Things to do in Banff

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Banff National Park

Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola features panoramic viewing windows to admire the stunning scenery of the Banff mountain range. From the cable car, you can see the Banff Mountain Observatory, Banff Hot Springs, and other attractions at the summit, as well as lakes, forests, and glaciers on the mountains. Upon reaching the top, enter the gondola's upper station, which offers multiple viewing platforms and exhibition areas. Here, you can enjoy even more breathtaking views of the Banff mountain range, including the town of Banff, Bow Lake, and other scenic spots. The upper station also houses several restaurants and cafes.

2026 Global 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions

Banff National Park

Established in 1885, Banff National Park is a core component of the "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks" World Natural Heritage site. Located in the middle section of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, the park features a varied landscape of valleys, high mountains, icefields, rivers, forests, and grasslands. Emerald glacial lakes are set like jewels among the dark green coniferous forests, earning the park its reputation as the soul of the Rocky Mountains. One of the park's signature views is Lake Louise, whose water takes on a distinctive emerald green due to glacial minerals; backed by Victoria Glacier, the lakeside hiking trails lead to mountain tea houses and higher viewpoints. Moraine Lake, set against the Valley of the Ten Peaks, mirrors the spire-shaped peaks on its surface and once appeared on Canada's old twenty-dollar bill. Bow Valley Parkway is a classic scenic drive in the park, where bighorn sheep, elk, and other wildlife are often seen along the way, and a slow drive in fall is especially rewarding. The Icefields Parkway extends north from near Lake Louise, linking glacial lakes such as Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, with views of multiple glaciers in the valleys along the route. Banff Town is located in the heart of the park and is the main visitor community within it, offering distant views of Sulphur Mountain from town. A ride on the Sulphur Mountain cable car takes you to the summit observation deck, where on clear days you can look down over the Bow Valley and the outlines of distant peaks. The park also features natural hot spring pools, and soaking in them after outdoor activities is a choice many visitors make. Come in winter, and you can experience alpine skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and more, with the frozen lake and snow-capped mountains enhancing each other's beauty.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Columbia-Shuswap

Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkwayis a scenic highway in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, also known as Highway 93. It runs from Lake Louise in the south to the town of Jasper in the north, traversing both Banff and Jasper national parks. The entire route spans over 200 km, with the road traveling primarily through mountainous terrain at an elevation of over 1,500 m. On one side of the road are snow-capped mountains and glaciers, while the other side connects to lakes, forests, and meadows. Along the way, you can see hundreds of glaciers and snow-capped peaks over 3,000 m high, making it one of the most famous scenic highways in North America. Icefields Parkwayhighlights are concentrated in the densely distributed glacial lakes and stops along the way. Peyto Lake displays a rich blue-green hue due to glacial rock flour suspended in the water, and when viewed from the observation deck, the lake shape resembles a wolf's head. Bow Lake is the source of the Bow River, and when the lake surface is calm in the early morning, the reflections of the snow-capped mountains are clear. Hector Lake, Herbert Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and Sunwapta Falls are also located right next to the highway. The Columbia Icefield area in the middle section is the highlight of the entire journey, where you can see the Athabasca Glacier cascading down from between the snow-capped peaks right from the roadside. Wildlife such as elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears are also frequently spotted along the way.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Banff National Park

Sulphur Mountain

Sulphur MountainLocated in CanadaBanff National ParkInside is a mountain named for its sulfur-like rock color. A sightseeing cable car provides easy access to the summit, offering panoramic views of Banff town and surrounding peaks. The mountaintop features walking trails and observation decks, including a path to the old weather station ruins with expansive scenery along the way—perfect for light hiking and photography. On clear days, the exceptional visibility makes it ideal for a half-day excursion to experience natural landscapes and alpine air. Whether ascending by cable car or hiking up, visitors can immerse themselves in the majestic atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains.

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Banff Upper Hot Springs is located on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, Canada, at an altitude of approx. 1,585m. Long before Europeans arrived, local indigenous people already used this spring for bathing and relaxation. Travelers began being drawn to the springs in 1884, and the bathhouse building, completed in 1932, has undergone several renovations while still retaining its original vintage appearance. The water here has a fascinating origin: after precipitation seeps into the rock layers of Mount Rundle, it slowly descends deep into the earth's crust, where it is heated and pressurized before gushing to the surface along the Sulphur Mountain thrust fault. The pool water remains in a warm range close to body temperature all year round. In winter, steam rises into the cold air, and snowflakes melt immediately upon hitting the pool surface. The contrast of being warm from the waist down while feeling a slight chill on your shoulders is an unforgettable memory of winter in Banff for many people.

2026 Global 50 - Ski Resorts

Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort

Banff National Park is home to three world-renowned ski resorts — Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, and Mount Norquay. Together, these three resorts cover a total of 7,750 acres, making the area a veritable "ski paradise" for winter sports enthusiasts. Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola features 139 trails across four mountain faces and has been named a "scenic ski resort" by ski magazines. Here, 25% of the trails are suitable for beginners, 45% are designed for intermediate skiers, and 30% are designed specifically for expert skiers. Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort is the highest-altitude ski resort in Canada and also the Canadian resort with the longest ski season that relies entirely on natural snow. Skiers can ride the world's fastest eight-passenger gondola to the summit and enjoy the boundless fun of skiing. Mount Norquay is close to the town of Banff. Though smaller in area, it is a great venue for family skiing, and it also has dedicated snow tubing lanes designed for children. While riding the lift to the summit, skiers can also take in the spectacular scenery of the Cascade Mountains.

2026 Global 50 - Ski Resorts

Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola

Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, hailed as a "scenic ski resort," is just minutes from Lake Louise Resort. As a Canadian ski resort spanning approximately 4,200 acres, it features 139 trails across three mountain faces. The thoughtfully designed trail layout ensures that beginners, intermediates, and even advanced skiers can all find suitable runs and experience the unlimited joy of skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Whether you are a family, a group of friends, a skiing novice, or an experienced skier, you will find fun here. Snow tubing, sightseeing gondola rides, dining, and après-ski leisure activities will add even more to your mountain journey.

Bow Falls

Bow Falls is located within Banff National Park. It is not known for its vertical drop, standing only about 10m high, but it spans several dozen meters in width. The river flows over layered rock beds, churning with white waves and roaring as it cascades down, with the sound audible from far away. The 1950s film *River of No Return*, starring Marilyn Monroe, featured a thrilling scene of a raft going over the waterfall that was filmed here. Since then, this once low-profile waterfall has become a must-visit spot for movie fans and tourists. During the summer snowmelt season, the water volume is abundant, with rolling white waves and a thundering sound. In winter, parts of the waterfall freeze, with rushing water and icicles coexisting.

Hiking in Banff

Surprise Corner Viewpoint

Surprise Corner Viewpoint is located within Banff National Park and is a classic viewpoint near the town of Banff, as well as a popular spot for capturing postcard-worthy photos of Banff. Looking out from here, the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs stands quietly at the foot of Sulphur Mountain, with the Bow River flowing past in front of the building. The mountains, water, and castle framed together create a highly recognizable classic composition of Banff, bringing a sense of surprise, and many visitors come specifically to capture this scene. There is an elevated viewing platform here, where you can look over the treetops to overlook the full view of the hotel and the valley.