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Hiking Ptarmigan Cirque with Kids: Alpine magic for Little Legs

If you want to introduce your kids to the high alpine without a grueling uphill battle, Ptarmigan Cirque is arguably the best bang-for-your-buck hike in Kananaskis. Because the trailhead starts at the highest paved pass in Canada, you're already halfway up the mountain before you even tie your boots.  Here's how to tackle this family-favorite trail with toddlers or older kids in tow.  Essential Planning: Roads & Passes Before you load the kids into the car, there are two "must-knows" for this specific area: 1. The Seasonal Road Closure: This hike is located at Highwood Pass on Highway 40. This section of the highway is closed from December 1 to June 14  every year. Plan your family adventure for between June 15 and late October.  2. Kananaskis Conservation Pass:  You are required to have a park pass for your vehicle.  Cost: $15 for a Day Pass or 90 for an Annual Pass (covers up to two license plates).  How to get it: Buy it online before you go (t...
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The Ultimate Guide to Documenting Family Adventures

There is a special kind of magic that happens somewhere between the trailhead and the summit. The sound of little boots crunching in the dirt, the shared gasp when a waterfall finally comes into view, and even the stick-faced smiles after a well-earned trail snack. 

While a photo is great, I've realised that our family adventures deserve a little more room to breathe. Whether it's the clink of a new Parks Canada Xplorers medal or a handwritten note on a postcard, documenting these trips turns a simple weekend hike into a long-lasting memory. 

Today, I'm sharing my favourite ways to move these memories off your camera roll and into your home. From tactile scrapbooks to a very exciting update on free parks admission for Summer 2026, let's talk about how to make the magic of the mountains last a lifetime. 

Below. I've divided ways to document into 3 categories: visual archives, written records, and small tokens. 

The Visual Archives

  • The Classic Photo Album: There's something so satisfying about sliding a 4x6 print into a sleeve. It's a beautiful way to allow kids to flip through pages anytime. 
  • Modern Photo Books: For a cleaner, more curated look, digital photo books are the way to go. 

The Written Record 

  • Family Adventure Journals: This is where the real stuff lives- the muddy slips, the funny things kids said at the summit, etc.
  • Scrapbooking: This is the artistic, but time-consuming, sister to the journal. You can save parking passes, or any little momentos from your trip. 

    Our little adventure journal! 

Small Tokens, Big Moments

  • Postcards from the Road: A fun, budget-friendly tradition. Buy a postcard at the visitor centre, write a quick note about the day on the back and mail it to your own house. It's fun to receive trail mail a few days after you get home!
  • The Fridge Gallery (Magnets): Let your fridge be a gallery of your travels. 
  • Sticker Collections: Stickers are the universal currency of childhood. Dedicate a special water bottle, a roof box, or a sticker board in the playroom for every local park and trail you conquer. 
One of our favourite magnets! 

Special Feature: Earning Your Stirpes (Parks Canda Xplorers)

If you want to turn a regular hike into a grand mission, the Parks Canada Xplorers program is your best friend. It's designed specifically for school-aged kids (and their younger siblings) to help them connect with the unique stories of each park. 



How it works: When you arrive at a participating location- like Yoho, Banff, or Waterton- head straight to the Visitor Centre and ask for Xplorers book. 

The Mission: Each booklet is filled with fun, location-specific challenges. You might have to find a specific viewpoint, identify a local bird, or learn a few words in a local indigenous language. 

The Reward:  Once the kids finish a set number of activities, head back to the Visitor Centre, take the Xplorers Pledge and receive a collectable souvenir. 

🔆 Summer 202 Bonus: The Canada Strong Pass!

The Canada Strong Pass is back! Parks Canada is offering free admission for everyone from June 19 to September 7, 2026. This Summer, the pass also includes a 25% discount on camping and roofest accomodations booked directly through Parks Canada. 

Get out there, explore, and have fun documenting!

-Charlotte 


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