What to do in Improvement District No. 9

Banff National Park is a dream come true for anyone who loves the outdoors, adventure sports and the sheer grandeur of the Rockies. Winter sees the arrival of the skiing season, while massively different hiking experiences can be found during snow-covered winter and verdant summertime. You can also experience the thrill of descending the mountain rapids, or follow thrilling forest trails on a mountain bike.

The area around Moraine Lake is so picturesque, it demands to be photographed! Allow plenty of time to absorb the majesty of the place, and make sure to take plenty of pictures. With rugged snowy pinnacles in the distance and pure mountain water surrounded by local larch trees, this is an excellent place for hiking, and there are also canoes available for rent. However, its situation high in the Rocky Mountains means that Moraine Lake is only accessible from June to September, as the road is blocked by snow for the rest of the year.

Take a trip on the Banff Gondola to enjoy the fantastic panoramic views afforded by its glass cabin. Six different mountain ranges can be seen from the many viewing platforms at the Summit Complex, as well as plunging valleys and the town of Banff itself. There are also restaurants and a gift shop on site. The complex rises 2,281 metres above sea level.

Upper Hot Springs is a thermal pool within the gorgeous landscapes of Banff National Park. Come here to relax in the geothermally heated and bubbling mineral water that flows from the Earth’s crust through the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault. Marvel at panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains as the therapeutic water cleanses and soothes your body. Have a scenic picnic or eat at the café at Upper Hot Springs.

Find adventure sports, breathtaking mountain scenery and wildlife at Lake Louise Ski Resort. Ski on challenging trails, enjoy a scenic gondola ride or hike through forests seeking wildlife. The resort is within Banff National Park, part of the Canadian Rockies. It offers over 4,200 acres (1,670 hectares) of skiable terrain, exquisite dining and lively après-ski entertainment.

Sunshine Village is one of only three ski resorts in Banff National Park. It stretches across 1,335 hectares of snow-covered mountainside, and has 12 ski lifts busily running throughout the season, from the start of November until late May. As one season ends, another begins, with tramping very popular in the area from June until October.

Visit the hugely popular Lake Minnewanka for the best in outdoor life, from hiking to fishing, scuba diving to boating, or just a quiet picnic along the shoreline. It's also just a short drive from Banff, five kilometres away.