Skip to main content

10 Canadian destinations thrill seekers can’t miss, according to a new study

Banff takes the top spot as the best Canadian city for adventure-seekers.

By Amanda Teague Published November 8, 2024

Hiker in Banff — Pixabay

For those seeking a rush of adrenaline, Canada offers some of the best spots for thrill-seekers. According to a new study by CanadaCasino.ca, which analyzed data on adrenaline sports, challenging trails, and activity searches, the top Canadian destinations for adventure are ready to test your limits.

Crowned as the top Canadian city for thrill-seekers, Banff boasts 92.4% of its hiking trails ranked as moderate or difficult, the highest in the study. With 29.3 adrenaline-pumping attractions per capita, from rock climbing to skiing, it’s the perfect place for outdoor adventurers.

Recommended Videos

Close behind, Whistler offers the largest number of adrenaline attractions per capita (42.5) and the highest search volume for thrill-seeking activities at 924.6 per capita. Just south of Whistler, Vancouver ranks third, with an impressive 1,900 monthly searches for “snowboarding.” The city features 366 challenging hiking trails and a record-breaking 95 difficult bike trails, promising excitement for any adventure seeker.

The company also completed a broader study, analyzing global destinations. While Banff, Whistler, and Vancouver lead in Canada, the global top spot for thrill-seekers went to Interlaken, Switzerland, known for its challenging trails. Los Angeles and London ranked second and third worldwide. The most popular searches in Los Angeles are “snowboarding” and “rock climbing,” while Londoners mostly searched for “paragliding.”

The full list of thrill-seeking destinations in Canada

Whistler Blackcomb panoramic photo — ArtTower / Pixabay

These are the top ten Canadian destinations for risk takers, according to the study.

Banff
Whistler
Vancouver
Kelowna
Squamish
Victoria
Ottawa
Kamloops
Whitehorse
Halifax

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…

Topics

Destinations

Travel

The Palouse: America’s Most Underrated Scenic Drive

Waterfalls, barns, and the wide open spaces the West is known for. All at the tip of your fingers in the Pacific Northwest

Field, Grassland, Nature

When Americans talk about spectacular landscapes, they usually mention the obvious headliners: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Rocky Mountains, or the dramatic coastlines of California and Oregon. Far fewer people have heard of the Palouse, a remarkable agricultural region straddling eastern Washington and western Idaho.

That is a shame because the Palouse is one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in North America—and one of the most rewarding road trips you can take in the Pacific Northwest. I have visited this area several times, both as a destination in its own right and on my way through to the Idaho Panhandle.

Travel

Inside Gordon Ramsay’s spectacular new London restaurant in the sky

From skyline views to Gordon's famous fried chicken, Lucky Cat delivers on every level

City, Urban, Metropolis

I'm not saying Gordon Ramsay is the reason I booked a dinner reservation in London.

But after my partner and I binged Being Gordon Ramsay on Netflix earlier this year, visiting Lucky Cat suddenly shot to the top of our list.

Travel

London has no shortage of rooftop bars. Florattica still stands out

This East London rooftop bar proves you don't need to be 50 floors up to impress

Bar, Person, Candle

London does not need another rooftop bar. The city has them stacked on top of skyscrapers, tucked behind hotel lobbies, and squeezed onto buildings where you'd swear there isn't room for a bar, let alone a view. So when a new one claims to be worth your evening, it has some convincing to do.

Florattica, perched on the 11th floor of Canopy by Hilton London City, did the convincing. It just recently picked up its first PIN from The Pinnacle Guide, and after a night spent working through its cocktail menu (slowly, responsibly, mostly), it's easy to see why.