Nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains just one hour and thirty minutes from downtown Calgary , Banff National Park offers outdoor activities while the town of Banff is a tourist hub for eating , drinking , museums and art galleries . banffnationalpark . com

Glacier Skywalk

Via Ferrata

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a sight to behold , filling your vision with snow-capped mountains , forests , glaciers , jewel-toned lakes , caves and waterfalls . Home to two national parks ( Banff and Jasper ) and tourist favourites Lake Louise , Kananaskis and Canmore , no matter where you visit you ’ ll find plenty of outdoor activities all year . Take your pick from rock climbing , mountain biking , golfing , hiking , skating , horseback riding , paddleboarding , crosscountry and downhill skiing , snowboarding and snowshoeing .

You may have to convince people that your photographs of Maligne Lake in Jasper

( maligneadventures . com ) and Moraine Lake in Banff ( banfflakelouise . com ) aren ’ t photoshopped — the water really is that vivid shade of turquoise ! In the summer , silt from the glaciers ( called rock flour ) turns the lakes an incredible bright blue that can ’ t be missed , but the views are amazing year-round . The best way to see Maligne Lake is on a boat tour , though adventurous types can canoe or hike to it . Moraine Lake is accessible by vehicle or hiking .

Walking on an icy glacier is a unique , one-of-a-kind experience . On a tour of the Columbia Icefields , you travel in a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on the Athabasca Glacier and breathe in the frozen air . Afterwards , get a bird ’ s-eye view from the Glacier Skywalk ( banffjaspercollection . com ), a glass-floored observation platform located 280 metres ( 919 feet ) above a glacier valley and sparkling waterfalls . Walk along the frosty floor of a mystical canyon and see beautiful frozen waterfalls on a tour of Maligne Canyon in Jasper in the winter ( maligneadventures . com ).

If you prefer to relax while seeing the sights , climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train ( rockymountaineer . com ) for stunning views in the Rocky Mountains that can only be accessed by train . Or , take a leisurely 10-minute ride up Mount Norquay ( banffnorquay . com ) on a chairlift and enjoy beautiful views of Banff , Mount Rundle and Bow River Valley . The enclosed Banff Gondola ( banffjaspercollection . com ) takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain with heart-pumping views of Banff National Park along the way .

For those who want to tackle a mountain climb but lack the experience , try the Via Ferrata ( summer . banffnorquay . com ) climb . A series of cables , steps , ladders , ropes , and bridges will help you scale the sides of Mount Norquay — and you don ’ t have to be an experienced mountain climber to do so ! Even with no climbing experience , the provided equipment and guide will enable you to ascend the mountain trail .

The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies , Jasper National Park consists of jawdropping views ( don ’ t forget your camera !), from rugged mountains and forests to crystalclear rivers and peaceful valleys . The town of Jasper is a quiet , charming place with a relaxed attitude . jasper . travel

This largely untouched , pristine backcountry of Kananaskis Country is world famous and is made up of areas for outdoor recreation including Bow Valley , Bragg Creek and Peter Lougheed provincial parks . kananaskis . com

Lake Louise is a mountain resort town and is a perfect destination for winter recreation enthusiasts as it boasts one of the largest ski resorts in North America . banfflakelouise . com

Moraine Lake

Athabasca Glacier , Columbia Icefield

PHOTOGRAPHS : ( CLOCKWISE FROM TOP ) BREWSTER TRAVEL CANADA , COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA ; KATIE GOLDIE , COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA ; SEAN THONSON , COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA ; COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA

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