Activity Guide
Things to Do in Banff and the Canadian Rockies
A guide to the activities worth planning your trip around, season by season.
From glacial-lake paddles and high-alpine trails to glacier tours, world-class ski runs, and quiet winter ice, the Rockies offer something in every season. The guides below cover the activities most worth planning around, plus what you need to know before you go.
On the Water
The Rockies have no shortage of cold, clear water: glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and mountain reservoirs. Most water activities run June through September. An AIS self-certification permit is required for all non-motorized watercraft entering Banff National Park waterways.
Canoeing
Paddle on a glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise both offer canoe rentals with the view that earns the reputation. Life jackets are required on all national park waterways. The colour is real. The cold is also real.
Kayaking
Kayaking options in the Rockies range from calm glacial lake paddles to flatwater runs on the Bow River. A step up from a canoe in speed and control. Guided lake kayaking is available in summer through several Banff-area operators.
Paddleboarding
A narrow limestone canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway with two waterfalls and the Inkpots at the far end. Elevated walkways run along the canyon walls above the creek.
White Water Rafting
The first major glacial lake heading north on the Icefields Parkway, fed by the Bow Glacier above it. Quieter than the more famous lakes, with a historic lodge on the shore.
Fishing
Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park where motorized boat fishing is permitted. The Bow River is one of Alberta's most-storied fly fishing rivers. A valid Alberta or BC fishing licence is required for all waters in the region.
On the Trail
The Rockies have some of the most varied terrain for outdoor activities in North America. Most popular day hikes and trails are accessible without a backcountry permit, though several trailheads have vehicle access restrictions during peak season.
Hiking
Over 1,600 km of maintained trails in Banff National Park alone. Day hike options range from the 30-minute Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake to the full-day Plain of Six Glaciers route above Lake Louise. The most popular trailheads have vehicle access restrictions.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing around Canmore and Banff spans limestone walls with sport and trad routes across the Bow Valley. Grassi Lakes alone has over 100 bolted routes. The season runs May through October. ACMG-certified guides are available for all levels.
Horseback Riding
Guided rides range from one-hour introductory trips to multi-day backcountry expeditions. Trail access for horses extends well beyond what hikers can cover in a day. Key operators include Banff Trail Riders (est. 1923), Timberline Tours, and Boundary Ranch.
Mountain Biking
The Canmore Nordic Centre, Highline Trail, and West Bragg Creek cover the region's best terrain. The Lake Louise Bike Park opens in summer for lift-access riding. Trails range from beginner flow routes to expert technical descents above the treeline.
Road Cycling
The 26 km Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff is a paved multi-use path with consistent mountain views and minimal elevation gain. Bike rentals are available in both towns. A Banff National Park pass is required when the route enters park boundaries.
Activities & Experiences
Not every activity in the Rockies is about physical exertion. These experiences are built around guided access, local knowledge, and seeing the region with someone who knows what they are looking at.
Adventure Trips
One guide to 20 adventure destinations across Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, and BC, organized by activity and season. Canmore Travel provides the private shuttle; the adventures themselves are self-directed or booked with local operators.
Glacier Tours
The Columbia Icefield on the Icefields Parkway is the primary glacier destination in the Rockies. Ice Explorer tours drive directly onto the Athabasca Glacier. The Skywalk overlook sits 280 metres above the glacial valley on a glass-floored platform.
Gondola Rides
The Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain reaches 2,281 metres in eight minutes, with a summit boardwalk and views of six mountain ranges. A second gondola operates at Lake Louise Ski Resort in summer with views over the lake and Victoria Glacier.
Sightseeing
A sightseeing day covers the highlights most visitors want to see: Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos, Banff Avenue, Lake Minnewanka, and Vermilion Lakes. Canmore Travel's Banff Scenic Highlights Tour visits six stops with a local guide.
Food and Drink
Canmore and Banff have a strong food scene built around local producers, craft breweries, and mountain-influenced menus. Grizzly Paw Brewing, Crazyweed Kitchen, and Banff Ave Brewing Co are standouts. Both towns are within 30 minutes of each other.
Golf
Three courses within 30 minutes of Banff, including the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, which has run along the Bow River since 1928. Silvertip and Stewart Creek in Canmore round out the region's options. The season runs June through September.
Wellness and Spa
Banff Upper Hot Springs sits at 1,585 metres with views of the surrounding peaks. Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs and Miette Hot Springs in Jasper are the other top destinations. Day spa visits in Canmore round out the options.
Night Tours
Banff National Park was designated a dark-sky preserve in 2020, making it one of the best stargazing locations in western Canada. Canmore Travel runs evening tours to premier viewing sites away from town light pollution, with aurora viewing in winter.
Shopping
Banff Avenue is the main shopping corridor, with outfitters, galleries, and independent retailers. Canmore's main street has a stronger concentration of local makers and artisan shops. Both are within easy reach for a half-day excursion from any base in the Bow Valley.
Winter Activities
The Rockies in winter are a different place: quieter, colder, and often more visually dramatic than summer. Most winter activities run December through March, with skiing and snowboarding extending into April at higher elevations.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Five ski areas within two hours of Canmore: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay inside Banff National Park, plus Kicking Horse in Golden and Nakiska in Kananaskis Country. Combined terrain suits every level from first-timers to experts.
Ice Skating
Outdoor skating at Lake Louise is one of the classic winter experiences in the Rockies, with skate rentals at the Fairmont Chateau. The Invermere Whiteway in BC is the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world at 30 km. Natural ice typically opens in late November.
Ice Fishing
Lake Minnewanka supports ice fishing in winter, with guided trips and gear rentals from several outfitters. A valid Alberta fishing licence is required. The season typically runs December through March. Local guides know which spots produce in any given week.
Planning Your Activity in the Rockies
A few things worth knowing before you finalise any plans.
Banff National Park Pass
Required for all activities inside the park boundary, including trailheads, gondola bases, and most lakes. Day passes and the multi-park Discovery Pass are available to purchase in advance at
parks.canada.ca.
Vehicle Access Restrictions
Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles. Lake Louise and other popular trailheads require Parks Canada vehicle reservations during peak season. Most visitors use Parks Canada shuttles, rental cars with reservations, or private transport to avoid arriving at a closed gate.
Seasonal Closures
The Wildlife Corridor closes sections in spring for wildlife corridor protection, roughly March through late June. Some trails close for bear activity or unpredictable conditions. Check current Parks Canada closures before finalising any plans. Most summer activities open fully by late June.
Getting There
Canmore Travel provides private transportation to hiking trailheads, ski resorts, glacier tours, water activity launch points, and day trip destinations across the Rockies, with pickup from Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff. Door-to-door transportation on all private tours.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Banff National Park pass for activities in the Rockies?
Yes, a Parks Canada day pass or Discovery Pass is required for all activities inside Banff National Park, including access to Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, all national park trailheads, and the Icefields Parkway. Please purchase your pass online in advance at parks.canada.ca. Kananaskis Country activities (West Bragg Creek, Mt. Kidd) are outside the national park and do not require a Parks Canada pass, though a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is needed for those provincial parks.
When is the best time of year for outdoor activities in the Canadian Rockies?
It depends on the activity. Summer (late June through September) is peak season for hiking, canoeing, rafting, and most water activities. Larch season (late September to mid-October) is one of the best windows for hiking, with golden larch trees at elevation. Winter (December through March) is the time for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and ice fishing. Many gondola rides and sightseeing tours operate year-round. The shoulder seasons in May and November offer fewer crowds but some closures and unpredictable mountain weather.
How do I get to activity destinations from Canmore or Banff without a car?
Parks Canada runs seasonal shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise from park-and-ride locations. Roam Transit connects Banff and Canmore by bus. Canmore Travel provides private transportation to a wide range of activity destinations, including Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield, ski resorts, and day trip locations across the region. Private transport is the most direct option, with pickup locations across Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff.
What activities are best for families with children in Banff?
The Banff Gondola, Banff Scenic Highlights Tour, and easy hiking at Moraine Lake (the Rockpile Trail takes about 30 minutes) are consistently popular with families. Canoe rentals at Lake Louise are a favourite for all ages. In winter, Mt. Norquay has a beginner ski area and tube park close to Banff. Ice skating at the Lake Louise rink is another accessible winter option. Most family-friendly activities are walkable or a short drive from Banff townsite.
Which activities can Canmore Travel transport me to?
Canmore Travel provides transportation to hiking destinations (Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Larch Valley), sightseeing tours through Banff, the Columbia Icefield on the Icefields Parkway, ski resorts including Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort, and private day trip destinations across the region. We do not organise or guide the activities themselves. See each activity guide above for details on what each experience involves, and our private tours page for fully customisable day trip options.
