Hi! How is everyone? How January has already passed is beyond me, but after traveling for a work conference and then getting sick for a week, I'm finally back upright and plugging away. This year looks to be fantastic, with plenty of beautiful places to introduce you to and help spur some imagination for future trips!

To the new and old faces, thanks for being here. I appreciate you all!

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First things first: A Brand New Youtube Video from my week in the Canadian Rockies last fall. I'd love it if you watched it and also subscribed to my YouTube Channel. Thanks!!

5 Things to Know About Planning a Canadian Rockies Trip

Currency Exchange Rate is Quite Favorable

Right now, the US Dollar is incredibly strong, making Canada very affordable. As of writing this, Canada is 30% off, meaning that 1 CAD is worth .70 USD. While Canada is slightly more expensive overall, the currency exchange gives you a decent discount for hotels and food while in the country.

Jasper is Open

After the terrible fire that decimated the area last year, Jasper is fully open and will be even more recovered in 4 months for summer adventures. I recently met with a tourism rep at a conference, and they asked me to let people know that they are very much open to tourism and need it. The city runs off tourists, and without people visiting, they struggle.

Things to see in and around Jasper: Icefields Parkway, Maligne Lake (the road here is stunning), Columbia Icefield, Downtown Jasper, and plenty of waterfalls. I've only been here for 24 hours and can't wait to come back.

​Book Jasper Hotels​

​Explore Tours around Jasper​

Easy-to-Access Views

Simply driving on the highway can offer better views than what most people will ever see in their lives. So, you'll never be without stunning views. And they are even easier to access once you visit the Icefields Parkway. This 145-mile road between Lake Louise and Jasper is arguably the most gorgeous road in the world.

Throughout this drive, there are vistas, lakes, and overlooks offering places to take photos, go hike, and soak up the views. Plan for a full day (and full tank of gas) as you explore this stretch of heaven.

​Here's my guide to the Icefields Parkway.

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Endless Hiking

My list of hikes in the Canadian Rockies looks like a Walgreens receipt. I have some articles about hiking, but I'll also list some great hikes that you can add to your list.

• Big or Little Beehive (Lake Louise)
• Plain of Many Glaciers (Lake Louise)
• ​Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass (Moraine Lake)
• Rockbound Lake
• Smutwood Peak
• Burstall Pass and Snow Peak
• Tent Ridge
• Healy Pass
• Egypt Lakes
• Mount Assiniboine
• Read's Tower
• ​Sarrail Ridge​
• Jimmy Simpson Jr
• Pocaterra Ridge
• ​Lake O'Hara​
• ​Kananaskis Country​

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Expect Crowds in the Middle of Summer

You can't escape the crowds if you want to visit popular destinations like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. But these places are popular for a reason, and they allow you to see honestly jaw-dropping views. But the good part is that you can find places to escape from these very crowded areas on hikes.

Remember, hiking just a half mile from a trailhead or vista point will significantly reduce crowds.

To visit Lake Louise, you either have to get there early and pay the new $37 per day fee or hop on a bus from the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot. To visit Moraine Lake, you must take a bus. No private cars are allowed unless you stay at the hotel there, and it's expensive!

If you wish to visit the Canadian Rockies and want my input that's more than a quick email response, I'm happy to schedule a 60-minute consultation to help you out! Just shoot me a message, and we can get it lined up.

Save Money at the Gear Corner

Here's gear that is on sale from REI for a pretty decent discount. Some of these sales end today. Apologies for the last-minute-ness.

​Up to 40% off Patagonia Gear​

​40% off Women's Nano Puff Jacket​

​50% off Women's Puff Hoody And here's the Men's one, also 50% off​

​50% off Double Sleeping Bag​

​30% off Big Agnes 2P Backpacking Tent Ultralight​

​50% off SMITH glacier glasses (sale ends 2/4)​

​40% off NEMO Dagger Backpacking tent (sale ends 2/4)​

​40% off Gregory Backpacking Backpack (sale ends 2/4)​

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