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Frequently Asked Questions
 
Guests, Groups, and Fitness Level Questions
How much outdoor experience do I need to join one of your trips?
You don’t need to have any at all. There is a wide range of trails and rivers that we can choose from for our trips, from very easy to expert. Furthermore, our hiking, biking, and rafting guides are all certified and experienced in wilderness travel and safety, to help make the going a little smoother, if need, or as challenging as you want it.
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Do I have to be physically fit?
For most of our hiking, backpacking, and biking out-trips, an “average” level of physical fitness is recommended and encouraged. All people are welcome, however, and many less physically-fit people have joined us on flatter, shorter trips, with enjoyment, or have simply come for the activities around the cabins and opted out of the out-trips. Having said that, in our experience, what often plays an even greater role in the participation in our activities is mental attitude, and the willingness to be challenged. We’ve found that individual limitations are not necessarily always related to physical ones. There is more information on our difficulty class ratings in our Trip Information section.
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How big are the KWT groups?
Our specific out-trip groups, for any one package alone, are a maximum of 8-10 people per group, with at least two guides for every group over four people. At our main gathering place, CrossRiver Wilderness Centre, however, at any one time, there could be other people, participating in different packages at the same time.
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What can I expect the other guests to be like?
Everybody is out here on a break or holiday and as such we find the atmosphere generally friendly, relaxing, and involved. People come here from all around the world, and all different backgrounds, and many lasting friendships have been made on our tours.
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What is the average age of your guests? and are children allowed?
Our guests tend to be from about 20 to 60 years old, but there are no age limits and we welcome children, teenagers, and seniors. This usually depends on the particular package chosen and we have something for everyone. For some of our more active hiking and backpacking trips, we recommend that children be at least 14 years old, as younger children often find hiking longer distances very tiring. We also offer load assisted hikes and backpacking, as well as heli-hiking, for anybody who wants to enjoy nature, at more remote and higher elevations, without any extra burden or stress on the way up. We have many trails and rivers to choose from that are perfect for families, seniors, and the energetic youth, however, you are encouraged to contact us for more information on the suitability for each particular trip.
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I’m traveling alone, is that okay?
Yes. We will do our best to join you into a group on the package you want, and in most cases this is not a problem. In some cases, however, if you remain the sole traveler requesting a package, we hate to cancel trips altogether, and may only have to charge a minimal singles fee.
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Activities, Packages, and Pricing Questions
What all is included in the price of your packages?
Most package prices are all-inclusive, and cover all taxes, all accommodations, all meals, certified guides for all out-trips, group gear and activity costs, activity licensing fees and permits, registration and administration costs, transportation for our activities together, and transportation to and from Banff if required. Our “Rocky Mountain Basic” package, however, was designed for those travelers who want a more flexible schedule when in the area, and its price only includes taxes, accommodations, and meals. Everything else on this trip is on a pay-as-you-go basis. For more information on pricing, please our "Price Details" section.
Note: In packages involving cross-cultural and First Nations teachings with a native elder, these ceremonies and teachings are free of charge for everyone, as they are in keeping with cultural traditions and are not commodities for sale. Activity costs in these instances are merely travel fees to help our elder and his helpers with expenses to be with us and continue their teachings around the world.
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Do I need any special equipment or gear?
No, not really, but there are standard pieces of hiking equipment that are highly recommended to improve your comfort level and perhaps even trip enjoyment. Most hikers or outdoors enthusiasts will own these anyway, but if you do not, and are not in a position to purchase them before leaving for your trip, let us know and we will do our best to help you out however we can.
The first is not just recommended, but a prerequisite on our trips: you must have good hiking boots or footwear! Preferably with a high upper that covers the ankles, and a stiff sole. Regular running shoes are generally not good enough for trips when carrying a backpack is required and/or traveling over rough terrain. This is the wilderness out here and not to be taken for granted, something as small as a blister can ruin whole weeks, not to mention twisted ankles.
The second item is a more general clothing tip, but we recommend that your clothing, especially those that you plan on taking with you on any hiking or backpacking out-trips, be synthetic materials, and in any case, not all cotton or denim. They can be some of your worst enemies out here, in the wrong conditions, and could greatly decrease your comfort level quickly. For more information on packing tips and other information see our Trip Information pages.
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Do you do custom tours?
Yes, we are happy to help you design an all-inclusive package that fits your wants and schedule. We have helped individuals and groups with custom packages for family reunions, weddings, hiking and other outdoor sports club meets, company conventions and trips, and simple family holidays. See also our Corporate & Incentive section, or please contact us for more information anytime.
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Do you give group discounts? Or any other discounts ever?
Yes. Please contact us with your request and we will see what we can do.
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Can I go just backpacking or hiking during my stay, without the other activities?
Yes. Our “Backpacking is Wild” and “Rocky Mountain Footsteps” packages are just different length trips consisting of a backpacking out-trip with a guide. Similarly, our “Mountain Magic” and “Nature Trek” packages are just different length trips consisting of a variety of lodge-based day hikes with a guide. Each package also contains a number of unique nature awareness learning activities along the way as well. Our “Rocky Mountain Basic” package has an open itinerary that gives you the option to fill each day with whatever you want to do on a pay-as-you-go basis.
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Do you also do more challenging and extreme out-trips, or are they only geared to families?
We welcome the opportunity to do more challenging and extreme hiking and backpacking out-trips. A beautiful side of the wilderness would be lost without the discoveries that come from more challenging places, and our guides are also trained in getting you there. Longer alpine circuit hikes, lofty alpine scrambles, and more difficult hiking terrains are all available. Most of our guests, however, are not looking for exceptionally challenging or extreme out-trips, and as of yet we do not do any mountaineering or technical rock climbing expeditions.
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Are there easy hikes and out-trips as well?
Yes, absolutely. We have plenty of spectacular hikes along rivers, and up to lofty ridges, that are certainly for anyone who wants to get out in nature. Furthermore, some of our rafting and canoe out-trips are very family oriented and still have plenty of exciting rapid sections, though they are much shorter and much more spread out, which allows everybody to relax and enjoy the scenery as well.
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How much walking will we do in a day?
Each day and package differs slightly from the next, and no two groups will be the same either, but typically, an average day hike will be about a 4-6 km hike, one way, and an average hike-in on an overnight backpacking trip is generally about 6-9 km. During our overnight backpacking trips, our days are usually spent exploring hidden passes, lakes, or ridges and tend to be shorter day hikes. All our trips are filled with great spectacular scenery and stops for nature awareness learning activities along the way. Our guides do their best not to push a schedule or particular destination so that they may choose to slow down, or even speed up a little bit, depending on the group and/or weather. For more information on trip difficulty ratings see our Trip Information pages.
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Do I have to carry all my own gear on the hikes or backpacking trips?
No. With prior notice from you during your registration, just let us know you would like a load-assisted trip and we will take care of the details. We could arrange for you to carry nothing more than a day pack, or at most, only your own personal belongings, and maybe a bit of food.
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Do you only do hiking?
No. Our “Brush with Nature”, “Elk Runner”, and “Spirit Walker” packages all offer a variety of activities and learning experiences with certified guides, guest speakers, and/or time with a native elder. These mixed-activity packages include a variety of choices from hiking, backpacking, wetland canoeing, whitewater rafting, interpretive nature walks, wilderness skills, unique nature awareness learning activities, camp fire evenings, music, crafts, and powerful ceremonies with a native elder. Our “Rocky Mountain Basic” package has an open itinerary that gives you the option to fill each day with whatever activities you want.
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Do you do horseback riding?
No. There is horseback riding in nearby valleys, and we are happy to help point you in the right direction, or even help you with any onward trip plans, if requested.
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Do you do canoeing?
Yes. It is not always included in many of our packages, so as not to overload our itineraries, but a peaceful wetland float with a certified guide and naturalist, in a traditional Voyageur canoe, makes for a fantastic evening with the beavers and the herons. Let us know if this interests you when making plans for your custom package, or your “Rocky Mountain Basic” tour.
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What are your packages like to participate in?
They are uniquely different for everyone because of the learning element involved in a lot of our activities, but are always lots of fun, relaxing, informative, a healthy challenge, and sometimes transformational. Our gathering point is CrossRiver Wilderness Centre and from here each package takes you through a variety of activities that could include, depending on the packaged tour, one or many of the following: day hiking; backpacking; whitewater rafting; canoeing; nature and herb walks; nature awareness learning activities; guest visitors; wilderness skills and natural crafts; campfires with stories, music, and friendship; and powerful First Nations ceremonies with a native elder. If you don't want to take our word for it, you may be interested in reading some our past guest and group testimonials in our Resources pages.
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What if I don’t want to do an activity once I’m there?
No problem, all activities are voluntary. We will work out the details as the situation arises.
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Safety and Guiding Questions
What are the guides like?
On a business level, all our hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and canoeing guides are certified and experienced trip leaders, with either the ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides – Canada’s leading mountain guide training organization), or another respective governing body of professional certification. They are all certified and trained in Advanced Wilderness First Aid, CPR (C), and various other survival and rescue techniques.
On a personal level, they are all fun, approachable, enthusiastic, and very passionate about what they do, each with their own personal style. They are also knowledgeable with a wealth of information, some with a PhD-level education, and you will enjoy their openness to share helpful wilderness hints, tips, and suggestions, as well entertaining discussion about anything from bears to Picasso. For more on some of our guides see our Trip Information pages.
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Is it safe out there?
On any excursion into the wilderness, there is always going to be a certain amount of risk involved. Having said that, however, there are ways to minimize this risk, and in our 7 year experience, we have not had any serious accidents on any of our out-trips. We specialize in bringing people into remote wilderness areas and are experienced at doing this. The silence out here can be deafening, the nights are sometimes of the purest darkness, and the wildlife can be large, but we do our best to make you feel comfortable and safe in a way that will hopefully demonstrate a side of incredible beauty to all of this as well.
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I’m scared of running into a bear, are there lots of them around?
Well, this is a more difficult answer than it really needs to be. Truthfully, yes, there are bears around. But, our chances of encountering one in the wild, and even more so, an aggressive one, are almost nil. For example, I’ve been hiking in the Rockies for almost 22 years now and have only seen two wild bears in that time, both from a distance. There are indeed precautions that can be taken to increase our safety in the wilderness when it comes to bears, and our fully trained and experienced guides will go over all these things with our guests before the group sets out. Wildlife viewing is very popular but always done safely and at a safe distance.
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Accomodations and Meals Questions
What are the cabins like?
CrossRiver Wilderness Centre is a self-sufficient, eco-sensitive facility, powered by solar and hydro energy, designed to blend in with nature rather than dominate it. It is made up of a main lodge building, with full kitchen and bathrooms, living room, conference room, two large decks, and an outdoor, wood-fired hot tub. There are also eight smaller private cabins that each contain a queen-sized bed, and a twin bed as well, table and chairs, a fireplace, and full bathroom. All furniture is handmade log furniture, and all buildings are lovingly decorated in their own outdoor theme with handmade crafts and paintings. For more information on the cabins see our "Accommodations" section.
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Are there bathrooms in the cabins?
Yes. All cabins have a bathroom with toilet, sink, closet, and counter-top. Showers are located in the main lodge.
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What is it like to sleep in a tipi?
Simply put, it's like sleeping in a big cone-shaped tent with a fire in the middle. The reasons why this analogy is a little misleading, however, are that tipis can be a lot warmer, and a lot dryer. If you think about it, the tipi design is centuries older than our house designs now, and has required much less design modifications to withstand the elements than our homes do now. In other words, they are much more efficient than most non-aboriginal people of today believe. Tipis are specifically designed to keep warm air in, while keeping cold air, smoke, and rain out, and they achieve this much more efficiently than any modern backpacking tent could. Two of our tipis also have wood platforms to sleep on, while the other two have traditional earth floors. We are also currently adding some traditional tipi "furniture" to our tipis, such as backrests, buffalo furs, and handmade pillows, to increase your comfort and enjoyment that much more. We hope to be finished these additions by summer 2006. Ultimately, most people are surprisingly impressed at how comfortable, warm, and inspiring a sleep in a tipi really is.
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When is check-in time? Check-out time?
Check-in time is 4:00 pm, or at least before dark (around 11:00 pm in the summers). We are quite remote and 15 km off the main highway, so after sunset, it is surprisingly dark out here making it much easier to find us during daylight hours. Check-out time is a flexible 10:00 am - 12:00 noon.
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If I choose a package involving an overnight backpacking trip with you, I’ve never slept in a tent before, will I be comfortable and warm?
Yes. It is very possible that a night in a tent may not be comfortable and warm, under certain circumstances, but there is little chance for this when we are prepared. Our guides are trained and experienced in finding comfortable and safe tenting sites, and knowing how to help make your night(s) in a tent enjoyable, comfortable, and warm. Tips and hints will be shared along the way as the need arises, and our guides are always open to any questions or concerns you may have.
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If I choose a lodge-based package will I have to share a cabin with someone I don’t know?
If I choose a package involving an overnight backpacking trip will I have to share a tent with someone I don’t know?
This is a possibility depending on the registered guests, however, if circumstances were to fall that way, we would do our best to not make it a surprise, and keep everyone well informed of the situation from the beginning.
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What are the meals like?
All of our meals at our gathering place, CrossRiver Wilderness Centre, are delicious, home-cooked, gourmet meals, prepared with love and detail. Our chef is a former owner of a successful catering company, and is happy to cater to all meal and dietary requirements. Organically-grown natural foods and organic and wild meats, are preferred when available, and vegetarian meals are possible. On the trail, we are a bit more limited, but no less artistic with our ingredients. Some specialties include: Hearty Breakfast Burritos, Egg Spinach Wraps, Exotic Spinach Salad, Wild Salmon Teriyaki, and Wild Rice and Veggie Casserole.
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Transportation and Area Questions
What is the nearest airport?
The Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta (approximately 3 hour drive).
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How do I get there?
From Calgary (the east), follow Highway #1 west, past Banff, to the Highway #93 junction. Exit here to the south and follow the signs for Radium Hot Springs. About an hour down this highway, through Kootenay National Park, turn left onto Settlers Road (20 minutes before Radium). Watch for the kilometer sign postings on the side of the road and at km 12 take the left fork. Cross over the bridge at the Kootenay River and again, at km 14, take the left fork. Our driveway is 0.5 km past here, on the right-hand side, and is marked by a stone Inukshuk with a cross-cultural symbol painted on its chest. Unclip the chain with the right-hand side and drive through (reclipping the chain again), past the cabins on the right, and on up to Cross River House on the left at the top of the road.
From Vancouver (the west), follow Route 1 to the Coquihalla Highway and head north to Kamloops. At Kamloops, turn on to Highway #1 and follow this all the way to Golden (about 4.5 hours). At Golden, exit on to Highway #95 south and follow this to Radium Hot Springs (about 1 hour). At Radium, turn left onto Highway #93 north, at the Husky gas station, and drive into Kootenay National Park. Follow #93 about 20 minutes up and over the hill. At the bottom of the hill on the other side of the pass, turn right onto Settlers Road and follow the directions from here as written above.
From Cranbrook (the South), follow Highway #95/93 north to Radium Hot Springs. In Radium, turn right onto Highway #93 north, at the Husky gas station, and enter Kootenay National Park. From here follow the directions from Radium as written above.
From Jasper (the North), follow the Icefields Parkway, Highway #93, south to the junction with Highway #1. At Highway #1, exit towards the east and drive towards Banff and Calgary. About 0.5 hours down #1, at the junction with Highway #93, exit to the south towards Radium Hot Springs and follow the directions as written in the first paragraph (from Calgary).
For more information on directions, please see our area map.
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Do I need to rent a car?
Renting a car is not always necessary depending on your overall trip plans while in Canada. You may want the additional flexibility to move easily to your next venue. Most people do rent their own vehicle, since being in a remote location it allows them much more freedom to come and go from the cabins when they wish during periods of free time. It is also a spectacular drive through the mountains in between Calgary and CrossRiver, and you might just regret not renting a vehicle so you could stop and enjoy some of the other amazing gifts the mountains have to offer along the way. If coming specifically for one of our KWT trips and you are flying into the Calgary International Airport, it is possible to catch a shuttle from there to Banff (1.5 hours), and we will then pick you up in Banff to drive you the rest of the way. This is included in the price of most packages, but not all, so look into this before you decide. At the end of the trip we will drive you back to Banff again for your return shuttle to the Calgary airport.
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How far away are you from Calgary? From Banff and Lake Louise? From Jasper? From Vancouver?
We are a beautiful 3 hours drive through the Rocky Mountains west/south-west from Calgary. This puts us about a 1.5 hours drive south-west of Banff and south-east of Lake Louise, and about a 4 hours drive south from Jasper. The coast and Vancouver are a little further away; we are about a 10 hours drive east of Vancouver, via the Coquihalla Highway.
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What are the chances of seeing any wildlife?
Very good, though we can’t guarantee anything. The wildlife is in abundance out here, and if not the real thing, then just seeing the tracks can be quite an exciting find on their own. We are an eco-sensitive, low-impact operation, and do not try to push a situational wildlife encounter to occur, out of respect for the wildlife. All wildlife viewing is done at a safe distance. There has been many occasions, when wildlife viewing has occurred on our trips, and they always seem to be more beautiful when we’re not expecting them. Some viewing opportunities on our trips have been with: cougars, bears, skunks, elk, moose, deer, marmots, beavers, owls, eagles, woodpeckers and other various birds, we have even watched a wolf attack a deer right in front of us one day during lunch on the trail! (and have the pictures to prove it).
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Are there lots of bugs?
Generally not many, especially at lower elevations around CrossRiver Wilderness Centre. The bugs do tend to come and go in cycles from year to year depending on weather and the time of the season. In the alpine, and high sub-alpine the bugs are more prevalent and specifically around dusk and dawn. If you have booked an overnight backpacking trip with us, we recommend bringing along some biodegradable bug lotion, just in case.
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What’s the weather like there?
Generally, amazing. For the month of June we tend to get a little more rain, and there’s still snow in the alpine and snow patches in the sub-alpine, but the days are warm and comfortable; perfect for rafting and hiking. July and August are typically very hot and sunny, and an average temperature of about 24-28 ۫ C; very pleasant hiking with a light breeze in front of you. September days stay quite hot (tapering off towards the end of the month), but the evenings start turning a little crisper and cooler. This is still very pleasant, however, because we usually need it after the heat-exhaustive August and July. For day-to-day weather forecasts for our area, continue checking back with our weather page.
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