Lots of great recreational activities are available in Banff National Park, so don't just spend your vacation shopping the boutiques on Banff Avenue. Most day trips require little advance booking -- a day in advance is usually plenty -- and the easiest way to find a quick adventure is just to ask your hotel's concierge to set one up. Multiday rafting and horseback trips do require advance booking, because places are limited and keenly sought after. There are many more outfitters in Banff than the ones I list, but the offerings and prices below are typical of what's available.

A Bird's-Eye View--If you'd like to see the beautiful scenery of the Canadian Rockies from the air, contact Alpine Helicopters (tel. 403/678-4802; www.alpinehelicopter.com), which operates out of Canmore. This company's flights over the Rockies start at C$145 (US$104). Alpenglow Aviation (tel. 888/244-7117 or 250/344-7117; www.rockiesairtours.com), which offers a variety of flight-seeing trips starting at C$110 (US$79) per person.

Biking -- The most popular cycling adventure in the Canadian Rockies is the 287km (178-mile) trip between Banff and Jasper along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most magnificent mountain roads. If you're fit and ready for a high-elevation ride, but don't want to bother with the logistics yourself, consider signing on with a bike-touring outfitter. An Internet search will reveal dozens of tour operators; The Great Canadian Adventure Company (tel. 888/285-1676 or 780/414-1676; www.adventures.com), offers 6-day supported trips starting at C$995 (US$716).

If you'd prefer a self-guided tour, simply rent a bike in Banff or Lake Louise and peddle along the Bow Valley Parkway -- Highway 1A -- between Banff and Lake Louise, which makes an easy day trip for the average cyclist. Hardier types may want to challenge themselves with the longer Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. Most cyclists will need 3 days to make the trip; you can spend your nights at the numerous and charming hostels found along this amazing mountain road.

Fishing -- Banff Fishing Unlimited (tel. 403/762-4936; www.banff-fishing.com) offers a number of fly-fishing expeditions on the Bow River as well as lake fishing at Lake Minnewanka. All levels of anglers are accommodated, and packages include part- or whole-day trips.

Golf -- The Banff Springs Golf Course (tel. 403/762-6801) rolls out along the Bow River beneath towering mountain peaks. One of the most venerable courses in Canada, and one of the most expensive, it offers 27 holes of excellent golf. Although associated with the resort hotel, the course is open to the public. In high summer season, hotel guests and Canadian citizens pay C$160 (US$115) for 18 holes, while non-guests and non-Canadians pay C$195 (US$140).

Hiking -- One of the great virtues of Banff is that many of its most scenic areas are easily accessible by day hikes. The park has more than 80 maintained trails, ranging from interpretive nature strolls to long-distance expeditions (you'll need a permit if you're planning on camping in the backcountry). For a good listing of popular hikes, pick up the free Banff/Lake Louise Drives and Walks brochure from the national park information center at 224 Banff Avenue.

One of the best day hikes is up Johnston Canyon, 24km (15 miles) north of Banff on Highway 1A. This relatively easy hike up a limestone canyon passes seven waterfalls before reaching a series of jade-green springs known as the Inkpots. Part of the fun of this trail is the narrowness of the canyon -- the walls are more than 30m (99 ft.) high, but only 5m (16 ft.) across; the path skirts the cliff face, tunnels through walls, and winds across wooden footbridges for more than a mile. The waterfalls plunge down through the canyon, soaking hikers with spray; watch for black swifts diving in the mist. The hike through the canyon to Upper Falls takes 1 1/2 hours; all the way to the Inkpots will take at least 4 hours.

It's easy to strike out from Banff Townsite and find any number of satisfying short hikes. Setting off on foot can be as simple as following the paths along both sides of the Bow River. From the west end of the Bow River Bridge, trails lead east to Bow Falls, past the Banff Springs Hotel to the Upper Hot Springs. Another popular hike just beyond town is the Fenlands Trail, which begins past the train station and makes a loop through marshland wildlife habitat near the Vermillion Lakes.

Two longer trails leave from the Cave and Basin Centennial Centre. The Sundance Trail follows the Bow River for nearly 5km (3.1 miles) past beaver dams and wetlands, ending at the entrance to Sundance Canyon. Keen hikers can continue up the canyon another 2.5km (1.6 miles) to make a loop past Sundance Falls. The Marsh Loop winds 2.5km (1.6 miles) past the Bow River and marshy lakes.

If you'd prefer a guided hike, Parks Canada offers several hikes daily. Ask at the Banff Information Centre or check the chalkboard outside to find out what hiking options are available. Some walks are free, while others (like the popular evening Wildlife Research Walks) charge a small fee; both require preregistration. For information and preregistration, call tel. 403/762-9818.

Horseback Riding -- See Banff on horseback with Warner Guiding and Outfitting (tel. 800/661-8352 or 403/762-4551; www.horseback.com) multiday trail rides, which start at C$532 (US$383) for a 3-day lodge-to-lodge trip and peak at C$1,062 (US$765) for a 6-day backcountry tenting trip, explore some of the most remote areas of the park. Some rides climb up to backcountry lodges, which serve as base camps for further exploration; other trips involve a backcountry circuit, with lodging in tents. Shorter day rides are also offered from two stables near the townsite. A morning ride with brunch goes for C$73 (US$53).

Operating out of Lake Louise, Timberline Tours (tel. 888/858-3388 or 403/522-3743) offers day trips to some of the area's more prominent beauty sites, starting at C$45 (US$32) for 90 minutes of riding. Three- to 10-day pack trips are also offered.

Rafting & Canoeing -- Family float trips on the Bow River just below Banff are popular 1 1/2-hour diversions, available from Canadian Rockies Rafting Company (tel. 877/226-7625 or 403/678-6535; www.rafting.ca). Trips are C$42 (US$30) for adults and C$30 (US$22) for children ages 6 to 16, with free pickup at Banff and Canmore hotels. Longer, more challenging trips on area rivers are also available.

For serious white water, the closest option is the Kicking Horse River, past Lake Louise just over the Continental Divide near Field, British Columbia. Hydra River Guides (tel. 800/644-8888 or 403/762-4554; www.raftbanff.com) offers transport from Banff and Lake Louise, then a 3-hour run down the Kicking Horse through Grade IV rapids. Trips go for C$102 (US$73), which includes gear, lunch, and transport to and from your hotel or campsite.

Skiing -- Banff Park has three ski areas, which together have formed a partnership for booking and promotional purposes. For information on all of the following, contact Ski Banff/Lake Louise, Box 1085, Banff, AB T0l 0C0 (tel. 403/762-4561; www.skibanfflakelouise.com).

Banff Mount Norquay (tel. 403/762-4421) has twin runs just above the town of Banff. They cater to family skiing and offer day care, instruction, and night skiing. Rates start at C$49 (US$35) for adults.

Skiers must ski or take a gondola to the main lifts at Sunshine Village (tel. 403/762-6500) and the Sunshine Inn, a ski-in/ski-out hotel. Sunshine, located 15 minutes west of Banff off Highway 1, receives more snow than any ski area in the Canadian Rockies (more than 9m/30 ft. per year!). Sunshine boasts the fastest high-speed quad chairlifts in the world. Lift tickets here start at C$58 (US$42) for adults.

Lake Louise Ski Area (tel. 800/258-SNOW in North America, or 403/552-3555) is the largest in Canada, with 64km (40 miles) of trails. With 11 lifts, management guarantees no long lines on major lifts, or your money back! Rates are C$58 (US$42) for adults. Snowmaking machines keep the lifts running from November to early May.

A special lift pass for Banff Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise Ski Area allows skiers unlimited access to all three resorts (and free rides on shuttle buses between the ski areas). Passes for 3 days (minimum) cost C$186 (US$134) for adults and C$64 (US$46) for children 12 and under.