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Banff Extreme sports & adrenaline

Our most recommended Banff Extreme sports & adrenaline

Banff: Afternoon Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

1. Banff: Afternoon Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

Enjoy whitewater rafting down an idyllic stretch of the Kanaskasis River, the perfect excursion for families, groups, and newcomers to whitewater rafting. Explore the pristine waterways of the Kananaskis River. Scout for local wildlife and enjoy the unrivaled beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Meet at the Nakoda Lakeside Lodge on Highway 1A. Start your rafting adventure with a 45-minute drive from Banff or Calgary. Enjoy the short scenic ride as you wind through the Canadian countryside. Once you're fitted with your wetsuits and other safety equipment, ride in a comfortable bus a short distance to the starting point on the Kananaskis River. Here, your guides will provide safety instructions and teach your paddle techniques. Feel equipped and ready to go as you prepare for the river. Board your raft and begin your journey. Admire the views during calm parts of the river. Practice different paddling techniques with your guide. Spot local wildlife such as soaring eagles, and deer who stroll along the banks of the river. Then, get ready to be splashed as your raft through class 2-3 rapids as you travel along a lovely forested area of the river. At the end of the journey enjoy a scenic float to the finish where you can swim and splash in the water. Return to the river base for high fives and snacks to celebrate your rafting adventure. This tour operates from mid-May to mid-September and is ideal for anyone that has never rafted before or does not know how to swim.

Banff: Mount Norquay 2.5 or 4-Hour Guided Via Ferrata Climb

2. Banff: Mount Norquay 2.5 or 4-Hour Guided Via Ferrata Climb

Join this fun alpine climbing tour that's perfect for all abilities, including those with no previous experience. Experience the thrill of climbing a via ferrata with an expert guide and delight in bird’s-eye views of Banff National Park.  Choose between a 2.5-hour Explorer Route or a 4-hour Ridgewalker Route. Upon arrival to Mount Norquay, located just 10 minutes from Banff, check in and meet your guide. Get equipped with a harness, lanyards, and helmet, then ride the sightseeing chairlift to where your adventure begins.  After an equipment check and training is complete, take a short 5-minute walk to your first via ferrata buttress to climb. The 2.5-hour Explorer Route is a great choice for those who are slightly limited on time or looking for an introduction to via ferrata. Spend some time with your guide and get introduced to the equipment before heading up a few pitches and crossing the suspension bridge.  You will reach 2,235 meters (7,332 feet) above sea level. The tour lasts 2-2.5 hours, covers 1 kilometer (3,280 feet), and involves an elevation gain of 145 meters (475 feet). Select the 4-hour Ridgewalker Route to get a greater feel for heights and experience the via ferrata in full.  Get comfortable with the equipment on a practice wall, then continue on the Norquay cliffs, climbing the memorial, sunrise and vista buttresses — and, of course, traversing the suspension bridge. The route heads up to the Ridgewalker Summit, 2,300 meters (7,545 feet) above sea level. At the top, enjoy incredible views and snap some photos before descending back to the starting point.  The tour lasts 3.5-4 hours, covers 1.4 kilometers (4,593 feet), and involves an elevation gain of 260 meters (853 feet).

Kicking Horse River: Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip

3. Kicking Horse River: Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip

Enjoy an exhilarating whitewater rafting tour on the Kicking Horse River as you brave Class 2 to Class 4/4+ waters with a guide. Take on rapids such as Hopi's Hole, Cable Car, Table Saw, and the famous Portage and Shotgun. Your experience begins at the local partner's day lodge, conveniently located on the TransCanada Highway. After a warm welcome, your crew distributes top-of-the-line rafting gear (wetsuit, wetsuit booties and gloves, spray jackets, life jackets, and helmets). In the comfort of heated change rooms, change into the provided gear before taking a quick shuttle to the "put-in" (starting point), where you receive your extensive safety briefing before jumping in the river. This is the biggest whitewater river in the Rockies. Prepare to hold on and get wet. Enjoy the canyon environment and possibly get a glimpse of a mountain goat, wolf, or bear. Following your trip, another quick shuttle returns you back to the warmth of the base. Once changed back into dry and comfortable land clothes, enjoy snacks and a selection of hot and cold beverages. Stop by the gift shop for a souvenir or photo of the trip to take back home.

Banff: Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

4. Banff: Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

Discover life on the Bow River in a 12-seat Canoe. Start the tour in the evening and learn fun facts about animal habitats, behaviors, and conservation in the region. Escape the bustling Banff streets and get back to nature. Enjoy paddling up the scenic Bow while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the locals like bald eagles, elk, muskrats, and maybe even “Barry” the resident beaver. Let our informative guides share the best practices for wildlife encounters and discover the challenges they face with increasing human interaction.

Canadian Rockies: Helicopter Flight with Exploration Hike

5. Canadian Rockies: Helicopter Flight with Exploration Hike

Get ready for an awe-inspiring experience of the Rocky Mountain with this scenic helicopter flight and hiking tour. See the Rockies from a bird's-eye view. Admire the stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and glaciers from above. Then explore the region’s natural beauty on foot. Choose from a 20, 30, or 55-minute scenic flight. Each option includes incredible panoramas of waterfalls, emerald-green lakes, and mountain ridges. With the 55-minute flight, approach the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Rocky Mountains. After the flight, land at the confluence of the Cline River and Waterfalls Creek. Continue to explore the wild beauty of this region on foot, hiking to the Twin Falls waterfall. Then climb back on board the helicopter and fly back to the heliport, enjoying the fantastic views of Abraham Lake.

Canadian Rockies Combo: Helicopter Tour and Horseback Ride

6. Canadian Rockies Combo: Helicopter Tour and Horseback Ride

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the Canadian Rockies. Your experience begins with a 20-minute helicopter ride. Admire the stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and glaciers from above. Your pilot will land where the Cline River and Waterfalls Creek meet. Hop off the helicopter and explore the natural beauty of the region on foot during a 1-hour easy hike. Take in the wild beauty of the backcountry as you trek up to Twin Falls.  Here you will enjoy your delicious picnic lunch. Once you have returned from your helicopter ride, continue the adventure with a 1-hour horseback ride. Marvel at sweeping views of the mountains, crystal clear rivers, and the epic Abraham Lake.

Kicking Horse River: Half-Day Intro to Whitewater Rafting

7. Kicking Horse River: Half-Day Intro to Whitewater Rafting

Get a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting on Class 1-3 rapids starting in Yoho National Park of Canada. Experience moderately-challenging rapids and the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies.  Check-in at the lodge conveniently located on TransCanada Highway #1. Be fitted with top-of-the-line gear and transported to the starting point of the rafting experience. Receive a thorough safety briefing before setting off on the river. Embark on a 90-minute downstream journey starting with the "Alarm Clock" rapid, which is sure to wake everyone up. In between the exciting rapids, take in the beautiful scenery surrounding you on all sides. Learn about the wildlife in the area, how the Kicking Horse River got its name, and how the river gets its beautiful blue color. Finish the rafting trip at "Hopi's Hole", which serves as an exciting grande finale. After the rafting, be taken back to the lodge to relax and warm up in the heated changing-rooms. Once back in warm, dry clothes, enjoy freshly baked goodies and seasonal fruit along with a selection of hot and cold beverages. Browse through the gift shop to pick up a souvenir t-shirt or photos from your experience.

Banff: Morning Whitewater Rafting Tour in Horseshoe Canyon

8. Banff: Morning Whitewater Rafting Tour in Horseshoe Canyon

Embark on an exciting rafting trip through class 3-4 rapids and with big waves meaning you will get soaked and have lots of fun. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife sightings and enjoy the stunning outdoor beauty of the Horseshoe Canyon section of the Bow River. Start your rafting adventure with an optional pick-up in Banff or Canmore and enjoy the short scenic ride as it winds its way through the Canadian countryside. Once you're fitted with your wetsuits and other safety equipment, be transported in a comfortable bus a short distance to the starting point on the Bow River. Here, your guides will go through safety instructions and paddle techniques ready for your time on the river. Then it's time to jump aboard to start your journey. Admire the views during calm parts of the river and learn from your guide as they lead the group through different paddling techniques. Make sure to watch for the area’s local wildlife, including eagles soaring above and deer strolling along the river banks. Then, the river comes to life, kicking up a series of frothy rapids that will get your heart pumping. Hang tight and listen for your guide's instructions as he helps you navigate the whitewater through the shale cliffs. At the midway point, stop for an optional cliff jump into the glacier-fed waters of the Bow River. Depending on your adventure level you can choose from a medium or a big cliff jump, or simply enjoy watching the others take the plunge. After the thrill of cliff jumping, continue rafting until you reach the endpoint. Return to the river base for high fives, snacks, and optional return transport. This tour operates from mid May to early September, with transport available from late May onwards on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Banff: Beginner Canyoning Half-Day Tour

9. Banff: Beginner Canyoning Half-Day Tour

Looking to try Canyoning for the first time? Then this is the trip for you! Heart Creek Canyon is a ton of fun! The easy approach, ideal location to learn rappelling, and the amazing scenery all make this trip the perfect choice for your first canyoning experience. Heart Creek Canyon is also our closest trip to the townsites of Banff & Canmore. Upper Heart Canyon provides a perfect location to learn and develop your rope rappelling skills. Introductory short rappels allow you to ease into rappelling and increase in length as you progress down the canyon, finally culminating with an exciting 60ft+ wet waterfall rappel and slide (optional: it is possible to hike around the lower falls).

Banff: Guided Ice Climbing Experience for Beginners

10. Banff: Guided Ice Climbing Experience for Beginners

Get an introduction to the sport of ice climbing with a beginner's ice climbing experience in Banff. Learn everything you need to know from qualified guides before climbing up a frozen waterfall. Meet your guide and head out to your climbing spot for the day. The location of your climb will vary but always takes place within the surrounding countryside and includes sites like the Canmore Junk Yards, Johnston Canyon, and Haffner Creek. Once there, begin with a safety briefing and listen as your guide teaches you about site safety and awareness. Learn how to walk with crampons and how to belay top rope and lead climbers. You'll also discover great tips on swinging the tools and learn about body positioning and movement skills. As the day progresses and time allows, your guide may introduce you to steeper ice techniques, front point techniques, placing ice screws, building anchors and v-thread, as well as mock leads and repelling. Spend a fun day outdoors enjoying the winter environment and getting active, and leave your experience having learned a new set of skills.

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Frequently asked questions about Banff

What are the best day trips and excursions from Banff?

The best day trips and excursions from Banff are:

Banff National Park

Other Sightseeing Options in Banff

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What people are saying about Banff

My wife and I decided to take this up as "start the honey moon with a bang" idea, and these guys did not miss the mark. Hands down one of the best experiences I've had touring in a helicopter. Our pilot, Kyle, was such a cool dude and full of so much humble knowledge about landscape and the history of Canada. And Danielle, our guide for the bubbles tour was the coolest and nicest woman, it was truly a pleasure to meet her and she took such good care of us while out on the lake. Needless to say, we made memories for a life time with those guys. Oh...and the food they provide, the cook, oh my God. It was fantastic. She even accomadated my wife's food allergies to make sure she could have the same food. It truly was an experience. If you guys read this, good shit.

Visited this Thanksgiving weekend, it was actually the last tour of the season. We lucked out with the perfect day to be on the water. The sun was out and the weather was very warm for a fall day. We had a terrific guide in Mitch. He was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. If your in the area I recommend this wonderful experience.

Manny was amazing and took my friend and I to all the spots we wanted to see. He was also a great photographer too! He made sure before the end of my trip we would see some wildlife. He took his time with us and we never felt rushed wherever we were. Highly recommend Manny!

Our driver was so helpful and knowledgeable. We had a fabulous day, he knew just where best photos could be taken and we avoided the crowds and we went at our own pace. Thanks Manny.

Our guide Ryan was fantastic. We had a great time and would recommend this adventure to all of our friends. Ask for Ryan! He was the best.