Horseback Riding Alberta

Horses and Alberta go back a long way. The west was explored with horses, tamed by mounties on horseback, settled with horses and ploughed with horses. Today there are numerous opportunites for exploring Alberta on horseback. Here are a couple you will find of equestrian interest.

Horseback Jasper
Choose from a great variety of horsebacking adventures in Jasper National Park
Pyramid Lake Stables (at Pyramid Resort) has short rides up into the benchlands above Jasper townsite (780-852-7433).
Ridgeline Riders in Jasper has longer guide rides available at Maligne Lake, including the Bald Hills Fire Lookout ride (780-852-3370)
At Jasper Park Lodge, horse are available for hourly rental. From here you can take a leisurely ride to Lake Annette or a 5 hour canyon ride. Riding lessons are also available.
For a longer expedition how about 3 or 4 days at the Shovel Pass Lodge. Private cabins (newly renovated) with home cooking. Call Skyline Trail Rides (403-852-4215)

Horseback Banff
We do recommend guided trail riding. There are a variety of reasons that we will not go into here.

Short rides are available from Timberline Tours to Bow Lake (call 403-522-3743). They also do expeditions up to 14 days or longer. Talk to the experts.

Holiday on Horseback . Their corral is at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and they run one hour trips along the Spray River. If you fancy the idea of riding your mount up to a hearty breakfast then this is the place! They also arrangecovered wagon rides and rides that include wilderness cookouts (1800-661-8352). Best time to try the six day ride is the fall when leaves have started to change and weather is still nice.

Brewsters Lake Louise Stables. You can ride (half day) to the plain of six glaciers (Lake Louise) on an awe-inspiring ride where you will see something very vew people will ever see, six stunning glaciers. Saddle up for another amazing (full day) ride to Paradise Valley, the Giant Steps and lake Annette. Lunch is included. Contact Brewster's Lake Louise Stables at 403-522-3522. Want more cowboy stuff? How about Brewster's Cowboy and dance barn.

For those seeking multi day pack trips consider calling

Horseback Kananaskis Area (southwest of Calgary)

East of Banff in Kanaskis country is the Rafter Six Ranch, near Seebe. Situated nicely on the banks of the Kananaskis River is a ranch with lodging in a guest ranch, daily trail rides and good old country coooking. (403-673-3622)
Just off highway 40 you find the Boundary ranch where adventure rides are available as well as week-long trail ride backcountry trips. Your choice. (877-591-7177)

Horseback Waterton
Alpine Stables features horses and guides daylight hours with over 200 kilometers of trails. Ask about Crypt Lake