How It Began
Crimson Trails started the way most honest outfitters do — without a business plan. In 2014, Marcus Chen and Elias Whitford were two Banff locals who spent their days off guiding friends through Kananaskis and Jasper on trips that commercial operators wouldn't touch: shoulder-season ridge walks, winter ice routes, dawn wildlife drives before the park gates opened.
Word spread through hostel common rooms and climbing gym bulletin boards. By 2016, they had incorporated, secured Parks Canada guiding concessions, and opened a small office on Bear Street. Today, Crimson Trails runs departures across eight provinces and three territories — but every itinerary still carries that original instinct: go where the crowds aren't, move at the pace the land demands, and tell the story of the place you're standing in.
Our Routes Philosophy
We believe slow travel is the only travel that matters in wilderness country. Our routes are designed with input from Indigenous partners, Parks Canada resource managers, and local communities who have stewarded these landscapes for generations.
We maintain long-term relationships with Indigenous nations, Parks Canada, and local outfitters across every province we operate in. Seasonal itineraries rotate based on wildlife patterns, weather windows, and community events — never on what sells fastest on a booking platform.
The Basecamp
Our Bear Street headquarters is equal parts gear room, guide training facility, and traveller briefing lounge. Every guide completes a two-week annual recertification covering wilderness first aid, bear safety, Leave No Trace protocols, and cultural sensitivity training with our Indigenous partner organizations.
We develop itineraries in small batches — typically four to six departures per route per season — so we can adjust based on trail conditions, community feedback, and environmental impact assessments. No mass-market tour bus mentality. Ever.
Our Values
Wilderness Stewardship
We follow Leave No Trace principles on every trip and contribute to trail maintenance funds in every park we operate within.
Community
We hire locally, buy locally, and share revenue with Indigenous partner communities on routes through their traditional territories.
Authenticity
Our guides tell the truth about the land — its history, its challenges, and its beauty — without resorting to adventure clichés.
Safety
Certified guides, satellite communication on remote routes, and conservative weather decision-making keep our travellers safe without diminishing the experience.
The Team
Marcus Chen
Founder & Lead Guide
Marcus grew up hiking the Banff backcountry and holds ACMG hiking guide certification. He still leads two Yukon aurora departures every winter.
Sarah Okonkwo
Head Guide
Sarah has twelve years of wilderness guiding experience across the Rockies and Atlantic coast. She designed our Gros Morne and Newfoundland itineraries.
Elias Whitford
Operations Director
Elias manages logistics, guide scheduling, and partner relations. Former Parks Canada interpreter with a deep knowledge of Canadian conservation policy.