Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights

Experience the rugged mountains of Canada and go in search of the northern lights in the night skies of Alberta. Watch for moose, white-tailed deer and elk as you drive through the Canadian wilderness. Admire curtains of ice along a steel catwalk built into the rock walls of Johnston Canyon and be immersed in Indigenous Métis culture during a stay in Smoky Lake. Hear about traditional stories from local Métis guides and see a herd of bison (including the rare white bison!). Meet and greet a team of canines before ticking dogsledding off your bucket list – this is one of the many optional activities on offer – or just wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate and lose yourself in the beauty of the Rockies. Packed with eye-popping views of snow-capped mountain ranges and frozen wonderlands, this 11-day adventure is the ultimate great white north escape. While Jasper faced significant wildfires in 2024 that impacted much of the town, we want to reassure you that the hotel we’ll be staying in, along with the activities planned for our itinerary, are open and ready to welcome visitors. Your visit is not only an opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures but also a chance to directly support the many local businesses that rely on tourism to recover and thrive.Less time spent in a vehicle more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so bring your warm clothes. The weather may also mean that some events are cancelled or scheduled activities become unsafe. We will attempt to rearrange the itinerary or schedule replacement activities if this is the case.Please be aware that this itinerary does not allow time for skiing and snowboarding, and due to the safety risks inherent in these activities, we are unable to offer them as optional activities. If you wish to ski or snowboard while in Canada we suggest you arrive early in Whistler or stay in Banff after the trip. If you wish to ski or snowboard during free time during the trip, that's up to you, but please note that our leaders are unable to help you book these activities as per Intrepid's safety policy.