Many activities are available in Kananaskis country, both summer and winter. It includes an ATV area for ATV users, cross country and downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, backcountry camping, day hiking, canoeing, fishing, and golf.
Excellent cross country skiing is also available within the region. It is also close to the Canmore Nordic Centre, home of the cross-country events in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Refer to the [http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/kananaskis/General_Information.asp Alberta Government website - Kananaskis information] for more details. Cross country and snow shoe trails are maintained by the parks staff. Both classic and skate skiing trails are set at Mount Shark Trails area.
Kananaskis is is also renown for its top-notch biking, hiking and equestrian trails. Some of Canada's best mountain bikers train at the Canmore Nordic Centre. With over 70km of trails, there's something for everyone. Kananaskis is chock full of mountain biking trails, if you're considering coming here to ride, then a copy of <I>Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies</I> by Doug Eastcott, (ISBN: 0-921102-69-0) is essential. There are trails for every skill level just waiting to be ridden. Being that this is a sub-alpine region, trails usually don't dry out from the Winter until mid to late May. Consult with the locals before attempting any trails around or before this date.
Kananaskis also contains many streams, rivers, and several lakes, for the fishing enthusiast. Wildlife is abundant, with lots of mountain sheep, elk, moose, deer, bear, etc. If you come in late June or early July you will be amazed at the variety of wildflowers and songbirds making their home in the area.
At http://www.albertaskananaskis.com you will find all kinds of summer ( and winter ) activities to do in the park including horse back riding, rafting, hiking, biking, birding and wildlife watching. The golf course is on Highway 40 which is the busiest area for visitors to the parks in Kananaskis. There is a very good information center on Highway 40 near the entrance to the Park. On the Smith Dorrien side of Kananaskis, closer to the Banff National Park, wildlife, especially moose, can often be viewed especially around the corner of Shark Road near Mount Engadine Lodge. It is the remote, less travelled area in Kananaskis and on a well maintained gravel road.
Places to eat in the park are concentrated in the Village area of the Park. There are dining rooms, cafeterias, bistros and bars. Other places to eat include at Boundary Ranch and the Golf course on Highway 40. Mount Engadine Lodge offers evening dining and weekend afternoon teas when they are open ( usually between June 15 and Oct 15 and Dec 15 to Easter). The gas station on Highway 40 has quick microwave meals and there is a cafeteria at Bolton Creek in the summer months.
There are many camp sites in Kananaskis country. Only one is fully serviced, and reservations are required. Hotels can be found in the Kananaskis town site as well as at the Dead Man Flats area. Kananaskis is a reasonable (and frequent) day trip from Calgary, depending on activity. If staying in Calgary but travelling to Kananaskis, choose a hotel in the west side of the city, preferably near 16th Avenue North (such as the ones in "Motel Village") or near Glenmore Trail or Highway 22x in the south, rather than one near the airport or downtown. If you want a backcountry lodge experience, Mount Engadine Lodge http://www.mountengadine.com is situated on the Smith Dorrien - Spray Valley Road about 35 km south of Canmore. You can drive to it on a well maintained gravel road. It is small, 9 rooms that have been recently renovated, and overnight accommodation includes all meals.
Canmore is the nearest community of size, at least a half hour drive from the turnoff to Kananaskis on the Trans Canada Highway. Travelling from the Village area it is a about an hour to Banff, 45 minutes to Canmore or Calgary using the Trans Canada Highway. Many visitors to the Park do the Kananaskis loop which includes driving on the Smith Dorrien-Spray Road (gravel). A round trip from Canmore through the park and out of the park on highway 40 would take 2-3 hours with stops. Banff is another further 20 minutes to a half hour from the Canmore area, but a must see.