10 Must-have Experiences in the Canadian Rockies

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vast mountain park surrounds the lovely town of Jasper. Outdoor activities abound, from helicopter tours and horseback rides, to whitewater rafting and golf. The Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October is a fun experience with activities for all ages, including stargazing in a variety of incredible locations, talks, photo tours, hikes and more. Drive 30 minutes from the town of Jasper to the crystal waters of Maligne Lake, where you can take a boat along the glacial waters of the lake to a spectacular overlook of Spirit Island. While driving to Maligne Lake, look out for wildlife, as deer tend to cross the road. Also, ensure to stop at Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, with a depth of more than 50 metres.

Banff National Park is yet another of Alberta’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The town of Banff features its own landmarks, including the Banff Gondola Mountaintop Experience and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Outside the town, outdoor activities include hiking, skiing, snowboarding, paddleboarding and more. Travelers who enjoy activities by the lake can drive 20 minutes outside the town of Banff to Lake Minnewanka, where you can take a boat to feel the fresh mountain air, watch for wildlife, or set your own course with a kayak, canoe or motorboat rental.

Sulphur Mountain, named for the two sulfurous hot springs, will amaze you with its 360-degree views of the town of Banff and the Bow Valley. Take the Banff Gondola for an 8-minute climb to the summit ridge. Once you arrive at the summit, located 698 meters above ground, enjoy the beautiful view. But it doesn’t end there. For even better views, hike the 1-km interpretive boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak, the highest point on Sulphur Mountain. The station was a weather observatory from 1903 until the mid-1930s, when Canada’s meteorological service started issuing weather forecasts in the west. From there, walk back to the gondola and give your legs a rest while admiring the views as you descend to the ground.

Located about 1 hour south of Jasper and 2.5 hours north of Banff along the Icefields Parkway, the Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. Covering about 230 square km to a depth of over 360 meters, it is draped over the continental divide along the Alberta-BC border. On this remarkable experience, you will board a massive Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle which will take you onto the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier. There, you can set your feet on the glacier to walk on and feel the experience for about 30 minutes. Even in the summer when there may be a heatwave, the glacier feels like winter.

Next door to the Columbia Icefield, this cliff-edge walkway gives you a snapshot view of the most captivating mountain and glacial vistas. This 1-km walkway takes travelers to a glass-floor observation platform, overlooking a 280-meter drop. Travelers can access the Glacier Skywalk at a roadside pullout along Alberta’s famed Icefields Parkway, at a 2-minute drive north of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.

Hot Springs are everywhere in the Canadian Rockies. These hot pools are heated by geothermal heat, which is heat from the Earth’s interior. In volcanic areas, water may come into contact with very hot rock heated by magma. The springs are created by water passing through cracks in the mountain, and as the water flows down the mountain, it picks up heat and minerals. It’s magical to sit in the pools in the winter, watching the snow falling in temperatures of -20°C, while the temperature in the pools is 40°C. It’s also beautiful to visit at sunrise or sunset, as the mountain air cools down at those times of day. Click here to see the top 3 hot springs in Alberta.

Alberta has many spots that are prime for canoeing, from a relaxing paddle on the stunning blue-green water of Lake Louise to group tours on the scenic Bow River in Banff. For an extended trip or to portage from one body of water, this is the preferred method of travel by locals in this region. Whether you’re looking for a guided trip, canoe rentals or a self-guided trip, Alberta has it all. And if that’s not enough, there are also multi-day canoe trips, which will make you feel like you’re living in the fur trade era when canoes were the primary means of transportation!

Some of Canada’s best front country and backcountry hiking can be found in the Rocky Mountains. The mountain trails offer stunning views with incredible hiking and walking experiences in all 4 seasons of the year, for both the newbie and pro hikers. HIkers can hike themselves, or join a hiking program led by certified guides.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can take an uphill hike to the remote and rustically elegant Lake Agnes Tea House, Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House, and Mount Engadine Lodge. Be prepared with mountain boots and plenty of water. In the end, the gourmet treats and views are worth the trek!

Come for nature in the summer, stay or return for the snow! If you’re a ski lover, don’t miss the global ski and snowboard destinations. Close to the town of Banff, there’s Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Mount Norquay and Nakiska, while the Jasper town site is close to Marmot Basin. Glacier walks, ice cave tours, snow tubing and snowshoeing are fun winter adventures too.