If you are looking to have an unforgettable experience in Canmore this summer, Active by Nature and Canmore Raft Tours have partnered to provide a perfect adventure for you.
It is a pairing that will appeal to those looking for something that is both adventurous and unique, without requiring scrambling to a mountain peak, or similar feats requiring maximum exertion and daring.
It avoids the extremely popular spots that have been filling up very early in the day, this summer of the staycation. It pairs an energetic and exhilarating hour of gentle exercise with an educational, scenic and relaxing float down the Bow River.
It will heat you up and cool you down. Like yin and yang, these two activities complement each other perfectly and combine to give you a wonderful afternoon both around and on the beautiful Bow River.
The active part of the adventure involves an introduction to Nordic walking, which transforms a walk into a total-body workout by using especially designed Nordic walking poles.
The plant, push, propel action that you do with the poles takes a little bit of instruction, which starts along Canmore’s pedestrianized Main Street.
But by the time you reach the Bow River, most people will have it dialled and will be ready to take in the gorgeous mountain and river scenery that Canmore is known for.
The Nordic walking tour ends at the boat launch, where you will receive your briefing, get suited up with a lifejacket ready to begin Canmore Raft Tour’s Townie float. This is not an adrenalin-packed, white-knuckled white water raft tour, but a relaxing float on the fast moving water of the Bow, which carries the rafts steadily downstream.
The Townie offers guests an opportunity to see Canmore in all its grandeur and beauty from the perspective of the river. During this tour you will explore the natural and cultural histories of the valley and see how the urban and natural attributes of this mountain town have learned to co-exist.
Your knowledgeable and enthusiastic interpretive river guides will point out all kinds of interesting things along the way. Elk, beaver, eagles, deer and even bear have been seen along this section of the Bow River. At the conclusion of the tour, you will be transported by shuttle van back to the start, assuredly with some unforgettable memories of an afternoon well-spent.
This combination of a Nordic walk and a float is offered daily from 12:45 pm to 3:00 pm. The cost is $70 plus taxes. It is suitable for ages 12 and over. The meeting place is the Tour Canmore office, 1 - 702 Main St.
Summer Explorer is an in-paper feature section produced by the Rocky Mountain Outlook, Cochrane Eagle, Airdrie City View and Okotoks Western Wheel.
