Have you been on a horse before? Those of us lucky enough to live out here in Canada’s evocative Wild West have likely had the pleasure of one or two equine encounters. Few, however, have ridden a horse through water and snow to reach a remote wooden tea house tucked away in the mountains, with just the wildlife and uninhibited views of glaciers as company.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds while also experiencing the pure magic of Lake Louise,
Brewster Adventures offers up a special slice of magic with their horse-led expeditions. In fact, the Brewster Family have offered access to nature’s jewels in the Rockies for over 125 years, providing six generations of visitors unforgettable memories in the backcountry, so you’re in incredibly capable hands.
There are a number of summer trail adventures to choose from at Brewster’s Lake Louise location ranging from a two-hour jaunt to the lake’s trailhead to a full day journey along the east side of Mount Fairview to Paradise Valley. I opted for a four-hour Plain of Six Glaciers quest where my amiable and strong horse, Billy, introduced me to the ancient ice sheets in question: Lower Victoria, Upper Victoria, Aberdeen, Lefroy, Upper Lefroy, and Popes, all of which formed over thousands of years, contributing to the creation of the iconic vivid landscapes around us. Along with a companionable group of around a dozen co-adventurers and their steeds, we navigated our way through squelching mud, lush pine trees, the lapping swirls of emerald lake water, aside dramatic rock faces, up stone pathways, and through patches of stubborn snow, still clinging on to a wintery territory in August! Through each twist and turn, Billy was a strong and calm mount, and the Brewster Adventures guides were on hand to provide advice and encouragement through the more technical parts of the trail, empowering our group of budding riders.
What set this ride apart from my past equestrian antics was the palpable sense of actual, genuine, adventure. This wasn’t a simple loop trot for horse-time “funsies” with a few quick photo opportunities, this was a multi-hour, steep journey up a mountain through evolving landscapes undertaken on horseback. In this time you’ll not only take in the breathtaking topography of the Rockies, and the way your surroundings feel and smell, you’ll also form a real connection with your horse. Personally, I felt deeply compelled to reflect on what it means to be a human amid the majesty of untouched nature, and imagined a simpler time for civilization, before cars, planes, and cell phones were the primary tools of exploration.
The teahouse itself is worth a visit during your “break” time; it was built in 1924 as a base for Swiss Guide Mountaineers and today serves hot drinks, soups, sandwiches and cakes, with the staff hiking supplies up daily. Surrounded by curious birds and even more curious (hungry!) chipmunks (reminder: do not feed wild animals), this is likely the most beautiful place you’ll ever sip a mug of tea!
It was hard to part with Billy when we returned back to the Brewster stables; he’d been such excellent company on a truly memorable day in the mountains! Bidding him farewell with a couple of well received ear scratches, I promised him I’ll come back and visit him and his pals on another jaunt soon. After learning that Brewster Adventures run through to fall and also have quintessentially cozy winter sleigh rides to the end of the lake, I have a feeling this was the first of many horseback adventures to come.
Visit brewsteradventures.com for bookings and further information
