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Ride Into Sunset at Kananaskis Guest RanchCopyright © 2007-2008 Travel Alberta, All Rights ReservedWritten by: Travel Alberta Brewster's Kananaskis Guest Ranch has changed little since opening in 1923, and guests can still enjoy the pioneering family's tradition of Western hospitality within the rugged splendor of Alberta's pristine mountains, rivers and lakes. Just listen to this letter written by 'Missy' Brewster in June, 1936: "When the day's riding is over, one is glad to sit on the cool verandahs and watch the sun turn the sky to gold as it sinks behind the mountain tops. And when the shadows grow long on the hillsides and the peace of the night settles down, we are glad to go inside where the fire throws its flickering light over all, and join in the games at the pool table, story telling, dancing, singing or just 'set' and let the rest of the world go by." You can amble back into that wonderful world by enjoying a summer holiday at the Kananaskis Guest Ranch, which is open from June to September. It is located in the area where the Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain was shot. The ranch attracts visitors from around the world and it's also a favourite with Canadians. It's not hard to guess why. "The scenery is unbelievable and everyone enjoys the Western hospitality," says Janet Brewster Stanton, the ranch's general manager. "People often come to us with an interest in the horses and culture and they just can't get enough of it." Janet is Missy's great granddaughter; she's fifth generation and her daughters are six generation, so you're visiting a family ranch that reaches back into local history, even as it introduces people to what's often called the New West. The ranch is less than an hour's drive from Calgary, the international gateway to the Rockies that's called The Heart of the New West. Calgary is the financial oil and gas centre of the Canadian West and with almost one million residents, it has all the amenities of a big city, while retaining its old-roots Western charm. Most visitors to the guest ranch rent their own cars and Calgary's international airport is within easy flying distance to U.S. areas including Texas, California and New York, among others. And the ranch is just 30 minutes east of the cosmopolitan mountain town of Banff in Banff National Park. There are six adventure packages available this summer, all of them including a famed western BBQ. "This whole package is geared to groups of 15 and more people," says Janet. "If there are only two people, we 'wait list' them and if we get more requests, then we put the groups together." Let's take a tour of your options for Western adventure at the ranch. Ride Horseback in the Mountains A two-hour horseback ride along the Bow River gorge, surrounded by mountains, takes you right to the heart of the cowboy experience. "You start at the stables of the guest ranch and you'll see the Yamnuska mountains – a spectacular location," says Janet. "You leave the stables with your guide and you are right on the edge of the Bow River. The glaciers have created a natural gorge and there is a steep drop to the river bed on the right, and as you wind along the trail, to the left there are towering mountains." "As you get down further, there are more trees and you can see the river," she says. "There are cliffs on the opposite side of the river and a few rapids and beautiful blue colors. You climb up a bit higher and you get even more mountain views. And as you turn around back to the ranch you have the whole western panorama." There is another horseback ride, also two hours, that goes into the Yamnuska mountains and there are trees and lakes as you travel around, so there is variety you can choose from. If you have never ridden – "many of our guests have little or no riding experience", says Janet – the horses are all saddled and bridled for you. You get a brief instruction about how to go left and right and stop and you're always with guides who are authentic cowboys and cowgirls. The Yamnuska mountain range is famous, having been in numerous movies shot in Alberta aside from Brokeback Mountain, including Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Open Range with Kevin Costner. You get picked up at the ranch and you get everything, including wetsuits. It's not extreme white water rafting but it is a bit up from a float trip," says Janet. "All of the guests who come to the ranch really enjoy it." Hike and Explore Local Flora and Fauna Canadian ranch vacations "The guide takes the guests out and depending on the weather, they head into the Yamnuska natural area," says Janet. "The hiking trails get up enough elevation to see into the East and West and there's often evidence of wildlife, which you can discuss with the guide. You might see wild deer and elk, among other animals." Another popular excursion is fly-fishing. Take a Voyageur Canoe Trip Canada was pioneered by voyageurs in canoes who settled fur and trading routes. You have the option of traveling in an historic canoe on the Bow River. The canoes fit up to 18 passengers and there's an interpretive guide. "They will definitely see some birds and there is the opportunity of seeing wildlife," says Janet. "A voyageur canoe is the old style and it used to be birch bark. They are very safe and there is not an age limit. This is a family activity for everyone." Golf at the Base of Yamnuska Mountain "We own the golf course on the ranch and it's golf in your jeans friendly," says Janet. "But it's a challenging little golf course. It is regulation nine holes and we are working on the back nine." There are spectacular mountain views on every hole and it's open to the public. "All of the holes have been designed to take advantage of the features of the natural landscape and you can rent everything there," says Janet. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Travel Alberta can be reached at: travelalberta@raremethod.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: travelalberta@raremethod.com
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