Without a doubt, my past four years of guiding walks, hikes and snowshoe outings here in Canmore and Kananaskis has brought me so much joy and a profound sense of fullfillment. That outcome is largely a result of the tremendous feedback I have received from my guests during our time together. Many have been surprised and delighted by their introduction to Nordic walking. For some, it has been nothing short of life changing. Those that have come out hiking or snowshoeing with me here in Alberta's Rocky Mountains have had  a wonderful time.  Many have become repeat clients.  Due to the small group sizes, I have really gotten to know my guests and some have even become friends. But don't take my word for it.  I am happy and proud to share a few of the written testimonials I have received.  Please..... read on........

Nordic Walking Sessions

"I absolutely love Canmore!!! This June 2020, I booked a Nordic walking lesson and the Grassi Lake hike. Everything right from the initial first email was done in a timely professional manner!!! Mandy at Active by Nature is amazing!!!! I will definitely book another hike!!! As I said on the Grassi Lake hike.......wow wow WOW!!!!! Thank you for an amazing day!!!!!" - Dorothy

"Being an avid and active hiker I was skeptical that Nordic Walking was going to be that much different from using my trekking poles hiking (I use them religiously). IT WAS! For one, the technique is a little different (moderately so); I felt propelled along, I felt more activated in my core and the 5.57 km we hiked seemed to go so much easier. Probably a result of improved posture too! Mandy talks about the core muscle activation and I was a believer the next day when I felt the twinges that proved I had used that muscle group. Mandy is informative, she is personable and is passionate about her sport. I highly recommend you try this clinic and any opportunity she presents to lead you on a Nordic Walking hike." - Tracy

"Fantastic experience with Active by Nature! I went on the Three Sisters Walking Tour -- amazing views along the walk! Our guide Mandy was professional, very knowledgeable about the area and history, personable, and told great stories along the walk. I enjoyed her lessons on Nordic walking and their health benefits as we tried out the walking technique. Would definitely recommend this experience to others!" - Rachel

"Thank you Mandy, your Urban Poling session was great. I am a stroke survivor; this training has given me another option for my rehabilitation. My arm movement is more fluid, and my walking gait has improved tremendously. I want to thank you for your time and patience. I would definitely recommend this for stroke survivors in the same situation as me." - Denis

"I did this tour and the Quick Start tour with Mandy in July. Both were great, Mandy was an excellent teacher of the technique and so knowledgeable about the area. I met a lovely couple from Calgary for the Three Sisters tour who were experts on flora and birds, which added to the fantastic experience. Mandy took lots of photos while walking which are so good to have as memories of a wonderful experience in a wonderful place." - Alison 

"What an excellent way to start exploring Canmore. Mandy was an excellent guide. Nordic walking was new to us all but the principles and doing it were really good. Mandy takes excellent photos on the way round. You don’t need to be super fit to do this you just need to enjoy walking." - Roz

"THANK YOU, Mandy!  I was amazed I felt so comfortable walking around with the poles ~ a game-changer for me!  I caught on quicker than I expected, thanks to your clear instructions and demonstration.  So good." - Margo

Walking Tours

"This walk is amazing. You learn so much about the geography, the landscape, history and the wildlife. I was so inspired after this walk and not to mention - the workout you get is fantastic. Many is absolutely incredible and takes you at a pace that is comfortable . I would highly recommend Active by Nature." - Feroz

"I did this hike/tour in early May, 2022 with Mandy and two of her customers from Ontario. As all tours with Mandy this was very informative and thoroughly enjoyed. The education of the history of coal mining which preceded the development of this now bustling tourist town was fascinating. I highly recommend booking excursions with Active By Nature. You are guaranteed a memorable experience." - Mary

Hiking Tours

"We travelled 13500 kms to Alberta all the way from Dubai and knew little about the area. Given it was October, the weather was expected to be unpredictable and our experience in dealing with wildlife was minimal. Mandy Johnson was very patient and attentive to our needs and provided us with much necessary guidance and contacts for our onward journey on our private hike. Mandy had something amazing two days planned for us where we did the Three Sisters Pathway during the late afternoon of our arrival and we also did the Mountain Vistas hike. Mandy was patient and moved at our pace all throughout the hike. Mandy also clicked wonderful pictures and overall it was a great experience. For our onward journey to Banff/Lake Louise, Mandy connected us with a great guide, Jenna. Mandy provided us with hiking sticks, introduced us to Nordic Walking and snow cleats as a personal favour. Mandy's guidance was invaluable in making our trip a success. We highly recommend booking a private hike to kick-off your journey in Canmore with Mandy. Once you gain confidence, you can book more group activities or get out on your own." - Deep

"Mandy was the most excellent guide! I had never hiked before and asked her quite a few questions prior to booking. Some of my questions were quite juvenile but Mandy was such a depth of knowledge and had the greatest suggestions for activities. Because of COVID, my Hawaii trip was cancelled, and it turned out being a solo trip to Canmore, but Mandy was the perfect company. We hiked Troll Falls and Windy Point, and she taught me all about Nordic walking. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable, she was incredibly engaging and on top of that, extremely thoughtful. She made my birthday celebration extra special and I could not be more thankful to have found the PERFECT guide. I should add that her photography skills are also amazing!" - Toya

"We did the Grassi Lakes Hike with Mandy as our guide on our first day in Canmore. It was the best guided hike we could possibly have hoped for. It set the bar for the rest of the week. We were lucky to have had great weather but it wouldn't have mattered. Mandy was fun, informative, and engaging. She can read people well and so she seems to know what they need. From experience, the guide makes a huge difference to the quality of the hike. We lucked out with AbyN. - Barbara

"From the beginning Mandy showed urgency in her responses and excellent communication. She by far surpassed my expectations for the hike to Lake Chester. She was not only informative, she was full of positivity. I’d highly recommend her to anyone I know. Furthermore, her prices are seemingly unmatched. Better quality tour coupled with better pricing= win win. Thanks again Mandy for being so thoughtful and sending all of the pictures you captured on our hike with you. - Victoria

"I was in Canmore in late August and really wanted to hike but not alone. I was so glad to have found Active by Nature and would highly recommend taking a tour with Mandy. She led me on the Mountain Vistas hiking trail and it was a great distance for a morning hike. The views were beautiful and worth the hike up. Mandy provided excellent instruction on Nordic Walking and was patient as I tried the technique. She was knowledgeable about the area, and I enjoyed talking with her about her previous adventures. I really appreciated all the photos that Mandy took of our hike, and she shared them in a very timely manner. This hike was a highlight of my trip to Canmore and worth the reasonable fee. Thanks Mandy!" - Rebecca

"I hiked Chester Lake trail with Mandy as my guide. What an amazing day we had! It was the first time I had hired a guide and I would highly recommend booking with Active by Nature. Mandy knows the trails very well and makes you feel at ease. She is very experienced and you will not be disappointed with any aspect of your adventure. I hired a guide for some trails in Yoho and I wish I would have booked Mandy instead. Her rates are way better and she is such a kind soul. I will definitely be booking more hikes with Active by Nature." - Laura

"We were looking for someone knowledgeable about the area as we are novice hikers. Mandy fit the bill perfectly. She is not a fair weather trekker either so if you think -19 would put her off, think again. She is down to earth, relate-able and we felt confident with her. Her love for the great out doors is infectious. She is the real deal. We will be booking more hikes with her in the future." - Sue

"I took the Fall Chester Lake Larch hike with Mandy and it was fantastic. Mandy is very considerate of different peoples fitness levels and ages and stages in life. She is a fantastic guide and very knowledgeable about whatever area you are going into and freely shares her knowledge and tips. If you're looking for a great experience in the mountains and surrounding areas where safety and a fantastic time are paramount then don't hesitate to book one of Mandy's events. What are you waiting for...you won't regret it, I promise." - Carleen

Snowshoeing

"I snowshoed the High Rockies Trail and hiked the Grassi Lake trail with Mandy at Active By Nature in January 2022. Mandy was an exceptional guide, her stories and history lessons were second to none and highly entertaining. Her upbeat, easy going personality makes her a perfect fit for guiding folks through the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a fun filled, educational hike to places where the scenery takes your breath away. Hot chocolate served part way through the High Rockies Trail was an added bonus that was really appreciated. Thanks Mandy. Looking forward to my next hike with you." - Mary

"My siblings and I did the High Rockies Trail snowshoe hike in February 2022 with Mandy. We haven’t done much winter hiking so Mandy was great to have as our guide as she was very knowledgeable and super friendly! She even had hot chocolate for us along the way. I would highly recommend a hike with Mandy!" - Courtney

"My fiancé and I had a great time snow shoeing for the first time with Mandy at Hogarth Lakes! Mandy was a friendly, incredible guide through the mountains. She made us feel comfortable snow shoeing for the first time, and was very respectful of COVID regulations. We highly recommend taking a tour with her!" - Sydney

"I recently enjoyed a snowshoe adventure into Chester Lake along the Smith Dorian Road with Mandy Johnson and Active by Nature. As in previous outings with Active by Nature, it was THOROUGHLY enjoyable. The pace was determined with client accessibility in mind and stops were taken to enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Mandy always has safety in mind and full confidence can always be placed on her to assure a positive experience. Mandy Johnson is a wealth of knowledge. She is an incredible photographer and provides a post-activity package that includes photos, an account of the day and information that may have been inquired about during the activity. I have enjoyed many hikes with Mandy and will continue to participate with Active by Nature." - Marilyn

I would like to wrap up this blog post by taking the opportunity to sincerely thank all my guests from near and afar for your business, for your kind words and for sharing a bit about your part of the world. As much as I share my knowledge of Canmore, Kananaskis and the Canadian Rockies, it has been fascinating to speak with people from so many different parts of Alberta, from across Canada and from across the globe.  I am looking to do so much more exploring, sharing and story telling in 2023!