BREWSTER HERITAGE

The Brewster Boys: Trailblazers in the Rockies

A Walk Back Through Time

The Canadian West experience is an aspiration for many visitors who journey to thisdestination. But what they don’t expect is the verwhelming setting, authenticity and friendliness of one of the area’s famous families. Six generations later they share their excitement and knowledge about the cowboy way of life with guests whether being guided on horseback to amazing day locations such as mountain tea houses, taking a pack trip into the backcountry, or a winter sleigh ride travellers will leave with a true cowboy story.

Join us as we travel back through time and relive the long and colourful history of Brewster descendants who have made their mark on Alberta's majestic landscapes and pioneering spirit.

Our story is one of adventure, perseverance and unwavering heritage.

New Beginnings

John Brewster was born in Kingston, Ontario, to William and Sara Jane (Irvine) Brewster, who had immigrated from Ireland prior to the great potato famine. Drawn by the allure of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, John followed the Canadian Pacific Railroad to Banff in 1886, where he decided to put down roots.

His wife, Isabella and four sons arrived on St. Patrick's Day in 1888, a rather auspicious occasion for an Irish family to begin a new life. Three more children (a daughter and two sons) would later complete the Brewster family of nine.

John's entrepreneurial spirit led to the founding of a dairy farm to serve not only the growing community but also the iconic CPR Hotel, the Banff Springs. Recognizing the need for winter grazing lands, he established a homestead at the base of Yamnuska Mountain, laying the groundwork for the Kananaskis Ranch that thrives today.

Adventurers At Heart

John's sons, William (Bill) and Jim, inherited their father's adventurous spirit. Alongside William Twin, a respected Stoney Nakoda friend, they honed their skills in the wilderness, becoming expert mountain men skilled at camping, hunting, and exploring mountain terrain.

By the early ages of 12 and 10, they guided guests through the Rockies, marking the inception of Brewster Mountain Pack Trains Ltd. — an outfitting venture that would become a cornerstone of the Brewster legacy.

The term "pack trains" is a group of horses with packed loads on their back. The packs are secured with a 'diamond hitch' and can weigh up to 200 pounds, depending on the size of the horse.This has allowed numerous guests to visit remote places barely accessible without the aid of pack horses and outfitter guides.

A Family's Flourishing Ventures

As the years went on, so did the boys’ ventures, embedding the Brewster name deeper into the fabric of the Rockies.

The cowboy brothers, Bill and Jim began transferring well-heeled guests from the Canadian Pacific’s trains to luxury hotels in Banff and Lake Louise using horses and buggies, then taking them out on horseback to explore the mountains. In 1908 the Brewster Brothers, as they where know, were awarded by CPR the contract to expand their successful livery and outfitting services at the Banff Springs Hotel into Lagan, now known as Lake Louise. Little did they know that a five-year contract would lead to over 100 years of sharing a cowboy passion with visitors of the Chateau Lake Louise.

Bill and Jim married sisters Sylvia (Tead) Bagley and Tess (Lade) Bagley, growing both their families and respective businesses. Bill and Tead had one daughter (Sydney) and two sons (Claude and Jack), while Jim and Lade had one daughter (Fern). And generations later, descendants of these colourful outfitters and mountain pioneers are still saddling up horses and riding trails with visitors from around the world.

Expansion Beyond Borders

The early 20th century saw Bill Brewster answering the call of the Great Northern Railroad, leading to the establishment of an outfitting operation in conjunction with the new East Glacier Hotel being built in Glacier Park, Montana, circa 1912.

This venture marked the beginning of the Park Saddle Horse Company and the Two Medicine Guest Ranch, showcasing the family's talent for pioneering hospitality in the wilderness. The opportunity also left Jim in charge of the shared Banff endeavours.

The Kananaskis Chapter: Coming Home

Upon his return to Banff in 1920, Bill assumed the role of General Manager of Brewster Transport, ushering in a new era of guest ranching at the Kananaskis homestead.

With the construction of the Main Lodge by Sylvia (Missy) in 1922, the ranch welcomed guests with open arms by 1923, offering an authentic slice of Western adventure and hospitality.

Although the 1930s and 40s proved difficult, Missy and her son Claude (third generation) managed the ranch and backcountry operations over this time period.

Under the stewardship of Claude and his wife Ruth, and later their son Bud, the ranch and outfitting business thrived through the decades, becoming a beloved retreat for those in search of adventure.

Claude and Ruth managed the operations until the late 1950s when they decided to retire from the ranch and outfitting business.

In the early 1960s, the fourth generation took the reins, continuing the guest ranch and outfitting tradition. Bud and his wife Annette, along with their daughter, Janet, slowly began modernizing the Kananaskis Ranch while continuing to operate Brewster Lake Louise Stables and Brewster Mountain Pack Trains, the family's outfitting company.

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Alberta's oldest family-owned and operated outfitting business, Brewster Mountain Pack Trains, offers the best in Western hospitality and a true Rocky Mountain experience for the entire family.

Just like the days of yesteryear, Brewster Mountain Pack Trains offers overnight to ten day backcountry excursions, inviting guests to explore the Rockies' remote beauty while enjoying comforts like rustic log cabins and warm linens.

Guests travel back through time as they ride along the historic Horse Drive Trail used by Brewster horses since the early 1900s.

The Brewster horses, an integral part of the operation, still roam the Meadow Creek grazing lands, a testament to the enduring connection between the Brewsters and the land. Over the years, the family has owned as many as 600 head of horses, but today runs about 150 head.

A Modern Twist On Tradition

The 1996 opening of Brewster Lake Louise Cowboy’s Barbecue and Dance Barn marked a celebration of a century of cowboy culture. The Dance Barn offers a unique venue for events that embody the spirit of the Canadian Rockies.

Catering to corporate and private functions, this facility hosts groups up to 400, offering an authentic Western barbecue experience highlighted by our signature “Hip of Beef” dinners. Live entertainment ranges from exhilarating Gunfighter Stunt shows to vibrant Western bands, ensuring a memorable experience for all.

The Dance Barn's interior, adorned with artifacts and imagery, narrates the rich history of real-life mountain pioneers and cowboys in the Canadian Rockies for over 100 years, giving this venue a unique Western Canadian flare.

In 1996, the Brewster family's heritage was encapsulated in the opening of Brewster's Mountain Lodge in downtown Banff — a 77-room hotel that reflects the family's profound history and contributions to the region. The Lodge, adorned with Brewster family photographs and Stoney Nakoda busts, including one of Joshua Twin, serves as a living museum of the family's legacy.

The turn of the century also saw the Brewster family embarking on new ventures, including an 18-hole golf course in 2002 by Bud, continuing the tradition of innovation and excellence.

Hoofprints Through History

For over 100 years, visitors have taken in some of the most spectacular sights the Rocky Mountains offer on horseback. To this day, the historic Stables in Lake Louise continues to operate, taking guests to the famed mountain tea houses, Plain of Six Glaciers and Lake Agnes, or Paradise Valley aboard Brewster Caucus.

Caucus is a nickname for a sturdy horse of no particular breeding.

Winter sleigh rides run December through April, accommodating groups of up to 60 people on traditionally styled horse-drawn sleighs to the end of Lake Louise. This 30-year tradition was expanded during the 1988 Winter Olympics to the Stables present capacity of five - 15 passenger sleighs and one 2-seater cutter.

Brewster Mountain Pack Trains has also outfitted for the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies for over 70 years and the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies for approximately 45 years. Both associations were formed to accommodate those wanting to explore areas of Banff National Park during the summer months.

Full camp services were provided for all guests, including entertainment tents, a dining tent, and teepees or wall tents for sleeping. Each day is spent exploring the backcountry, a special lake, or a mountain pass, returning to the base camp each night.

A Legacy of Hospitality and Adventure

With the arrival of Lacey Brewster Stanton (1988) and Bailee Brewster Stanton (1991) to Janet Brewster and Kevin Stanton, the legacy continues. The family entered it’s seventh generation with the birth of Colt Jose Brewster Caldas (2018), born to Lacey and Jesse Caldas.

From rustic backcountry log cabins that offer a slice of pioneer life, to the modern amenities of Brewster’s Mountain Lodge, the offering of private vacation home lots at Kananaskis Ranch and Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course, the Brewster name remains synonymous with the spirit of the Rockies. Explore the historic trails on horseback, relive cowboy legends at our Barbecue and Dance Barn, or marvel at the winter wonderland from a traditional sleigh ride.

Today, the Brewster family’s commitment to sharing the wonders of the Rockies endures. As we celebrate over a century in the Canadian Rockies, our passion for adventure and hospitality burns brighter than ever.

Join us in honouring a legacy that spans the test of time. We promise an adventure that’s not just an escape but a return to the beauty and awe that first captured John Brewster’s heart over 100 years ago.