cabins on the property with non-Wildland guests.
- Depending on the cabin, there may be 1 bathroom for up to 6 people (or 2 bathrooms for up to 8 people). But don’t fret! There are other communal bathrooms with toilets available on the property, just a few hundred meters away from our cabin.
- Some rooms have twin beds, so sharing a bed may not be possible.
- No cell service or television. There is limited wi-fi.
- This is a dog-friendly property so be prepared for dogs around the property
- Hair dryers and curling irons are prohibited due to being solar powered. If you have any plug-in needs, please contact our Adventure Consultants
Gear We Provide
- Day Pack
- Trekking poles
- Bear spray canisters
- Company-issued first-aid kit and emergency communication device
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now). All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Trip Start
Trip Start & end
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Closest Airport
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Meeting Point
You’ll meet your guide and group at 10 am at the Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Alberta, Canada on Day 1.
Alternate pickup options: You may also arrange for pickup at the Calgary Airport hotels or downtown Banff for no additional fee. For pickup in downtown Calgary, there is a $20 fee.
Our Canada team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to answer any last-minute questions you may have.
Trip End
Trip Start
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Closest Airport
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Ending Point
Your guide will drop you off at the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Please plan for flights to depart no earlier than 6 pm.
Alternate drop-off options: You may also arrange for pickup at the Calgary Airport hotels or downtown Banff for no additional fee. For pickup in downtown Calgary, there is a $20 fee.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guides
Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 8 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements determined on a case-by-case basis
Trip Insurance
Field evacuation, repatriation, and medical insurance is highly recommended on all trips (field evacuation and repatriation minimum coverage is a combined $200,000 USD).
We recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Weather in the Canadian Rockies
The weather in the Canadian Rockies is typical of high mountain climates with sunny weather, summer thunderstorms, and radical and abrupt temperature changes. We recommend being prepared for a range of conditions by packing layered, non-cotton clothing, and having high quality waterproof and breathable rain gear (jackets and pants). Always expect 4 seasons in the Rockies. Whilst we hope it does not, it can snow in every month of the year. For a more comprehensive packing list, please refer to the detailed trip packet that you can download from this page and receive it when you register.
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip |
| June | 66° F | 41° F | 58.4 mm |
| July | 71° F | 45° F | 51.1 mm |
| August | 70° F | 44° F | 51.2 mm |
| September | 60° F | 38° F | 37.7 mm |
Accommodations
Nipika Mountain Resort
5 nights
Nipika Mountain Resort is an adventure destination in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia. Nipika borders Kootenay National Park and the nearest small town is 30 minutes away. Nipika is made up of a series of timber log framed cabins and has a massive trail network, a pond, disc golf course, and plenty of space to relax after an awesome day of hiking. Though it is off-grid and remote, you will still enjoy the luxuries of electricity, hot water, and (limited) wi-fi thanks to solar power. This lodge is pet-friendly so be prepared for dogs running around the property.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used
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