Top Alberta Extreme Sports

Paddle through the dramatic Athabasca Canyon on a half-day whitewater rafting adventure from Jasper that takes on fun, family-friendly Class 2+ rapids. You’ll put in at the base of Athabasca Falls, then paddle a 7.5-mile (12-km) stretch of river with a certified river guide. This 3.5-hour rafting excursion includes all equipment and transport from downtown Jasper, and both morning and afternoon departures are available.

Experience the excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure on this guided, 2-hour excursion. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure time, then ride along Alberta, Canada's Athabasca River in Jasper National Park. This ‘Mile 5’ trip is the river’s most popular, challenging Grade 2 rapids. The driver/guide will be taking photos along the way which will be available for purchase at the end of the trip. All the necessary rafting equipment plus an Alberta hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Jasper’s Sunwapta River is a stretch of grade III rapids, where challenging twists and turns and spectacular scenery come as standard. On this tour, spin along the Icefields Parkway road and admire sweeping views over the famous Rocky Mountains. Tackle the swirling white-water currents with your guide, and watch the riverbanks for sightings of native wildlife living within the Jasper National Park.

Discover the awe-inspiring mountain scenery and massive glaciers of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain region on this full-day Banff glacier tour to the Columbia Icefields. As you follow one of the world’s most famous mountain drives, the Icefield Parkway, you’ll stop at stunning Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake before the tour culminates in an all-terrain ride on the Ice Explorer through the amazing Columbia Icefields. This day trip includes roundtrip transport from multiple locations in Banff, a knowledgeable guide and buffet lunch.

Head to Kicking Horse River for a thrilling whitewater rafting experience in the Canadian Rockies. Known for its waves and rapids, Kicking Horse offers mild to wild whitewater options. After being outfitted with top-of-the-line gear, you’ll receive a safety briefing before hitting the water where you’ll expertly maneuver past stunning scenery and through turbulent, challenging or gentle waves and rapids. Base amenities include heated indoor change rooms.

This educational and entertaining guided winter wildlife tour introduces you to the gorgeous natural beauty outside of Jasper. You'll learn about the history and geology of the area from the expert local guide, as your comfortable van gently rolls through the incredible nature scenes. Don't forget your camera to capture the wildlife and scenic beauty of the Athabasca Valley, Maligne Valley and Medicine Lake.

Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take in views of six different mountain ranges and nearby rivers aboard your state-of-the-art alpine transport, offering large windows and seating for four guests. Enjoy time exploring the ridge line boardwalk before returning back to town.

In the cool and quiet evening climate, Jasper’s wildlife comes out in force. Experience Jasper National Park at this special time of day on an evening wildlife tour led by an expert guide. Travel around the park with ease and visit seasonal spots inhabited by grizzly bears, mountain goats, pocket-sized squirrels, and more. This small-group tour, limited to 15 people, includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Saddle up and head out on the Rocky Mountain trails in Banff National Park. Explore the area by horseback with your cowboy guide to see the area in a way you can only experience from on the back of a horse. With a guide in the lead and a guide bringing up the rear, your ride will be a safe, fun adventure in the wilderness.  

Jasper National Park is an amazing place to experience nature in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Let a guide take you through some of the best spots for lake and mountain vistas, beside a waterfall, and on a lakeside hike on a forest path. This tour will take you to Maligne Canyon and its mountain waterfalls, disappearing Medicine Lake, and on an interpretive hike beside Maligne Lake.

Get up close and personal with the Athabasca Glacier on this small-group guided hike across rock, snow, and ice. Walk in the shadow of soaring peaks and discover the hidden wonders of the glacier as your guide shares stories about its history and geology. For those who want to take it to the next level, your guide will look for opportunities to descend below the ice surface.

Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes and majestic canyons. Check out Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, and Maligne Lake during your trip, keeping your eyes out for area wildlife and learning about the unique natural history (and more recent human settlement) of the Canadian Rockies. Over the course of the day, you also get to enjoy short walks through the beautiful scenery, and choose between a boat ride or guided hike at Maligne Lake. Your Maligne Valley trip also includes round-trip transport from your Jasper hotel.

Take your visit to Jasper National Park to new heights with this ride aboard the area’s famous Jasper SkyTram. Soar above the park’s sub-alpine vegetation, watching for wildlife down below, as you gently climb towards the upper station located at 7,425 feet (2,263m) above sea level. This family-friendly ride on the Jasper SkyTram is the perfect experience for guests of all ages.

Discover one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking trails at night, without the fear of getting lost, during this small-group tour. Equipped with a headlight, explore Johnston Canyon with a guide leading the way, and marvel at shimmering frozen waterfalls and hike along a suspended catwalk. Then, take a break to warm up mid-route with hot chocolate and maple cookies.

No roads lead to the parts of the river you will travel on this expedition. Raft the white water on the Athabasca River through places you can only reach by boat. This guided tour takes you through two exciting sets of rapids (wear your bathing suit!) linked by a serene stretch through the canyon. Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery only paddlers and wildlife get to witness.

Jasper National Park is an amazing place to experience nature, and a gentle adventure on the Athabasca River is a great way to do it. This small group float trip takes you down several miles on the Class II rapids—that means you can expect a few splashes along the way, but nothing too scary. Your guide regales you with stories of the area and its inhabitants as you go.

Get a little wet and have a lot of fun on the Athabasca River. Travel with your small group to the put in point and raft the Mile 5 section of the glacier-fed river. This section of river is a great introduction to river rafting as it begins with an approximately 10-minute float before the class II rapids start. Experience the gentle thrill of some bumps and splashes on your roughly two-hour excursion.

Tackle Rat’s Nest Cave, located near Canmore, Alberta, on this all-day adventure tour. After being outfitted with your gear, head out on a short hike up to the cave. Along the way, learn how caves are formed and the geologic history of the area, plus possibly spot bighorn sheep. Once at the cave, rappel down 59 feet (18 meters) and begin navigating the route, which includes some challenging sections that involve climbing, crawling, squeezing, and sliding through the cave. At the end, reach the grotto with its crystal-clear pool and stalactites and stalagmites.

Get ready for Jasper’s only class 3 rapids on the Sunwapta River. Be prepared: you’re going to get wet. Wear your bathing suit under your wetsuit and bring a towel and your sense of adventure. If you have your own wheels, you can save a bit by meeting the guides at the river instead of paying for the shuttle from the Jasper townsite.

Take on the Class II and Class III white-water rapids of the Sunwapta River with a 4-hour rafting adventure from Jasper, following the dramatic Endless Chain Ridge through Jasper National Park. You’ll paddle alongside an experienced river guide, splashing over an 8-mile (13-km) stretch of fun rapids. This 4-hour whitewater rafting trip includes all necessary equipment and instruction, as well as round-trip transport from a central location in Jasper.

Keep an eye out for wildlife and spawning salmon on this exhilarating ride down Jasper's mighty Fraser River. The Canadian Rockies scenery is awe-inspiring on this heart-pumping, whitewater rafting tour down Class 3 rapids.

Bring the whole family along on this moderately challenging—yet totally fun—river rafting excursion down the Athabasca Valley in Jasper National Park. Join a guide in an 8-person raft for a multi-rapid run down the Athabasca River Canyon for a trip challenging enough to be counted as an adventure but relaxing enough for you to enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery along the way.

The summer tourist season winds down into the autumn shoulder season. By September, Banff National Park starts its quiet descent into cooler temperatures from its warmest summer highs. Fall here starts in mid-September, both officially and unofficially. Along with the cooler weather, September also brings with its the changing of colors. Fall is an incredible time to visit park, and there are so many advantages to coming at this time of year. The scenery is more magical than in summer and if you’re lucky enough to visit when the Larch Trees have turned golden you will be in for a treat. Unlike during winter and spring, the famous glacial lakes of Banff National Park won’t be frozen. In autumn, you’ll experience some of the top places to visit in Banff at their best. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake will all be at full technicolor glory.

Traverse the wilderness of western Alberta on this full-day Jasper to Banff one-way tour. Travel the famous Icefields Parkway with your guide and learn of the region’s colorful past. Discover top attractions including Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Weeping Wall. Take part in the Glacier Adventure tour on the Athabasca Glacier or ride the Glacier SkyWalk over Sunwapta Valley. Gain insight into Alberta’s geology at the Columbia Icefield Centre. Take a short walk to a scenic viewpoint for panoramic views, then conclude your tour in Banff.