Dinogo’s Ultimate Guide to the Canadian Rockies

TheThe Canadian Rockies elevate nature to new heights. Stretching 1,000 miles from the U.S.-Canada border in Montana to northern British Columbia, the rugged peaks resemble stunning layer cakes crafted from snow, ice, and ancient fossil-rich limestone and shale. As these majestic mountains meander along the Alberta-British Columbia border, aquamarine and turquoise lakes glisten, powerful rivers cascade from lofty icefields into deep valleys, and vibrant larch forests line the roads. This preserved region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Canada’s national parks, showcasing some of Mother Nature’s most remarkable creations.

This region has long served as an outdoor haven for thrill-seekers, offering activities from kayaking in summer to dog-sledding in winter. Yet, its culinary scene is now capturing the interest of adventurous Dinogos. To complement the stunning landscapes, the Canadian Rocky Mountain cuisine features elk, venison, bison, and trout from the region's rivers, along with a wealth of foraged ingredients like mushrooms, Saskatoon berries, and herbs. A locavore, mountain-to-table movement has emerged, highlighting local Rocky Mountain ingredients and the region’s diverse culinary influences, resulting in bold dishes perfect for such an awe-inspiring backdrop. Since the inception of the Canmore Uncorked culinary festival in 2014, chefs have celebrated regional dining, enticing travelers from nearby Calgary or Edmonton, and even those crossing from the U.S., to indulge in the remarkable flavors of the Canadian Rockies.

What characterizes Rocky Mountain cuisine?

The abundant resources of the Rockies were vital for a diverse array of First Nations groups, including the Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda, and Blackfoot, who thrived in the area before colonization significantly altered their surroundings and lifestyles. While policies of erasure and assimilation have obscured their influence on the region's culinary landscape, their legacy is evident in the farm-to-table approaches of today's chefs, restaurateurs, bakers, distillers, foragers, and brewers. Contemporary Indigenous-owned restaurants and food enterprises present menus, educational experiences, and products that showcase local ingredients and traditional First Nations culinary methods, providing insights into precolonization food practices while highlighting the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples to Rocky Mountain cuisine.

In the 19th century, after the contentious Numbered Treaties were established, the Canadian Pacific Railway traversed the Rockies, facilitating the introduction of new ingredients and the spread of European culinary traditions. Chefs on the trains — along with those in the grand hotels that emerged, such as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Banff Springs — brought extravagant Victorian dining experiences to the region. European mountain guides also introduced dishes like fondue from their native countries. As Alberta's vast, fertile plains evolved into an agricultural powerhouse, staple crops such as wheat, barley, and canola, along with the region's celebrated beef, became essential to the local culinary identity.

Today, the distinctive and hyper-local flavors of the Canadian Rockies and the adjacent Alberta prairies attract food enthusiasts to mountain towns and secluded lodges. You'll also discover a variety of international cuisines, particularly from German and European Alpine traditions. While meat dishes dominate the scene, there are excellent vegan and vegetarian choices available. Alberta's rich grain fields and pristine glacial water have given rise to a thriving craft brewery scene and trendy distilleries that utilize native botanicals. Plus, you can indulge in beloved Canadian favorites like Tim Hortons and BeaverTails, as well as iconic Great White North dishes like poutine.

Essential information for food enthusiasts

The parks: Encompassing approximately 9,000 square miles, the national parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay, along with the provincial parks of Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine, and Hamber, attract millions of visitors annually. As the primary tourist attractions in the region, parks like Banff and Jasper host many of the Rockies’ finest restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries. Additionally, Jasper features the second-largest dark-sky preserve in the world, thanks to its minimal light pollution.

Canmore Uncorked: This acclaimed food and drink festival is held in Canmore, a town that serves as a gateway to Banff National Park for visitors arriving from Calgary. The event showcases popular dining experiences like the multicourse Long Table Dinners, where guests dine alongside over 100 fellow food lovers. The festival also introduces exciting themed meals, such as the Culinary Symphony, which combines fine dining with live music.

Mind your food: Grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and other wildlife thrive in these protected areas, making visitors temporary guests in their habitat. Make sure to take everything you brought with you, and avoid leaving any litter behind, particularly food items.

The Boss: When locals mention the Boss, they’re not referring to Bruce Springsteen. This title belongs to Banff’s most renowned bear, a colossal grizzly weighing over 600 pounds. His immense size and intriguing life story, including surviving a train collision and fathering many cubs, have made him a local legend. There's even a rich brown ale named after him at Three Bears Brewery in Banff.

Après-ski: Ski enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to advanced, flock here for the diverse terrain, stunning views, and extended ski seasons. The ski resorts at Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay comprise the SkiBig3 collective, which leads the local skiing experience. After hitting the slopes, indulge in classic Canadian comfort foods like poutine and enjoy warming cocktails crafted from locally sourced spirits at vibrant après-ski venues like Mad Trapper’s, a beloved Banff Sunshine establishment since 1928.

Seasons: The Canadian Rockies attract visitors year-round. In summer, outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, and via ferrata adventures abound, while winter brings skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice-skating, dog-sledding, and ice-climbing. Each season also influences restaurant menus, offering unique culinary experiences throughout the year. Note that not all hotels, restaurants, and attractions operate year-round, so be sure to confirm availability before planning your visit.

Icefields Parkway: Make sure to carve out time to traverse this 144-mile stretch from Lake Louise to Jasper, renowned as one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Along the way, you'll encounter mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, forests, glaciers, and stunning viewpoints such as the dog-head-shaped Peyto Lake, with a chance to spot wildlife. While dining options are sparse along this route, you can enjoy a meal at Glacier View Lodge in Jasper National Park, where the views of the ancient 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier are breathtaking.

Rocky Mountaineer: A fantastic way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies is by boarding the Rocky Mountaineer. With multiple routes starting from Vancouver, this multi-day train journey takes you deep into the Rockies, complete with an exceptional gourmet dining experience that showcases seasonal flavors and ingredients sourced from British Columbia and Alberta. The train features glass-ceiling observation cars for uninterrupted views of the majestic mountains.

The finest dining spots in the Rockies

Canmore: Before venturing into the Bow Valley, make a stop at the Nakoda First Nation-owned Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino in Kananaskis, where you can savor traditional First Nations dishes featuring elk, bannock, and Saskatoon berries. To deepen your knowledge of local herbs and plants, embark on an educational medicine walk with Mahikan Trails, an Indigenous-owned and operated venture. At Sauvage, chef Tracy Little crafts tasting menus inspired by the wild, seasonal ingredients of the nearby forests, streams, and lakes, offering both a meat-focused Hunter option and a vegetarian Gatherer version in a cozy, upscale environment.

Banff: Begin your day with locally roasted coffee and a freshly baked organic pastry at Wild Flour Bakery, located where Banff’s first bakery operated in the late 1800s. Next, indulge in Alberta bison prepared in various ways, from sizzling tomahawk steaks to tender short ribs, at the Bison, which features seasonal, farm-to-table Canadian cuisine alongside views of Mount Rundle. The Waldhaus Restaurant at the Fairmont Banff Springs offers an Alpine menu of crispy schnitzel and rich fondue in a charming Bavarian-style cottage overlooking the Bow and Spray rivers. For a unique dining experience, enjoy a meal at the Juniper Hotel’s valley-view Bistro or take the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain’s Sky Bistro, where you can savor “farm-to-summit” seasonal specialties like foraged mushroom toast or hearty bison sirloin, paired with a curated selection of Canadian wines, local ales, and craft cocktails featuring regional spirits.

Lake Louise: At Walliser Stube, the cozy Alpine restaurant within the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the house specialty is a luxurious fondue complete with all the fixings (and optional foraged black truffles or Nova Scotia lobster for a touch of elegance), best paired with selections from an extensive wine list of over 500 bottles. Meanwhile, the Station, housed in a historic train station, marries fine dining with railway heritage, featuring European-style dishes like schnitzel alongside locally sourced delights such as tender Alberta bison ribs.

Rocky Mountain House: Although slightly off the main route, this quaint town is a worthwhile stop to grab a Hunter Gatherer Graze Box from Creative Cuisine Catering, run by Dene chef Denia Baltzer, who hails from the Northwest Territories. This to-go charcuterie selection draws inspiration from Canada’s First Foods (the ingredients used by First Nations people) and may include delights like venison or bison sausage, Alberta fireweed jelly, Saskatoon chutney, Indigenous honey, and bannock. Perfect for a trailside picnic!

Jasper: Jasper boasts a vibrant culinary scene that spans from upscale dining to relaxed pubs, all of which you can explore on a walking tour with Jasper Food Tours. Established in 1952, the beloved Tekarra serves hearty meals crafted from local, seasonal ingredients in a charming chalet-style cabin at Tekarra Lodge. Dishes like elk, wild boar, bison meatloaf, wild mushroom ravioli, and sustainably sourced catch of the day are crowd favorites, highlighting the region’s unique terroir. At Syrahs of Jasper, enjoy elk carpaccio, smoked bison ragout, or a charcuterie platter featuring house-made game sausage, candied boar bacon, and venison salami, complemented by a classic Caesar cocktail adorned with candied boar bacon.

Must-visit bars, breweries, and distilleries

Canmore: At Canmore Brewing Company, you’ll find a range of pale ales, lagers, stouts, and IPAs, with seasonal sours and saisons named after local landmarks like mountains and trails. Sheepdog Brewing offers a fun, rotating selection that includes unique styles like witbier and New England IPAs. Collaborating with foraging experts from Full Circle Adventures, Wild Life Distillery crafts a unique Alberta botanical gin using sustainably foraged summer botanicals such as juniper, Labrador tea, and wild sage.

Banff: Banff Ave Brewing Co. is a charming gastropub where house-made beers, including the rich Mt. Rundle stout, pair perfectly with hearty dishes like poutine and Alberta beef smash burgers. The rustic Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant embraces nature with forest-themed dining rooms and a beer garden serving signature microbrews, including the golden Pinery pilsner made from Alberta barley and wheat. For a lively atmosphere, visit High Rollers bowling alley, which offers large drafts of local microbrews. The award-winning Park Distillery, the only distillery within a Canadian national park, produces small-batch spirits using glacial water and high-altitude Alberta grains; try their London dry gin infused with Canadian spruce tips or rye blended with Quebec maple syrup.

Lake Louise: The bars at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise are favored après-ski hangouts where ski enthusiasts can relax. You’ll find the Lakeview Lounge offering stunning views of the lake, the cozy Art Deco-styled Fairview Bar, and the mountaineering-themed Alpine Social. To top it off, each winter an entire ice bar appears on the lake, serving mulled wine and seasonal cocktails.

Golden: Venture through Yoho National Park to sample the adventure-themed brews from Whitetooth Brewing Co., featuring Belgian and West Coast-inspired selections like witbiers, stouts, and pale ales.

Jasper: At Jasper Brewing Co., established in 2005, you can enjoy a microbrew at the first brewery located in a Canadian national park. Signature offerings like the fruity Trail Session IPA or the Jasper the Bear honey ale, named after the town’s mascot, pair well with elk meatloaf at the brewpub or in cans while hiking the trails. Nearby, Folding Mountain Brewing Taproom and Kitchen boasts great views alongside porters, hazy IPAs, lagers, and sours. Also close by, Three Ranges Brewing Co. offers warming brown ales, crisp IPAs, and amber ales near B.C.’s Mount Robson Provincial Park.

The top hotels for exceptional food and drink

Fairmont Banff Springs

Originally opened in 1888, the Fairmont Banff Springs resembles a scene from Beauty and the Beast. With its grand towers and steep gable roofs, the hotel dramatically emerges from the surrounding forest at the southern edge of town, overlooking the Bow River. Featuring 739 rooms, 14 dining options, a spa, a summer golf course, and childcare services, it’s a luxurious retreat. Even if you’re not a guest, consider joining the Eat the Castle tour offered by Alberta Food Tours, which showcases several of the castle’s Mytouries where you can savor seasonal specialties paired with curated beverages. Just try to resist humming “Be Our Guest” throughout. Rates begin at approximately 548 Canadian dollars ($409).

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s to boost tourism, the magnificent 539-room Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers stunning views of glacier-fed aqua waters. Guests can enjoy six bars and restaurants, indulge in the spa, canoe on the lake, ski, or hike to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House perched high in the mountains. In winter, the lake freezes completely, providing a perfect setting for ice skating and an impressive ice sculpture contest each year. Off-season room rates begin at 399 Canadian dollars ($293).

Mount Royal Hotel

This chic boutique hotel, perfectly situated on Banff’s main street, is just a stroll away from most of the town’s dining, shopping, and public transit options. With 133 rooms, guests can enjoy access to a cozy library, a general store, and the Cascade Lounge. One of the highlights is the rooftop hot tub, where you can unwind while taking in views of Cascade and Sulphur mountains. Nightly rates start at 155 Canadian dollars ($114).

Glacier View Lodge

Instead of waking up to birds chirping, you might hear the subtle creaks of a moving glacier at this location. Nestled along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park, the luxurious Glacier View Lodge offers stunning views of the Athabasca Glacier, a 10,000-year-old marvel open for public walking tours. With two restaurants, a grand glacier-view lounge, and sleek, minimalist rooms, the lodge provides exclusive packages that include private glacier tours, allowing you to avoid the crowds. The resort is closed from early October to mid-April due to heavy snowfall, with room rates starting at 404 Canadian dollars ($298) for a double room.

Emerald Lake Lodge

As one of the few hotels in Yoho National Park, the secluded Emerald Lake Lodge enhances the traditional log cabin experience with its stylish rustic decor, digital detox focus, gourmet dining options, and premium bar selection. Located on a peninsula at Emerald Lake, the 24 guest cabins feature cozy amenities such as wood-burning fireplaces and private wraparound balconies with lake views. The main lodge, adorned with rough-hewn wood and stone fireplaces, houses the acclaimed Mount Burgess Dining Room, where chef Valerie Morrison crafts dishes using free-range local meats like elk, bison, and caribou paired with seasonal sides. You can also enjoy local history and fine scotch at the Kicking Horse Lounge, featuring a bartop from the 1890s. In the off-peak season, room rates begin around 242 Canadian dollars ($179) per night.

Forest Park Hotel

When it opened in 2022, the Forest Park Hotel marked the first new hotel to grace Jasper in four decades. This stylish, nature-themed retreat embraces the great outdoors with a modern twist. Featuring 88 bedrooms, the on-site spa and hot tub offer a serene escape after thrilling days spent in nature. Two dining options showcase Rocky Mountain cuisine: the elegant Walter’s Dining Room, complete with a striking wood fireplace, lush greenery, and twinkling string lights, serves hearty breakfasts. In the evening, indulge in dishes like salmon and leek fishcakes, mac and cheese made with Alberta Gouda, and assorted butcher boards at the Hearthstone Lounge. Nightly rates start at approximately 159 Canadian dollars ($117).

Zoe Baillargeon is an award-winning writer specializing in travel and food, currently based in Portland, Oregon. In addition to Dinogo, her work has appeared in National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, and Wine Enthusiast.