In Banff National Park Since 1892: A World Heritage Site

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News and Reviews about Brewster Adventures

Brewster Lake Louise Stables celebrates
100 years in Banff National Park

April 2, 2008, Banff, Alberta. – Take a cowboy trail ride back in time as Brewster Adventures celebrate its 100-year anniversary in Banff National Park. On April 1, 1908 brothers Bill and Jim Brewster were awarded the Canadian Pacific contract to expand their already successful livery and outfitting service at the Banff Springs Hotel into Laggan, now known as Lake Louise. The livery operation and outfitting concessions in the Canadian Rockies would now be provided by one family. This five year contract has lead to 100 years and six generations of Brewsters sharing the spectacular nature of the Canadian Rockies and its remarkable surroundings with visitors from all over the world.

“The Brewsters were one of the first outfitting families in the Banff and Lake Louise areas,” says Janet Brewster-Stanton, whose two daughters represent the sixth generation of authentic mountain pioneers and cowboys. “It’s a uniquely western way of life that we have shared with people from every country, including their children’s children.”

A Brewster Family Member on horseback at Lake Louise The horse has been an important part in the exploration and enjoyment of the Rocky Mountains for more than 250 years and the Brewster family has helped keep the past alive. Through Brewster’s Lake Louise Stables, visitors can re-live the experiences of the original visitors to this area of Banff National Park.

Even the inexperienced can climb on the back of a gentle horse in the mountains and within minutes, feel the winds of western history blowing through high alpine meadows, pristine lakes, fabulous peaks, and rare larch forests. Trail rides from the historic stables in Lake Louise go to Paradise Valley as well as the 1901 Lake Agnes Teahouse and the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, which was built in 1924 as a base for early Swiss mountaineers. In the winter guests can snuggle under a cozy blanket and take a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride to the end of Lake Louise.

Brewster Lake Louise Cowboy’s Barbecue and Dance Barn – built to honour cowboys of centuries ago – is a perfect place for private, corporate and incentive groups to kick up their heels and line-dance to live western music, learn about the history of real life mountain adventurers and cowboys, and sit down to a hearty hip of beef dinner.

“It’s one of those rare times that you can leave the stress of the daily life behind and really connect with the traditions and values of a century ago,” says Kevin Stanton, who how operates the famous stables. “Life may have been tougher back then but it was also a lot less complicated.”

Brewster Mountain Pack Trains, the family’s outfitting company, still follows a historic horse drive trail into the pristine backcountry of the Canadian Rockies on two to four-day overnight trips into rustic log cabins which come equipped with sleeping bags, fresh linen and home-style western cooking. Watch for a new website launch in April at: www.brewsteradventures.com

Media please contact: Kevin Stanton at 403-762-5454

Download the Press Release version of above as a PDF Document:
CLICK HERE.

Reviews & Testimonials - Brewster Lake Louise Dance Barn

AT&T CAPITAL CANADA

"Our members absolutely loved it! Excellent facility…band was amazing…white hatter ceremony was a big hit and the gunfighters were very entertaining. Great food and beverage service…food quantities were more than sufficient and delicious too! It definitely was a highlight of our conference and it brought our members together as a company. Looking forward to bringing customers in the future. Thanks for a great evening!"

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FERTILITY AND ANDROLOGY

“Super job…excellent…”

DETAILS CONVENTION & EVENTS MANAGEMENT INC.,
DEBRALEE, PARTNER.

As quoted in Meetings and Incentive Travel Magazine
"…absolute favourite meeting and event setting…it’s magical; to take sleigh rides on a winter’s night from the stately hotel to the ‘rustic’ barn for a barbecue dinner…the Brewster Barn radiates an authentic Western atmosphere…and don’t let the ‘barn’ fool you. The facility is thoroughly warm, modern and clean."

PACIFIC COAST SURGICAL ASSOCIATION

"The evening was enjoyable for all, and your staff was very friendly…For those of us who attend many professional meetings, it is events like this one which makes a particular meeting memorable…There you have it – jeans and boots, to tuxedos. That’s part of what makes it fun."

CANADIAN PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION

"Thanks again for the wonderful service we received…everything was outstanding! All ladies said it was the highlight of the week."

OPTIMAX INTERNATIONAL

"Great fun for a relaxing business group…line dancing lessons were a hit. All around excellence."

FAMOUS EVENTS& DESTINATIONS

"…participants raved that this experience was the highlight of the trip. You and your team make working together smooth and effortless. Thank you, and we look forward to many opportunities working with you in the future."

KRAMER LIMITED

"had an enjoyable evening…enjoyed the live music…very accommodating…."

Reviews & Testimonials - Brewster Pack Trips

"I don’t think I have ever been so relaxed! This has been great!! Fantastic view, great conversation, super horses!
Thank you,"
Kathy Fittor, Moose Jaw, Sask.

"A great birthday gift! Allows one greater respect for the beautiful country we live in and the animals we relied upon. We really appreciated the “down home” hospitality, stories & meals. . Thanks for the adventure, sunshine & rain – it was great. Meadow Creek is a great holiday spot for total R & R."
Cindy & Eldon Hubka, Carmangay, Ab.

"Great place to kick back and relax during a summer shower. Beautiful place, great people & super meals."
Dennis & Sue Bener, Carmangay, Ab.

"It was a beautiful trip up here! We really enjoyed the nature here which is still very intact compared to Switzerland. We hope the great horses will guide us back as same and good as they did the way up!"
David & Conne Debe, Basel, Switzerland

"I could not think of a better place to spend my vacation with my father and sons."
Charlie brown, Pasadena, Texas

"We love this place! Duane & Peggy are great. They made us feel welcome and like we could do anything. The countryside is truly remarkable & we’re taking with us many memories that will last a long time. We relaxed, we slept well, we ate well – we enjoyed riding…Thanks."
Christine & Jim Smith, Newmarket, Ontario

"A place to give us new ideas for what to dream about…exquisite! Thanks Peggy, Dwayne, Stormy & T-Bone. All helped make this very special."
Lisa, Portland, Oregon; Rob, ‘Chicago, Ill.

"If your boyfriend doesn’t want to be a cowboy and you want him to be one...bring him to Dwayne & Peggy and to this wonderful place. Let him eat Peggy’s best breakfast, lunch & drinks. Let him feel his bones while riding, let him see the scenery – and then ask him what kind of man he is - a real man – a cowboy!"
Ikes & Roland , Wuabius, Germany

"Each of our eight trips has some great & funny memories. Great in the re-telling and thank heavens somethings don’t change like the peace this place brings, the spirit, and how can they keep finding such interesting & fun wranglers & cooks!!"
Thanks, Dale Pedersen & Doug Vaughan, London, Ontario

"Awesome help! Wonderful guides Anna & Randy – want to keep the horse I’m riding and take him home. I’m sure Ladd will be alright as a pack horse. He sure is entertaining us with his bucking & farting! It’s been a long haul for us, but we’ve enjoyed it. Thanks for taking care of us. The food was great & the view is unbelievable – great cabins & bunk house is cool!"
Yvonne Fodi, Jasper, Ab.: Dena Fizer, Lacombe, Ab.

"Thanks so much for great cooking and super company and for the beautiful touring and all the explanations you gave us. Meadow Creek is very special to us – never seen such a beautiful place. Horse riding was excellent. Littlewood is a great horse (not like the rider…) We had to come back to live this experience and we will do it again. Thank you."
Christane & Utay Hochiuli, Geneva, Switzerland

"I met for the first time many beavers and many wild horses and saw the milky way in the sky. It’s a precious experience. Thanks"
T. Yoneyer Japan

"We saw beaver, deer, fox, hawks, and heard coyotes under a star filled sky. Saw many signs of bear, both black bear and grizzlies. This place is truly wind and wonderful. Thanks for the memorable trip."
Heidi & Linda Rovelli

"All the way around an excellent trip. The scenery is breathtaking, the weather excellent and the hosts perfect. Thank you to Randy for being a great guide and to Anna for her cooking and to both for the great company. You made this trip as good as it gets."
Harley Gul, Toronto, Ontario

"A fantastic stay. Arrived as a “Towny” and appreciated what this great country has to offer. The wild life, the views, and peace of this place is great. Thank you to Sean for being a good guide, cook and wrangler. To my partner Janet, a special thank you for bringing me to this magnificent place. The memory will last forever as will my love. Hope to return some day."
Bob Edenall, Stockport, N. Manchester, England.

"With mother nature’s music in our ears and this view before our eyes…the rhythms of the world come together and for the smallest of moments we breathe in the perfection of harmony."
Vanessa Caram

"Our love of nature brought us together. We could not have wished for a more memorable honeymoon. Thank you so much for giving us such a beautiful gift. We will talk about this trip for years and hope to one day return with our children."
Kelly & Patrick Doggan, Kingston, Ontario

"To the Brewster Family……My second “life time” dream has been fulfilled. As I stand next to the corral holding the horses that will carry us for another day I can’t help but feel so much at peace and close to nature. This experience for my two girls will be something they will treasure for the rest of their lives. Thanks to Randy & Janice for guiding us and feeding us."
The Hartleys, Acton, Ontario

"Truly a diamond in the rough! The beauty of our country can’t be matched by the rest of the world. Enjoyed the peacefulness & grandeur of the mountains and open spaces. Had fun with my 2 nieces as they discovered the outdoors. Many thanks to our hosts for providing everything we needed."
Jill Douglas, St. Albert, Ab.

"It was a great experience, riding in a beautiful country. The campsites are really beautiful with great scenery"
Esther & Patrick, Heelsum, Netherlands

"I have experienced some great riding, mainly in Australia, but this beats them all. Great riding, great people, beautiful country, how can you beat this! Thanks to Jenni & Keri for looking after me."
Lew Tamblyn, Brisbane, Australia

"We feel so spoiled on this trip! As two summer camp directors from Minnesota, we’re used to providing kids and staff with exciting adventures that make memories to last a lifetime. Instead, we’re the pampered guests along for the “ride”…Thank you for the friendly & interesting hospitality. We feel lucky to have this kind of a chance to see these awesome Canadian views."
Terry & Rachel Bredemus, Laporte, Minnesota

"We are having the time of our lives, everything is great. This is what memories are made of. Thanks"
Doug Wilson, Cambridge, Ontario

"Enjoyed the great breakfasts, rides, wildlife, lunch and the views. The photo ops were great. Good escape. The longest horse ride we’ve ever taken was good for the fresh air and clearing our minds. Great suppers, cabins and sound sleep. The thunder of the horses coming up to feed in the morning is something to experience."
Bob & Jay London, St. Francisville, Louisiana

"Wow!! I can surely say, I have now experienced the back country. The beautiful views, the neat wildlife and yummy food have made this trip one to remember. Jason, you have been wonderful, letting me ride you through these rough trails, has let me appreciate this wonderful country we call Canada. Shawn, thanks for being so patient with all of us, putting up with our “how much longer?’ questions and not letting us know when we were lost. The company has been fantastic and has made this vacation that much more memorable. Thanks to my grandpa for taking all of us grand kids on this get-a-way. This was one of your best ideas yet. Thanks to the Brewsters for sharing your piece of heaven."
Rachel Wilson, Cambridge, Ontario.

"Thanks Cookie for the walk. It was great and the food was yummy. You are very lucky because you work in an amazing place. Enjoy . This is a great place and I will be back."
Diane, Australia

"What a fantastic trip! The rides have been adventurous, the views breathtaking. A big thank you to Mark & Jeff for looking after things & making it a trip to remember. They’ve been lots of fun – great laughs, great campfires, great food, & great guiding. An excellent time, an awesome experience! I’d love to do it again."
Georgette Holyk

Web Site Photo Credits

Brewster Adventures wishes to acknowledge and thank the following sources for contributing wonderful photographs to this website and its associated photo galleries.

Stuart Austin
Daryl Benson
Bruno Engler
Travel Alberta
Marilyn Toulouse
Craig Rothwell

Please Note: The photos on this website are protected by copyright. No unauthorized use or any other form of reproducton is permitted without the express permission of Brewster Adventures.