Women's Wilderness Adventure Ride
August 13 - 17, 2007

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Gather your friends or come on your own and meet other adventure-seeking women in an exclusive women's only ride that enhances the bonds of women's sprit.

This 5 day (4 night) ride, hosted by Holly J. Wood* takes you out to the cozy Sundance Lodge and rustic Halfway Lodge (descriptions below).

Enjoy day rides with cowboy lunch on the trail and hearty home cooked meals at the lodges.

Relax in the high country of Banff National Park while enjoying a good book, a walk by a mountain stream or the camaraderie of your fellow women adventurers.

Riders can expect days of breathtaking scenery and loyal surefooted horses while evenings are spent sharing stories of life and laughter.

*Holly J. Wood - President of Right Mind Media is a veteran of wilderness adventures. She spent 17 years living in Banff working as an executive in the tourism industry. As the Regional Director of Public Relations for the Banff Springs and its sister properties she organized numerous specialized trips for women. Golf, hiking and skiing are just some of the activities that she has hosted for adventure-seeking women, but her true passion is riding horses in the backcountry of Banff National Park.

"We live in such a fast-paced world that to totally leave behind the challenges and pressures of demanding careers, family and the expectations of a spouse and retreat into the backcountry with like-minded groups of women is to strip life down to the basics. The country is beautiful, the horses are reliable, and the accommodation and food are excellent. The rewarding part is the camaraderie and bonding that you experience when traveling with women. The laughter and honesty are what make the trip memorable."

A gifted raconteur, Holly delights her audience with tales of the many celebrities she met while working at the legendry Banff Springs as well as stories of wildlife (translate bear) encounters she has had. When Wood started trail riding in Banff, she had very little experience. She learned that a love of horses and wilderness is all one needs to have an enjoyable experience in the mountains. Her advice for first-timers is "Do not hesitate, women of all ages and abilities join us in the backcountry. Everyone rides together there is no competition. It is all about the experience. At the end of the day, we are truly sisters in the saddle." Holly invites anyone who seeking more information on the Women's Wilderness Adventure Ride to contact her directly at mediadiva@mac.com

Accommodations

Sundance Lodge - Completed in 1991 the lodge sits on the site of the horse corral for Ten-Mile cabin, built by Canadian Pacific Railway back in the 1920's. The cabin itself remains standing and was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers travelling to Mount Assiniboine, whose names you can still see carved into the logs. Sundance Lodge sits alongside a gentle curve on Brewster Creek, with the Sundance mountain range as a backdrop.

Built entirely with fir logs, the lodge has 10 sleeping rooms, a very large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area where you can curl up by the woodstove and lose yourself in a good book. And although it is a remote backcountry lodge, a welcome comfort was included - hot showers. (Please note that, for environmental reasons, showers are restricted to one per stay).

Sundance has 10 sleeping rooms with 3 beds in each room. Rooms are designated on a choose your own basis once at the lodges.

Halfway Lodge - Surrounded by the beauty of towering peaks, Halfway Lodge has been a welcome haven for over 80 years. Rich in tradition, this cabin was used back in the late 1920's by mountain guide Erling Strom as a stopover for his guests travelling form Banff to Mount Assiniboine. Then a single storied cabin, Strom's wranglers spent the night sleeping in tents while guests found floor space within. Halfway has remained pretty much as originally built, with the exception of a second story added in 1967. Halfway sleeps a maximum of 14 guests in single beds in 4 sleeping rooms. The lifestyle at this rustic backcountry cabin remains much the same as it was 80 years ago - simple. Propane lanterns and candles provide the lighting, and a woodstove keeps the water hot and the cabin warm and cozy.

INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR
Women's Wilderness Adventure Ride

CHECK-IN POINT 132 BANFF AVENUE, THE TRAIL RIDER STORE
CHECK-IN TIME IS 9:30 AM

CHECK-IN

Check in is at 9:30 am. It is not necessary to check-in early or the day before. After check-in, we take you by van to our stable in Banff where you will meet your guide, who will explain some basic trail riding guidelines.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Your deposit is completely non-refundable; however it is transferable to another person or trip in the next season, if our office receives notice at least 14 days prior to your trip departure date. Deposits may not be transferred to anyone already booked on a ride. Any money paid over and above your deposit will be refunded to you. No refunds are given on any trip in progress.

GETTING THERE

  • Banff is only 80 miles (130 km) west of the Calgary International Airport and is easily accessible by shuttle bus or rental car. Shuttles depart 7 days a week from the airport, three times daily. It is important to call to confirm all shuttle departure times and prices. Most major car rental agencies have offices at the airport.
  • Banff Airporter 1-888-449-2901
  • Brewster Transportation 1-800-661-1152
  • Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle 1-888-762-8754

ACCOMMODATION

It is essential that you make Banff hotel reservations well in advance if you are planning to spend any nights at all in Banff. The summer season in Banff is extremely hectic, and you may have great difficulty finding accommodation if you arrive in Banff without having made any prior arrangements. Enclosed is a full list of local hotels and bed and breakfasts, all within 5-15 minutes of our check in point, the Trail Rider Store on Banff Avenue. The Mount Royal Hotel is conveniently located just two doors down from the main office and check in point.

CAR AND EXTRA LUGGAGE

Your extra luggage and valuables may be left in our care at the Trail Rider Store. You can leave your vehicle at the stables in Banff (directions given upon check-in). We do not recommend leaving anything of value in your car while on your trip.

WHAT TO BRING

The following pages outline the items you NEED to bring with you. It is essential that our guests be prepared for all kinds of mountain weather. We have had many years of personal experience dealing with Mother Nature up here, so please take our list to heart.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU ON YOUR LODGE TRIP

Mother Nature can be unpredictable up here in the mountains, so our guests need to come prepared for every type of weather. Clothing that is easily layered works the best. You can always remove what you don't need, but you still have it just in case. Also, bring your most comfortable gear -- this is not the time to break-in new boots or a new hat.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
Month High Low
May 14C / 57F 2C / 34F
June 19C / 66F 5C / 41F
July 22C / 71F 7C / 45F
August 22C / 70F 7C / 44F
September 16C / 60F 3C / 38F
October 10C / 50F -1C / 31F
·

These are average temperatures at an elevation of 4538 feet. Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out to the lodge on a mule and our animals comfort is very important to us. By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that.

You must pack your gear in soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag. It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs. It's a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing. Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.

If you would like to bring saddlebags (we don't supply them), please fill them only with essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc.

We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to the saddle. We have a limited supply of saddlebags for rent for $2/day, however we suggest you book them early, as last year this was a popular service. Rentals are available for pick up upon check in (sorry, no earlier) and are rented out on a cash only basis.

Please note that we provide the bed, bedding and pillows. The length of your trip will alter what you need. This list is ideal for a 6-day trip. The following list details essential items to bring with you:

  1. A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or a fleece jacket.
  2. Rain gear -- A raincoat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have one, we recommend an oilskin slicker. We have a limited supply of full-length oilskin slickers for rent for $7/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. Slickers are available for pick up upon check in and are rented out on a cash only basis.
  3. Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts, 1 long-sleeve shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 T-shirts. Adjust according to the length of your trip.
  4. Jeans -- We suggest one pair for riding in during the day and another pair for wearing around camp. Two pairs of jeans are all you should need on any of our trips. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.
  5. Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not recommended. Plastic bags inside your boots can help to keep your feet dry on rainy days.
  6. Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around the lodge, and a pair of slippers or indoor shoes to wear inside the lodge. An extra pair of dry socks is also recommended.
  7. Toiletries -- Towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc. Please note that we do not have any electricity at our lodges. WE SUPPLY TOILET PAPER AND HAND SOAP AT BOTH LODGES
  8. Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!
  9. Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine. Please ensure that your hat fits snug and will not blow off in the wind
  10. Gloves and a scarf -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins (bring two pair just in case one gets wet). A silk or cotton scarf/bandana is recommended for extra warmth.
  11. Sunscreen -- sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
  12. Your camera -- Don't forget extra film.
  13. Liquor -- Please make sure that all bottled liquor is well-wrapped in plastic and placed in the middle of your duffel to prevent it from breaking. Plastic bottles are preferred. Canned mix and beer is available for sale at both lodges. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30lb limit. All camps are supplied by mule or pack horse.
  14. Water bottle -- for refreshment while you are riding.
  15. Please note: If you are planning on making your final trip payment with cash, please arrange to bring exact change with you to speed up the sign-in process. If you are planning on making your final payment with a credit card, please contact the credit card company ahead of time to make them aware of the future charge (often, to protect you, credit card companies will not allow a legitimate charge to go through if they are not aware that you are traveling in another country).