Alberta Adventures - The Canadian Rockies

Day 2 in the Rockies – Emerald Mornings & Mountain Highs

Some places you visit once and move on. Others pull you back. Alberta was the latter.

My family traveled to Alberta not once, but twice! And each visit left its mark. In this series, I’m sharing snapshots from our adventures, beginning with our first 6-day trip, flying from Toronto to Calgary, then making our way to Canmore, our home base tucked at the foot of the Rockies. Our first day was spent in the plane, grabbing the car rental, supply runs, then checking in with our Airbnb.

Skip the Crowd, Find the Calm: Kayaking at Emerald Lake

Our first full day in Alberta was nothing short of awe-inspiring. We set out early, chasing the dream of kayaking on those iconic turquoise lakes that only Alberta can offer. Everyone tells you to go to Lake Louise to kayak, and yes, it’s stunning. But it’s also swarming with tourists, tripods, and enough vloggers filming B-roll to make you feel like an accidental extra on a travel channel. For us, the magic got a little lost in the madness.

So, we pivoted our kayaking plans and landed somewhere better.

Our first full day began early at Emerald Lake. We arrived here by 7 a.m., beating the crowds and slipping into nature’s quiet grace. The lake lived up to its name, a still mirror of turquoise framed by towering peaks.

Quiet. Still. No crowds. No camera crews. Just morning mist rising off the jade-colored water, birdsong, and the crunch of boots on the lakeside trail. We hiked the loop trail first (yes, bear spray in hand since this is no city park), and as the morning mist lifted, we launched our bright red kayak into the calm. We hiked the full loop around before renting kayaks and gliding into stillness.

If Lake Louise is the cover model, Emerald Lake is the best-kept secret. A gem in every sense!

Wandering Banff: Market Finds with Mountain Views

Later that day, we headed into Banff town, a place that somehow balances tourist energy with small-town charm. We strolled its main streets, coffee in hand, drawn in by boutique shops and the hum of summer life. A local farmers' market popped up along our path, full of handmade jewelry, fresh produce, and that unmistakable feeling of a community proud of its craft.

Mount Rundle stood sentinel in the distance, offering perfect photo ops along the town’s edge. The light hit its ridges just right, a reminder that the mountains aren’t just background, they’re the stars of the show.

As the afternoon softened, we boarded the Banff Gondola, rising above treetops and trepidation to the top of Sulphur Mountain. From up there, the view hits differently. You don’t just see the Rockies, you feel them. Majestic doesn’t quite cover it. The air was thin, crisp, and quiet. A place where your thoughts stretch as wide as the horizon.

Pro Tip: Want the views without the price tag? Skip the pricey gondola and hike up the mountain. Same summit but way more satisfaction!

Day One ended with full hearts and sore feet. Alberta had already worked its spell on us.

Stay tuned for Day Two, where we chase waterfalls, spot wildlife, and discover another hidden gem of the Canadian Rockies.