Why Exploring the Canadian Rockies with Friends Makes Every Adventure Better

One of the things I love most about Dare & Explore is going out to discover new places with friends.And yes, I also love traveling with family—it’s amazing to watch kids grow up in nature and how those experiences get etched into their memories like tattoos made of mud and laughter—but there’s something special about going on adventures with friends.

It’s like the energy multiplies. Like that steep climb doesn’t hurt as much. Like the wind doesn’t blow as hard, and the sun doesn’t feel as intense. You’re chatting, laughing, sharing snacks, exchanging deep theories about life (or why raccoons look like they have gossip-loving grandma hands), and before you know it… you’ve arrived! At the lake, the summit, or that magical forest clearing where time seems to stop.

And the best part? Kids enjoy it a thousand times more too.

Hiking with Kids? Yes… But Even Better with Friends

If you’ve ever tried hiking with kids in the Canadian Rockies, you know the scene. Everything’s going fine… until your child says THE sentence:

“How much longer? Are we there yet? I want to go back. You said it would be short. I’m sweating! Can we get an Uber? I’m hungry!”

And there you are, smiling through gritted teeth, pulling out all your positive parenting tricks:

“Look at that view! Did you see those flowers? Tell me about your friends... How’s So-and-so?”

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.But when they’re with friends? Oh, what a difference.

They’re playing, making up stories, singing, tripping over each other, trading “magic” rocks, or inventing absurd challenges like “whoever touches the most trees wins.” Sure, they still get tired or complain, but way less often. And as a parent, you can actually relax a bit—no need to play full-time entertainer every five minutes.

Getting to Know—and Love—Your Friends More

Another thing I love about hitting the trails with friends is the conversations. There’s something about the mountain air and trees that removes filters. People open up. You talk from the heart. You share the things you normally keep in the “I’ll tell you later” drawer.

I’ve had some of my deepest talks on hikes—laughed to tears or cried for real—and come to understand my friends on a whole new level.

And if it’s a camping trip? Even better. That’s when you really see how a family operates: how they talk to each other, how they solve who took the flashlight or why the stove won’t work. You learn a lot. And you realize how beautiful (or chaotic) your own family is too.It all adds up. It all brings you closer. It all teaches something.

Our “Happy Place” Group

We have a group of friends with whom we’ve shared so many mountain adventures across Alberta and British Columbia. We call ourselves “Happy Place” because every time we head out together, it genuinely feels like we’ve stepped into our happy zone.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a short hike, a ski day, or a multi-day camping trip—we know we’re going to have a blast. Because beyond the destination, what makes the experience special is the people you're with.

Some families just click with yours. They’ve got the same adventurous spirit, they don’t mind muddy kids, they laugh when it rains, they roll with whatever comes.When you find those people—hold on to them… and take them into the woods with you!

An Unforgettable Adventure

One of the adventures I treasure most was a lakeside camping trip with another family. The kids were in their element: during the day we did a beautiful hike, and when we got back, some hopped on their bikes, others tried fishing, and the little ones just played with rocks.

At night, we gathered around the campfire. Stories, laughter, melted marshmallows, mysteriously dying flashlights, and a starry sky that left us all in awe and silence at times.It was one of those perfect days—full of joy, nature, and good conversation.

You don’t need to fly to Europe to have an unforgettable experience (though don’t tell that to my travel-hungry soul). Sometimes all it takes is packing your backpacks, inviting the right friends, and heading out to some beautiful corner of Canada—there are plenty of them.

Tips for Adventuring with Friends

Alright, as promised, here are some recommendations if you’re thinking of exploring Canada, going on a mountain hike, or camping with other families:

1. Team up with families who share your valuesFind families that understand your parenting style. If you’re the type who’s fine with muddy kids and scraped knees, but your friends freak out over a little dirt—it might not flow.

2. Plan together, but stay flexibleHaving an itinerary helps, but don’t stress over following it to the letter. Sometimes, the moment should guide the adventure.

3. Share responsibilitiesOne brings the stove, another the flashlights, someone else brings board games. And please, someone bring good coffee. Survival depends on it.

4. Share mealsGo potluck-style so no one has to cook everything or eat canned tuna for three days straight. (Thanks again, Maja, for that life-saving rice in Windermere 😄!)

5. Let the kids exploreAs long as it’s safe, let them roam. Let them invent games, get bored, “get lost” (figuratively), and connect with each other off screens.

6. Be ready for the unexpectedFrom sudden storms to missing socks—every trip is an adventure. And as we say at Dare & Explore: there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.

Ready to Go?

If you’re looking for more than just “getting some exercise” or “breaking the routine,” I invite you to try this: invite your friends, pack your backpacks, and go on an adventure together.

It’s a wonderful way to deepen friendships, raise kids with real-life values, and enjoy what this country has to offer: jaw-dropping scenery, clean air, chilly but beautiful lakes, and so many mountains just waiting to be explored.

And if you don’t know where to start… we’re here at Dare & Explore with ideas, routes, maps, tips, and good vibes to make your next group adventure truly unforgettable.

See you in the woods! 🌲🛶🔥

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