Canadian Rockies Photo Workshop

ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR TOUR

If you have not already completed the following, please inform me via email at kahwailin@outlook.com:

• Release agreement: Please ensure that you have filled out and signed the registration form and waiver using DocuSign.
• Arrival and departure information: Kindly provide your flight details, including the flight number, date, and time of arrival and departure.
• WhatsApp group chat: Please add me in your contact list (+16092168607) and send me a message in WhatsApp so that I can include you in the WhatsApp group.

IMPORTANT: Because of the limited space in our car, you may only bring ONE (1) piece of luggage (typically your check-in luggage for your flight), along with your camera bag and laptop bag.

FLIGHT AND TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION

You will fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC). For winter travel I always recommend arriving the day before the workshop starts (especially for international travelers), and staying at a hotel near the airport. I recommend the Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel which is located in the airport or Hotel 11 by Sonesta, close by the airport. There’s shuttle bus services to/from Hotel 11 by Sonesta.

We will pick you up from the airport, or the Hotel 11 by Sonesta at 10:00 am on the first day of the workshop.

On the last day, we will leave after sunrise session and make our way back to Calgary Airport. We should be in Calgary around 3:00PM depending on winter road conditions.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Full trip cancellation insurance, along with accident, medical and baggage insurance, is highly recommended. Before you leave home, ensure your policy reflects your actual dates of travel, covering you from the date you leave home until the date you return. Update your travel insurance coverage to include extra hotel nights, non-refundable flights, etc., if applicable. Confirm that your policy covers medical evacuation from Canada.

CLOTHING

Although average temperatures are very moderate, we can get “cold snaps” when temperatures dip down below -20°C or lower. For photography, colder temperatures result in beautiful features like “frost flowers” that bloom along open bodies of water. The Rockies are famous for “Chinook” weather. A Chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows down the leeward side of a mountain. When this happens, temperatures shift dramatically in a matter of hours. The wind is so warm that snow sublimates! Sometimes Chinook winds will completely clear snow off the frozen lakes, and temperatures can reach +20°C. For photographers, the best thing about Chinook weather is not the ability to walk outside in a t-shirt. Rather, it is the arch of clouds along the edge of the mountains, referred to as a “Chinook Arch.” This arch is a long line of lenticular clouds. On average, this area sees 30-35 Chinook days each year.

The average temperature of Canadian Rockies from January to March: 6°F to 24°F (-6°C to -14°C), 11 snow days. Winter in the Rockies is a dry kind of cold. The key to staying toasty warm is to dress in layers. Avoid tight fitting clothing as it is the air in between the layers that insulates you from the cold.

• Neck Warmer/Buff(I don’t recommend scarves as they are bulky and blow in the wind).
• Warm toque(beanie)
• Merino Wool Base Layers
• Wool Socks 
• Fleece Mid Layers 
• Puffy Jacket 
• Wind Proof Outer Layera ski jacket is a good outer layer. However, it is designed for people who are physically active on the hill. If you are standing around, waiting for the light, you will want to use a puffy layer underneath the ski jacket.
• Warm Gloves that you can operate your camera without exposing your fingers to the cold. Big gloves are not good for getting to your camera functions. I use a layering system from The Heat Company. The inner layer is touch screen liner glove. The outer later is a wind proof mitten. This mitten folds back to reveal the inner glove so you can operate your camera. Both the inner glove and the mitten have room for chemical hand warmers. Alternatively, the Heat 3 Smart Mittens have the liner attached to the outer mitten. Either system is amazing. I have never had frostbite on my hands, and I have worked in temperatures below -40° C. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND picking up a pair of these gloves.
• Chemical Warmers. Chemical warmers can be used in your gloves and boots for added protection on colder days. For the foot warmers, I prefer the insole stylewhich covers the whole bottom of the boot, to the toe warmers which only cover the toe. Or use both styles to make a toasty warm toe sandwich!
• Winter Boots. Your boots should be rated for cold weather. Regular hiking boots do not provide adequate protection. Rachel has a pair of Ugg Adirondack boots (https://www.ugg.com/women-cold-weather-boots/adirondack-iii-boot/1095141.html) that keep her feet warm in most weather.
• Micro Spikes. You will need micro spikes (https://www.amazon.com/Hillsound-Trail-Crampon-Ultra-Medium/dp/B00EYG8O7M/ref=durable-asin-recommendation-tag_sccl_1_2/) that slip on over your boots for getting around on the ice. Please be sure to try them on with your boots before arriving. Also note, the diamond style grips are NOT sufficient on sloped terrain.

Here’s the article about winter clothing: https://kahwailin.com/clothing-for-winter-trip/

Here’s the packing tips for winter trip: https://kahwailin.com/packing-tips-for-winter-trip/

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

• Camera and lenses. We recommend bringing an ultra-wide angle zoom lens like the Canon 11-24 or 16-35mm, Nikon 14-24mm or Sony 12-24mm; a standard zoom like 24-70mm or 24-105mm; and a telephoto zoom lens like 70-200mm or 100-400mm. The Rocky Mountains are imposing peaks that fill the frame of a wide-angle lens. If you do not currently own a wide-angle lens, you will need to rent one for the trip.
• Sturdy tripod. You need a tripod that is not at risk of blowing over when you mount your camera and lens on it. You will want it to get low (within a few inches of the ice).
• Shutter release cable (recommended but not essential)
• Filters: polarizer, ND (6 and 10-stops) and GND (3-stops soft); recommended but not essential
• Microfiber cloth, blower and lens brush too.
• Memory-cards, camera batteries and chargers.
• A solid backpack for all your photography gear, preferably with a rain cover
• The power plugs and sockets in Canada are of types A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. If you are traveling from outside of North America bring a power plug adapter and voltage converter. This is what I am using: voltage converter (https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Universal-100-220V-Converter-Worldwide/dp/B07R2JMHQR/?th=1) and travel adapter (https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Worldwide-Universal-Adaptor-Charging/dp/B01DJ140LQ/)
• Headlamp or flashlight for night shooting (please avoid anything with a red-light function)
• Laptop for post-processing
• Rain sleeve for your camera. The disposable sleevesare fine (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html). I don’t expect it to rain during your stay, but it could snow. The rain sleeve will protect your camera from moisture.
• Cloth grocery bag or super lightweight duffel bag to hold your warm gear and snacks
• A note about camera straps.Camera straps blow and flap in the wind. Using camera straps on a tripod is a bit like attaching a parachute to your camera. I recommend removing the ones that come with your camera. If you feel better about having a strap, I recommend getting a peak design style that quickly and easily detaches from your camera before you put it on a tripod
• Drones are NOT PERMITTED in the National Parks. The only location you will have an opportunity to drone at is Abraham Lake. Be advised, however, that it is extremely windy at this location, which is why the lake does not stay snow-covered. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to fly the drone in compliance with the drone regulations in Canada.

DISCOUNT FOR PRODUCTS

• For The Heat Company gloves, use 10% discount code kahwailin26 to shop at: https://www.theheatcompany.com/

ACCOMMODATION

We will be staying in the hotel in Banff downtown throughout the trip.

DINING

The hotel provides breakfast. Most days we will be gone early in the morning before breakfast. We will stop at a local grocery store on the first day of the trip for to-go foods such as oatmeal, fruit, nuts, and sandwiches. We typically eat lunch at the Trailhead Café in Lake Louise, or a restaurant in either Jasper or Banff, then an early dinner at Banff or nearby town to our photography location.

INTERNET ACCESS AND CONNEVTIVITY

There is Wi-Fi available in the hotel rooms.

CONTACT

Please add my phone number to your contact list: +16092168607. Afterward, kindly send me a message in the WhatsApp with your name and the date of your workshop. I will then add you to the WhatsApp group chat where all the communications will be shared during the workshop.

Rest assured, my cellphone will always be switched on during my stay in Canada, and this is the same number through which you can reach me.