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Our Jasper to Banff 500 tour is a more challenging version of our famous Icefields Parkway tour. On this cycling adventure, through the heart of the Canadian Rockies main range, we will be exploring all the best roads, climbs, and descents. Around every corner, at the top of every climbs, and during your hard-earned descents, you will be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of these un tapper landscapes. This is an opportunity for you to connect with one of the last truly wild pieces of North America with the most scenic roads along your journey. Your rides will take you to these moon-like landscapes surrounding ancient glaciers and icefields, following the rivers and waterfalls they feed, along some of the bluest lakes in Canada. In the evening, you will be enjoying delightful meals, in great company, sharing memories of the day’s ride. Your host will handpick comfortable local lodges for you to rest for the next day’s adventure. Join us on this Gran Fondo of the Canadian Rockies!
Trip Description
This tour for avid cyclists features the incredible beauty and diversity of the Canadian Rockies main range. On this challenging and rewarding ride, you will not only get to cycle the entire Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, but you will also get to visit some of the hidden and pristine gems of Canada's Rocky Mountains. Come challenge yourself on all the amazing climbs to stunning vistas on this tour geared toward ambitious intermediate to advanced road riders.
Itinerary
Trip starts and ends in Banff, Alberta
Day 1 (Sunday)
The Prologue Beautiful Lakes
After meeting at 9 am at the Banff train station, we shuttle to the historic town of Jasper. The van ride is absolutely spectacular and you will get to enjoy the scenery without having to sweat. Once in Jasper, we size up the bikes and take an afternoon acclimatization ride to Jasper's famous lakes. Overnight Jasper Inn. Group dinner with orientation. Distance: 16km/10mi, +129m/423ft, -129m/423ft.Day 2
Ride to the biggest lake and the deepest canyon
Ride to the biggest lake and the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies After a sumptuous breakfast buffet, we ride to the largest lake in Jasper National Park. Maligne Lake is famed for the color of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake, and Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the world. On our way back we explore the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies – Maligne Canyon with all its cascades. Overnight Jasper Inn. Dinner at your leisure. Distance: 100km/62mi,+1197m/3950ft, -1197/3950ft.Day 3
Tackle a portion of the Tour of Alberta and see some huge waterfalls
In the morning we will ride up to the base of the Marmot Basin ski area. This 10k/6mi climb was part of the 2017 Tour of Alberta where some of the world's best cyclists challenged themselves on. The exhilarating descent is very fluid and lacks traffic for your best enjoyment. The other two highlights of the day are the amazing waterfalls at Athabasca and Sunwapta. We stay overnight at Sunwapta Falls Resort and enjoy dinner as a group. Distance 77km/48mi, +1363m/4472ft, -1030m/3379ft.Day 4
Climb Sunwapta Pass and experience the Columbia Icefield
This morning we are following the Sunwapta River up to tackle the steepest climb of the trip to the breathtaking Columbia Icefields. After a sightseeing stop at the Athabasca Glacier, we continue to climb across Sunwapta Pass. Enjoy a fun, fast, and extremely scenic 15km / 10mi descent to valley bottom before reaching the Weeping Wall. From here we will follow the Saskatchewan River to our hotel at The Crossing. Dinner at your leisure. Distance 98km/61mi, +1232m/4066ft, -1182m/3901ft.Day 5
The highest pass and two world renowned lakes
After a good night's sleep, it's onto the bikes again. Today's ride starts with a long climb to the highest point on the Parkway at Bow Summit. A side trip to Peyto Lake viewpoint at 7000ft is a must. From here we continue downhill past spectacular lakes, rivers, glaciers, and mountain peaks to Lake Louise. Here another challenge awaits – climb into the Valley of the Ten Peaks and to world-famous Moraine Lake. Overnight at Mountaineer Lodge and partake of the tour's last dinner as a group. Distance 110km/68mi, +1554m/5128ft , -1457m/4808ft.Day 6 (Friday)
The Grande Finale to Banff
Our last day's ride takes us along the beautiful Bow Valley Parkway toward Banff. Wildlife sightings of elk, bear, and bighorn sheep are frequent on this road and beautiful views of the turquoise Bow River and majestic Castle Mountain offer a great backdrop to today’s ride. After saying your goodbyes you will be dropped off at the train/bus station or at a hotel of your choice (all drop off completed by 1:00 p.m.). Distance: 58km/36mi, +517m/1706ft, -674m/2224ft.2 Professional Guides from the region
Meals:
- 5 Breakfasts
- 5 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Snacks and beverages between meals
Hotel Accommodations in dbl occ :
- Jasper Inn & Suites
- Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge
- The Crossing Resort
- Mountaineer Lodge
Transportation & Luggage:
- Support Van for cyclists
- Transportation from/to Banff
- Luggage transfers
- National Park fees
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Pricing NameStartEndGroup (Min-Max)Pricing
$650 CAD deposit per person is due with booking. If you are part of an exclusive group booking a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the trip fee is due at the time of booking. Balance is payable 60 days prior to the trip. If trip is cancelled more than 60 days prior to departure we refund the deposit except for a $200 CAD cancellation fee. If trip is cancelled 31-60 days prior to departure 50% of the trip fee is non-refundable. If trip is cancelled 30 days or less before departure trip fee is non-refundable. We do recommend trip cancellation insurance.
