Riding Away

Banff Trail Riders offers more than just a horseback ride—it delivers a journey through the living history of the Canadian Rockies. Since 1962, this iconic outfitter has been guiding visitors along the same breathtaking trails first carved by early explorers in the 1920s, creating an experience that blends adventure, heritage, and natural beauty. Horseback riding has long been woven into the story of Western Canada. In the 1800s, pioneers relied on horses to traverse the rugg

Tired, dusty, and hungry after a long day on the ranch or the trail? This bold, smoky cowboy steak delivers big flavour with a spicy Red Rum Rub and a rich Rum Butter Sauce that will satisfy even the hungriest ranch hand. Ingredients Steaks 2 rib steaks (bone-in or boneless) ½ cup Red Rum Rub (recipe follows) Rum Butter Sauce (recipe follows) Instructions Prepare the Red Rum Rub. Generously coat both steaks with the rub, ensuring all sides are covered. Cover and refrigerate f

“Or the day I decided to guide rather than pack!” By Jamie Ross They never showed this in those old Western films, I thought, as I watched the tail end of my pack string erupt into chaos. It started with Chainsaw, the stout palomino bringing up the rear. Maybe his pack had shifted into an uncomfortable position. Maybe he had stepped on a hornet's nest stirred up by the horses ahead. Or maybe he had simply decided he'd had enough. Whatever the reason, he launched int

Summer shines a little brighter in the Cariboo, and this year there's an extra reason to visit. From July 16–19, 2026, Quesnel will celebrate the 50th Annual Billy Barker Days Festival, a milestone event honouring one of British Columbia's most cherished community traditions. Rooted in the region's Gold Rush heritage, the festival captures the warmth, hospitality, and pioneering spirit that continue to define the Cariboo. For four vibrant days, LeBourdais Park becomes the hea

By Kayla Ross Raising children is one of life's greatest blessings, joys, and responsibilities. Sometimes I try to remember what life was like before having kids and wonder what I did with all my free time. Time seems to be the biggest challenge when raising a family—it goes by far too quickly, yet there never seems to be enough of it in a day. I firmly believe that my husband and I are better parents to our two wonderful young daughters because we continue to make time for t

After a long day in the saddle, nothing hits the spot like a hot, spicy dip around the campfire. Make it ahead of time, then warm it over the fire while you swap trail stories. Ingredients • 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • ¼ cup mayonnaise • ¼ cup milk • ¼ cup red pepper, finely minced • 2 tbsp jalapeño peppers, minced (leave the seeds in for extra heat or remove them for a milder kick) • 1 tbsp lemon juice • ¾ tsp Tabasco sauce Ins

“Discovering unexpected landscapes and rare wildlife in Grasslands National Park” By Jamie Ross “Who said Saskatchewan was flat?” I whisper to my horse Gus as he gamely hauls my butt up another steep incline. The question was meant to be rhetorical, but with a sharp expulsion of air, from both ends of his body, the horse gives me his answer. My palomino and I pick our way through silver sagebrush, prairie grass, prickly pear cactus, primrose and cottonwood, down through wet c

Tucked into 100 acres of Muskoka’s Canadian Shield landscape, Maple Lane Farm offers a western-style riding experience that feels both welcoming and authentic. With a mix of open fields, wooded trails, and well-kept facilities, including an indoor arena and outdoor jumper ring. It is a ranch destination where riders can settle in and enjoy the rhythm of the barn. Trail rides are a highlight, especially for those new to the saddle. Each experience runs about an hour and a half

By Kayla Ross We’ve been talking about adding a second horse for about a year now - something that can be enjoyed on the trail, in the arena, and by the rest of our family who want to get in the saddle and see what all of the hype is about. At first, it started by joining all of the western horse sales groups for Ontario on Facebook since this seems to have more quality then searching sites like Kijiji. Then getting into contact with people who are well known for their quali

"A Hearty Meal for the Trail" This rich, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder is coated in a bold homemade BBQ dry rub and slow-cooked in flavourful root beer and spices. The result? Tender, fall-apart pulled pork packed with deep, mouthwatering flavour in every bite. Irresistibly delicious and incredibly satisfying, this make-ahead meal is perfect for feeding a crowd, freezing for later, or enjoying right away. Ingredients · 3–4 lb boneless pork shoulder · 2 onions, slice

by Jamie Ross In mid-May, 1983, I stepped off a train in Banff, Alberta, after a three-day cross-country journey. Dragging along a duffel filled with horse gear and tatty clothes, I strolled into town in search of work. I planned to reward myself for my recently earned university degree with a summer of adventure in this beautiful mountain town, not knowing then that one season would turn into ten years spent working as a cowboy, wrangler and mountain guide. These are stori

Hopefully we are at the tail end of mud season here in Ontario but we wanted to share a couple tips and tricks that we've done the past couple years to prevent mud fever, abscesses, and other mud related illnesses. Get my horse to come to me so I don't need to trek through the mud. Give legs + hooves a very good clean and thorough pick Use a cream to create a waterproof shield on the skin which repels mud, water, and bacteria (we use diaper cream) Mud shield powder (The brand

Best enjoyed with good company There’s something special about a recipe passed down through generations, and Grandma Barnes’ baked beans are exactly that. Warm, hearty, and full of rich, comforting flavour, they’ve been a staple on the trail for as long as we can remember. Slow-cooked to perfection, each bite carries a hint of sweetness, a touch of smokiness, and the unmistakable taste of home. Whether served around a campfire after a long day in the saddle (no Blazing Saddle

“Getting ready for show, trail, and riding season after a long winter.” We are fortunate to have an indoor arena during our cold and snowy Ontario winters to keep our horses exercising year-round, but not everybody has that luxury, and it’s easy to get lazy and hard to get motivated in the winter. Bringing a horse back into work after a winter off requires patience, structure, and attention to the horse’s physical and mental readiness. Time off—especially in colder months—oft

Out in the rolling, grassy hills of Cariboo Country, where the sky feels close enough to touch, Watch Lake Lodge has been doing things the right way for 75 years. Since 1950, when Shorty and Alice Horn first took the reins, this place has been more than a guest ranch, it’s been a way of life. You can feel it the moment your boots hit the dirt – there is a quiet pride here. The cabins, some standing since the 1930s, carry stories in their logs, while still offering the comfort

“Cowgirl Moms don’t have to give up riding when the wee one’s trot into their life!” by Kayla Ross There’s something magical about exploring trails close to home. Late October marks the tail end of fall colours in Ontario, and while the weather can be unpredictable, I had the chance to go on an unforgettable horseback trip with a group of women to Copeland Forest in Simcoe County. It was a three-day adventure where we left the chaos of home behind and immersed ourselves in

“A Father and Daughter Reconnect on a Banff Backcountry Horse Trip!” Apparently, time travel is possible. A cowboy sits on a hewn log chair with a guitar cradled in his arms. He strums and sings. His yodelling and sad country ballads are offered out to a starry mountain night. A few guests sitting around the bonfire join in – as do several of the pack mules, hanging their huge heads over the coral rails and braying comically like backup chorus singers. It is a fitting way to

“At Home on the Range has Never Been so Luxurious!” By Jamie Ross It was a trip that was filled with some truly wonderful experiences. There was the mountain lion at Devil’s Thumb Ranch that darted across the road in front of my wife and I as we were returning from dinner, and then just to make sure that we didn’t mistake the magnificent and elusive cat for some ordinary coyote or large dog, the cougar sat on its haunches by the side of the road and watched us, before vault

I hear the distant thunder of galloping horses. What a beautiful sound. George Gaber, owner and operator of La Reata Ranch, had disappeared on his ATV over the steep hill that backdrops the cookhouse, off to round-up the herd of 24 quarter horses that roam freely over the ranch’s 5,000 acres. Guests who had gathered at the corral with their hats, chaps and saddle bags, were chattering excitedly in anticipation of the day’s ride ahead. Then all went silent as we hear the beati