Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection

Enveloped by more than 2,500 square miles of protected alpine terrain within a UNESCO World Heritage site, Rimrock offers immediate access to Banff's pristine, year-round wilderness, giving guests a vantage point few mountain resorts can claim. From wildlife-rich forests and turquoise glacial lakes to soaring peaks and hidden alpine valleys, the surrounding landscape creates an inherent connection to the natural world.

At the heart of Rimrock's approach to exploration are its Pathfinders, a dedicated team of advisors and storytellers who help shape each guest's journey with insider knowledge. Pathfinders engage with guests from the earliest stages of their stay, beginning with pre-arrival discovery calls and personalized outreach to understand individual interests and aspirations for their time in the Canadian Rockies. Each experience is then thoughtfully woven into a bespoke itinerary, intentionally curated to create meaningful connections to Banff that extend far beyond its iconic landscapes.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with an orientation at Rimrock's all-new Expeditions Center, among the first dedicated, fully integrated luxury guest experience hubs of its kind in Banff. Here, Pathfinders bring each itinerary to life, offering year-round guidance and access to more than 50 curated experiences across winter and summer. Every detail is thoughtfully coordinated before guests set out to explore, from transportation logistics to gourmet chef-prepared picnics packed in Yeti soft cooler backpacks, ensuring a seamless journey from lobby to trail. Designed to evolve throughout the year based on seasonality, the program encourages guests to venture beyond Banff's iconic landmarks through immersive nature-based exploration and cultural discovery. Many experiences are available as private or self-guided journeys, offering endless opportunities for both first-time and returning guests to explore every facet of Banff.

To bring these experiences to life, Rimrock's Pathfinders draw on trusted relationships with accredited local guides and experts across a range of disciplines, connecting guests with some of the region's foremost outdoor adventurers, historians and cultural experts. Partnerships include renowned mountain guide Martha McCallum, Rockies Hiking & Yoga founder Michelle Brazier, Original Path founder Scott Berry and local historian Bridget Ryan Carter, among others.

Signature experiences include:

• Heli-hiking excursions, which transport guests into remote alpine terrain unreachable by foot, revealing a side of the Rockies few travelers ever experience.
• Via ferrata climbing adventures, allowing guests to safely traverse cliffsides, suspension bridges and fixed climbing routes high above the valley floor.
• Forest bathing journeys inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, inviting guests to slow down and experience the restorative qualities of the forest.
• Alpine yoga experiences that invite guests to move and reflect against a backdrop of towering peaks and endless mountain vistas.
• Canoeing along the Bow River, following a route once traveled by early explorers and traders.
• Guided e-bike exploration along Banff's scenic roadways and lesser-traveled routes.
• Indigenous storytelling experiences that illuminate the cultural significance of the landscape through stories passed down across generations.
• Canyon ice walks through frozen waterfalls and narrow limestone corridors sculpted by centuries of rushing water.
• The Ice Odyssey, an exclusive encounter with the Athabasca Glacier that brings guests face-to-face with one of the region's most remarkable natural wonders.

Throughout the stay, Pathfinders remain a trusted resource, adapting recommendations in real time while providing trail maps, hiking recommendations, gear expertise and e-bike rentals, helping guests navigate the destination with confidence. With a deep knowledge of Banff National Park and its surrounding landscapes, they reveal a side of the destination few experience, from quieter vantage points along iconic routes to lesser-known trails and seasonal phenomena that provide greater context to the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Leading the program is Master Pathfinder Kirstine Bartram (KB), a life-long adventurer whose connection to the Canadian Rockies has been shaped over more than two decades of exploring within the region. Hailing from rural Australia, Bartram has spent her career helping others discover the Rockies through roles spanning Parks Canada, Banff Lake Louise Tourism, OnTop Mountaineering and Banff Adventures Unlimited. Most recently, she served as guest services manager at Rimrock Banff, overseeing concierge, transportation and guest experience operations while developing signature programming including Astronomy Nights, Northern Lights Wake-Up Calls, private excursions and destination experiences. Today, she oversees the resort's Expeditions Center, drawing on years of experience designing guest journeys, coordinating mountain experiences and cultivating relationships throughout the Canadian Rockies to help guests discover the destination through a more meaningful lens.

Complementing the Expeditions program is a trail-ready gear and equipment lending offering designed to remove barriers between guests and the outdoors. Developed in partnership with Fjällräven, a renowned Swedish outdoor brand known for its enduring commitment to craftsmanship, the program reflects a shared commitment to durability, responsible exploration and meaningful connection with nature. Guests are provided with thoughtfully selected essentials designed for effortless adventure in every season.

In fall 2026, Rimrock Banff will be fully unveiled as the first North American property within the Emblems Collection, Accor’s newest ultra-luxury brand. As part of a carefully curated and expanding portfolio of exceptional hotels, the resort will introduce the brand's distinctive philosophy of destination immersion to the Americas for the first time. To learn more about Rimrock Banff’s Expeditions Center and Pathfinders, please visit www.rimrockresort.com.