K-Country With Kids

by Stacie Gaetz

I have lived in Calgary my whole life, but I am still in awe of the tranquil beauty of the mountains located only an hour from our bustling city of more than 1 million people.

Teaching our children to appreciate the beauty of nature has always been a family value for us. That’s why we make regular trips out to hike in the summer and spent Thanksgiving in a quaint little Airbnb in Dead Man’s Flats.

Getting away

A shoulder season break seemed like the perfect time to pack up the SUV with our dog and kids and drive up to the Kananaskis.

Although the thermometer dipped below -20C with the windchill every day we were there, we weren’t about to let that stop us from enjoying the fresh (and brisk!) mountain air.

With temperatures that low, the obvious winter activities of skating and skiing were out of the question, but a bundled-up walk on the ridge near the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge was just what we needed.

When the bleak mid-winter blues set in, there is no better way to shake them than to enjoy a walk among the gentle rock giants laying asleep in their blankets of snow.

Happy hikers

As long as you make sure that you have warm clothing (in layers), good quality boots, some snacks and water, you can avoid the “I’m cold and hungry!” complaints that usually come with winter hikes.

It’s also a good idea to take your kids’ mind off of the chill by making it fun. We chose to get silly with a full-on family snowball fight that ended in giggles and victory dances.

Whether you are driving out for a day trip or staying at the Lodge, there is a certain peace that befalls you when you are surrounded by the serenity of the giant trees, frozen bodies of water and snow-capped peaks, no matter the temperature.

Amenities

We chose to make our trip worth the drive and stayed at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge to enjoy the luxury of the Nordic Spa, restaurants, indoor waterpark and more.

Another place to stay in Kananaskis is the Crosswaters Resort that shares amenities with the Lodge, or you can take the short drive to Canmore and stay at one of their hotels, motels or Airbnbs.

Ready for the road

Whether you make it a day trip or stay for the night, the winter weather in the area can present some hazards on the drive so be sure to properly equip your car with an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, orange cones, a first aid kit, extra water and blankets to take the worry out of your winter road trip!