To enjoy the mountains, you have to learn to respect the mountains. They can be a dangerous place. There's something about Banff National Park that resonates with people. I think it's the combination of awe-inspiring beauty, danger, and accessibility. Not everybody can venture off into the Himalayas or the Andes, but the appeal of the mountains can be experienced by anybody in Banff. Many people get caught up in the adventure and never want to leave. But, getting into the outdoors in Banff is an experience that even the most safety-conscious traveler won't soon forget. Canadian Rockies Rafting & Adventure Centre, based in Canmore, has become one of the areas premiere tour-service providers. If you want to ski, hike, raft, or explore a cave, they can help you do it. For those really wanting an authentic experience, a back-country horseback ride is a must. Other providers of horseback riding are Warner Guiding & Outfitting and Brewster Adventures. Skiing in Banff is one of its main draws. Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are both world-class ski resorts. They both have relatively long seasons, although Sunshine is the longest (November to May!). They have good snow, lots of terrain, and a lot of lifts, making for lots of time skiing and not as much time waiting. . Hiking in Banff is somewhat limited due to the protective mandate of the National Parks system, but getting out around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise will let you see the very best scenery in Canada. Trails around Lake Minnewanka and Sundance Canyon are more accessible for those stuck in or around the town of Banff.
701 Bow Valley Trail
The leader in Canadian Rockies adventures...
P.O. Box 70
Perfect for hiking, photography, and being awe-struck...
Box 5, 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise
PO Box 370
Trail rides, sleigh rides, and back-country-by-horseback...
Famous lake with dog sled rides, hikes, and cross-country trails...
Sunshine Road
One of the few Mountain Biking trails in the National Park...
Recreation area for hiking, biking, fishing, and scuba...
Bow Falls Drive
An easy hike and a great spot for photographs...
Hike, bike, cross-country ski, snowshoe near Cave and Basin...
A small lake that's great for hiking and fishing...