Top 10 Summer Activities in Banff
Home to Amazing Activities, Banff National Park Knows How to Make the Most of Canada’s ‘Shortest’ Season.
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies – Banff National Park – sits our home, Fairmont Banff Springs. No strangers to Banff, we know all the best activities to do in summer. That’s why we’re here to help make your stay in the mountains even more amazing! With the help of our amazing Resort Activities team – who are the ultimate adventurer aficionados and know Banff National Park like nobody else – we’ve rounded up the best summer activities you can do in Banff from the Castle.
What to Pack to Wear in the Rockies
- Jacket – Summer in the Rockies is usually hot but sometimes a cool breeze in higher elevated areas might present itself. Packing a waterproof windbreaker will help you keep warm and dry if the weather changes on the dime
- Comfortable walking shoes/running shoes. We totally understand the need to look chic for those mountain Instagram photos but wear proper footwear, it could be the difference between an enjoyable mountain moment or a miserable one
- The necessities – sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Activities at the Hotel
Tunnel Mountain Hike
Join our experienced guide for a 4.5 kilometer (return) hike up iconic Tunnel Mountain. Take in extraordinary panoramic views of the Bow Valley and The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course at the summit from this classic trek. Allow two-and-a-half or three hours. (Difficulty: moderate. Elevation gain: 300 meters (948 feet).
Local Area & Hotel History Tour
Learn about the beginnings of Banff National Park and the Banff Springs Hotel. From it’s storied beginning as part of the rail expansion into western Canada to it’s status as a National Historic Site, this 30 minute tour is led by a Fairmont guide and will take you through a brief but fascinating history of the area.
Check out our Golf Course
Enjoy a leisurely walk down to The Fairmont Golf Course and enjoy all the entertainment you will find there. Grab a bucket of balls to practice your swing on the driving range, enjoy a beverage while you watch the action from our Stanley Smokehouse patio, or if you’re looking for more, our Wildlife Corridor Tour or Golf Course Golf Cart Tour allows you to explore the whole course (extra fees associated with these two tours, please speak to our Concierge Team to book).
Visit Our Resort Activity Centre
Our Resort Activities Centre, located on Mezzanine 1, is the hub for our resort activities including mountain bike rentals, lawn games, tennis, trivia nights and treasure hunts! Be sure to swing by.
Private Activities at the Hotel
The below are private activities that have fees associated with them. For pricing and to book, please email our concierge team who will be happy to assist.
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour
Take advantage of a hassle-free experience to enjoy the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies. During this experience, you will have private transportation to Lake Louise where we receive priority parking at our sister property of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Here you will get to enjoy the stunning views and iconic trails on a guided hike around the lake. Next, be shuttled to Moraine Lake where your guide will provide insight on their favourite stops and spots. At Moraine Lake you will have 45 minutes at your leisure to explore the breathtaking scenery.
Evening Vermillion Lake Bike Tour
Our Fairmont guide will take you on a private bike ride to one of the most picturesque areas in Banff National Park. Leaving from the hotel, you will bike along the Bow River and Vermilion Lakes, stopping along the way for you to take some beautiful photos and hear your guide talk about the area, mountains, and animals.
Uniquely Local Brewery Tour
Experience three of the Bow Valley’s finest craft beer breweries! Take in the amazing Rocky Mountain views as we transport you to and from our stops and listen to the stories that our guides share with you along the way. Driving first to the town of Canmore, where our first stop will be Grizzly Paw Brewery. Here you will enjoy a light lunch before moving on to Canmore Brewing Company. After finishing up in Canmore, we will head back to visit our third and final brewery, Three Bears in Banff. Must be 18+.
Activities Close to the Hotel
Ride The Banff Gondola
Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges. At the Banff Gondola, you’ll see more mountains in a moment than most see in a lifetime.
Take a Guided Float Trip
Board an oar-powered raft for a trip that follows the Bow River. This trip floats at a relaxing pace. This is not a whitewater trip – there are no big splashes or crashing waves and there are no rapids on this trip… so you won’t get wet (unless it rains!) Instead, this leisurely summer activity will have you soaking up the scenery.
Picnic by the Spray River
Grab some to-go gourmet food at STOCK Food & Drink in the main lobby and make your way up the Spray River Trail. This 30-minute loop will lead you to a quiet picnic area beside the Spray River with iconic views of the hotel.
