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If you are planning on heading up to the Lake Louise area of Alberta, Canada, you are probably looking forward to exploring everything that the Canadian Rockies have to offer. This is the home of Banff National Park, Sulphur mountain, and the famed Banff Gondola.
While the town of Banff has a lot to offer, you are probably also interested in exploring Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon, and even sightseeing around Moraine Lake. This area is called the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a reason, and it is filled with a lot of hiking trails, along with gorgeous views along the icefields parkway.
Learn more about everything downtown Banff and the surrounding area has to offer, and get ready to enjoy some skiing, biking, kayaking, snowboarding, and numerous other activities close to Calgary.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the top things to do in Banff, BC?
1. Poke Around the Town of Banff for Shops and Restaurants
Even though there will certainly be a lot to do on the outskirts of town, don’t forget to head into the town itself. The downtown area is located toward the southern end of Banff National Park. It is one of the top tourist destinations in all of Alberta, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and great places to stay.
It is particularly busy during the summer when tourists come from all over the world to hike and sightsee along the Canadian Rocky Mountains. During the winter, there are lots of skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers who like to tackle the stunning slopes.
There is also a lot of history in the area. For example, if you check out the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, you will see that it was built in 1888. It was originally designed to be one of the largest complexes in the world, and it looks a lot like a castle. It’s such a joy that it’s nicely preserved and was not faced with any termites attack!
2. Go Skiing and Snowboarding at the Lake Louise Ski Area
Because of all the mountains in the area, it should come as no surprise that the Lake Louise area is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. There are skiing and snowboarding opportunities for people of all levels.
If you are looking for groomed runs, moguls, tree skiing, and beautiful bowls, you have definitely come to the right place. There are also some new chairlifts in the area, including the Summit Quad, which means that you have access to hundreds of acres of skiing trails that used to be inaccessible.
Even though there is the occasional poma lift, most of the chair lifts are incredibly quick. You can also enjoy a meal at the delicious Whitehorn Bistro, which is located at the top of the sightseeing lift. You can take a look at the beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Louise in addition to gazing out at the surrounding forests.
3. Check Out Lake Louise Itself
As you make your way into the Banff National Park region, you will eventually encounter Lake Louise. It is known for its absolutely gorgeous turquoise water. There are beautiful mountains that are snow capped and ringing the area, providing some amazing views.
Some of the mountains are close to 10,000 feet high. Now, the water is absolutely too cold to go swimming, but it is the perfect place to go canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating. You will also want to check out Mountain Victoria, one of the tallest mountains in the area. It is located at the Western end of Lake Louise.
You can also enjoy a beautiful view of the area if you make your way over to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. You will see it close to the shoreline, and it is one of the top resorts in the area. Even if you don’t plan on spending too much time there, you should try to get a meal. It is known for having some of the best food in the area.
Once you decide to get out of the water, you’ll see some paved trails along the side. There are some beautiful views of the glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Therefore, don’t forget to bring a camera with you. Keep in mind that the parking lot fills up quickly, and there are very few parking options in the area around the lake. You might want to consider taking a shuttle bus to get there.
4. Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers
If you are looking for the best hiking in the area, you may want to check out the Plain of Six Glaciers. It is one of the most popular hikes in the area because of its gorgeous views. If you tackle the hike on a clear day, you will get to take full advantage of the beautiful scenery.
You may also want to check out the walk to Lake Agnes, which has some significant elevation changes, but it is definitely worth the picturesque views. It is situated between two round hills, which are called The Beehives.
If you decide to take on this hike, you will also be rewarded with easy access to Lake Agnes Teahouse. This is one of the best places to go for refreshments, so don’t hesitate to swing by.
5. Go For a Ride on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola
If you are looking for the best views in the area, then you will definitely want to go for a ride on the Sulphur Mountain gondola. There is plenty of parking available, but you should be able to reach the area from downtown Banff relatively easily.
You should always take a look at the weather forecast before you sign up for a trip. You will get your best views if you decide to go up on the Gondola on a clear day. When you reach the top, there are three separate terrace decks and a beautiful skywalk that leads to a delicious mountain restaurant for you to try.
The mountaintop views are absolutely gorgeous, and you will also want to spend some time walking around. You may want to check out the hiking trail Skywalker, also known as the Vista Trail, which is only about a half mile long but it will lead you to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada.
You can also access Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station. As the name suggests, these areas play a critical role in forecasting weather around the world.
6. Explore the Valley of the Ten Peaks
Another beautiful area that you have to explore is called the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This is where Moraine Lake is located, and it is definitely worth the drive over there. If you are looking for a way to beat the crowds, you should definitely head over to this area.
It is not nearly as popular as Lake Louise, but it still has amazing views that you do not want to pass up. You should also grab a picture of the Wenkchemna Glacier, which is one of the tallest peaks in the region.
There are hiking opportunities in this area as well. For example, you may want to check out the Rockpile Trail, which will give you the best view of the lake. It is where most of the postcards’ images are from, and the hike itself only lasts about 20 minutes.
You may also want to explore Sentinel Pass, which is a bit of a longer height, but it will also give you some beautiful views. If you want to access this area, parking is very limited. You may want to catch a shuttle bus from the Lake Louise Park and Ride area. There are plenty of buses available, but you do have to make reservations ahead of time.
7. Go For a Drive in the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is also known as Highway 93. It is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Canada, and it goes from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. It is also a link between Yellowhead Highway 16 and Trans-Canada Highway 1.
The Icefields Parkway is a beautiful sightseeing route, and it runs from north to south for approximately 150 miles. You will also have a lot of overlooks where you can stop and take some pictures. There are also some plaques that give you an opportunity to learn more about the history of the region. Without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights is the Columbia Icefield.
This is located where the Athabasca Glacier comes down from the heights, and it gives you an opportunity to check out some beautiful views. If you keep your eyes open, you may also notice some romantic waterfalls, some mountain lakes, some mountain goats, and some bighorn sheep.
8. Head Out To Bow Lake
Bow Lake is about 25 miles to the north of Lake Louise. It is situated just beneath Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Glacier. The water is incredibly clear, and it creates a mirror view of the Continental Divide, situated above the lake. These glaciers are part of the greater Waputik Icefield.
There are plenty of beautiful walks available, and there are lots of waterfalls as well. The waterfalls tend to be most active during the spring. There are plenty of other beautiful sights to explore as well. You may want to check out Dolomite pass, located to the east, or Helen Lake and Catherine Lake, which are not that far from the foot of Bow Glacier.
9. Go Skiing and Snowboarding at the Sunshine Village Ski Resort
There are plenty of other ski resorts for you to explore as well. You may want to check out the Sunshine Village Ski Resort, which is situated just outside the town of Banff itself. It is one of the most popular ski resorts in the area, and there are plenty of runs available for people of all skill levels.
Regardless of whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier, you will enjoy the ski resort. There are gondola rides available during the summer as well, where you can go up to the top and enjoy some of the amazing views.
There are plenty of hiking trails available as well. You may want to go up to the Continental Divide to explore some of the best hiking trails available, but do not forget to bring plenty of water and a camera.
Some of the hiking trails in this area can be particularly strenuous, so you must make sure you have the right shoes. Do not forget to bring plenty of water as well. Getting to this resort itself is very easy. You can either drive to the parking area, where parking is plentiful, or you can hop on one of the shuttles from the town of Banff. The shuttle rides are typically free.
10. Take Pictures on the Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway is between 30 and 35 miles long. It connects Lake Louise to the town of Banff, and it is an alternative road if you are looking to stay away from the busy main highways.
There are plenty of beautiful viewpoints where you can stop to take pictures, and you may want to enjoy a picnic lunch as well. At the very top of the parkway is called Castle Mountain. The highest peak on the mountain, Eisenhower Peak, is more than 2,700 meters tall.
This is a great opportunity for you to explore some of the wildlife in the area as well. Many people like to stop at Johnston Canyon, where you can get some truly beautiful views. There are lots of police officers on the parkway, and they are there to enforce the speed limit. Therefore, make sure you do not go over it, or it could ruin your day.
You may want to spend some time exploring Johnston Canyon during your drive. There are some beautiful bridges where you can take some gorgeous pictures, and you may want to check out the gorgeous waterfalls as well. Because the water is a beautiful blue-green color, he will definitely want to stop to take some pictures.
Some of the hiking trails can be particularly strenuous, including those to reach the Ink Pots. Make sure you wear the right shoes if you want to tackle some of the harder hikes. There are not a lot of crowds in this area, so you may want to visit this part of Banff if you want to get away from all of the tourists.
11. Explore Peyto Lake
Another one of the beautiful lakes that you may want to explore is called Peyto Lake. This is a lake that is very close to the watershed area of the Saskatchewan River. There is a beautiful Lookout Point you can explore, and the turquoise color is absolutely unparalleled. It is a beautiful area during the summer, particularly when the mountain meadows are filled with some beautiful wildflowers.
There are plenty of hiking trails to explore in the area, and some of them can be particularly strenuous. The hiking trails and Lake Area have been named after Bill Peyto, who was one of the first people to explore the area at the end of the 19th century.
You might even be able to go for a horse ride when you are out in this area. Recently, the lookout area underwent a significant upgrade. There are new bathrooms and restrooms available, more parking opportunities, and better-defined trails. Before you head out to the area, you may want to check the website to make sure there is no construction going on.
12. Learn About the Wildlife
There is a lot of wildlife in Banff National Park. There are dozens of species of mammals, including large animals. If you want to spot some of the larger animals, you will need to go out early in the morning or late in the evening. Some of the animals you may spot in the area include black bears, mountain goats, caribou, deer, moose, elk, and other woodland critters.
In particular, the park is home to a lot of grizzly bears. Therefore, you need to put safety first, particularly as you poke around the backcountry area. You need to keep your eyes open for grizzly bears, black bears, and numerous other species who live in the area. You should always take a look at signs for the hiking trail to make sure they have not been closed. If there are a lot of bears in the area, the hiking trails can get clothes from time to time.
13. Bask in the Hot Springs
During your visit to the area, you will definitely want to check out the Banff upper hot springs. For a long time, the area has been known for its amazing hot springs, and they are not that far away from the downtown area. Water has been present in the area for hundreds of years, and it comes up from the underground areas.
The hot springs themselves will give you a view across Rundle Mountain, and the view itself is absolutely beautiful. The hot springs open early in the morning and they stay open late into the evening. Therefore, you can plan your visit around your own schedule. You need to bring your own towel and swimsuit if you want to avoid the rental fee.
14. Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site
If you are curious about the birthplace of Banff National Park, you need to visit the Cave and Basin area. This is where the original national park system was created, and it was put in place to protect endangered plants and animals that live in the area. There is a trail you can explore yourself, and it was opened in 1914. There used to be a hotel in the area, and the water is where a lot of people took a bath.
During your visit, you can also watch a 4D movie that will tell you more about Vamp and the national park system itself. There are plenty of fun hikes in the area, so be sure to bring your hiking shoes. You may want to check out the Marsh Trail, the Sundance Trail, or the Canyon Trail. There are a lot of exotic flowers in the area, so don’t forget to bring your camera so you can take some pictures.
15. Check Out Lake Minnewanka
The largest lake in Banff National Park is called Lake Minnewanka. It is approximately eight miles northeast of Banff, and is a scenic spot that is known for its bighorn sheep. There is also a very beautiful walking trail that goes around the shore of the lake itself. You can follow the trail up the side of the mountain for some beautiful views.
If you are looking for a place where you can ride a motorboat, this may be the only spot for you to do so. There are boat tours available in the summer, so you may want to take a look at some of the options.
There are a few other lakes in the area that you might want to explore. For example, lots of people like to visit Two Jack Lake, while other people also like to visit Johnson Lake. Consider checking out these lakes if you would like to go biking, canoeing, or kayaking.
There are plenty of people who enjoy hiking, biking, and running along the side of the lake as well. It can be particularly strenuous, but the beautiful scenery will make it all worth it.
Get Ready for a Road Trip With Scenic Drives Throughout Banff Town
Regardless of whether you are looking for a full day of snowshoeing, some fun horseback riding, or a boardwalk near Banff Avenue where you can do some shopping, you can find it all in Banff. This is one of the most scenic spots in North America, and there are plenty of rafting opportunities along the lakes that are ensconced throughout the mountain peaks, including the top of Sulphur Mountain.
This travel guide has covered some of the top day trips if you want jaw-dropping scenery in the region. You can take a half-day guided tour of many of these spots, and there are plenty of full-day hikes available as well. Lots of hikers love the breathtaking views of the area, so do not hesitate to explore everything this area has to offer. The area can fill up quickly, so be sure to book your vacation rental as early as possible. That way, you can explore everything this beautiful area has to offer.
Featured Image Credit: Kabindra shrestha
