Things to Do in Banff

Winding through the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the glacial blue waters of the Kananaskis River offer exhilarating white water rafting adventures. Considered one of the most scenic rivers in Alberta, the Kananaskis also affords mountain views and the chance to spy wolves, elk, eagle, and black and grizzly bears.

 

The Kananaskis River is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. The river has plenty of calm stretches in addition to its white-water runs, making it ideal for families and beginning paddlers as well as more adventurous visitors. Choose a guided rafting trip down the Kananaskis. You'll experience the river at its most exhilarating, and learn how to navigate the rapids safely. 

 

 

The Kananaskis River is located in the Bow Valley Provincial Park in western Alberta, just outside the city of Banff. Most Kananaskis River rafting trips include round-trip transportation from Banff or Canmore, and some may include hotel pickup and drop-off. There are many spots to view the river off Highway 40, which is also known as the Kananaskis Trail.

 

Rafting trips on the Kananaskis River are mainly available from mid-May through mid-September. The annual Kananaskis Whitewater Festival occurs in mid-August and offers a fun-filled weekend of paddling activities. Hiking trails alongside the Kananaskis River can be enjoyed year-round.

 

The section of river between Widowmaker and Canoe Meadows contains a man-made white-water obstacle course. Spectators can watch boaters run the slalom course and play in the waves from a view area above the river, which can be accessed via a trail from the Canoe Meadows parking lot.

Every twist and turn of the spectacular 143-mile (230-kilometer) Icefields Parkway reveals cloud-piercing peaks, valley-carving glaciers, teal lakes, and dense forests. Running from Jasper to Lake Louise, this scenic Alberta drive offers stunning views of the Canadian Rockies, with lots of roadside lookouts and trailheads along the way. 

While it's possible to drive the whole route, from Jasper in Jasper National Park to Lake Louise in Banff National Park, in just over three hours, the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountain peaks inspire most visitors to spend a lot longer exploring the Icefields Parkway (also known by the generic name of Highway 93). Guided tours"”which run from Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise"”allow you to forget about navigating and driving, and to focus entirely on the show-stopping scenery. Organized excursions along the parkway often include a tour of the Athabasca Glacier on the all-terrain Ice Explorer; visits to the glass-bottomed Glacier Skywalk; sightseeing stops at lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers; and, in some instances, guided hikes and walks. For a more novel way to explore the route, opt for a tour by motorcycle sidecar, or perhaps a helicopter flight that carries sightseers above the immense craggy peaks.

The Icefields Parkway runs from Jasper to Lake Louise in Alberta. If you're coming from Banff, take the Trans-Canada Highway 1 West and exit onto Highway 93 at Lake Louise.

Avoid the Icefields Parkway in winter, when conditions can be hazardous and facilities along the route are closed. Summer months are the busiest period, though even then, the route is rarely congested.

The Icefields Parkway, which traverses parts of both Jasper and Banff National Parks, has tons of vistas and lookout points worth pulling over for. Among the many highlights are the Weeping Wall of Cirrus Mountain, where thin cascades trickle down like teardrops; the bright blue Peyto Lake; and the Columbia Icefield, after which the road is named. This colossal mass of ice and snow comprises several glaciers, and is the largest icefield south of the Arctic Circle. The Columbia Icefield Center offers the best views.