Learn Everything You Want to Know About The Crossing Resort

Tips and Ticks

5/14/2018

Hiking Tips for Successful Trips

When planning your outings in the Rockies, the best tip we can offer is "Be Prepared". Weather changes are a fact of life. At higher elevations, it is possible to experience rain, snow, sudden temperature drops and blazing sun all in the same day. The following are key tips for your hike preparations.

Safety First. Have the right gear for the weather you may encounter. Think 3 layers.
Happy Feet. Properly fitting boots, extra dry socks, toenails clipped, and swap out shoes/hiking boots before and after your hike.
Hydration. Keep hydrated, carry ample water.
Hat & Sun blocker. Avoid the fierce burns of high altitude sun.
Bug Spray. Bear Spray. Enough said!
Pack food and snacks. Carry fire starter device.
Be sure to conduct a pre-hike study of the trail selected.
In the spring, it can turn cold. Have you got a space blanket or a lightweight sleeping bag?
Spring is tick season. Note the above image of a tick on a leaf, waiting for you to brush by and "hop on."
After hiking, leave your backpack at the door, strip down and have a shower. Check the back of your neck, hair & scalp, upper body and legs. In the off-chance you have a tick, follow the correct procedure of removal with tweezers.
But don't be overly alarmed. Famous hiker and local author Brian Patton has written numerous trail guides and I quote, "I've never picked up a tick in the Rockies in northerly exposed slopes or in sub-alpine and alpine regions."
The tick season is pretty much done by July in the Canadian Rockies.
The Rocky Mountain tick is not the "bad guy" of the tick world and does not spread Lyme disease. That dubious honor belongs to the "deer tick", endemic to BC's southern valleys and the Lower Mainland.

To enjoy your hike, hike smart. We appreciate your patronage and would love to see you back!

The General Store

4/28/2018

The Crossing Resort’s General Store has everything to make your mountain getaway more enjoyable. Find that something special to take home as a memento of your Rockies getaway or as a gift for someone special. Choose from a wide variety of gifts and souvenir items including clothing, jewellery, art and pictorials. You can also replenish your grocery and RV supplies to round out your camping or picnic needs. Also, the General Store also offers confections and our Famous Circus Line serves up ice-cream, special coffees, hotdogs, sandwiches, pretzels, and other assorted food and beverage items.

snacks at the General Store at The Crossing Resort

Hiking Gear at The General Store at The Crossing Resort

We are pleased to announce the General Store now stocks of all your hiking accessory needs, including stainless steel water bottles, trail guides and guide books, insect repellant, rain slickers, hats, laces, sun blocker, walking sticks, gloves, bear bells, Stormtech Clothing and hiking provisions.

Don’t forget to register your hike and order a box lunch the night before. We’ll have it packed and ready to go at your request.

The Crossing Resort General Store souvenires

The Crossing Resort Food at the General Store

Service Station

4/27/2018

Gas and Diesel fill up at The Crossing Resort Icefields Parkway

Check your fuel and fill up here. Our full Service Station will take care of your motoring needs while you stretch and unwind. Your passengers can refresh in the Main Lodge while your tank is filled, windshield washed and washer fluid is topped up. Let us keep you motoring at The Crossing. Gasoline, diesel, LPG fueling and tank fill available.

Motorcycle Club at The Crossing Resort Service Station

RV Services

4/25/2018

Stop at The Crossing Resort on your Icefields Parkway Canadian Rockies RV adventure! A UNESCO World Heritage Site!
RV Services Include:
- Gasoline, diesel fuel and automotive supplies.
- LPG fueling and tank fill.
- RV septic dump, fresh water and treatment products.

Attractions

4/13/2018

Our location in the heart of Canada’s Banff National Park has proven again and again that The Crossing is “Hike and Attraction Central” on the Parkway.

One of the most scenic drives in the world is the Icefields’ Parkway, a UNESCO World Heritage site abound with glaciers and stunning views of colorful mountain lakes and mountain vistas. The Parkway takes you along Highway #93 from Lake Louise to Jasper with many spectacular stops including the most popular, The Columba Icefield where you can experience the iceage from the comfort of a modern day sno-coach.

The Crossing puts you at the Center of The Icefields Parkway with many attractions only a short drive away.

Columbia Icefields
With the largest body of ice in the Rocky Mountains The Coulmbia Icefields is a must see. Explore on foot and experience the mysteries from the past as the creeping Ice continues it’s retreat or jump aboard a Brewster Sno-coach and find yourself on top of a Glacier deep in the ice age.

Distance from The Crossing: 50KM

The Glacier Explorer Snocoach Tour
Across the rugged valley from The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier – a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide. Take time for Brewster’s “Ice Age Adventure”, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice up to 900 feet deep formed from snow falling as long as 200 years ago.

Distance from The Crossing: 50KM

The Glacier Skywalk
The all-new Glacier Skywalk opened for business in May, 2014 and was an instant success with the visitors to the Rockies. Feed your adrenaline and step into a breathtaking world where glaciers rest above and birds soar below. Experience waterfalls, wildlife, fossils and more on an exciting cliff-edge walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918 foot drop. Welcome to the all-new Glacier Skywalk in the heart of the Canadian Rockies!

The Glacier Skywalk is an experience like no other: breath-taking views and adrenaline-pumping excitement. Start your experience by exploring a cliff-edge walkway that is filled with nature-inspired interpretive exhibits. Look down and you’ll see hints from life thousands of years ago. Look up and you’ll see the most stunning alpine and glacial vistas. Look around and you’ll discover one of the most unique ecosystems in the world; a place where it’s so hard to survive that adaptation never stops.

Distance from The Crossing: 50KM

Icefield & Kananaskis Helicopter Tours
This special Crossing package starts with the 20 minute Cline Glacier Tour viewing 6 glaciers, some high alpine lakes, a 900 foot water fall and crosses a 9,500 foot mountain pass. During the flight, we land at the confluence of the Cline River and Waterfalls Creek. We start our leisure walk along the banks of the river towards an old growth forest with the destination being Twin Falls (30 feet high) formed by a fault line along a band of rocks. Here we’ll enjoy a glass of champagne and desert.

Distance from The Crossing: 45KM

Peyto Lake
The viewpoint for Peyto Lake will enamour you with pristine and ever changing colors created by the fine glacial silt washing off the tongue of the Peyto Glacier moveing slowly suspended through the lake creating ever changing shades of blue and green.

Distance from The Crossing: 42KM

Bow Lake
Bow lake is the largest lake on the Icefields Parkway and is the heads waters of the Bow River. Surrounded by massive peaks with the Bow Glacier as a backdrop Bow Lake is an impressive photo opportunity and the trail head to Bow Glacier Falls.

Distance from The Crossing: 50KM

Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a must see and the trailhead is a mere 5 minutes from The Crossing. Raging glacial melt tears it’s way through a canyon of rock carved deep by the waters over time. A footbridge allow you to stand directly above the abyss where you will see and hear the power of the Mistaya River as it drops to join the North Saskatchewan River.

Distance from The Crossing: 8KM

McKenzie's Trails West
Horseback Adventures. Trail Rides, Lunch & Dinner Rides with photo of kids on horseback. www.mctrails.com.

Distance from The Crossing: 46KM

Mountain Madness Tours
Cycling the Canadian Rockies.
For more information: www.mountainmadneesstours.com

Distance from The Crossing: 46KM

Hiking Guide

4/13/2018

Within 30 minutes’ drive of The Crossing Resort, we’ve identified 14 of the most accessible and spectacular hikes along the Icefields Parkway. Selected hikes are of varying degree, from easy to moderate to strenuous. Available at check-in, we provide area maps and full color rack cards detailing the selected hikes, including rating, distance, maximum elevation, approximate time length, suggested footwear, best hiking months and location of the trail heads. Our front line staff members are fully conversant with the area and will be pleased to assist you with hike selection and information. Enjoy your hiking adventure at The Crossing Resort.

Reminder: Before you head out for your hike today, stop in to our General Store to pick up your box lunch and check out our hiking supplies for a water bottle, sunglasses, or any other hiking needs.

Use the following link for hike descriptions/trailhead locations for trails accessible to The Crossing Resort, and then click on Icefields Parkway area.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/lakelouise.aspx

Bow Glacier and Falls
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.8 km (4.1 mi) round trip
Max. elevation: 2040 m (6690 ft)
Elevation gain: +91 m (297 ft)
Approx. time: 3 hours
Footwear: Good waking shoes/ light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Mid June – October
Trail head: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge parking lot, 42 km (25.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort, 30 mins

Peyto Lake
Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.2 km (0.7 mi) Round Trip
Max. elevation:2134 m (6699 ft)
Elevation gain: 45 m (148 ft)
Approx. time: 20 min round trip, for optional loop add 20 min
Footwear: Anything, Best hiking months: Mid-June to October
Trail head: 37 km (23 mi) south of The Crossing Resort, 25 mins

Mistaya Canyon
Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) round trip
Max. elevation:1525 m (5002 ft)
Elevation gain: Minimal
Approx. time: 30 min round trip
Footwear: Good walking shoes/light hiking boots, Best hiking months: May – October
Trail head: Parking area on Icefields Parkway 5.5 km (3.5 mi) south of The Crossing Resort

Pony Bridge
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 2.2 km (1.3 mi)
Max. elevation: 1660 m (5450 ft)
Elevation gain: Approx. 100 m (300 ft)
Approx. time: 1-1.5 hours
Footwear: Good walking shoes/light hiking boots
Best hiking months: May – October
Trail head: Gravel parking lot 1.2 km (0.7 mi) north of The Crossing Resort

Parker Ridge
Rating: Strenuous
Distance: 5 km (3 mi) round trip
Max. elevation: 2255 m (7395 ft)
Elevation gain: 216 m (708 ft)
Approx. time: 2.5 – 4 hours
Footwear: Light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Late June – end of September
Trail head: Parking area 41 km (25 mi) north of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Nigel Pass
Rating: Strenuous, Distance: 16 km (9.4 mi)
Max. elevation: 2220 m (7285 ft)
Elevation gain: 365 m (1198 ft)
Approx. time: 6 hours
Footwear: Light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Early July – October
Trail head: 36.5 km (23 mi) north of The crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Sunset Pass
Rating: Strenuous to difficult
Distance: 16.4 km round trip (9.8 mi)
Maximum elevation: 2165 m (7100 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +725 m (2380 ft.)
Approx. time: 6-7 hours round trip
Footwear: Good hiking boots
Best months to hike: Late June to late September
Trail Head: Parking area on the north side of the Icefields Parkway 16.7 km (10.3 mi.) north of The Crossing Resort

Sarbach Lookout
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.4 km round trip (6.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 2075 m (6800 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: -40 m (130 ft.) then +590 m gain (1936 ft.)
Approx. time: 4-5 hour round trip
Footwear: Hiking Boots with good support
Best Hiking Months: Mid-June through September
Trail Head: Mistaya Canyon trail head, 5.1 km (3.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on Icefields Parkway

Helen Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 12 km round trip (7.5 mi)
Max Elevation: 2500 m (8200 ft.)
Elevation gain: +550 m (1800 ft.)
Approx. time: 4 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Late June to mid-September
Trail Head: Directly across from Crowfoot viewpoint is location of hike staging area, north side of road. 44.7 km (26.8 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway just past Bow Lake.

Glacier Lake
Rating: Moderate to Difficult
Distance: 17.8 km round trip (11 mi)
Max Elevation: 1660 m (5450 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +210 m (689 ft.) -225 m (750 ft.)
Approx. time: 6-7 hours
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Mid-May to end September
Trail Head: Parking area on left side of Icefields Parkway 1 km (.6 mi) of The Crossing Resort

Cirque Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 mi)
Max Elevation: 1755 m (5750 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: 105 m (345 ft.)
Approx. time: 3 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Early June to late September
Trail Head: Waterfowl Lakes Campground 19.3 km (11.6 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway.

Chephren Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 7.0 km round trip (4.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 1755 m (5750 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +105 m (345 ft.) -42 m (140 ft.)
Approx. Time: 3 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Early June to late September
Trail Head: Waterfowl Lakes Campground 19.3 km (11.6 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Wilcox Pass
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8 km round trip (5 mi)
Max Elevation: 2375 m (7800 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +335 m (1100 ft.)
Approx. Time: 3-3.5 hours round trip
Footwear: Light hiking boot
Best Hiking Months: Late June to mid-September
Trail Head: Left side of entrance to Wilcox Creek Campground 47.7 km (28.6 mi) north of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Warden Lake
Rating: Easy
Distance: 4.4 km round trip (1.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 1426 m (4678 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +30 m (100 ft.)
Approx. Time: 1.5 hours round trip
Footwear: Good walking shoe
Best Hiking Months: June to end September
Trail Head: Saskatchewan River Crossing Warden Station 2 km (1.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Weddings

4/11/2018

Wedding packages in the Canadian Rockies

Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life and should be celebrated in surroundings that complement your ceremony. At The Crossing Resort we offer complete catering and banquet services in a stunning setting. Surrounded by jagged peaks, sparkling glaciers and spectacular landscapes, The Crossing Resort should be your first choice for a mountain wedding.

Imagine your ceremony with the backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Wilson, or on the banks of the North Saskatchewan, with the Sarbach Glacier in the background. Catering can be picnic style, surrounded by nature, or a formal wedding dinner in the Mt. Wilson dining room, catering up to 250 persons. Or maybe you’d like to exchange your vows on an Alpine Meadow mountain high above the valley floor? If so, we’ll organize the helicopter & experienced mountain pilot with Rockies Heli Tours plus provide the catering high above the Icefields Parkway. We’ve done it all before and our imaginative and talented team look forward to planning this very special occasion with you.

Honeymoon at The Crossing Resort - Executive Suite

Honeymoon at The Crossing Resort - King Room

The Crossing Resort can provide deluxe accommodations for up to 120 people in double king or queen rooms and the luxurious executive suite is perfect for the bridal couple. Meet with the catering manager and discuss your venue and menu, from an Alpine BBQ picnic, to a plated sit-down dinner or a hot and cold Prime Rib buffet. Our food services department is talented and flexible, able to cater to your every need.

For more information, contact our Reservations Manager.
info@thecrossingresort.com
1-800-387-8103

Honeymoon at The Crossing Resort - Alpine Picnic

Parkway Pub

4/10/2018

From the deck of the Parkway Pub, you’ll overlook some of the most spectacular sights in the Canadian Rockies. Breathtaking views of Mt. Sarbach and Mt. Murchison provide a postcard backdrop where you can quench your thirst while drinking up the vista and cook your own lunch or dinner on our famous indoor grill.

For the past 30 years the Parkway Pub has remained the Parkway’s most popular pub, satisfying the appetites of locals and tourists alike. That’s because the Parkway Pub is not just a place to imbibe your favourite beverage; it’s an experience! At noon our famous grill comes alive as guests show off their culinary skills. Easy to understand instructions and a great variety of seasonings can make anyone a Grill Master.

Here’s how it works! Diners are invited to cook their own steak, burger or jumbo dog entrée. Your entrée choice comes to your table fresh on a platter with accompaniments. Guests are directed to the grill where they are provided a variety of seasonings and sauces to customize the flavour of their meal selection. Cooking times are suggested by our staff and they are on hand to provide assistance if required. All of our entrees include a choice of potato salad, green salad, baked apple beans, chili and condiments. Have fun preparing your meal and meet other guests and budding chefs from around the world.

Enjoy the atmosphere of a true Rocky Mountain pub with music, sporting events and a game of pool. Group functions can be tailored to meet your needs, including a soup and sandwich bar or meals catered off the grill. Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit us in the Parkway Pub – for lunch or dinner and an authentic experience enjoyed by thousands over the last 20 years.

View Our Menu
Click on the menu image for full menu.

Mt. Wilson Restaurant

4/10/2018

If you are looking for a more relaxed dining experience, the MT. Wilson Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In particular the restaurant features an amazing all you can eat lunch and dinner buffet with a fresh salad bar and classic hot entrées, insuring you won’t leave hungry and that your groups will stay on schedule. Evening dining in The Mt. Wilson Restaurant is a casual affair with a full service ala carte menu and bar, in addition to the expansive dinner buffet.

All You Can Eat Buffet at The Crossing Resort

View Our Menus
Click on the menu image for full menu.

Breakfast Menu

2018 menu coming soon

Lunch and Dinner

2018 menu coming soon

Groups

4/10/2018

The Crossing specializes in group tours whether it be for an overnight stay or a meal stop. Our many services and dining options are designed with groups in mind, offering competitive pricing and ease of accessibility. There are areas for bus loading, unloading and a designated parking area. All drivers and escorts are offered complimentary food and beverage when stopping with a group.

Special group dining options include various breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, VIP dining, boxed lunches and off-site catering.

Group Room Rates

Group rates and booking policies are available on request and can be modified to meet your group travel requirements. Reservations can be made by phone, fax or e-mail. Passenger count and cancellation policy is 24 hours prior to arrival.

Group Dining

Buffet Luncheon
Our popular buffet luncheon is competitively priced and offers a wide variety of items and can be tailored to your groups dining preferences. The luncheon buffet is offered from 11 am to 2 pm with assigned seating in one of our semi-private dining rooms. Reservations are recommended and help facilitate your timing with booked ice time at the Columbia Icefields.

We continue to offer an exciting selection of hot and cold entrees in the Mt. Wilson Restaurant. Reservations can be made by phone, fax or e-mail and your group will be booked into one of six semi-private dining rooms. Passenger counts and cancellation policy is 24 hours prior to arrival.

VIP Dining
For those groups with a more discriminating palate and prefer a more personal dining experience we have our VIP dining option. Your group menu will be designed specifically to meet your needs and is served in our VIP dining room..

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Tips and Ticks

Hiking Tips for Successful Trips

The General Store

Service Station

RV Services

Attractions

Hiking Guide

Weddings

Parkway Pub

Mt. Wilson Restaurant

Breakfast Menu

Lunch and Dinner

Groups

Group Room Rates

Group Dining

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