Hi! (Hola / Bonjour) - I live right here in Banff and have been leading tours around the world for over 25 years. I have travelled, lived, worked and studied in over 70 countries, but always make my way back home to the Canadian Rockies. My first published book was a guide to skiing in Canada - and I still buy a ski pass to Lake Louise each year. In 2023, I was featured in National Geographic discussing best ways to visit the Rockies.

As a Banff local I feel honoured to be a custodian of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. My love for this environment is infectious and even after two decades of guiding, I still discover new special places and aspects of our culture and history, which I am happy to share!

During the pandemic when the border was closed, I embraced virtual guiding. Since that time I have offered over 1000 virtual tours - even taking people skiing and biking from the comfort of their homes.

It is important to recognize that Banff is located within Treaty 7 territory and First Nations peoples have been living in this valley for over 14 000 years. As a National Park, Banff is Canada's First (and Park's Canada is the world's first National Park Service). The trains that united Canada were financed by the great chain of hotels, of which the Banff Springs is undoubtedly the flagship.

My educational journey started at the University of Calgary, where I studied History. Subsequently I studied in Paris at the Sorbonne. At the graduate level, I studied Latin American Studies and worked with the Chilean Park Service where I developed a guide training course and manual. Later I pursued an International MBA in Paris and worked in Canmore Kananaskis (just outside Banff) as Director of Market Development.

As a lover of all mountains, I accepted a year contract in Cusco, Peru where I worked alongside the local government and my son even went to school in that spectacular, high-altitude city!
I genuinely love guiding and intend to continue for years to come. I still run several international tours every year, but here at home, and in partnership with ToursByLocals, I have the opportunity to welcome people from around the world while staying closer to home!

I am happy to step-on as a guide for larger groups (en español / en français), take you for a walk in Banff, Canmore or take you around in my car or yours. Please allow me to customize each experience to you specific interests, the weather, time of year and, of course, wildlife!

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies. . .

IGA (Interpretive Guide Association)
Banff Business License
Canadian Red Cross First Aid / CPR
20+ years guiding / tour directing
Published Author / Masters Level Education
Class 4 (commercial) drivers license

I will not guide in the back country where an official outfitter is more appropriate
We will maintain an appropriate distance from wildlife
We can no longer drive into Moraine Lake (unless I step onto a commercial tour coach)

This is a full day out in Banff National Park, with a visit to British Columbia (and totally customizable).
Banff National Park is one of four contiguous Rocky Mountain parks. Across the continental divide - where waters flow to the Pacific Ocean - in the province of British Columbia are the parks of Kootenay and Yoho. Yoho is a Cree expresion of awe. We simply translate it as 'wow!'

One could easily spend a week exploring the area around Banff, so on this full day out, we will pick a few highlights according to weather, snow pack, time of year and your interests!

If we are lucky we'll see a train in the Spiral Tunnels . . and I have to show you the 'secret' escape route in the Town of Field (home to 169 people).

Banff-Yoho Customized tour Oct 2, 2024

The towns of Canmore and Banff are about 20 minutes apart, with a combined population under 25000. Canmore, being outside the national park, has seen incredible grow since hosting some of the 1988 Winter Olympic Events. The Town of Banff cannot grow as it is in the national park, located on 'crown' land.

This entire valley is my home. I live in Banff, but even worked for economic development in Canmore (and opened a restaurant). My son is in his last year of high school at the French-speaking school in Canmore.

There is so much to visit and discover throughout the Bow Valley including wildlife, spectacular mountain views, indigenous history, Kananaskis Country, Olympic sites and the reminisce of former mining towns.

We'll even learn how a local olympian won bronze, silver and gold in the same event at the same olympics!

We will customize the itinerary much closer to the date according to weather and the group's desire to hike and or site see!

Discover Kananaskis and / or Banff hiking

The towns of Canmore and Banff are about 20 minutes apart, with a combined population under 25000. Canmore, being outside the national park, has seen incredible grow since hosting some of the 1988 Winter Olympic Events. The Town of Banff cannot grow as it is in the national park, located on 'crown' land.

This entire valley is my home. I live in Banff, but even worked for economic development in Canmore (and opened a restaurant). My son is in his last year of high school at the French-speaking school in Canmore.

There is so much to visit and discover throughout the Bow Valley including wildlife, spectacular mountain views, indigenous history, Kananaskis Country, Olympic sites and the reminisce of former mining towns.

We'll even learn how a local olympian won bronze, silver and gold in the same event at the same olympics!

Tour guide in Banff Yoho Lake Louise Patrick T.

Spanish, French, English

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