Welcome to Journeys West: Tours & Transportation

Journeys West offers unique itineraries designed to include a blend of natural history, local culture and an endless variety of outdoor activities.

Many of our summer tours follow the 'original' transcontinental highway from southwestern Alberta to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia (although the road continues to the west coast). Today, the origins of the roadways we travel go unnoticed, hidden beneath the asphalt as trucks and cars rush over the past.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, these roads were narrow wagon trails and railways. It was after numerous railways were abandoned (each has its own history), and cars became the new mode of travel that many of these rail beds became roads.

The small, friendly towns and cities that dot these roads are steeped in history, beauty and myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation. Some town names were given by the native inhabitants of the region. Others were named after people who settled the area and were connected to the industries that opened the west, like the fur trade, mining(gold, copper, silver and coal), logging, and of course - the railways.

During the 1920's, (considered the real start of the automobile age), what is now known as the Crowsnest Highway (Hwy #3) was the shortest route to BC's coast, although it wasn't the continuous road it is today. Previous to improvements, this rudimentary highway was connected by ferries and in some places the navigable road crossed the border into the USA, before continuing west (or east) once again in Canada.

The Trans Canada Highway (Hwy #1) was opened July 30, 1962. It remains the most direct route to British Columbia's coast from the east, making it the most popular highway and the Crowsnest Highway, a road less traveled!

From the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Alberta to British Columbia's interior desert pocket, you'll have the opportunity to journey the roads, rails, rivers and trails along the Crowsnest Highway and to experience western heritage, through local events like the famous Calgary Stampede where hard working cow ponies and cowboys bring the wild west back to life or Spruce Meadows, an internationally renowned show jumping venue featuring the sport's best horses and equestrians.

Explore beautiful places and learn about the mountains of flora and fauna that surround you. Discover mines of many kinds, coal, gold, silver… Journey horseback along breathtaking mountain trails. Hike rolling carpets of flowers. Visit vineyards, delight your palate and savour the variety of flavours the mighty grape delivers. Play golf at scenic, challenging courses. Mountain bike through tunnels and over historic train trestles set high above deep river canyons or raft down swollen rivers in the springtime.

Whether discovering new vistas, sharing unforgettable moments, savouring the local cuisine or just enjoying a relaxing soak in one of the regional hot springs, there's so much to see with Journeys West! Come see the west like it's never been seen before...Come see the west your way!

For adventures on the road less traveled in and around Canada's Rocky Mountains, click icons below.

SEE THE WEST YOUR WAY!!

Journeys West Tours & Transportation