When we booked our trip to Banff and Jasper, we knew that we wanted to do some activities there. The more I researched about the things to do in Jasper and Banff with kids, the more I knew I had to do these:
- Banff Gondola
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Columbia Icefields
I found that the best way to cover all three of these activities was through Pursuit Collection’s Jasper Ultimate Explorer pass. Along with these attractions, Pursuit Collection also offers a number of other activities through Canmore, Calgary, Lake Louise and Golden. The combo package was also cheaper to purchase than purchasing these attractions separately. CLICK HERE for pricing for these combos and the options available. The best part is children under 5 are free!
If you have a few more days and would like to visit Yoho National Park for a day or two, make sure you check out our post to help you plan this trip.
Things to do in Jasper and Banff with kids:
Banff Gondola
We loved this entire experience of taking the gondola to the summit of a mountain. The girls enjoyed the flight up and down so much that they kept wanting to go back. Once at the top, there are different floors and view points throughout the area. One of the highlights was the bar located on the very top floor. It was windy and quite cold but there were electric fire pits at each table and the views were beyond breathtaking.
There is a restaurant as well and if you plan to eat here, make sure you reserve well in advance. We tried reserving for 2 weeks but were not able to find a table. You can also walk on the boardwalk to the Sulfur Mountain or sit on one of the many gorgeous patios that has fire pits to keep you nice and warm. There were performers and dancers as well and the girls were so excited to see a lady dancing that they quickly joined her and had a great time waving the scarves around.
Maligne Lake Cruise
This was one of the best cruises we have taken yet. This alpine lake looks right out of a postcard. I had to pinch myself to believe that this place actually existed!
Spirit Island can only be accessible by a cruise or a canoe. Spirit Island is nothing like anything you have seen before. We took the Maligne Lake Cruise and cruised 14 kms on the lake to witness the beautiful Spirit Island.
We got to get off the cruise and spend 20 minutes on Spirit island and the 20 minutes seemed nowhere close to enough. Our cruise guide was so knowledgeable; she shared some really valuable information on the history of the mountains surrounding it and the lake itself. Our guide also shared some information on how this lake was discovered years ago. Once on the shore, we enjoyed a light lunch at Waffle Hut – one of the two restaurants present there. If renting a canoe is on the agenda, get to the lake quite early to avoid long line ups. This cruise was definitely one of our favourite things to do in Jasper and Banff with kids.
Columbia Icefields
This was an adventure we will never forget. We reached a bit late and lost our spot on the bus but the staff were great and quickly got us reserved on the bus leaving within the next hour. The bus takes you to a spot where you are then transferred to an ice explorer truck, which is one giant bus/truck – I don’t even know what to call it! This giant truck will take you on the Athabasca glacier and you get to spend sometime there. You get an opportunity to try glacier water and if you are anything like me, make sure you take water bottles to fill with this water. It is so refreshing!
TIP: Make sure you take thick sweaters and/or jackets. It was 31 degrees that day but once you are on the glacier it can get quite cold and windy.
The giant truck transfers you back onto the regular bus that then takes you to the Skywalk. We were so excited to go on the skywalk – imagine walking on a glass floor? After our trip to the glacier, the girls were so exhausted. We decided to skip the skywalk and head back to the car where they could have a quick nap.
This stop is the perfect stop while driving on the Icefield’s Parkway. If you are planning to drive from Jasper to Banff, make sure you read our article on: Jasper to Banff: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide.
Each of these activities was beyond amazing and I would strongly recommend each one of them. If you have time, also check out the Lake Minnewanka Cruise – something I wanted to do but did not have enough time. You can click here to book through Pursuit Collection. They honestly have the best prices out there and the Jasper Ultimate Explorer pass was a winner for us!
If you are planning to visit Banff and Jasper but are worried about how expensive it is, Click Here! We visited during the peak season and have broken down where to save and where to splurge!
If you have any questions on things to do in Jasper and Banff with kids, make sure you comment below or reach out to us through DM on Instagram.
One Response