Banff Adventures Activities-How To Spice Up Your Visit

Do you like to live a bit more on the “wild side” and want to experience “wild” adventures in Banff?

Or, do you prefer quiet activities – but slightly adventurous?

Try these exciting ideas and activities out while visiting Banff National Park in Canada.

The list of following activities is in no particular order. You choose what you like and feel comfortable with. The idea is to have safe fun and time to remember – as good as possible.

Tip: When booking an adventure trip with a company, ask if they provide transportation to and from your hotel…or to and from a place in town.

Let’s Go …Banff National Park Adventures – Canadian Rockies Activities -  Alberta, Canada

Whitewater Rafting – Float Trips – Boat Cruises

You can choose from a number of whitewater rafting depending on your comfort level. For example, the Kicking Horse River boasts big waves, continuous rapids and a rich Wild West history.

If you’d like to bring children along, then you may consider a “smoother” rafting family adventure on the Kananaskis River.

The Bow River smooth and quiet float trips may also interest you (the float trips start at The Bow Falls – right below the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and runs alongside the Banff Golf Course as well).

Enjoy a magnificent cruise and learn a lot if you choose one of the boat trips on the Lake Minnewanka.

Discover Banff Tours, 215 Banff Avenue, Sundance Mall 403-760-5007 – BanffTours.com

Banff Adventures Unlimited, 211 Bear St., Banff at 403-762-4554 – BanffAdventures.com

Costs will vary from which rapids you choose from around $69.00 to $149.00 per person-please confirm at the time of booking.

Heli Tours – Helicopter Skiing – Heli Hiking – Heli-Boarding

Enjoy a high-altitude adventure by discovering magnificent alpine views in the Canadian Rocky Mountains from aboard a helicopter. You can choose from the Spray Lakes, Goat and Sundance Ranges, or the Mount Assiniboine helicopter tour.

Regardless of which one you pick, and provided the weather’s fine, we have yet to hear anyone say they expected “more”.

Feedback like …”Speechless-Awesome-Wow-Amazing-Unforgettable-Worth Every Penny” is more like it.

You may even want to consider heli-hiking with a qualified guide from $349.00 to $499.00 per person.

Available: heli skiing offers you helicopter tours into high-altitude areas where tons and tons of fresh powder snow resides.

Heli Tours above the Banff Park ranges vary in price from $99.00 to $299.00 per person

Discover Banff Tours 215 Banff Avenue, Sundance mall 403-760-5007

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

ATV Tours

Ride the mountains on an ATV where you’ll see a vast amount of territory. You can choose from several packages. Prices vary from $189.00-$280.00 per person.

In a few hours, cover a territory that would take days – if you were to discover these remote places of interest on foot.

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Horseback Riding

Trail rides on horseback may help you develop a real “cowboy” sense about the Banff trails while riding your horse. This is a very popular way to see the mountains and makes you somehow feel right at home.

Packages vary from $44.00 to $179.00 per person.

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Timberline Tours Ltd. Lake Louise behind Deer Lodge or call 1-888-858-3388

Caving Tours

Explore the wonders of mountain caves with an experienced guide. You will be able to see mineral formations, animal bones and fossils. Caving Tours in Banff area – an interesting adventure with a guided presentation as you go.

Prices are from $99.00 to $129.00 per person

Discover Banff Tours 215 Banff Avenue, Sundance mall 403-760-5007

Banff Adventures unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Rock Climbing – Ice Climbing – Ice Walks

Some of the world’s best climbing areas can be found in Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise. Whether you are looking at enjoying a full or half-day, guided climbing adventures you may want to check out.

Prices range from $270.00 to $400.00 per person

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Fly Fishing – Ice Fishing

Canadian Rocky Mountains are famous for their Blue Ribbon Trout waters and incredible scenery. Whether you want to learn the skills of hooking, landing and releasing fish from experienced guides, or you already are an experienced fisherman – you will love these guided tours.

Prices from $380.00 to $500.00 per person.

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Inflatable Kayaking

Try out an adventure in a kayak along the Kananaskis River. This tour comes with full instruction and a guide.

Prices start at $79.00 per person

Banff Adventures Unlimited Contact 211 Bear St. Banff at 403-762-4554

Canoe Adventures

Why not explore the serene waterways of the Bow Valley and area by renting a canoe. There are several to choose from depending on your ability.

Blue Canoe Rentals (right behind the hospital) offers rentals where you can glide through 40 Mile Creek, Vermillion Lakes and the Bow River. A very relaxing activity – wear sunscreen and some bug repellent.

Price from $28.00 to $75.00 per canoe

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is amazingly beautiful. It’s a-must-rent- canoe spot to soak in the full beauty of this area. – period!

Canoe rentals are from $34.00 to $75.00 per canoe

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is yet another incredible mountain lake - just about half-way up the hill to Lake Louise – turn left – and then about 11 Km up driving on a smoothly-paved road to the parking area.

Canoe rentals from $40.00 per canoe

Emerald Lake

This is one of our favorite areas to head out on a canoe. The lake resides in the Yoho National Park – about 20 minutes from Lake Louise heading west on the Trans-Canada HWY. You can rent a canoe right close to the bridge by the gift shop.

Tip: During winter, Emerald Lake turns into a wonderland cross-country ski loop where silence, your breathing and falling snow flakes become the only three “noisy” elements in your immediate neighborhood – when you stop and simply look around in a complete admiration for what Mother Nature can do.

Canoe rentals are from $34.00 to $75.00 per canoe

Banff Adventures Unlimited and Discover Banff Tours and also offer scenic tours from Wildlife Safaris to custom- guided hikes.

Sightseeing group excursions can also be found at Brewster – located at 100 Gopher Street or call 1-800-760-6934

Unbelievable, but absolutely true, some people who’d come to visit Banff National Park said that there was nothing to do in this area. Really?

Were they kept in the dark all this time – when they had the opportunity to “have their cake and eat it, too”, so to speak? Who knows what the scoop is, but you, a soon-to-come Banff visitor, may know better how to spice up your Banff trip with wonderful adventures to remember.