10 Best Things to Do in Banff

This ski resort within Banff National Park is big on snowy fun. It’s right on the hilly border between Alberta and British Columbia’s Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, which receives more snow than most other Canadian ski resorts. This translates to great ski hills with a whole lot of acreage. Even if you’re a beginner, there’s plenty of space to practice throughout this winter wonderland, as it has a great progression of terrains. In the summer, it offers scenic gondola rides over sweeping meadows. Day passes are around $115 per person. You can reach the resort within 20 minutes’ drive southwest of Banff town.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is home to some of Banff’s most unique natural features. It has thermal springs housed inside a cave, as well as emerald pools out in the open, set against a heavenly forested mountain backdrop. The bubbling hot springs were significant to the First Nations people back in the day, with its mineral-rich waters said to have curative properties (you can’t swim in them, though). You can reach the site within around 5 minutes’ drive southwest from the heart of town.

You can reach the highest thermal mineral springs in Canada with just a short drive south of Banff town centre. Unlike the protected heritage site of hot springs and emerald pools at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Upper Hot Springs is where you can leisurely soak in mineral-rich waters. You can take in the stunning alpine backdrops while experiencing the water’s soothing and healing properties in modern pools. Its outdoor terrace is a great place for simply relaxing with the view. Tickets are around $8.30 for adults and $6.30 for kids.

You can discover one of the longest lakes in the Canadian Rockies just a short drive out from Banff. Lake Minnewanka is over 20 km long, with stunning emerald-green waters framed by pine forests and snow-capped peaks. Its series of well-marked trails make the lake a popular go-to for summer hikers, with the promise of pretty waterfalls and wildlife sightings. Its shores are great for boating and kayaking. For a magnificent perspective, you can opt for a cruise from the western end of the lake.

The way up to this peak makes up one of the most scenic drives you can enjoy in Banff. Mount Norquay itself is a popular ski resort, with some epic slopes that make it a skiing playground in the winter. Come the summer, the steep hairpin turns offer stunning alpine views. There are a couple of viewpoints near the top with red benches from where you can pause and take in the view.

Banff Gondola is a cableway that offers you a scenic ride to the peak of Sulphur Mountain. Gondola rides usually take around 8 minutes, overlooking the forested slopes and hiking trails around Bow Valley, as well as 6 stunning mountain ranges in the distance. Sulphur Mountain is one of the most popular, scenic, and accessible peaks in Banff National Park. There’s an observation deck where you can take in breathtaking vistas, 3 onsite restaurants, and a multisensory theatre. Tickets for the gondola are around $64 for adults and $32 for kids.

This site offers soaring sensations as you walk along its 1-km-long glass-floored platform overlooking the Icefields Glaciers. You can access Glacier Skywalk on tours that depart from the Columbia Icefields Glacier Discovery Centre, which is around 2 hours and 15 minutes’ drive northwest from Banff. The drive up alone is stunning, so the relatively long trip there from Banff is totally worth it. Tickets to Glacier Skywalk cost from around $31 for adults and $16 for kids aged between 6 and 15 years.

Witness the magnificent powers of nature in the Canadian Rockies by hopping on a huge all-terrain Ice Explorer vehicle tour. Tours set off from the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre, home of the breathtaking Glacier Skywalk. Seasoned drivers serve as your guide throughout the trip, narrating interesting aspects of the glaciers. Upon arrival, you can freely walk around and take in the magnificent views of the vast glaciers. Journeys are around $99 for adults and $50 for kids between 6 and 15 years of age.

Formerly the auditorium of Banff’s first school until 1972, this heritage site in the heart of the town now serves as the official visitor centre for Banff National Park. It’s manned by a team of helpful staff who are happy to provide you with tips and information about the town and help you prepare for your backcountry adventures through the Canadian Rockies. Even if you’re all set with your trip, this is a great spot to start exploring Banff from, with plenty of cosy cafés and bars nearby along the beautiful Banff Avenue.

You can find Banff’s great assortment of cosy brewpubs, taverns, and bars right in the heart of town. You can start off with Earls Kitchen and Bar near Banff Visitor Centre, with gourmet burgers served alongside beers. Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar offers late dining with a great cocktail selection. If you’re up for some late-night fun with a host of bar games and international live sports feeds, check out Pump & Tap, which claims itself to be Banff’s original British Pub.