7 Unique Experiences You Can Have in Banff

There is no shortage of mountain adventures and plenty of unique experiences in Banff outside of classic attractions. You don’t have to just stroll down main street, walk along the shores of Lake Louise, or hop on the Banff Gondola.

Instead we suggest hitting the trails on the back of a horse, completing the classic Cory Pass loop hike, or finding a new way to scale mountains with a via feratta. Of course, there is always the quintessential Canadian way to take in the mountains from the water in a canoe.

Beyond this you could spend a lifetime envisioning new ways to explore the Canadian Rockeis as they’re an endless source or inspiration.

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Unique Things to do in Banff

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Horseback Ride

Have you ever dreamed of horseback riding through the mountains after watching City Slickers, Yellowstone, Heartland, or The Revenant? Banff Trail Riders offers horseback tours that will fulfill those Western dreams.

There are many ways to enjoy the park the old-fashioned way, from one-hour to multi-day tours. These tours are great for beginners, novice equestrians, and even advanced riders!

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Canoe on a Blue Glacial Lake

There aren’t many places in the world where you can paddle on a brilliantly blue glacial lake. This experience is pretty unique to the Canadian Rockies! Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Emerald Lake are the most popular places to paddle. But if you have a canoe or paddleboard, the world is your oyster. Here are a few of our favorite places to paddle!

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Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is home to more than 35 wonderous wolfdogs, giving visitors a unique chance to interact with these amazing creatures. The experience is not in Banff, but instead the sanctuary sits in the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Cochrane, about an hour’s drive away. This sanctuary allows you to learn about and observe these beautiful wolfdogs and even interact with them by sharing treats and pats.

The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary goes beyond providing a safe haven for displaced wolfdogs, focusing on spreading awareness and knowledge about these majestic pups. Here you can enjoy a sanctuary walk or an interactive tour to learn all you need to know about wolfdogs in Canada.

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Hike Through Gargoyle Valley

If you’re visiting Banff getting out on at least one hike is almost mandatory. The Canadian Rockies is the best hiking destination in the world. There are hikes available for all ages and abilities, from easy to scrambling to the top of a mountain summit.

If you’re in the mood for a challenge and want a super unique hike through otherworldly landscapes, we love to recommend the Cory Pass loop hike. This is a tough and steep climb, where you’ll gain more than 1000 meters of elevation. The reward is hiking through what is called – Gargoyle Valley (pictured above!).

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Via Ferrata

A via whatta? Many visitors have never heard of such a thing, but let me tell you that they are a very fun time for those not afraid of heights. A via ferrata dates back to WWI and the Italian Dolomites when the Italian army built assisted climbing paths through the mountains to move troops around with limited climbing experience. The “iron paths” are a direct translation and are built across mountains with steel cables, rings, and ladders along cliff faces, making climbing far more accessible for those with limited experience.

These are pretty popular in Europe but almost unheard of in North America. However, there are a few places in Western Canada where you can enjoy the experience, one of which is Mount Norquay.

Mt. Norquay sits just above the town and offers tremendous views over the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle, and Tunnel Mountain. At Mount Norquay, there are two routes to choose from: easier and more difficult – both routes are some of the most unique things to do in Banff.

Beginners can complete both routes. However, we suggest decent physical fitness, as you need upper and lower body strength to climb the via ferrata.

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Walk on a Glacier

There are few places in the world where you can walk on a glacier, but the Canadian Rockies offer just that. On the Athabasca Glacier, right on the border of Banff and Jasper National Park, visitors can experience walking on a glacier for the first time! There are a few different tours that offer different experiences.

One of the most popular is the Icefield Explorer experience, which allows visitors to board a giant bus and enjoy the views. However, we like to recommend the more active and immersive option, which is the Icewalk tour. This tour allows visitors 3-4 hours of glacial time with a certified mountain guide!

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Stay in a Historic Log Cabin

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a cozy log cabin in the mountains, hiking during the day, and bundling up by a fire at night, you can do that in Banff National Park! Some of our favorite cabin stays in the park are at The Lodge at Bow Lake, Storm Mountain Cabins, and Castle Mountain Chalets!