Things to do in Canadian Rocky Mountains
Tourism in southwestern Alberta revolves primarily around the national parks which showcase the glorious Rocky Mountains. Calgary is the gateway to the Rockies in Alberta, and generally the starting point for holidaymakers heading into the mountainous national parks. In fact, for many visitors, the first view of the mountains is earned by climbing to the Observation Deck of the Calgary Tower.
The most frequented wilderness areas are enclosed within Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Jasper National Park. Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, deep in the Rockies, where the main attraction is the Columbia Icefields, consisting of eight giant glaciers.
Lake Louise, a surreally turquoise lake trickling out of an ancient glacier in Banff National Park, is one of the must-see sights in the Rockies. There are even some natural hot springs in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, near Banff, which make a great excursion on a freezing winter's day. Waterton Lakes National Park combines with Montana's Glacier National Park to form UNESCO-listed Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, offering spectacular landscapes.
Popular activities in the Canadian Rockies include hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing, ice and rock climbing, dog-sledding, horse riding, paddling, and more. Visitors should note that the national parks have stringent rules about sports which damage the environment, and some activities are only allowed outside park boundaries.
Jasper
Affectionately known as 'the little town in the big park', Jasper lies in the middle of Canada's largest mountain park, the Jasper National Park, and makes a delightful base from w
Jasper
Affectionately known as 'the little town in the big park', Jasper lies in the middle of Canada's largest mountain park, the Jasper National Park, and makes a delightful base from which to explore the surrounding lakes and mountains.
The town of just over 4,000 people lies 233 miles (373km) from Edmonton and is surrounded by pristine wilderness, including a necklace of green lakes and majestic waterfalls. There are also a few notable attractions in the town itself, including the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society Museum, which features displays of early Canadian explorers; the 165 foot (55m) deep Maligne River Canyon; the longest and highest reversible tramway in Canada that transports passengers up Whistlers Mountain; and the Den Wildlife Museum that houses more than 100 animal specimens displayed in their natural habitat.
Driving to Jasper is relatively simple. However, harsh winter weather can sometimes make the roads impassable so check the weather reports before you go. In the surrounding areas, there are many natural wonders to explore.
Using Jasper as a base gives you the opportunity to try dog sledding, snowmobiling, cat-skiing, cross-country skiing and ice climbing in the winter. Summer activities include white water rafting, hiking, horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking and wildlife spotting.
Banff
The small resort town of Banff is a holiday destination situated in the spectacular and unspoilt Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and most popular tourist attracti…
Banff
The small resort town of Banff is a holiday destination situated in the spectacular and unspoilt Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and most popular tourist attraction. About an hour and a half's drive west of Calgary, the national park offers 2,564 square miles (6,641 sq km) of unparalleled mountain scenery in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, including glaciers, ice fields, jagged peaks, crystal clear lakes and raging rivers.
Holiday attractions in the town itself include the Banff Park Museum on Buffalo Street, which is the oldest natural history museum in western Canada and features a fantastic assortment of wildlife specimens, minerals and other artefacts. Not far away is the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, dedicated to the rich cultural history of the area with four art galleries, a heritage gallery and a research library.
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, on Cave Avenue, tells the story of the discovery of the hot springs that led to the establishment of Canada's first national reserve in 1885. Visitors can also take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to enjoy the spectacular views from the observation deck, or soak in the hot mineral waters at the Upper Hot Springs on Mountain Avenue.
Winter is low season in Banff National Park, but the low temperatures hardly deter brave skiers and snowboarders who delight in the fresh powder. From steep couloirs to gentle cruising, the slopes have something for everyone, and the snow is some of the coldest, driest and most reliable anywhere in the world. And there's a lot of it, particularly in the Sunshine Village ski area. Lake Louise is the most extensive and popular ski resort in the Banff region. See our separate Lake Louise ski resort guide.
The staggering scenery and mountain wildlife, along with the warm and welcoming locals make Banff highly popular, regardless of the season.