Raft Banff

Golf Canada's West

Canada Golf

Extreme Adventures in Canada’s National Parks

Posted on by Billy Banff

Canada’s National Park Extreme Activities

Because the mandate of Canada’s national parks is to preserve and protect the parks for all to see, it is no surprise that anyone in search of extreme adventures will often have to venture outside of the main parks. The few that are licensed to operate within the park such as climbing guides and dogsled operators have to operate within strict park guidelines or risk losing their licenses. Here are a few guidelines to help you in your search.

Bobsleigh

If you have watched Cool Runnings so many times that you think it is time you tried to bobsleigh, then Banff might be the right place for you to give it a try. In winter, visit Calgary to plunge down Canada Olympic Park’s Olympic bobsleigh at speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). The trip takes all of 60 seconds but when going around the corners at obscene speeds, it can really feel like a lot more! An experienced driver brings you down so at least you don’t have to drive.

Caving

In Canmore, Alberta area (just east of Banff National Park’s boundary), you can experience guided caving in a “wild cave”–one without lights or handrails. Expect to do some crawling and squeezing.

Dog Sledding

Finally a dog that can bring you for a walk instead of the other way around, albeit in some of the most extreme surroundings the world has to offer. With a pedigree that goes back well before European settlement, dog sledding is probably the oldest winter recreation in Canada. It’s one of the most different ways to experience the mountains in the cold season. Depending on what sort of a trip you are after, you can enjoy it as a passenger or lead a team of dogs yourself. To be even more adventurous, have a look at some of the tour operators that offer moonlight runs and overnight trips. Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tours and Banff Travel Dog Sled Tours are two of the bigger names or go toLake Louise DogsleddingBanff Dog Sledding for more info.

Downhill Mountain Biking

Canada Olympic ParkBanff BikingIn winter, it is a fantastic ski hill but when the snow melts, it offers extreme mountain biking in the summer. The mountain biking season opens in mid-May.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Banff Biking near Golden, British Columbia, also offers mountain biking using its ski lift.

Heli-hiking, Heli-skiing, Helicopter Tours

Heli-hiking is an exhilarating way of seeing the Rockies. Recreational and tourism flights are not permitted in the national parks, but helicopters do have access to mountain areas outside the park boundaries.

Banff Heli-Hiking has a full list of companies that you can choose from to see the stunning scenery and with a little luck some of the rarer animals too.

Off-Road Vehicles (ATVs, Snowmobiles)

An awesome option for any season. Whether it be with snow mobile or four wheel drive, feel the power of being behind the wheels of such powerful machines. Banff ATV Tours, Toby Creek Adventures and Banff Travel ATV tours are some of the most popular companies.

Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Ice Climbing, and Caving.

There are few better ways to see the hidden gems that The Rockies have to offer than by climbing to its highest peaks. If you are experienced, it is possible to organise your own trip through the park. For those just looking for a little bit of adventure, your needs are catered to also. Check Canmore Hikes for more details.

A guided icewalk on the Athabasca Glacier, halfway between Jasper and Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) is also a very unique opportunity.

Water Sports (Rafting, Kayaking, Jet Boats)

Maligne Rafting Adventures has more trips and variety than any of the other White Water Rafting Businesses thus making it the largest.

Kootenay River Runner is the most experienced and also has a delicious BBQ lunch to break up the day if your stomach can handle it.

Wild Water Adventures is based out of Lake Louise and Banff. Wild Water Adventures has carefully researched choices of runs to suit the needs of different passengers.

Wet’n’Wild Adventures offers white-water rafting and jet boat tours on the Kicking Horse River near Golden, B.C.

There are many more to choose from, here is a full list.

You Also Might Be Interested In:

  1. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

    Mountaineering and Backcountry Skiing in the Canadian Rockies If you’re looking for the best rock climbing programs in the Canadian Rockies, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures should be your first choice! They are the premier provider of mountaineering, avalanche training, ice climbing, trekking experiences, rock climbing and backcountry skiing.  The Canadian Rockies offers world class training for beginner to advanced climbers.......

  2. Rafting Jasper National Park

    Rafting Jasper National Park Scenery, wildlife, friendly people, raging water, family friendly, adrenalin pumping – welcome to white water rafting in the Canadian Rockies! Regardless of what kind of trip on the water you want when in Jasper National Park, Jasper Raft Tours has you covered. They don’t come much more experienced than this. Jasper......

  3. Awesome All Season Adventures Tours

    BANFF, ALBERTA, Canada – Banff National Park and the surrounding mountainous areas offer some of the most exhilarating natural scenery in North America. We believe our exciting Banff ATV tours are likely to be the highlight of your Banff, Alberta vacation as we will show you the Canadian Rockies like you’ve never seen them before.......

  4. The National Parks of Canada on a Budget – Prince Edward Island National Park

    The National Parks of Canada on a Budget About: Only 139,818 people call Prince Edward Island home. There is so much beauty to this little place that it is almost beyond description. Beyond its endless green hills, old-fashioned churches, and mussel farms are the clean, sandy beaches, rust-red cliffs, and giant shifting sand dunes of......

  5. The National Parks of Canada on a Budget

    Travel Canadian National Parks On A Budget We won’t go on about the giant economic meltdown as the media is flooded enough with depressing news as it is. The truth is everybody needs a holiday and maybe now is the perfect time to stretch your dollar as much as you possibly can. Why not venture......

2 thoughts on “Extreme Adventures in Canada’s National Parks”

  1. Pingback: Golden, British Columbia Activities at a Glance – Canadian Rockies – Banff National Park – Rockies.com
  2. Pingback: Banff Snow Mobiling | Canadian Rockies Vacations Guide - Banff National Park

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.