The Canadian Rockies are famed for their year-round outdoor activities. These range from skiing in winter to climbing and hiking in summer. However, one outdoor pursuit that is growing in popularity is road cycling. The Rockies have long been a hotbed for mountain biking, but road cycling, including gravel biking, has become increasingly popular.
I have previously written about the excellent Jasper Gran Fondo and why it is a must-do event, but one ride that should be on every cyclist’s to-do list is Highway 1A, better known as the Bow Valley Parkway, from Banff to Lake Louise.
This scenic route follows a 50km undulating, well-paved road through the heart of Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885.
To encourage more people to tackle this route, Lake Louise Ski Resort is hosting an event called Parkway to Pint.
Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the best-known ski areas in the Canadian Rockies. Located in the heart of Banff National Park, it spans 4,200 acres, with 10 lifts and 145 marked trails for all ability levels. The resort has hosted Alpine Ski World Cup events since 1980, particularly downhill and super-G, which has ensured its reputation as a world-class mountain, which attracts skiers from across the world.
About the event
The Parkway to Pint challenge is an annual summer ride along the Bow Valley Parkway. The route runs from the start of the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise Ski Resort and is approximately 52km long.
The event is sponsored by Banded Peak Brewing, a Calgary-based craft brewery known for its adventurous, mountain-inspired beers. Complete the ride and your reward is a Banded Peak pint, 10% off food at the Banded Peak Base Camp chalet, and a free Parkway to Pint water bottle.
For those who would prefer to start their ride from Lake Louise start at Lake Louise Ski Resort, ride to Castle Junction, and back again, which is roughly the same distance.
How it works
- Ride the route between June 29 and September 1.
- Start in Banff or Lake Louise and park at one of the designated locations.
- Track your ride using Strava, Garmin, Map My Ride, or a similar app.
- Show your ride activity at the Banded Peak Base Camp chalet at Lake Louise Ski Resort and collect your rewards: a pint, 10% off food, and a free water bottle.
It’s a simple challenge with a reward at the end.
About the route
Cycling from Banff to Lake Louise is straightforward, but the appeal of the route lies in far more than its simplicity.
Starting from Banff, you can either park at Vermilion Lakes on the outskirts of town or at the train station, where parking is free.
From there, you can cycle alongside Vermilion Lakes, which is home to 230 species of birds during the summer months, including Canada’s iconic loon.
After navigating a narrow path with several gates, you will arrive at the start of the Bow Valley Parkway, marked by a wooden arch carved with wolves.
The route can be broken into three sections. The first takes you to Johnston Canyon, the second runs from Johnston Canyon to Baker Creek, and the final stretch leads to the end of the Parkway, again marked by a wooden arch, before the last few kilometres to Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Section 1 – Start to Johnston Canyon
This segment is particularly enjoyable due to the abundance of wildlife you may encounter. The route follows the Bow River, with plenty of places to stop for photos of the surrounding mountains. Before the road splits to the right, you may also be lucky enough to spot bighorn sheep on the hillside.
A few kilometres after the road splits, you will come to a clearing on the right where wolves have been spotted during winter. The dense summer undergrowth means you will be fortunate to see them if they are present, but it is still worth slowing down for a careful look.
Up to this point, there has been limited elevation gain, but that changes as the road begins to climb gently.
It is not an overly difficult or long climb, but it will raise your heart rate before you hit a fast descent. At the bottom, you will find yourself approaching Johnston Canyon, which brings an end to the first section of the ride. Johnston Canyon is a tourist hotspot, so be mindful of the traffic.
Section 2 – Johnston Canyon to Baker Creek chalets
From Johnston Canyon, this section of the ride is predominantly flat and relatively fast. However, there are slight inclines of 1 or 2% that can slow you down. Several kilometres beyond Johnston Canyon are Castle Mountain Chalets, which mark the halfway point of the ride. There is a small shop where you can stop for a drink before tackling the second half of the route.
From here, you will pass a site of historical interest, the Castle Mountain Internment Camp memorial, which was the largest internment site in the Canadian Rockies and held several hundred prisoners at a time. It opened on July 13, 1915, and over the course of its operation, 660 detainees were held there under guard and put to work on road building, land clearing, and other labour projects in the national park. Many of those interned were immigrants from countries at war with the British Empire and were classified by the Canadian government as “enemy aliens.”
As you continue up the road, there are several places to stop and admire the views. After a short but punchy climb, followed by a fast descent, you reach a flat, straight section where the road runs parallel to the railway line through the park. Bears are often seen along the railway tracks in Banff National Park, feeding on grain that spills from passing freight trains. If you don’t get chance to spot a bear on your journey, you may see one or two on the slopes of the Lake Louise ski hill as you sip your after-ride pint. This is because in the summer, they are frequently seen traversing the mountain and this the safest and most likely chance of seeing a bear in Banff National Park.
This section ends as you reach Baker Creek chalets.
Section 3 – Baker Creek chalets to Lake Louise Ski Resort
Baker Creek chalets provide another good opportunity to stop and take a break. There is a small cafe where you can buy a coffee and cake to enjoy at the picnic tables outside.
Soon after leaving Baker Creek chalets, you will approach Morant’s Curve. This is one of the most recognizable viewpoints in Banff National Park: a sweeping bend in the Bow River set below the surrounding mountains. It has long been a favourite image in promotional photography of the Canadian Rockies.
Morant’s Curve takes its name from Nicholas Morant, the Canadian Pacific Railway photographer who frequently used the vantage point for his photographs.
From this point, the road kicks up at a steady rate and, after a few gentle sweeping curves, the end of the Bow Valley Parkway comes into sight, marked by another iconic wooden arch. By this stage, you will have covered roughly 50km and all that remains is a right turn and the final 2km to Lake Louise Ski Resort, where you can collect your rewards.
TrainingPeaks Virtual
To ensure that everyone can try this event, Mountain Massif has teamed up with TrainingPeaks Virtual, where the route has been made available to ride virtually. These events will be hosted weekly, with the first taking place on Sunday 19 July at 8:00am MDT / 3:00pm BST / 4:00pm CEST.
To join, simply click here. Other dates are available, and will be available to join via the Events page on the Mountain Massif website – Mountain Massif Rides
Note: If you want to get the pint and free water bottle, completing the route in real life is the qualifying criteria.
Summing up
The Parkway to Pint challenge is more than a ride with a free pint at the end. It is one of the best ways to experience the Bow Valley Parkway at the right pace – slow enough to notice the wildlife, scenery, and history that make this road so memorable, but fast enough to feel like a real adventure. With rolling terrain, iconic viewpoints, and the promise of a well-earned reward at Lake Louise, it is a route that captures exactly why road cycling in the Canadian Rockies continues to grow in popularity.
Whether you tackle it outdoors between Banff and Lake Louise or ride it virtually, Parkway to Pint is the kind of challenge that blends effort, landscape, and enjoyment in equal measure. For regular cyclists, it is an essential Rockies ride; for newcomers, it is an inviting introduction to one of the most scenic roads in the country. Either way, it is easy to see why this challenge deserves a place on every cyclist’s to-do list.
