The Canadian Rocky Mountains are one of the most visited, recognizable and photographed natural areas on earth. Their majestic peaks, scenic valleys, breathtaking rivers, lakes and glaciers find their way into photographs, movies, television shows and advertisements worldwide. These beautiful natural attractions draw more than four million people annually from all around the world to Banff National Park alone. How was this staggering mass of rock, that rises thousands of feet above the Western Canadian Prairies, formed? Why do the Canadian Rockies look the way they do? What forces of nature could produce and shape such awesome, picturesque features? Who were the first inhabitants of the mountain areas? Who were and when did the first Europeans arrive, and why? How did Banff National Park come to be?
Designed by a Professional Geologist and historian, this full day 2026 Reclaiming Conference Field Trip provided by Calgary based GeoHistory (www.geohistory.ca) begins in Calgary, passes through the Foothills, continues along the Bow Valley past Canmore and ends at the Banff townsite in Banff National Park. Participants will not only learn how the Canadian Rockies were created, formed, and molded during the driving portion of the tour, but also gain an insight into the cultural history and into the importance of the Rockies in the economy of the area, province and country. The challenges finding balance between nature and human development will be addressed as will the topic of natural, cyclical climate change. Is the present CO2 climate debate supported by the records found in nature?
Arriving in Banff, participants will climb aboard the Sulphur Mountain Gondola for a quick ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain where, high above the Banff townsite, participants will find themselves in the middle of six mountain ranges and experience the awe-inspiring panoramic vistas from on top of the world.
After returning to the mountain base, participants will be driven back to the townsite and have several hours to experience Banff on their own – to have a later lunch at one Banff’s many local eating (and drinking) establishments, see and photograph the local sites and/or shop. Our 56-passenger luxury coach will depart from 9030 Macleod Trail at 8:30am and return at approximately 7:30pm.
| FIELD TRIP DATE | PRICE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday October 2nd, 2026 and Monday October 5th, 2026 | $275.00 plus GST |
Two field trips. One on Friday and one on Monday. For both field trips, our 56-passenger luxury coach will depart from 9030 Macleod Trail at 8:30am. Our coach will travel through the foothills into the Bow Valley to our final destination of Banff. There will be several instructional road side stops along the way to view some spectacular scenery and illustrate various natural processes and features. Our coach will leave Banff for the return trip to Calgary at approximately 6pm, with an estimated return time at the conference hotel of 7:30 pm. Coach transportation, National Park fees, gondola fees, water and light snacks are included in the price. Please note, lunch is not included. Space is limited. The field trip will proceed rain or shine.
