The Canadian Rockies span the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in the western part of the country. With their beautiful nature, they attract more than 30 million visitors per year. If you decide to pay a visit to their famous national parks, you may welcome some tips and trips. To be prepared for the unpredictable weather, come along with the crowds of tourists and create unforgettable memories, I’ve put together 8 tips how to survive exploring the Canadian Rockies.

My first tip on how to survive exploring the Canadian Rockies is the advice to go everywhere early in the morning. Many travel guides recommend visiting the main tourist attractions either before 11am or after 3pm. From my own experience, it is not early (or late) enough. If you are in the Canadian Rockies during the highest season (from the middle of June until end of September), early in the morning means at 9 am latest. We were leaving attractions usually at 9,30 am, in the time when all the tourist groups started spreading around the place. To learn more how to avoid crowds in the Canadian Rockies, make sure you read my 5 tips on how to enjoy Canadian Rockies without crowds.

It is said, that less is more. However, not in this case 😊 If you are planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, make sure you pack enough clothes, as more is really more in Canada. Weather in the mountains can change couple times during one hour, therefore it is better to wear more layers. During our hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers I kept changing three clothes layers every 15 minutes, without exaggerating.

Except for packing more layers of your clothes, think of taking water resistant and wind proof jacket with you too. I highly recommend investing in your jacket, you will see it is worth it. You will wear it on your hikes, while wandering on the top of the mountains, or even when having a walk around lake in a bad weather. If you are up to more difficult hikes and plan to stay more days in the nature, consider investing in water resistant and wind proof trousers. I regret not having them on the glacier 😊

One more advice regarding the bad weather. Do not forget to bring one rain coat for your backpack and camera bag. We were thankful to have them right upon our arrival to Calgary, on our way to hotel. We tested resistance of our jackets and rain coats at the very beginning and could be sure they will cope successfully with the mountain weather later.

For me, this is the most important rule. Wherever I go, I need to take some snack with me. Even more importantly when I am going on a hike in the mountains. Always pack for your journey snacks and enough water, don’t underestimate it. Once you set off on a hike, you will enter wilderness and won’t be able to buy anything in the mountains. There are hikes leading to tea houses, but do not rely on reaching them. You never know what will happen on your way. You can go uphill for hours, need to cross couple avalanches, or climb over fallen trees. Weather in mountains is unpredictable, storm can force you to turn back at any time. It is a must to be prepared for everything and to have snack and water to recharge your energy.

If you take some food with you, be responsible and do not feed wild animals!

Even if you are not a photographer, after seeing the beauty of Canadian Rockies, you will want to become one. Take your camera wherever you go, so you don’t miss the perfect opportunity. I believe you carry your smart phone with you all the time, however, I recommend SLR (Single Lens Reflex) or DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera to achieve perfect shots. For example, when shooting waterfalls, sunrise/sunset or mirror reflection on the water. Make sure you have your camera ready also while driving. That is when you have the best chance for spotting the wildlife, from your car. I was carrying my telephoto lens always on the roads and it paid off. When you want to take photo of a bear, you can’t capture him from a close distance, therefore it is wise to have telephoto lens preferably with zoom focal length. I used Canon Ef S 55-250mm f/4.0-5,6 IS STM. Better quality camera is also handy when you’re trying to capture little chipmunk stealing food from everyone.

You can read many blogs on how to travel with limited budget and how to save on your travels. However, when traveling to Canada, you should be prepared for more expensive trip. I recommend you calculate estimated costs of your trip in advance and start saving. To give you an idea how much your trip to Canadian Rockies may cost, read my blog how to plan your ultimate Canadian Rockies experience.

All souvenir shops in Canadian Rockies have one thing in common. They have wide offer of very nice things you will want to buy 😊 Selling various goods from magnets and key-chains to typical Canadian shirts, jackets and blankets, you will have problem to choose just one souvenir to buy. Make a list of your friends and family whom you wish to bring a small gift and once you buy, rather avoid these stores. Otherwise your money saved for the trip won’t be enough 😉

My last tip on how to survive the Canadian Rockies, literally, is to keep your distance from bears. Maybe this advice sounds unnecessary. ‘Who would approach bears, right?’ I can hear you saying. However, my experience speaks differently 🙂 Once you spot a bear, you automatically try to get as close as possible for the best shot. When you stop by the road, do not leave your car or stay at a close distance. Meeting a bear in backcountry is more dangerous. Official recommendations state that 100 meters is a safe distance. To learn more about bear safety and your safety around bears, visit website of the Government of B.C.

Love & happy travels,
RLT

P.S.: If you have any questions that popped up in your head during reading, different experience or suggestion, please share it in a comment below 😉