Over the past year, our Brand Ambassador program has grown with amazing women from all over the world. We have e-ventured around the globe to places likes Bali, British Columbia, Florida Keys, Hawaii, and Lake Tahoe with our Brand Ambassador #GetOutThere Guides. This week we are heading to the Canadian Rockies with one of our original Ambassadors, Marianne (@mariannerika).
Marianne is a Yoga and SURFSET Instructor born and raised in Canada. During the Alberta winters, Marianne travels to different locations around the world in search of great hiking, surf, yoga, long boarding, SUP and camping.
#GetOutThereGuide: Spray Lakes, Alberta, Canada
I am fortunate enough to live a short drive to the Canadian Rockies where I get to play outdoors in the wilderness. Hello Grizzlys! I work part time and play full time. I enjoy spinning, painting, playing with pups and napping anywhere with my cat. I am a sunshine junkie and am happy to sit out in the sun all day by a lake with a drink, go water skiing on the lake where I live, and practice Yoga outdoors by a tree anywhere!
One of the most beautiful places that I have been and where I love to SUP is Spray Lakes, just 50 minutes from Calgary, Alberta. I have traveled around the world, seen many places and I always come back to Canada and am just in awe of the beauty of our Rocky Mountains. The beautiful thing about Spray Lakes is its accessibility, as it is located just outside Canmore, Alberta.
How to Get There:
Take Trans Canada Highway, Highway 1, WEST from Calgary. As you approach Canmore, take exit 93 (Three Sisters Parkway). Stay left on 742 up the mountains to Spray Lakes!
Activities and When to Go:
Spray Lakes used to be inside Banff National Parks boundaries, but was released to provide hydro-electric power to the town of Canmore. This lake is 55 miles/88km long used for recreation. The lake provides stunning views, is quiet and absolutely serene. Activities include SUPing, hiking, golfing or even biking to Banff on backcountry trails!
The AMAZING thing about Canada is that almost anytime is a good time to go. Head to Canmore in the winter and enjoy winter skiing, snow shoeing, warm fiery lodges and outdoor skating. More of a summer person? Golf, hiking, SUPing and rock climbing are all available and can be done in and around Spray Lakes. One season I would avoid is spring, as the weather is unpredictable and there can still be many park closures.
Where to Stay:
Accommodations are anywhere from camping, cheap motels on the highway, to villas or mountain resorts in Canmore. Personally, I think camping is your best option at 16 km from Canmore. Opening dates are subject to snow levels, but if you prefer the warmth of a hotel and comfort of a bed, then stay at any of Canmore’s fabulous lodges and drive up for the day!
Where and What to Eat:
Bring a picnic up in the mountains for the day or grab a meal at Harvest Cafe for breakfast or lunch (closes at 3pm). Communitea Cafe offers healthy fresh food, the best selection of coffee and tea, and great live music. Head to Grizzly Paw Brewing Company in the evenings for authentic Canadian cuisine (like poutine, beaver tails, bison burger, maple syrup, back bacon, and Nanaimo bars), a pint of their handcrafted beer, complimented with a stunning view of the Three Sisters Mountain Range.
Enjoy exploring the Canadian Rockies, I know I do, time and time again the view will NEVER get old!