Achieving the iconic Banff adventure might be easier than you think! Here are some of the best ways to experience this mountain town, from the people who know it best. 

Ride the Trails

"The backcountry is a special place because there are no motorized vehicles. There are great places for those elsewhere, but here in Banff, the pristine authenticity of the backcountry is still intact. We ride horses along the same trails we’ve used for over a century.” –Julie Canning, owner/operator of Banff Trail Riders

Horseback riding is one of the most iconic mountain experiences, and if you want to explore the backcountry, you better be ready to saddle up. Banff Trail Riders leads everything from one-hour scenic rides to multi-day backcountry excursions that will have you feeling submerged in an old western. In Lake Louise, saddle up with Brewster Adventures or Timberline Tours and discover the history of horses in the Rockies.

Climb to the Mountaintop

“People come to the mountains and want to try mountain climbing. This is the most user-friendly mountain climbing there is. You get to the dramatic, beautiful ridgetops and incredible steep cliffs, but you don’t need any experience to get there.” –Kevin Hjertaas, mountain guide

If you’ve ever wanted to try mountain climbing but don’t have the know-how, Mt Norquawy’s Via Ferrata allows you to do just that! The routes are designed to help you climb with strategically placed handholds, footholds, and cables so you don’t need the grip strength of a mountain climber to access the exclusive terrain. It’s an awesome adventure, and one of the most unique things you can do in Banff.

See Wildlife Safely

“Growing up, most of us are taught to be considerate guests when we visit someone’s home. The same goes for a visit to the wild Rockies! You are an essential part of the solution to keep the future of the Canadian Rockies and its wildlife healthy, regardless of where you call home.”  –Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Seeing wildlife is often a highlight to any visit to the mountains, but how you interact with wildlife is important. If you cause a wild animal to look at you, move, or otherwise change its behaviour, you are too close. The best photographs of wildlife are taken with a telephoto lens, so you don’t have to be nearby to get that iconic shot. For the best chances to see wildlife safely, take a wildlife tour from Discover Banff Tours. Try an Evening Wildlife Safari for your best opportunity to see a wild animal close to town or take the Discover Grizzly Bears Tour to see Boo at the Grizzly Bear Refuge in Golden, BC.

Kate Barker