Experience the thrill of riding hills so steep in the Canadian Rockies that, if it weren’t for your seatbelt, you’d be performing a Superman stunt out the front windshield. Be wowed by the off-road vehicles’ handling capabilities on banked corners and tilted roads. Splash through mud puddles that toss waves high over your head. Although Canmore and Banff are immediately surrounded by protected National and Provincial parklands, a one or two-hour drive to the east or west will take you to undeveloped areas where off-roading is permitted.

While they’re having fun, respected tour operators share a keen interest in their wild and natural mountain surroundings. Explore the Beaverfoot River’s rugged terrain west of Yoho National Park or the Toby Creek area near Invermere, B.C. with experienced guides who’ll hand out binoculars and tips for spotting wildlife including deer, eagles and bears. Marvel at marshlands, rushing glacier-fed creeks and rivers, cascading waterfalls, wildflowers, fragrant spruce forests and panoramic views of untouched Rockies peaks that stretch for miles. Better yet, climb to a mountaintop reaching 2,745 metres (9,000 feet) above sea level and discover silver mine ruins along the way.

Tour options range from $39 per person for a one-hour trip to $209 for a full-day outing that includes dinner at a rustic mountain lodge. Most tours include lunch, snacks and beverages as well as binoculars, weatherproof outerwear, helmets and experienced, enthusiastic guides. Most can also accommodate pick-ups and drop-offs in Banff or Canmore. While predominately a summer activity, some tours are available year-round. Many tour companies will plan a custom tour based on your interests and schedule. Indulge in the luxury of a Hummer or bounce along on rugged dirt trails as you pilot your own ATV. Either way the vast and wild surroundings of Western Canada’s mountains will intoxicate.