Things to do in Banff, Jasper & the Rockies

Lake Louise is famous for its turquoise water below the Victoria Glacier, with a lakeshore trail to the quieter far end and a rink lit every night in winter, while nearby Moraine Lake is reached only by shuttle, transit or tour. In Banff, the Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain for views over six mountain ranges and a boardwalk to Sanson's Peak, the Banff Upper Hot Springs make a relaxing stop, Cave and Basin National Historic Site tells how the 1883 discovery of thermal springs led to Canada's first national park, and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies on Bear Street covers the region's art and history. After a Lake Minnewanka Cruise on Banff's largest lake, the Icefields Parkway Drive heads north past Bow Lake and Mistaya Canyon to the Columbia Icefield Adventure, where an Ice Explorer drives onto the Athabasca Glacier and the glass-floored Skywalk hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. Around Jasper, the Jasper SkyTram climbs Whistlers Mountain to its 2,263 m Upper Station, and the Maligne Lake Cruise reaches a viewpoint over Spirit Island, one of Canada's most photographed spots.

Good to knowPersonal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road: Parks Canada shuttles leave from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, need a reservation and run only in the warmer months, and parking at Lake Louise is very limited too. Banff Upper Hot Springs admission is sold in person only, first-come, first-served, and the pool closes for a few weeks each autumn; the Columbia Icefield Adventure, Jasper SkyTram and the Maligne Lake and Lake Minnewanka cruises all run seasonally from spring or late spring to autumn. The Icefields Parkway has very few services, so fuel up, pack snacks and check road conditions in winter, and allow at least 90 minutes to drive from Jasper to the Maligne Lake Cruise.