Ice climb on the park's waterfalls during the winter months. You'll find hundreds of different climbing options in Banff and neighboring national parks, but you must be prepared for potential avalanches. If you don't have experience with ice climbing or avalanche skills, take a class or hire a guide to teach you.
Bird watch throughout the year to see some of the 260 plus species that live in or migrate through the park. The lower Bow Valley tends to have the most birds and the best time to look for them is between sunrise and late morning. Banff Townsite, Cave and Basin marsh and Vermillion Lake also tend to be good birding sites.
Hike on one of the park's many miles of trails. The trails vary in length and difficulty so you'll want to talk to park rangers about which ones may match your available time and ability. Try the Icefields Parkway trail for either a half or full day hike.
Drive along the park's scenic roads including the Icefields Parkway and the Trans-Canada Highway. You'll pass by glaciers, alpine lakes and valley meadows. You'll need a park pass to take the drives and be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site to learn about the history of Canada's park system. At the site, you'll find an open air mineral pool, a replica of the 1887 bathhouse and hot springs. Tour the facility and see the various exhibits about the park's history.
Watch for wildlife, including bears, moose, bighorn sheep, wolverines and wolves. You may find bighorn sheep and mountain goats along the mountain slopes while moose often prefer swamps and other wetlands. Check with park rangers about the best places to view wildlife or pick a quiet spot to sit and see what comes near.
Soak in the hot springs year round. The Upper Hot Springs are located just south of the town of Banff. You must pay a fee in order to enjoy the water and you can also purchase various spa treatments while you're there.
