Jasper to Banff in four days

A medium level of fitness is recommended. With the support we provide we have seen riders of all fitness levels, shapes, sizes and abilities finish the tour. The two passes sit near 2,000 m, but most climbs are gradual at 4 to 5 percent, and an e-bike is available if the elevation looks intimidating. The van is always close by if you would rather sit out a section.

Should you ride an e-bike?

Tours are priced for riders bringing their own bike; it travels to Jasper and back in our enclosed trailer. If you would rather travel light, rent one of our carbon gravel bikes with slick tires or an e-bike for $220 for the four-day tour.

Getting your bike ready for the tour

Round-trip transport from Edmonton for you and your bike, pickup from your Edmonton hotel or home, three nights of hotel accommodation (twin share), all meals unless stated otherwise, national park entry fees, full van support during the ride, satellite emergency communication and two-way radios in the park, and photos of the group on a USB stick at the end.

Rental bikes ($220), the single supplement for a room to yourself ($620 plus tax), alcoholic drinks, breakfast and lunch on the first day, accommodation before and after the tour, transfers to your Edmonton or Jasper hotel before the tour, optional attractions such as hot springs or gondola rides, and guide gratuity, which is optional but appreciated. Prices exclude 5 percent GST.

The route is simple enough to ride in small groups at your own pace, so we support it from a tour van and enclosed trailer instead. We let you ride ahead a few kilometres, drive past to check on everyone, and park at a scenic pull-out ahead of the group, sometimes as a full rest stop with food and drinks laid out. Two-way radios let you reach the van at any time.

Scheduled tours depart from and return to Edmonton. We pick you up from your hotel or home at about 8 am on day one. You can also meet us in Jasper. At the end we can drop you in Banff, Canmore, at Calgary International Airport (usually around 2 to 3 pm on the last day) or back in Edmonton.

It is 288 km between Jasper and Banff. On the four-day itinerary that is roughly 50 km on day one, 98 km on day two, 83 km on day three and 60 to 85 km on day four, with a half day of driving between Edmonton and Jasper on day one and back from Banff on day four.

What you’ll ride past, day by day

No. We ride the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise, the Bow Valley Parkway to Banff and the Legacy Trail bike path into Banff and Canmore. These are paved roads closed to through truck traffic, with a wide shoulder along about 90 percent of the route. A road or gravel bike with thin tires is the most efficient choice.

Jump in the support van at any time. If you are not confident on a descent or would rather skip a climb, we will be there for you. After the first day we have a good idea of everyone’s ability and can suggest strategies from there.

A 25 percent deposit reserves your seat and is fully refundable for seven days after booking, then becomes non-refundable but transferable. The balance is due four weeks before departure and is non-refundable after that point. We accept Visa and Mastercard online or over the phone.

Yes. Packages are priced on twin share (two beds per room). Choose the single supplement at booking for a room to yourself; it is an additional $620 plus tax per person.

Our tours run from early June to mid-September, with July and August the busiest months. We are a small operation with a maximum of 13 riders per tour, and we book our hotels more than a year ahead, so book as early as you can and at the latest six weeks before departure.