Unfortunately, our experience with Banff Trail Riders was deeply disappointing. We had high expectations based on thorough research and numerous positive reviews. The ride was intended as a Mother’s Day gift for my mother, an experienced rider who had long dreamed of riding through the scenic landscapes of the Rockies. However, from the moment we arrived, the experience fell short of expectations. To summarize, if you're seeking an authentic horseback riding experience that allows for connection with the horse and the surrounding nature, this is not the right choice.
Upon being assigned our horses, both my mother and I explained to the staff that we were accustomed to riding and preferred slightly longer stirrups. Our request was denied without a clear explanation, forcing us to ride for two hours with our knees uncomfortably bent. This resulted in considerable knee pain for both of us by the end of the tour.
Once the ride began, we were instructed to ride in a single file of ten horses, maintaining close proximity. The guides repeatedly insisted that “each horse’s nose remain directly behind the tail of the horse ahead”. This led to constant bumping when any horse slowed slightly, making the ride feel mechanical and restrictive. To be fair, both guides were kind and polite throughout the tour. However, due to the size of the group and the single-file formation, it was very difficult to hear most of the information and commentary they shared during the ride. Near the end of the tour, my horse briefly stepped out of line and stopped, as the group had already come to a halt. Since it was no longer moving, I did not correct it. A staff member approached and abruptly repositioned my horse while stating that the horse “could not learn bad habits.” For those familiar with horses, it is disheartening to witness this understanding, where “good behavior” appears to be defined solely by following closely in line without autonomy.
Our primary concern, however, was with how the staff managed safety protocols. While we understand that most guests are inexperienced and that safety must be prioritized, there is a professional way to enforce rules without resorting to rude or aggressive behavior. This was not our experience. As we dismounted at the end of the ride, a staff member attempted to assist my father. English is not his first language, and he did not immediately understand the instructions. Instead of calmly clarifying, the staff member raised his voice, repeated the command aggressively, and physically guided him—despite the fact that my father's actions posed no risk to himself or the horse. This interaction was unnecessarily harsh and should have been handled with more patience and respect.
Finally, after dismounting, my mother asked if she could briefly thank her horse by giving it a stroke. Her request was dismissed curtly, without any attempt at understanding, and she was simply directed toward the exit with a scripted response.
Considering the overall experience and the cost of the tour, we left feeling disappointed. We cannot recommend this experience to those seeking a genuine or respectful horseback riding opportunity.
We done the two hour ride out with the western cookout last night and it was superb, the three cowgirls who rode with us were all brilliant and super friendly, gave us a lot of information and help with the riding, unbelievable ride through stunning scenery and then we stopped and have a superb meal cooked in front of us , delicious steak cooked to perfection with good facilities too in the middle of nowhere. Great ride back to the ranch thank you so much it made our holiday special! Highly recommend it if you are thinking of doing it.