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Calgary 2025 ABS Conference & Alberta Exploration
The 2025 ABS Conference is being held in Calgary, Alberta from Friday Aug 1 → Sunday Aug 3, 2025 at the Calgary Convention Center.
Why not add a few extra days of exploration? Looking at Austin Adventure's tours starting in Calgary I found inspiration in their Banff Adventure, which guides small groups through a week of moderate hiking and rafting around Banff, just west of Calgary. Elham and I have used them once before, in our National Park Trip, and their level of effort and curating of adventures was just at our level.
There's no need to duplicate their itinerary, but why not cherry pick a few recommended day trips? The following is a list of some hikes and places to stay, assuming we can arrive late Sunday, July 27 and finish Friday morning - giving us four good days for hiking? Without rafting… Or perhaps a few days after the conference? Simple trip planning without any tightening of the screws of reservations and dates.
Hiking disclaimer: 60 year old knees will not like 3,000' of climbing four days straight. So, let's not.
ABS Conference 2025
The conference details are not yet available, other than:
The 49th annual conference will take place on August 1-3, 2025 at the Telus Convention Center in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. https://www.bahaistudies.ca/event/2025
The Telus Convention Center is on the same block as the Hyatt Regency, so it's a likely bet that this will be the preferred hotel. The Association of Baha'i Studies will likely give us a decent rate so it might be better to wait on hotel reservations.
Hotels
Just some ideas from Austin Adventures, ABS location or places closer to likely hiking spots. It's better to stay two nights in a location. Rates are for simple king room for August. Some places are on the pricey side - and cheaper options are definitely available!
Banff Springs room
Calgary Hyatt
Likely preferred hotel for the ABS conference, mentioned above. Might want to wait for ABS recommendations.
- Website: Hyatt Regency.
- Rate: about $176/night (member rate)
Calgary Hyatt
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Nicely located near many hikes, about 100km from Calgary. A full featured resort with features we'll not likely use, such a golf, swimming, etc.
- Website: Marriott
- Rate: about $460
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Royal Canadian Lodge
Another Austin Adventures location, right in Banff. Seems pricey for what you get.
- Website: https://www.royalcanadianlodge.com/
- Rate: about $440
Royal Canadian Lodge
Banff Springs Hotel
An iconic, historical, huge and pricey hotel. Not likely, but I've always wanted to see it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_Springs_Hotel
- Rate: 700+
Banff Springs Hotel
Minnestimma Lake, Sentinel Pass
Hike 1: Troll Falls
Three waterfalls, 2 miles from KML.
Permit needed: https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/evan-thomas-pra/
- stats: 2.9 miles/744'/1:37
Troll Falls
Hike 2: 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail
Lake & mountain views, 26 miles S of KML. Named after the 1st Canadians to summit Mt. Everest: medium. Not indicative of hike difficulty.
Permit needed: https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/evan-thomas-pra/
- stats: 1.2 miles/360'/0:43
1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail
Hike 3: Sunshine Meadows
Gondola ride to near top (8000') with alpine meadows & lakes.
See also: https://www.banffsunshinemeadows.com/hiking
- stats: 6.6 miles/1450'/3:24
Sunshine Meadows
Hike 4: Sentinel Pass
One of the top hikes near Banff. Simple out and back from Moraine Lake Lodge, elevation 5,876'.
Uses shuttle bus from https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Lake%20Louise%20Park%20and%20Ride Lake Louis Ski Resort, reservations required.
See also: https://thebanffblog.com/larch-valley-sentinel-pass/
- stats: 6.9 miles/2,457'/5:00?
Sentinel Pass
Hike 5: Athabasca Glacier
Guided hike, where they provide crampons, hiking sticks and lunch. Two options available, 1/2 day and full. The location is remote and and leaving early will likely be needed to get there by the 9:30am departure.
The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at the rate of several centimeters per day. Spilling from the Columbia Icefield over three giant bedrock steps, the glacier flows down the valley like a frozen, slow-moving river. storymaps
Likely guides:
We can also take a snow coach across the Columbia Ice Field.
See also:
- stats: 3 miles/650'/3 hours (1/2 day)
- stats: 5 miles/1000'/6 hours (full day)
Athabasca Glacier
Ice Walks full day pic
Hike 6: Johnson Lake
Simple loop around a pretty lake. All around 4500'.
See also: https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/hike-johnson-lake-loop
- stats: 1.8 miles/226'/0:45
Johnson Lake
Hike 7: Horseback Ride at Rafter Six Ranch
Various ride lengths through meadows, streams & forests.
- 2 hour ride: $159. Leaves at 10am & 2pm
- 1/2 day is 3 1/2 hours: $235, includes snacks, water, helmet.
- Leavs at 9am & 1pm.
See: https://www.raftersix.com/index.html
See also: https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/hike-johnson-lake-loop
Rafter Six
Hike 8: Marble Canyon
Quick out and back to see when going to Lake Louise. “Highlights include stunning canyon views, waterfalls, and crystal-clear water.”
- stats: 1 miles/160'/0:25
See also: https://www.awalkandalark.com/marble-canyon-kootenay-national-park/
Marble Canyon
Hike 9: Lake Louise Indigenous E-bike Tour
Lake Louise is a must see and the Austin Adventure plan for families is to do a bike ride around the lake. The following possibility popped up in Google:
Embark on an Indigenous e-biking and e-fat biking tour through the stunning landscapes of Banff National Park, where adventure meets cultural insight. Thanks to an exciting collaboration between Bikescape and Buffalo Stone Woman, you’ll explore beautiful bike trails while discovering the deep connection between the land and Indigenous traditions. https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/indigenous-e-bike-tour
See also:
- stats: 6-10 miles/na/1-3 hours, $160
To bring: rain jacket, gloves, glasses, backpack. They provide: helmets, snacks, water, indigenous teachings.
Lake Louise
Buffalo Stone Women guides.