Top Banff Ski & Snow

As a trade journalist who covers the meetings and incentives industry, I was approaching this experience in an analytical mode, expecting to filter it through a stack of “wellness experiences” commonly offered for groups to come up with a good summary of how it could work into an agenda for a corporate event or incentive program.Well, that intention almost instantly morphed into something infinitely more personal and profound within minutes of meeting Scott Berry, my Forest Therapy guide and Stellar Experiences’ Director of Guiding Operations. As we set off crunching through the hard-pack snow on the trail to Johnson Lake, he put me at ease with stories about the local plants and critters. He also explained the neuroscience behind the practice of Forest Bathing, which scratched my journalistic itch enough that I could then put my mental notebook away and just be with the experience as it unfolded.The guided meditation once we reached the lake ended up being profound, and having permission to explore the area with all my senses was amazingly freeing as I listened to the sounds of the ice breaking on the lake and felt the sun on my face, accompanied by a loon and three swans. We ended the session with a cup of rose hip tea and a snack before heading back down the trail.While I am open to new experiences, I do have to fight with my inner skeptic sometimes, the one who thinks things like Forest Bathing sound a little too woo woo. What it was instead was magical, transformative, life-changing in a very real and beautiful way. I feel that that place is now a part of my soul I can journey back to anytime I need to quiet my mind and connect with what actually matters.I am still finding new ways to braid what I experienced into my daily life, but it already has had a profound effect. I can only imagine what it could do for a corporate group.

Best guided tour of the trip. Great experience. Was pretty strenuous for us but doable. The guide Michael was fantastic.

Scott was our snow shoeing tour guide and he brought a young lady named Sarah from the office with him. Both were amazing, Scott was very friendly knowledgeable about the area and activities, he made the trip very fun Sarah was very friendly and kind very easy to talk to I would recommend this tour and if you can pick a guide ask for Scott

Mark was great. He was prompt , kind and so knowledgeable. He consistently checked on everyone and tended to our needs. . I will also add that Mark make dinner recommendations. He was riding the gondola as I made them for later that evening. I had forgotten my sunglasses in the van. When we arrived at dinner the sunglasses were at the front podium waiting for me. That sweet angel make a special trip to drop off my glasses. Talk about going above and beyond ! ❤️

Had a wonderful afternoon with our guide Nicolas. He was chatty and informative, caring that we were well looked after, assuring about arriving on time for our booked activity at the Lake. Wonderful surprise of hot chocolate and maple biscuits before heading home. I would recommend this tour company for a good experience. Communications were prompt and helpful. Vehicle was modern and clean and the driver was attentive and safe and friendly.

Every review written about Stellar Experiences is absolutely true. Much like the breathtaking beauty of Banff—something that must be experienced rather than described—no words can truly capture what it feels like to journey with Chris and Shalini.From the very beginning, they listened deeply, thoughtfully considering our ideas, intentions, and goals to curate an itinerary that was not only seamless but deeply meaningful. Every detail reflected the professionalism and care behind the experience—from guidance on layered winter clothing to arranging the right footwear for ice climbing—everything was taken care of, always with warmth and a smile.Once in Canmore and Banff, you are gently hand-held with trust and care, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in nature without ever feeling out of place. Chris and Shalini were by our side at every moment—whether it was a 5:30 AM ice-climbing start or a late-night bonfire by Lake Minnewanka that invited deep reflection and soul-searching. There was never a moment of hesitation or discomfort.They collaborate only with people they deeply trust, and it showed. We were gifted with some truly unforgettable first-time experiences—Snowy Owl dog sledding, ice climbing with Mike and his team, and heartfelt conversations with Scott Berry around a snowy bonfire by Lake Minnewanka. These are the kinds of moments you usually only see in movies and quietly wish you could experience yourself.Thomas, the photographer, deserves special mention—moving like he wore an invisible cloak, capturing moments beautifully without ever intruding. Truly an incredible team effort.Chris and Shalini are an exceptional duo with a wealth of experiences and wisdom to share. The conversations with them leave you with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose. And finally, heartfelt kudos to them for building a purpose-driven startup through Project North Star. Each of us walked away with a piece of our own North Star—and we will most certainly return for more experiences like this.If you are looking for the most authentic, seamless, and soul-enriching way to experience Banff, I cannot recommend Stellar Experiences highly enough.

There are not enough superlatives to adequately describe all that I received from Chris with Stellar Experiences when he led my on 3 incredible hikes in the Canadian Rockies. He is not just an accomplished backcountry guide, he is a STELLAR human being. Just having the chance to spend several hours each day with him on the trails was a rich, rewarding, and lifelong lasting opportunity. We had much in common and our conversations on the trail were both uplifting and eye-opening! He is incredibly knowledgeable in the lay of the land where we journeyed and he has copious amounts of experience in guiding and leadership skills from his formal education PLUS his own diverse and unique life path. He is a shining example of "walking the talk" in his professional as well as his personal life which I garnered through his open sharing of himself, his family, and the way he runs his business.It was both fortuitous and synchronistic how I initially heard about Stellar Experiences and yet it was a perfect fit for me. Chris spent much time with me on the phone prior to my visit to Canada from Hawaii in order to understand what I was looking to gain from my mountain sojourn. He is a wonderful listener and he took the information from our conversations to heart and then curated a customized itinerary for me. One of the many unanticpated bonuses I received on each hike was a hot cup of tea he made for me at the top of the trail before heading back down!In addition he was always available for my questions before and during my entire trip. He was also a wealth of new information and great ideas for me. Being my first time to the Alberta area he was invaluable in making my total experience one of ease and beauty. I thank him whole heartedly for his presence and attention on my behalf even beyond the hikes we shared. I feel I have made a new forever friend!!! I am already anticipating another trip to Canada next year, and of course hiking with Chris as a featured component.I highly, highly recommend Stellar Experiences to individuals, groups, and businesses without pause given the exemplary performance Chris, Shalini, and their team provides.Most sincerely, Zettelyss Amora, Integrative Yoga Therapist & Nature Lover.

I just had the pleasure of working with Chris on an incentive trip, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all his support. From start to finish, everything was handled seamlessly transportation, logistics, branded materials, attraction reservations, and more.What impressed me most was the quick responses and constant support, which made our entire company trip in Banff a huge success.Chris and the team were also amazing at providing different recommendations according to our group demographics, ensuring every participant—from adventure seekers to those who preferred cultural or wellness activities had a tailored and memorable experience.I will definitely be coming back and continue trusting Stellar Experiences Inc. with our future trip planning. Highly recommended!

We combined the Forest Bathing experience with a massage at Cedar and Sage. Scott was a very genuine guide and was sincere in his love of nature and the health benefits it can bring. It was a peaceful and relaxing time. It was a different experience for the three ladies that went but that was the beauty f it.

I had the chance to do the Forest Bathing experience with Scott and Rose (indigenous healer) and it was a wonderful experience! The event was nicely structured and right next to the lake and the forest, that allowed to disconnect from all the troubles of the daily life and reconnect with nature to a much deeper level. Highly recommended!

Stella Experience was outstanding from the initial contact to the actual full day of hike and forest bathing. I highly recommend it. Our guide and curator was Chris, we were a family of 6 - parents, teenagers, young adults, and siblings. Chris succeeded in connecting with each of us on a deep, meaningful level. he even did small sessions of life coaching with the teens, which was incredible. He took us to a spot away from the crowds, which is scarce in Banff in the summer. The snack and lunch were nutritious and delicious, and every detail was planned and considered. Thank you, Stellar Experience, and especially Chris, for such a beautiful memory you curated and organized for us. We cannot wait to be back and do an overnight trip with this company.

My partner Jen and I had 2 days splitboarding in the Lake Louise area with AAA. Jeff and Tamara were both super friendly and easy to get along with as well as extremely professional and knowledgeable. Both days were exactly what we had hoped for and more, and we were able to learn so much from Jeff and Tamara’s expertise on the mountain. We had some of the best runs of our lives and will definitely contact Jeff and AAA when we are next in Banff for more adventures.

We had an awesome experience. Our guide, Scott, was fantastic. Very informative, fun, easy-going, and made us feel comfortable. One of the highlights of our trip. Would definitely recommend.

This was a great tour with a very experienced guide, who gave you lots of information along the way. She also brought along hot chocolate and cookies to have during a rest brake. At great afternoon adventure not to be missed.

A glorious hike on a very cold day! We absolutely loved our snowshoe hike around and across Lake Louise with our guide Scott. Knowing that tours can be unpredictable depending on your group and leader, we were thrilled to get the perfect outdoor experience between our ski days with a guide that that knew his stuff and didn’t shy away from leading us on the experience we hoped. We highly recommend this great half day excursion. -Andrew & Gail

We had a fantastic time with Sam visiting Lake Louise. The winter wonderland was breathtaking. Also, getting to experience the fun of snowshoeing for the first time was a memory we will cherish. The soft white snow under our feet and the views of forest and mountains as we hiked through the trees was amazing. Thank you so much Sam for being such a friendly and knowledgeable guide. We would definitely recommend this trip to friends.