The Canadian Rockies offer a vast array of attractions; peruse this website for hundreds of outdoor activity, indoor entertainment, shopping and dining ideas. From museums to historical sights, adventure tours to theatre performances, there truly is something for everyone.
Many of our region’s scenic places and best activities are well known, but some are a secret to all but area residents. So Where asked locals to share their eclectic ideas for fun.
Elk Bull image by John Marriott
Rockies by Foot
Visitors hike in summer, but locals hike year-round. Join residents for a stroll along riverside paths in the towns of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. These trails are noted in Banff Area Sightseeing and Jasper Area Sightseeing.
Former Olympian and current Alberta Alpine president Ken Read notes: “A great winter hike is Stoney Squaw Mountain. It’s a 4 km (2.5 mi) loop from the Mt Norquay parking lot that’s popular throughout the winter for its great views of Cascade Mountain and the town of Banff.” After a morning of skiing, Ken sometimes walks the route as a refreshing alternative to his usual fitness routine.
“One of my favourite short trails is the Marsh Loop by Banff’s Cave and Basin,” says Where publisher Jack Newton. “Warm hot spring waters allow green plants to thrive even in winter, and rising steam creates artistic frost effects. Birds stay all winter on the tepid marsh water, and you can look down from the boardwalk to see fish.”
Jasper National Park media relations officer Wendy Niven recommends a visit to Pyramid Bench at dusk. From town, she runs either the plowed Pyramid Lake Rd or the scenic Pyramid Trunk Trail that parallels the road. It’s a steady, not difficult climb to pastoral Cottonwood Slough and Pyramid Mountain that glows red in the sunset. “Every time I go the sky, mountains and meadows look different. I see colours that include pink, purple, black and yellow,” enthuses Wendy. The route is 15 km (9 mi), but there are many rewarding views and you can turn back anytime.
Ski Slopes & Trails
In winter, most everyone comes to our area to downhill ski. After all, Canada’s pristine and rugged mountain parks have earned UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and boast some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain on the planet (noted in Where’s Insider Guide).
Locals are enthusiast skiers too, and it’s likely you’ll meet a few, especially if you can handle the black runs most residents crave. “One of the best parts of living in Banff is that I’m only 15 minutes from getting in an hour or two of skiing,” says Banff Mayor John Stutz. “Afterward, I can carry on with the rest of my day in the office or the community.”
For an increasing number of fitness-minded locals, cross-country skiing is the winter sport of choice. You might find George Andrew, owner of the Astoria Hotel in Jasper, boosting his heart rate on Edith Cavell Rd; this steadily rising route is closed to traffic in winter. Shops such as Trail Sports in Canmore and Wild Mountain in Jasper, owned by Nordic ski enthusiasts John Gallagher and Dave Macdowell/Cam Wilson respectively, are great places to peruse the latest gear and get trail advice. Where lists some favourite cross-country ski trails in the Banff Area and the Jasper Area.
Impact Brochure Systems manager Warren Mackie often goes to the Canmore Nordic Centre for a skate ski before dinner. “One of my favorite routes is west from the stadium along curvy, undulating Bow Trail; I return on the flatter Banff Trail. This 13 km (8 mi) loop takes an hour if I get my wax right. But you may want to take more time to enjoy the quiet pine forest beauty, which seem a hundred miles from civilization.”
Spectacular Sights
All who drive the Canadian Rockies are awestruck by the mountain scenery. Where sightseeing by road itineraries are noted in Banff Area Sightseeing and Jasper Area Sightseeing sections; plus guided tours near Banff and Jasper. Even locals can’t help being continually impressed.
During winter, animals seek the shelter and roadside foraging opportunities of valleys. Your best chance of seeing elk, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep and other wildlife are along Highways #40 through Kananaskis, #93 north of Radium Hot Springs, #16/Maligne Lake Rd southeast of Jasper, and the Icefields Parkway south of Jasper. Please watch your speed when driving and keep a healthy distance (three bus lengths) when photographing large animals.
Signature sights such as Lake Louise attract many visitors. Banff’s Johnston Canyon and Jasper’s Maligne Canyon are also popular, but for an ice canyon experience with a greater possibility for solitude, try Canmore’s Grotto Canyon. Where writes about Banff and Jasper canyon ice walks.
Michael Beamer of Beamer’s Coffee Bar has a special sightseeing suggestion: “I love going to Hidden Falls. I proposed to my wife there.” Walk the 2.5 km (1.5 mi) limestone-lined Heart Creek Trail that begins off Hwy 1 east of Canmore opposite Lac des Arcs. At trail’s end, the lovely little waterfall hides around the corner.
Skating the maintained ice on lakes and ponds in Kananaskis Village, Canmore, Banff Lake Louise and Jasper is an iconic winter treat; skate rentals are available in these towns. Less reliable but more enticing is gliding over the entire length of Banff’s Vermilion Lakes or Lac Beauvert at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge during times when there is no snow (only go if locals are on the ice). Murray Morgan of Jasper Adventure Centre suggests looking down: “Sometimes you can see fish swimming beneath the smooth surface.”
Discover Banff Tours manager Daymon Miller loves the warmth and atmosphere created by a campfire during winter. He suggests making a fire at Lake Minnewanka picnic site at night: “watch the stars and drink mulled wine.” Murray Morgan sometimes stokes up the fire rings at 6th Bridge where the Maligne and Athabasca Rivers meet. Bring firewood, and smokies and marshmallows to roast.
Great Indoors
Our Mountain Parks may be best known for their great outdoors, but indoor life thrives too. Dining, shopping and pub-hopping are embraced by both visitors and locals; hidden gems are revealed in other sections of this website.
Don’t miss the fine small museums our communities have to offer, and entertainment that includes sports events, festivals and performing arts. Travellers too often overlook the world-class concerts, theatre and dance showcased at The Banff Centre.
Katie Daniel, communications specialist at Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies offers this suggestion: “If you love old photographs and treasure historic memories, visit the archives and library at our museum, open 1 to 5 pm Mon to Fri. You’ll find thousands of images of Canadian Rockies—mountains, people, wildlife, everyday activities, special events. Prints can be ordered at reasonable prices.”
Katie further suggests that at local events seek out the concession run by the IODE for “hot dogs made especially for them; the biggest, tastiest, juiciest dogs in the Bow Valley.” For 70 years, volunteer Banff IODE women have raised funds for charitable projects.
Of course, bars are popular features of tourist towns everywhere, including those of Canadian Rockies. Nightspot choices range from elegant venues to lively pubs that feature entertainment.
“Wild Bill’s Saloon has line dancing lessons on Wednesday Western Nights,” notes Tulene Steiestol, media relations manager at Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Banff Centre communication officer Jill Sawyer recommends the lounge at the Juniper Hotel: “It’s modern and elegant, but what’s really special is the huge, roaring fireplace. I go for a glass of wine and appetizers to warm up after a day on the slopes.”
Many locals frequent favorite nightspots where everyone knows their name. One such spot is De’d Dog Bar & Grill in Jasper. “It’s the best place to be on a Friday night,” says Marmot Basin communications liaison Megan Gibson. For 30 years the bar has hosted locals for drinks after work; happy hour goes to 8 pm.
There’s no doubt that the Canadian Rockies are an inspiration to visitors and travellers alike. Charlie Locke, owner of the Lake Louise Ski Area, eloquently states: “ I’ve travelled the world, and there are few landscapes as awe-inspiring as the view from the top of one of the three summits at Lake Louise on a sun drenched morning. To stand, with the panoramic vista of jagged glaciated peaks, impossibly blue skies, and endless untouched forests spread out in an infinity before you is to enter, for a few moments, a new plane of existence.”
coin and Parks Canada emblems. The first Roots store was established in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green who were inspired by Ontario’s Algonquin Park. Their company transformed a love for the Canadian wilderness into the distinctive leather goods and athletic wear you see today.—RM
