Summer in Banff: 3 must-do adventures

Travel to Canada - What to Expect

Summer in Banff: 3 must-do adventures

Feel the wind in your hair as you take in panoramic views aboard an open chairlift or gondola. Catch glimpses of majestic wildlife in pristine wilderness. Explore rolling alpine meadows in full bloom and stay in a luxury wilderness resort.

For unforgettable summer days in Banff National Park, don’t miss these bucket-list worthy sightseeing activities. Here, outdoor enthusiasts can discover year-round adventure, with options for every age and experience level. Stop by the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub, located at 114 Banff Ave, or book your next summer adventure online.

 

1) Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift & Via Ferrata

Explore, climb, relax, and experience Banff from new heights at Mt Norquay. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown, getting here is easy, with complimentary shuttle buses departing regularly from central Banff locations.

Soaring to 7,000 ft via the iconic North American Chairlift, you’ll pass over natural grizzly and black bear habitat, taking in fresh mountain air and magnificent views of the Bow Valley and Mt Rundle, Banff’s signature peak. At the top, capture perfect sunny-day panoramas as you explore the sightseeing lookout. Then head into the Cliffhouse Bistro for high-alpine dining with a mountain-inspired menu and craft beer on tap.

For a more hands-on adventure, feel the adrenaline rush of scaling a Via Ferrata. Exploring a mountain by Via Ferrata is an assisted climbing adventure that requires no previous experience.  Mt Norquay offers four heart-pumping routes on the cliffs high above the valley floor. You and your ACMG-certified guide will climb ladders, cross suspension bridges and experience rarely-seen views of Banff National Park at elevations of up to 2,450m.

Open daily June 11, 2022.

Via-Ferrata at Mt. Norquay, Banff National Park.
Photo courtesy of Mt Norquay/Dan Evans.

2) Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola & Chairlift

For photographers and nature lovers, the Lake Louise Summer Gondola is not-to-be-missed. For the best value, opt for the Ride & Dine Breakfast, or ride after 4:30pm. Take an open chairlift or fully-enclosed gondola and cruise to one of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies. You’ll ride above an active wildlife corridor, where grizzly bears are spotted nearly every day from the safety of the lift.

Take a guided walk or hike, with options ranging from leisurely 45-minute strolls to active 4-hour hikes. Or, enjoy self-guided exploration—hiking is permitted anywhere above the top of the sightseeing lift on a variety of marked and unmarked trails.

Discover interactive displays about fascinating wildlife, topography and history at the mid-mountain Wildlife Interpretive Centre. Then head upstairs to enjoy incredible views and fine dining from the expansive deck at Whitehorn Bistro.

Open daily May 20th, 2022.

Summer activities at Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, Banff National Park.
Photo courtesy of Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola.

3) Banff Sunshine Meadows – Alpine Sightseeing Chairlift 

For wow-factor wilderness, ascend into the alpine aboard Banff’s biggest gondola at Sunshine Village. Cruise from a base elevation of 1,660m to the heart of the Village at 2,164m. Take Standish Express Sightseeing Chairlift, soaring to 2,400m elevation, surrounded by postcard-perfect Canadian Rockies views. Catch more breathtaking scenery from the Standish Viewing Deck and marvel at beauty of the Laryx, Grizzly and Rock Isle high-alpine lakes.

At Sunshine Meadows, wander, walk, and explore your choice of six hiking trails, stroll amongst blooming, colourful wildflowers in late July and early August, or experience the vibrant gold hues of the famous Larch trees in September. Then kick back for lunch, a cold drink and mountain hospitality at Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse.

Sunshine Meadows open daily June 24th, 2022.

Summer activities at Banff Sunshine, Banff National Park.
Photo courtesy of Banff Susnhine.

Ready for a bucket-list-worthy adventure?

To book these summer adventures and more, stop by the local experts at SkiBig3 Adventure Hub, centrally located downtown at 114 Banff Avenue, or online at SkiBig3.com/summer.

While summer in Banff National Park is a must-do—so is winter! With three unique ski resorts to explore, it won’t be long before you feel the call of the Canadian Rockies’ famous powder snow.

To help you find the best ski vacation packages for your taste, style and budget, our friendly Reservations Team is always happy to share their local knowledge and experience. Check out our featured vacation packages or call us on 1-844-754-2443: our based-in-Banff experts are here to help!

 

SkiBig3 Adventure Hub in Banff, Banff National Park.
Photo by Will Lambert.

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