"The three-and-a-half-mile journey from Sentinel Pass to Larch Valley is the kind of hike you'll dream about years after returning home. Intrepid visitors leave from the Moraine Lake Lodge area, at an altitude of 6,190 feet, then climb a series of well-maintained switchbacks through a forest of Englemann spruce and alpine fir trees before hitting the spectacular views of the Valley of the 10 Peaks. The trail continues up through an alpine meadow, ultimately reaching the rocky heights of Sentinel Pass, the low point between Mount Temple and Pinnacle Mountain, at about 8,560 feet. One caveat: The last mile of the climb ascends through a talus slope and boulders, so only those comfortable with heights should do the pass."

"Nestled at the base of the Valley of the 10 Peaks, Moraine Lake boasts turquoise waters that change color throughout the day as sunlight refracts off the minuscule particles of glacier-ground rock suspended within. Though it has a B-list rating compared to Lake Louise’s A-list status, this spot is arguably the more spectacular of the two. It's located a little less than nine miles from the hamlet of Lake Louise. When you arrive, you can hike up to the Rockpile (clearly visible at the front of the lake) for the best vantage point, or spend a day exploring one of the neighboring valleys. Be forewarned: The parking lot often fills up by 10 a.m., so go early."

"The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest masses of ice south of the Arctic Circle, an otherworldly expanse straddling the Continental Divide. You can get on the ice in two ways: Take the Brewster tour company's Ice Explorer snow coach (a massive four-wheel-drive vehicle), or climb the toe of the glacier with Athabasca Glacier Icewalks, a company specializing in half-day and full-day strolls toward the perfect photo op. The trek over the ice is easy enough for most families to do, and the sensation of gliding on top of a glacier borders on the spiritual. Get lucky, and your guide will let you check out a glacier crevasse up close."

"This five-kilometer (3.1-mile) hike starts at Bow Lake, directly in front of the legendary, red-roofed Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. The turquoise waters and historic stone-and-log structure make for great photo ops before you even get on the trail. Then, the path winds around the lake before climbing across a series of moraines left behind as the Bow Glacier has receded—the lunar terrain will make you feel like you've landed on the moon! The trail eventually ends at the Bow Glacier Falls, dropping vertically from the rock face towering above. With only a 155-meter (510-feet) elevation gain, this hike offers an amazing payoff for little effort, though footing can be challenging on rocky sections with some loose rock."

"Stretching a formidable 27 miles, Jasper's Skyline Trail is a challenge for all but the most seasoned hikers. The journey is worth undertaking—nearly two-thirds of the route is above the tree line, which means you'll enjoy stunning panoramic views as the rule rather than the exception. The path runs from Maligne Lake back to the town of Jasper at the foot of Signal Mountain, traversing the Maligne Range mountains in the middle. There's a short window during which you can enjoy this trail, typically from late July until mid-September. The classic trip includes two nights of camping at Snowbowl and Tekarra campgrounds, but if you're pressed for time, hike like the locals: Many Jasperites choose to start early and finish late, conquering the entire length in a single day."

"Snow Shoe Adventure in Banff National Park When you enter Banff National Park, you are immediately struck by its vastness. In the winter, the mountains tower above with their snow-covered peaks and the snowy pines go on like an endless, seemingly impenetrable sea. During my visit to Lake Louise, we were lucky enough to have waist-deep powder, which meant one of the only ways to explore the park was by snowshoe. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers day and night snowshoe tours from its lakeside cabin, which is stocked with a variety of styles of old-school wooden snowshoes. Our group opted for modern versions since we wanted to hike up steep trails into the park. Our guide Mike set the pace, pointing out animal tracks of hare and squirrel along the way. Most people stroll around the lake in snowshoes but hiking up the mountain, cutting through the deep powder proved to be quite a workout. A little over an hour into our hike, we reached a clearing and Mike let us wind our own way down through the trees, gliding downhill in the powder. He even urged us to "huck" off jumps and land in the pillowy powder below. Throughout our two hours we didn't see another person. I love snowboarding on the big mountains, but there's something special about being alone in the middle of the park on a blue sky, powder day."

"The jewel of Jasper National Forest, Angel Glacier is a remnant of a retreating glacier on Mount Edith Cavell's north face. (The glacier's name is a reference to its white "wings" of ice.) Venture to the bottom and you'll find a small, jade-colored glacial pool called Cavell Pond, where icebergs bob serenely in the water, refusing to reveal the secrets they've witnessed over thousands of years. The hike from the parking lot itself is quite fascinating, as the paved trail takes you through a lunar, rocky moraine. This is an experience to be treasured: Given the rapid pace at which the world's glaciers are vanishing, there may no longer be an angel to see in the near future. By Chris Franek"

"Johnston Canyon You can see thousands of years of erosion in this narrow canyon, where Johnston Creek's clear waters cut through the soft limestone that make up the Canadian Rockies. The journey upstream follows a series of turbulent white waters cascading into emerald-green pools, all enclosed by colorful rock walls. The paved trail that takes you gently up leads to two sets of waterfalls: the aptly named Lower Falls at the 1.2-kilometer (0.7-mile) mark and the Upper Falls at 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles). Suitable even for those with a stroller in tow, the journey runs about 30 minutes to the Lower Falls and 45 minutes to the view of the Upper Falls. The easy access does translate to crowds at this beautiful spot, but you can still find solitude by hiking beyond the paved portion of the path to the meadow above the canyon, where the bubbling Ink Pots—some eight mineral springs—await at the 5.4-kilometer (3.6-mile) mark."

"It takes patience and good fortune to create a unique image in a place considered Canada’s second-most-photographed landscape. The Through the Lens Cruise on Maligne Lake gives amateur and professional shutterbugs such an opportunity. While in the boat, the onboard instructor talks technique and composition with aspiring photographers and challenges seasoned veterans to try new perspectives. Once the group arrives at Spirit Island, everyone spends an hour framing the perfect shot. The cruise experience hasn’t changed much since Jasper National Park pioneers Curly Philips and Fred Brewster set up shop at Maligne Lake in the 1920s."

"If you buy a souvenir magnet from Banff National Park, there's a 70 percent chance it'll feature an image from the Vermilion Lakes. (Yes, that's a made-up statistic—but you get the point: This spot is beautiful!) Located just under 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) from the town of Banff, the lakes are accessed via a roadway that is lined with gorgeous views and docks that jut into the lush wetlands. Behold the tranquil reflection of Mount Rundle on the surface of these bodies of water, then stick around until dusk to watch the sky change colors. If it's wintertime, stay even later and you may catch the aurora borealis during the darkest hours of the night."

"Rafting down the Athabasca River is a great way to take in Jasper's tranquil scenery—with the occasional face full of cold water to remind you to keep your eyes wide open! This river's rapids are just Class II in places, offering a float that's well-suited for families. Outfitters provide wet suits, bootees, and splash jackets, which means you'll be able to tough it out despite the water's frigid temperatures. For those craving a bit more excitement, longer trips down the Sunwapta River hit rapids of Class III and higher, and usually run three times a day. Check out the Jasper's Whitewater Rafting company or Jasper Raft Tours for details."

"Tunnel Mountain's trailhead is located right in downtown Banff, so you'll probably be able to set out on this hike directly from your hotel! This relatively easy trek allows you to conquer your first peak in the Canadian Rockies by climbing just 300 meters (950 feet) over 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles). The well-maintained path switchbacks gently through a forested area before reaching a rocky, open alpine slope. Gaining the rounded summit offers spectacular views of the north ridge of Mount Rundle, downtown Banff, and a panoramic stretch of the Bow Valley. The hike should take two to three hours up and back. (Notice any tunnels along the path that may account for the name? Nope. A railroad tunnel was proposed but never built, but the moniker stuck anyway.)"

"Including the travel time to get to the road from the Banff town center, the drive along the Lake Minnewanka Loop takes only about an hour, but the numerous stops and viewpoints along the way make this 24-kilometer (15-mile) side trip worth embarking on. Pull off at Two Jack Lake and the road's namesake, Lake Minnewanka, the largest body of water in Banff National Park. Views of Cascade Mountain along the way are spectacular, and wildlife sightings are common. Keen cyclists comfortable with traffic can also tackle the Lake Minnewanka Loop for a perfect, easy afternoon ride."

"Originating at Bow Lake, nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) up the Icefields Parkway from the town of Banff, the Bow River runs down the valley all the way to Calgary. Most journeys into the Canadian Rockies follow the Bow River upstream; it's what gave early explorers access to the area, so seeing the landscape from its turquoise waters is a fantastic way to embrace and understand the original treks into the mountains. Many rafting companies offer guided trips down different portions of the river, most of which take the form of a cruisy float. For details, check out outfitters like Rocky Mountain Raft Tours. If you are comfortable paddling on your own, canoe, kayak and stand-up-paddleboard rentals are available in downtown Banff, right by the river at the Banff Canoe Club."

"Hopefully the sun will shine brightly during your entire visit to Banff, but if you happen to be in search for activities as a storm passes through, the town has three museums worth checking out. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is impressive, especially considering that you'll find it in what is a small town and not one of Alberta 's major cities. Its permanent displays cover the history of the area, from its resident First Nations peoples to its development as a winter-sports destination. Temporary exhibitions additionally feature works by regional artists inspired by the Canadian Rockies. It also has an excellent gift shop selling pieces by local craftspeople as well as more-conventional souvenirs and books on the area."

"Cruising down Banff Avenue, you eventually stop looking in shop windows as the strip's souvenir stores all begin to blur together. At the far end of town, however, is a locally owned womens-wear boutique that is worth a visit. Cabin 108 carries trendy, reasonably priced clothing, shoes, and accessories, many of which are Canadian-designed. If you are on the hunt for a unique souvenir, check out the jewelry selection here: Pieces are often mountain-inspired or animal-themed, and you won’t find anything similar anywhere else in town."