Are you living or visiting Alberta, Canada, and trying to find more family-friendly activities? One idea that’s a bit off the beaten path (in the best of ways) is the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis Country.
When visiting the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis would do a step back in time and experience to real west. It’s a location to discover where you’ll admire the beauty of the Kananaskis valley while having a taste of the West.
Boundary Ranch is an exceptional location that offer year-round activities. It’s the perfect Alberta getaway.
So let’s discover the adventure you can have with your family at Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis.
Recently, our family went for an hour-long sleigh ride through the snow at the Boundary Ranch. And while on the horse sleigh, our “driver” (is that the right term?) shared other activities the ranch has to offer.
That got us curious, and led us to the question: what can you do at the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis year-round? So, today, that’s exactly what we’re going to cover. But first, let’s share a bit of information on what the Boundary Ranch is and how it got started.
Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis: A Brief Overview
Though Boundary Ranch is located just on the outskirts of the Canadian Rockies in the Kananaskis region. It has a rich history that goes back to nearly 100 years, but we’ll simply cover from when it was officially established in 1987.
If you’re looking for the full story, you can (and should) definitely check that out on the ranch’s website.
In 1987, Boundary Ranch was officially created at a time the Kananaskis County was just being developed. According to their site, the name “Boundary Ranch” was given because it “sits on the boundary line between the previous Provincial Forestry area and the original Federal Forestry Experimental Station.”
It’s was a family-run ranch operated by the Guinn family, which had made its name by capitlizing on cowboy tourism. Many of the same trails that Alvin Guinn, the patriarch of the family, would run are still used by hikers today.
At the beginning, Boundary Ranch had a small corral with about 15 horses. Even though the original corral (from before Boundary Ranch was officially founded) is still there today, the ranch itself has grown quite a bit. They now have 100 horses, some buffalo, a donkey, and a mule.
Again, you can check out all of that information on their website, and we highly encourage you to do so. The Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis has a rich and beautiful history. Plus, as you would imagine, they can tell their campfire history with more eloquence than any outsider ever could.
What we CAN talk about, however, are all the activities you can do at the Boundary Ranch no matter what time of year you go! So, now, let’s turn our attention to the various things you can do as a family at the Boundary Ranch.
What to Do at the Boundary Ranch in the Winter
There are 2 main activities you can do at the Boundary Ranch in the winter, but many hiking trails in the area:
- Dog sledding
- Boundary Ranch Wagon or Sleigh Rides
We visited Boundary Ranch once and we’ve decided to do the wagon ride and not the dog sledding. Our boys were still little and we just thought it might be too intense for the kids. If your kids are older (or you don’t have kids), then this can be an excellent winter activity to check out.
Our family took a horse-driven sleigh ride around Boundary Ranch instead. It was about 45-minutes to 1-hour, and we were greeted warmly by the staff.
They gave us each a complimentary hot chocolate (which the kids loved), and offered to upgrade Mama’s hot chocolate with a small shot of Baileys. Then we went out to the waiting area on the patio, where a fire had been started for guests.
Dog Sledding in Kananaskis
Boundary Ranch offers dog sledding throughout the winter. And it’s probable one of the best dog sledding in Kananaskis Country.
In the serenity of the Canadian Rockies, families are invited to go on a 1.5 hours dog sledding adventure. It’s important to note that there are weight limitation. For 2 adults and 2 children, only the dog sledding configuration B is possible.
Dog sledding tours can be self-led or led by a guide. They last around 1.5 hours, and you’ll want to look ahead for availability. Apparently, dog sledding requires a specific type of snow on the ground (called “snowpack”), so you’ll want to make sure the conditions are right before booking.
The season for dog sledding in Kananaskis runs from December to April. But of course, the specific date are dependent on the weather.
Boundary Ranch Wagon or Sleigh Rides
Boundary Ranch offers wagon and sleigh rides from December to February. Specific dates will vary each year depending on the weather.
Families can enjoy the ride for approximately 30 to 45 minute.
I was a bit nervous about having the boys sit in the sleigh for such a long time, especially because the pace of the ride is slow, calm, and peaceful. Great for the parents, but worrisome if your kids have a hard time sitting still.
The driver gave us some awesome insight into the history of the ranch and took us around to see the buffalo. Apparently, these don’t serve much function for the ranch itself, except that the owners thought buffalo were cool.
Seeing them all up close with the kids, we’d have to agree.
When we were done, we walked around the ranch for a bit and got to answer questions from our kids about horses, stables, farms, and other ranch-related questions that only 4-year-old could think to ask (“What games do you think the horses play when everyone leaves?”)
PRO-TIP: Bring some extra cash as a tip for your driver, or make sure you ask to include it when you arrive. Having been a tour guide in the past in France, getting tips from clients was how we were able to afford luxuries like groceries, electricity, heat… you know, all those little things. 😉
Here’s the honest truth about our experience: It was GREAT! But… papa would have preferred to go dog sledding.
What do in at the Boundary Ranch in Spring, Summer, and Fall
When it’s not winter, Boundary Ranch has tons of activities that you can do all year-long. Their biggest attraction, though, are the trail rides, white water rafting, and other guided adventures.
Guided rides are suitable for guests six years and older with all riding levels and experience. You’ll embark on a horseback adventure to explore the Canadian Rockies. The rides themselves are kept at a walking pace, which is nice if you’re not familiar with riding horses.
I know, I know… we’d all love to ride at full speed like the lone ranger, but safety takes priority on these trips. If you really want to learn to ride, official lessons are probably the way to go.
Instead, the Boundary Ranch can give you some awesome sites of the Canadian rockies that you won’t see anywhere else. You’ll also pass through an authentic teepee site where they often have raw animal hydes drying on display. Even seeing how these teepees were constructed is fascinating, and it encouraged us to try to build one at home.
More on that in another post, though.
Aside from the trail rides, they also offer guided white water rafting tours. This is a 3-hour trip down the Kananaskis river and if our kids were old enough, we’d buy the tickets right now for the summer!
This is definitely and adventure to get your heart pumping, as you raft down 12 kilometers of the river through Class I – III rapids. The water moves fast, but the experienced guides presumably know the route like the back of their hands.
All of the safety equipment is provided, but children need to be 5+ years old and over 45 pounds.
Finally, there’s a seemingly endless amount of terrain to hike, explore, and photograph. Like we said, you’ll get some views of mountains and the Canadian Rockies unlike anywhere else. And you can tell that all the staff have a real passion for nature and all the creatures living in the great outdoors.
One fun fact that we learned was that the horses get to run free for 6-7 months out of the year before being corralled back to the ranch. This showed us that the Boundary Ranch isn’t a “tourist spot” first and a ranch second. Instead, this was a ranch first that prioritized the comfort and safety of their animals.
All that touristy stuff comes second – which we, as tourists, really appreciated.
Special Group Events at Boundary Ranch
The Ranch offers special group events throughout the year. It’s a unique way to experience the West in the spectacular backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.
Boundary Ranch is open year round and includes banquet facilities meeting rooms and gift shop for special group events. Group events include BBQs, retreats, wild west rodeos wagon or sleigh rides and so much more.
Apart from all the adventuring, the Boundary Ranch offers tons of other activities, too. Here are some of the main things that are available if you love the ranch atmosphere, but aren’t big on roughing it through nature:
- Picnics
- BBQs
- Corporate events
- Tours
- Private Parties
- And more…
For more information about what you can do at the Boundary Ranch in Kananiski, we highly recommend checking out their website. While we hope this post was helpful for you, it certainly doesn’t do justice to all the many family-friendly things you can do there.
Final Thoughts: Kananaskis and the Boundary Ranch
And that’s it! Hopefully, you found this post useful, especially if you’re visiting Alberta, Canada, in the near future (or plan to).
Kananaskis County is a great place to explore away from the crowds of the National Parks and Boundary Ranch is a must-stop in the area. Other than horse and wagon rides, Kananaskis are great for hiking, paddling and camping.
If you did like this resource, you might want to read the following articles:
❤️ You may also like to read: ❤️
Banff Winter:7 Activities to Do With the Family
Cross-Country Canada: Planning a Road Trip With Kids
Marble Canyon Hike: The Perfect Hike for Travelers With Kids
These posts have everything you need to explore Alberta, Canada.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.