Hiking And Activity Level Ratings
A guide on hiking and activity level ratings for to help you select the right tour
We want to ensure that you book the right tour for your fitness level so that you can be comfortable and enjoy your time in Canada! It can be very difficult to explain the recommended fitness levels on our hikes, since words like steep, long or uphill can mean different things to each hiker. We have created our rating system below to help you make sure the tour you book is suitable for you!
Activity Levels
Level 0- Relaxing
Hiking: No hiking activities. A series of short walks to attractions on boardwalks, paths and sidewalks. No significant distance or time spent hiking.
Level 1- Out and about
Hiking: Short walks and hikes on established trails with a light day pack. Hikes cover 1-4 km (0.6- 2.5 miles) with no significant elevation gain. Typically hiking for 1-2 hours per day.
Tours: 7 Day Vancouver Island Camping Tour
Level 2- Moderate
Hiking: Shorter hikes on established trails with a light day pack. Hikes cover 4-10 km (2-6 miles) with elevation gain up to 500 meters (1500 feet). Typically hiking for 2-3 hours per day.
Level 3-Active
Hiking: Hiking on established trails with a light daypack. Covering 10-18 km (6-12 miles) with elevation gain up to 1000 meters. Typically hiking for 3-5 hours per day.
Skiing: Skiing and snowboarding in-bounds at resorts, on mostly ungroomed trails. Expect to start on Blue groomed runs and work your way into ungroomed trees with Black Diamond ratings on the first day, and work into ungroomed Double Black rated terrain over the tour. Expect to ski through trees and alpine bowls. Skiing is mostly lift assisted, though expect some optional 15-25 minute hikes to access secluded terrain.
Tours: Rockies 7 Day Camping Tour, Rockies 7 Day Hotel Based Hiking Tour, Rockies 9 and 12 Day Hiking Tours with Camping Stays. Yukon 7 Day Hotel Based Hiking Tour
Level 4- Challenging
Hiking: Hiking on an established trail and alpine terrain with a loaded backpack. Covering 10-15 km (6-9 miles) with elevation gain up to 1000 meters (3000 feet). Usually hiking for 5-8 hours in a day.
Skiing: Mostly backcountry skiing out of resort boundaries. Skinning for 1-2 hours per run, and up to 5 runs in a day, with a total of 5 hours of time spent skinning. Typically covering 4-10 km with significant elevation gain.
Tours: Rockies and Yukon Backpacking Tours
Level 5- Extreme
Hiking: Bushwhacking in rough terrain with a heavy pack. Covering 10-20 km (6-14 miles) per day, with elevation gain up to 1000 meters (3000 feet). Hiking 6-10 hours in a day.