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Last Update: 06 Aug 2010

Riding Holidays | Canada

The best horse riding ranch holidays and horseback trail riding vacations in Canada are in the west of the country in the Rocky Mountain provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. There are Canadian ranch holidays and Canadian horse riding holidays to suit all levels of rider.

Canadian horse riding vacations in these states have some of the best mountain trail riding anywhere in the world. The guest ranches are usually higher in the Rocky Mountains whereas the working cattle ranches are lower in the foothills. There are mountain horse trail rides available from just a couple of days to two weeks long and for these trips you will need a sense of adventure and a good head for heights as the riding trails take you through really beautiful, but high and steep mountain scenery. There are Canadian ranches to suit all budgets and tastes from sumptuous luxury to small rustic style, but on the horse trail rides the accommodation is likely to be fairly basic camping or simple log cabins.

Alberta has a variety of guest ranches, dude ranches and authentic working ranches, many of which are in the south of the province around Calgary. Homeplace is a really good guest ranch just south of Calgary. Travel slightly further south and you will arrive at Lucasia which is a quality authentic working ranch.

The Calgary Stampede in the first half of July is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and a visit to the Stampede makes a fantastic combination with a Canada ranch stay. The Rocky Mountaineer train can also be combined with a ranch stay and is the ideal way to see the mountains and travel between Vancouver and Calgary, taking in places like Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper and Banff.

	Homeplace Ranch Small family run ranch in Alberta. Can be combined with a visit to the Stampede.
	Lucasia Ranch Working cattle ranch near Calgary. Also ideal for combining with a visit to the Calgary Stampede.