Whether you have a week, a weekend or just a few hours, one of the best ways to see Valemount this summer is from the back of an ATV. Climb high to catch the valley views, or stay low and bring along a fishing rod. Throw in your line, catch dinner and head back to camp before getting up in the morning and doing it all over again.
The Ride of your Life
Here in Valemount, at the foot of the Canadian Rockies and in the surrounded by some of the nation’s most spectacular scenery we ride with a purpose. We are collectors — we collect views and memories, and our collections are varied and they get bigger every day. In winter when there are metres of snow, we hunt for views from the saddle of a snowmobile. In summer, we trade in the sled for a quad and just keep going. Waterfalls, glacial lakes, mountain meadows — natural, undisturbed beauty is what we’re after and in Valemount we’re never disappointed. Come along for the ride of your life on hundreds of kilometres of forest service roads allowing access into landscapes that, for most people, only exist in the pages of magazines.
So many routes to choose from
Whether you have all day to spend riding, or just an hour or two, a great place to start your Valemount ATV adventure is the West Ridge Family Loop. The closest ATV area to town, West Ridge has several different intersecting trails, so go ahead and choose your own adventure! Camp out at Kinbasket Lake, at either Yellowjacket, Griffin or Horse Creek campgrounds, and then let the days unfold at your leisure. Kinbasket Lake is an ideal launch point for dozens of scenic journeys. Hugh Allen Forest Service Road is another great family-friendly ride. Bring lunch and extra fuel, because once you start you’ll want to keep going. More than 100 km (60 mi) of trail come easy here. Start with a route along Kinbasket Lake and then head up the Hugh Allen Drainage. This route keeps opening up to bigger and better views, so make sure to allow lots of time to explore.
Canoe Mountain and Sea to Sky Trail
Hold on tight and just go! Another hot spot accessed from Kinbasket Lake is known as the Sea to Sky Trail, or Canoe Mountain. Made up of old forest roads, the trail extends 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) up to the peak where riders behold breathtaking valley views. When the trail disappears, park your ride, grab your camera and stretch your legs. Within a short hike you can find alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows and maybe even some wildlife.