Trip Planning & FAQ 

Please note: We require a credit card as a deposit, on the day of the hike we prefer to be paid by cash, cheque or e-transfer.

Preferred payment options

• cash
• cheque
• room charge at the Post Hotel
• e-transfer for Canadians

American guests can pay in U.S. Dollars (cash or check) at posted exchange rates.

We take a credit card as a deposit but we do not put anything on it.  If you need to cancel we ask you so 72 hours in advance.  If you cancel before that, we do not charge you a fee.  If you cancel within 72 hours we will charge a $150 deposit.

We are a small business, and summer is our busy season.  We appreciate your understanding.

We expect you to come prepared to hike in any weather, from light rain to snow (yes it can snow in the summer). These can be great days because it does not usually rain all day, the temperatures are cool making it nice for hiking and it scares away the crowds😉

In Kananaskis check the Weather Network at https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/city/ca/alberta/kananaskis/current

 The best weather forecast for Lake Louise is Environment Canada for Yoho National Park Environment Canada’s Yoho National Park forecast – just make it one or two degrees cooler.

Please keep in mind mountain weather can change quickly and might be very different from the forecast.  It’s best to be ready for anything.

If rain is in the forecast, don’t fret, most of the time our rain is light, or it just falls for short periods of time.  A full day of rain is very rare.

We are always managing for safety.  We are trained as Wilderness First Responders (80hr course). In case something happens we carry an inreach, first aid kit, and bear spray.

We are a licenced company that has permits to operate in Kananaskis Country, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

At the trailhead you will be required to sign a waiver.  You can read it here, so you are comfortable with its contents prior to coming.

When entering the National Parks you must purchase a Discovery Park Pass. In Kananaskis Country, you are now required to have a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park at the trailheads. In the event of an emergency on the trail, this park pass covers the cost of a rescue. Passes for K-Country can be purchased online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass

For National Parks you can purchase a Discovery Pass at the park gates or visitor centres when you arrive, or online ahead of time at (https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/admission .

Note the National Park Discovery passes are valid for all the mountain national parks at the same time (Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, Mt. Revelstoke-Glacier) for one year.

Basic Essentials:

• sturdy footwear, with good grip, hiking shoes or boots are best
• a waterproof jacket (and pants if you have them), or a poncho
• a day pack to carry extra clothing, food and other gear
• winter hat & gloves or mitts (yes really…it can snow here in the summer)
• warm layer like a fleece or puffy
• sunscreen & sunhat
• any necessary medications
• water (1.5-2 litres is a good amount)
• snacks (for 1/2 days)
• lunch and snacks (for full days)

We have a few hiking poles and packs for you to borrow if you need it.

Most hotels will pack a lunch for you, be sure to let them know it’s for a hike and it needs to fit into a pack. In Lake Louise we recommend Laggan’s Mountain Deli (403-522-2017). In Banff and Canmore, there are lots of coffee shops and sandwich places, and local grocery stores.

Mountain weather can change dramatically in a day – it can literally go from summer to winter conditions in a matter of hours. The key is to “dressing in layers,” this allows you to quickly adjust clothing to be most comfortable.

Bottom

• Pants: Quick dry nylon pants are ideal, if possibly get the ones that have zip-off legs (be sure to get the ones where the leg can come off/on without taking off your footwear). It’s recommended you have rain pants too.
• Shorts: If you are keen to wear shorts be sure to aim for a warm day.  If you have zip off legs make sure they are in your pack.  Ask us about the bugs and trail conditions.  It’s best to have some pants in your pack just in case.

Top

• It’s nice to hike in a nylon hiking shirt or merino wool light top with long sleeves that can be rolled up if hot. Collars provide extra sun protection on your neck.
• Be sure to bring a warm layer, this can be a fleece or puffy.
• It’s nice to have a lightweight nylon jacket, ideally with a hood.

Footwear

• Hiking shoes or hiking boots are best.
• You can wear runners but in many cases they do not have the necessary tread needed for the trails which make them slippery. 
• Additionally, you need to be prepared for them to get wet and muddy if it rains.  

Bring a winter hat & mitts – Seriously!

Think of it as insurance, if you need it you wish you had it.  Because you brought it you probably won’t need it😉

No you don’t wear a bathing suit. Forest Bathing originated in Japan in the early 1980s in response to a health crisis. They found time in nature helped alleviate much of people’s stress, which was the source of their other illnesses.They coined the term Shinrin-Yoku which means to bathe in the atmosphere of the forest through your senses or Forest Bathing.

For you to receive the benefits from a forest bathing walk allow yourself to simply be with the trees and nature and connect with it through your senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Throughout the walk, you will be offered you a series of “invitations”.  You are invited to what comes to you naturally and what feels comfortable for you.

Forest bathing is not a hike or a naturalist walk, it’s specifically designed to connect you to nature for the many associated benefits. During a session, you will be invited to tune into your senses and slow down through a series of “invitations”. You are welcome to do the invitations in a way that works for you. This organic process helps calm your mind and body so you can receive the medicine of being in the forest. 

As a form of forest therapy, it helps to treat many ailments which arise from urban life. If practiced regularly over time people experience a stronger immune and cardiovascular system, decrease in stress, anxiety and depression as well as increased happiness, pleasure in life, sense of wellbeing and improved relationships.

Yes it’s a great activity to do as a team. Forest Bathing helps prevent burnout and renews people who are exhausted. As you feel more rejuvenated you will be able to show up more authentically with your team members.

It’s the only activity that has a positive impact on physiological (internal) and cognitive (mental) stress. When physiological stress is alleviated, you can show up more authentically. Simply being in nature helps lower blood pressure and cortisol levels which helps you feel more relaxed and calm. 

When cognitive stress is relieved you will experience better concentration, improved memory, decision making and creative thinking. While in nature you will automatically have “soft fascination” or a gentle awareness of what is going on around you which helps your brain reset itself naturally. 

Additionally, social awareness is expanded in Forest Bathing through light sharing rounds. Authentic sharing fosters connection for those of you who share a common purpose. 

Forest Bathing also helps you access other ways of knowing and thinking other than your mind.  This is ideal for groups who are about to work on challenges or make big decisions.

While amazing races in Banff are a ton of fun, Forest Bathing is more relaxed and restorative. Everyone can participate and show up in a way that feels right for them. We have had managers say that “this was the first time they really saw all their team members.”

Yes, we offer walks that use local naturalist stories to teach various topics like resilience.  For example, in the Fire in the Forest program we teach how different trees deal with fire and relate it to your team.  It’s especially helpful for teams with different generations to learn from each other. This can be done as a team building event or as leadership development.

As local naturalists we can customize a walk based on the theme of your conference or team retreat.

Nature is a great teacher to learn about leadership. We have two types of leadership programs.   The first is using the forest bathing model. This model weaves in deep restoration with leadership development. The  session starts by using a few invitations to help people slow down and reset, this gives everyone all the benefits listed above. This way everyone is able to show up from a relaxed authentic place.

Then we start to delve into leadership development. We give the group open ended invitations linked to a leadership idea, as they are so open you will naturally use the forest as a mirror to identify areas of growth. Not only do you see where you need to grow but you see exactly how to get there, usually this involves a shift in mindset or behavours. This process involves the senses and less of the thinking mind. This helps you access other ways of knowing yourself and your roles.

The second is using local naturalist stories to teach an idea then generating conversations around the concept. Currently, Fire in the Forest is a well liked program that teaches about resilience and how the forest has built resilience to fire. We explore how each tree has done this over time. This style provides interesting local information along with learning from each other.

The first thing we see is individuals get more relaxed and rejuvenated. Participants are able to see themselves in a scene in the forest and find meaningful insights. Insights that surprise them. The conversation goes deeper, people share personal elements of their journey and revelations arising in the moment. People are more willing to be vulnerable in the forest.

Because we are not trying to fit people into a leadership box, their own leadership is allowed to emerge, people start to find their own voice. They are seen and heard in the sharing rounds which helps strengthen their inner voice.

We can take people through our leadership process and we are happy to work with the organizers to customize the program to fit the specific goals of the company or facilitators.

We go to Moraine Lake or Lake O’Hara. The trails are great and the scenery is spectacular. Life quickly comes into perspective in big mountain landscapes. This is a bucket list experience.

Yes, I am certified by CTI (Coach Training International) and Positive Intelligence. I work with people who want to make changes in their life and to see what is possible. It takes courage to step into something new. Perhaps something is calling you but it feels too big yet you know you need to explore it. Working together we explore these types of topics step by step and you decide on appropriate actions.

I help people connect to their values and live a life aligned with what is important to them.  Additionally, I support people in finding and aligning to their purpose. Your purpose can change throughout your life and sometimes you need to tweak how you live into it.  

I don’t offer advice, my goal is to help you find your own answers through powerful questions and conversations.

For half day team building and leadership programs, we use quiet trails near Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis Village. For Forest Bathing retreats we go to Quantum Leaps Lodge in Golden, BC.

For the half day and full day programs, weather is variable so please come prepared for anything.  We will send out a list of what to bring in your confirmation email. treat at a location of your choice.

Out here we say “there is no such thing as bad weather…just bad gear!” We go rain or shine, dress warmly. Therefore, if it’s cold we still go out. The good news is that means there will be less people on the trail which is ideal!  No matter what the weather is, the key is to be prepared.

Remember it is the Rocky Mountains, the weather here changes every 5 min so please be willing to go with the flow.

We are always managing for safety.  We are trained as Wilderness First Responders (80hr course). In case something happens we carry an inreach, first aid kit, and bear spray.

We are a licenced company that has permits to operate in Kananaskis Country, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

At the trailhead you will be required to sign a waiver.  You can read it here, so you are comfortable with its contents prior to coming.