Activities in Banff

There are plenty of non-skiing activities in Banff should you choose to take the opportunity to explore this beautiful national park. Ice walks, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are all firm favourites. Anyone wishing to sample Canadian sporting culture can take a trip to Calgary to see the Calgary Flames in action – Calgary’s revered NHL ice hockey team – be warned though: it can get very noisy!

Activities available in Banff:
  • Ice Walks
  • Heliski Powder Adventures in the Purcells
  • Sleigh Rides
  • NHL Ice Hockey
  • Snowshoeing
  • Winter Sightseeing Tours
Ice Walks                                                           

Three options are offered, in three different canyons, each offering a unique perspective to the ice walker:

Tour 1.

Traverse a frozen stream through Grotto Canyon; see unique rock formations, ancient native rock art, and the mountain’s geological history. Ice climbers can often be viewed ascending the frozen waterfalls.

Tour 2.

Walk steel pathways specially constructed in the canyon walls to give a heightened view of the canyon below. Hike through wildlife-rich habitats as you journey to the trailhead and look for clues as to how Johnston Canyon was formed. This Ice Walk will take you past the lower falls up to the awe-inspiring upper icefalls. Guests enjoying this particular walk should dress appropriately in skiwear, including hats, mittens and warm boots.

Tour 3.

Take a headlamp-lit hike up to historic Stewart Canyon Bridge beneath the breathtaking canopy of the night’s sky. Head out along Lake Minnewanka’s shoreline and listen carefully to the sound of the frozen’ lake’s ice cap cracking and learn about the lake’s indigenous history. At the walk’s end, enjoy the cosiness of a campfire, a warming mug of hot chocolate and some mouth-watering toasted marshmallows! Guests are advised to dress warmly in skiwear, including hats, mittens and warm boots.

Tour itineraries are subject to changes.

Heliski Powder Adventures in the Purcells                                                           

Enjoy the exhilaration of skiing untracked powder high in the majestic Purcell Mountains Range with RK Heliski.

Heli-skiing in the Canadian Rockies is one of the most awesome skiing adventures you can have! Under a clear blue sky, on fresh untracked snow, with awe-inspiring scenery, challenging terrain and great company, this will be a day you’ll remember forever!

RK Heliski is based in Panorama, British Columbia; their heli-plex is situated on the periphery of the Panorama Mountain Village. A choice of packages is available, from days, to multi-day experiences, including private trips. For all experiences, guests must be able to confidently ski blue runs. Daily packages are available from Banff, with a transfer across to Panorama. Please check that your travel insurance covers you for heli-skiing before signing up.

Sleigh Rides                                                           

What could be better than an exhilarating sleigh ride through the crisp winter air? Sit back and relax as you enjoy spectacular Rocky Mountain views and journey through the beauty of Bow River Valley to the less well-travelled areas of Banff.

NHL Ice Hockey                                                           

Hockey is HUGE in Canada and an opportunity to catch a live game is not to be missed! Cheer on the Calgary Flames as you experience this fast-paced, all-action sport, fun with a difference for the entire family. Games are held at the famed Calgary Saddledome.

Snowshoeing                                                           

The perfect activity for the non-skier and skier alike, snowshoeing is a wonderful opportunity to escape the bustle of the slops and head into the scenic wilderness of the Banff National Park. The Paint Pots tour introduces guests to the snowshoe experience and educates them in the history of Banff’s native peoples, explorers and fur traders, who lived and traveled through the Rockies. Some of these early adventurers’ clothes and equipment can be observed, as can the techniques, they used to survive and earn a living in this sometimes-hostile environment. Once you reach Paint Pots, you’ll enjoy the reward of a definitive Canadian treat, Hot Maple Taffy!

Winter Sightseeing Tours                                                           

All our tours use modern 24-seat coaches. They’re led by friendly, knowledgeable guides who can’t wait to impart their knowledge to you! We offer Banff hotel pick up and drop off., light refreshments, use of binoculars and sporting scopes as well as the opportunity to handle interpretive items.

Tour 1. Discover Banff and its Wildlife

Explore fascinating Banff landmarks and seek out local wildlife in their natural winter habitat. Find out about their behaviours, and their secrets to surviving in a cold, harsh environment. This tour has a 95% success rate for spotting wildlife! Learn about the Bow Valley’s history and the story of the three railway employees who came across a hidden treasure.

Tour 2.  Discover Lake Louise and the Ice fields

It was the beauty and isolation of the Canadian Rocky Mountains that first attracted visitors to the National Park. View this spectacular landscape for yourself as you journey to Lake Louise and Bow Lake. You will be educated in local mountaineering history and discover how a tragic accident at Lake Louise shaped Canadian mountain culture. Your journey also includes visiting the source of the Bow River and takes in Num Ti Jah, an historic hunting lodge dating back to the early twentieth century.