The splendour of Banff National Park is undeniable all year round, but there’s something magical about coming here when it’s transformed into a winter wonderland. Not only is there the opportunity to ski and snowboard some of the best powder on earth, you’ll also see larger-than-life snow sculptures, be able to watch a ridiculous sport called skijoring, and your taste buds will be delighted beyond measure.
The legendary Banff and Lake Louise and SnowDays awaits. With this 6 day itinerary, you’ll see how you can plan an adventure-filled trip that covers the best of Banff in winter.
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Banff in Winter 6 Day Itinerary
Winter is a magical time to visit Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta. Nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, this is a rare perfect mix of majestic mountain peaks, world-class ski resorts, unbounded adventure opportunities, culinary delights, and a vibrant town that knows how to celebrate the snowy season.
Contrary to popular belief, winter is one of the quietest times of the year to visit, making it low key, the best time to come to Banff. You’ll feel like you have the mountains all to yourselves, the streets are never packed, and there’s child-like wonder that oozes throughout.
Similar to our other travel itineraries such as the 10 days in Patagonia, 5 day Maui itinerary, and Richmond BC 4 day itinerary, we’ll jump straight into how to plan your own car-less 6 day Banff in winter itinerary.
Make sure to also visit Banff and Lake Louise’s trip planner tool, a handy tool that has trip ideas and produces a full-blown itinerary that can be shared and viewed online.
Why Visit During SnowDays
Hands down, the best times to visit Banff in the winter is during the SnowDays festival.
SnowDays is an annual festival in January that celebrates all things winter.
This is a completely free event that shines a light on what makes winter so much fun. In addition to the ambiance of string lights and twinkly snowflakes, you’ll find these scattered throughout Banff and Lake Louise:
- Snow sculptures
- Live entertainment
- SnowDays Play Zone
- Skijoring
SnowDays is the ultimate après, no matter what kind of adventures you’re up to during the day or throughout the week, and made for everyone including kids, or the kid inside.
The specific dates for SnowDays changes year to year but it’s usually on the third week of January and runs for 12 days.
Day 1 – Discovering SnowDays
Welcome to Banff in the winter! While there will be a bit of travel time to factor in, you will no doubt have the same type of reaction we had when we first arrived – “wow!”. When you’re on Banff Avenue, lined with historic architecture and the towering Cascade Mountain, it’s hard not to stop and stare.
TIP: Make sure you grab your National Park Pass before you leave the house so you don’t have the hassle of needing to visit the Banff Visitor Centre or at the park entrance gates. As everything you’re visiting on this itinerary is within Banff National Park, you will need to purchase a National Park Pass for the duration of your trip.
Most travellers arriving will be flying into Calgary International Airport (YYC). Since you’re still 2 hours away from Banff, catch a ride with Banff Airporter, a shuttle service that’ll take you straight to your hotel.
We opted to not get a car rental for this itinerary because of how there was a transportation solution for every segment of the trip. It’s a cheaper way to go and more importantly, it’s a more sustainable way to travel, and better for the environment.
Banff & Lake Louise has a helpful Getting Around guide especially for those that are thinking of going car-free.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stops: Calgary Airport (YYC), Canmore, and Banff
Price: These are subject to fuel surcharge (3.5%) and sales tax (5% on rate and fuel surcharge)
One-Way | Return | |
---|---|---|
Adult (18-64) | $77.99 | $155.98 |
Senior (65+) | $70.19 | $150.38 |
Child (6-17) | $38.99 | $77.99 |
Child under 5 | Free | Free |
Hours: Departures are available between these hours.
- Calgary to Banff – 10AM – 10:30PM
- Banff to Calgary – 5AM – 7:30PM
Website: Banff Airporter
Bus amenities:
- 24 seats.
- Seats have a pouch in front of each seat.
- Pull down foot rest.
- Leather seats with adjustable headrest.
- Above the seat are adjustable vents and overhead reading lights.
- Overhead storage for small bags such as small duffels and backpacks. This area will not fit a suitcase.
FAQ:
- How long does it take? The airport shuttle takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Banff.
- What if your flight is delayed? They’ll change your booking, free of charge.
- Can Banff Airporter drop off at a home address? Yes, if you’re staying with family/friend or renting a VRBO property, they will drop you off at the specified address.
- Does the shuttle go to Lake Louise? No, it does not.
- Can you use the shuttle without a reservation? Yes, you will be put on standby and if there are seats available, you’ll be able to get on.
- Are pets allowed on the shuttle? No, with the exception of service animals.
Tips:
- Reservations are highly recommended.
- At the airport, it’s mandatory to check-in at the desk prior to departure. They tag your bags and write down which hotel you’re staying at.
- The check-in counter is on the arrivals level between exit doors 5 and 6. Calgary Airport is one connected terminal but there may be a bit of walk. Banff Airporter has great videos that show you how to get there.
- Bus does not have a bathroom.
- When going from Banff to Calgary Airport, they also pick up directly from your hotel.
- The back row of their largest bus does not recline.
After settling in, make your way over to the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub on Banff Avenue, mere steps away from Mount Royal Hotel. This is where you’ll be picking up your ski or snowboard rental for those that didn’t bring their own.
Having a convenient rental shop in town, with gear suited for all skill levels, means that you don’t need to lug your gear from home. Simply drop by, get fitted, and they’ll even drop it off at your hotel if you want.
You’ll also be able to pick up your SkiBig3 Lift Tickets where one ticket gets you access to all three mountains – Lake Louise Ski Resort, Mount Norquay, and Banff Sunshine.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 114 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4
Hours: 8AM – 9PM
Website: SkiBig3 Adventure Hub
FAQ:
- Do any of the helmets have GoPro mounts? Yes, some mounts have mounts so you just need to ask. They are also okay with people adding mounts.
- Is damage protection insurance worth it? Damage protection ($4 per day) includes superficial damage, core shots, and essentially anything that can be repaired. You never know what might happen on the slopes so it’s worth having.
- Are lift tickets refundable? If you buy a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, they are fully refundable until 14 days prior to arrival.
- Can rentals be delivered to the hotel without fitting? No, fitting must be done at the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub.
- How does rental delivery work? If you get fitted at least 1 hour before the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub closes the day before your rental starts, they can deliver it to any hotel in Banff. That said, since Mount Royal Hotel is steps away from the shop, that is the only hotel that is excepted from this program.
Tips:
- For this particular itinerary, you’ll need a 2 day SkiBig3 Lift Ticket. Day 3 will require a separate tubing ticket at Mount Norquay.
- Rental reservations are recommended. This also gives you 15% savings compared to in-store (minimum 3-day advanced reservation).
- They do not rent goggles so you’ll need to buy one or bring your own from home.
- Jacket and pant rentals are available.
- The busiest time of the day is between 3-6PM so if you’re looking to get fitted, try to show up before or after.
- Download the SkiBig3 App on your smartphone. In addition to being able to reserve your rentals and buy your SkiBig3 Lift Tickets ahead of time, look for their “PROMO/COUPON” section where you can find deals on merchandise in-store and discounts to other businesses in town.
- The advantage of SkiBig3 Lift Tickets are that they give you the flexibility, saves you time, and gives you access to the ski shuttle. You aren’t locked into any specific mountains, each ticket gives you 2-2 extra days (called grace days) so you don’t have to ski/snowboard on continuous days.
- The SkiBig3 Lift Ticket also gives you access to tubing for free if you scanned into the mountain that same day for skiing or snowboarding.
- If you’re not renting gear but you’ve purchased a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, you can actually get them to delivery the tickets to your hotel so you don’t have to visit the Ski Big3 Adventure Hub.
- If you don’t want to return your rental by hand, you can request a pick up from your Banff hotel.
- The Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective work at SkiBig3 mountains.
After you’re done your fitting, you’ll bring your gear back to the hotel or you can have it delivered by SkiBig3.
The afternoon is open for you to explore Banff as you please. Get to know the town by exploring the main street of Banff Avenue, and also the popular street that runs parallel to it, Bear Street.
Drop by shops, boutiques, and enjoy the snow sculptures and the live performances on Bear Street. Don’t worry about seeing everything as you’ll have plenty of days to see them all.
For dinner, the start of your culinary adventure starts at Brazen which is conveniently located inside of the hotel you’re staying at. Inspired by the explorers and pioneers of Banff, they’re decorated in a chic mid-century modern style and deliver on bold tastes with smoke, lots of smoke.
From modern takes on classic cocktails such as Smokin’ Warden and Whisky Creek, to the beef tartare, smoked sticky ribs, ginger beef and crème brûlée dishes, fire and smoke are what really sets the food apart in their creativity, presentation, and taste.
Day 1 Summary
What you’ll see:
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Dinner – Brazen – Captivating presentation brings their bold style to life in their food and drinks at this must-try restaurant.
Where you’ll stay:
Day 2 – Lake Louise Ski Resort
Your day 2 is like being shot out of a cannon because this mountain that’s part of the SkiBig3 collection of resorts is big and epic. As you carve your way down, you’ll have an unbelievable cheek-to-cheek smile, that’ll be hard to rub off.
On top of Mount Royal Hotel being centrally located, the parking lot behind is also a pick up location for the SkiBig3 shuttles. After grabbing breakfast at Brazen or or one of the nearby cafes in town, grab your gear and hop on the bus heading up to Lake Louise Ski Resort.
You’ll have an unbelievable cheek-to-cheek smile, that’ll be hard to rub off.
With the rugged Rockies all around and looking directly at the legendary Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise across the valley, you can’t help but pinch yourself and ask “how is this possible?”.
Covering 4 mountain faces (front, larch, west bowl, and back bowls), there’s a ridiculous wealth of terrain to explore here whether you’re a beginner or advanced. From free-ride runs, forests to soar through, challenging steeps, open bowls, and more, there’s no shortage of exhilaration.
When you’re ready for a break, there are plenty of food options at the the base and on-mountain. For something unique for a ski resort, check out Kuma Yama which translates to ‘Bear on the Mountain’ in Japanese. They offer a mix of traditional and fusion sashimi, nigiri, rolls, ramen, and appetizers.
You’ll definitely get your ski or snowboarding legs back after this day and when you’re ready, take the SkiBig3 shuttle back into Banff.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0
Mountain stats: 11 lifts, 164 named runs, 4 mountain faces, 991 m (3250 ft) vertical rise, 2637 m (8650 ft) top elevation, longest run is 8 km (5 mi), and 4200 acres (1700 hectares) in area.
Terrain ability levels:
- Beginner – 25%
- Intermediate – 45%
- Advanced – 30%
Lift Hours: 9AM – 4PM daily
Tubing Hours: 10AM – 4PM daily
Passes: Full-day, half-day, and after 2PM tickets are available. SkiBig3 Lift Tickets are also available which give you access to ski shuttles, multi-resort access, hotel delivery for rentals, and discounts & perks.
Website: Lake Louise Ski Resort
Shuttle: Full shuttle schedule. This shuttle takes approximately 50 minutes. Shuttle is first-come-first-serve so it’s recommended to arrive at least 5 minutes before departure.
Tips:
- Just outside of Whiskey Jack Lodge are open metal racks where you’ll be able to leave your bags.
- Right off of the Glacier Express lift is a nice viewing platform that’s great for photos.
- Lake Louise Ski Resort has a tube park so if you have a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, and want to change things up during the day, you can visit for free.
- Lake Louise Ski Resort is the farthest of the SkiBig3 resorts so just remember it takes close to an hour to get there from Banff.
Once you’re back in town, drop off your gear at your hotel’s ski storage locker, and you can either hit the hot tub or continue your exploration of the town of Banff.
As part of SnowDays, remember that there are snow sculptures scattered throughout town, there’s Play Zone, and there’s live entertainment.
Cozy around the fire pits on Bear Street while listening to live music and then head to dinner at Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant.
You can’t go wrong with ordering their spicy shrimp bao buns, juicy smash burger, and elk and kale pizza, along with pints of their infusion beer and seasonal winter ale.
Along with good times, leave here with satisfied tummies.
Day 2 Summary
What you’ll see:
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Brazen – They offer a delicious brunch menu that has mix of healthy and indulgent items. If you’re a guest of Mount Royal Hotel, the breakfast package is free if you’re Pursuit Rewards members.
- Lunch – Kuma Yama – Japanese restaurant at the base of Lake Louise Ski Resort that serves an excellent mix of sushi, ramen, and appetizers.
- Dinner – Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant – Restobar with craft beer made in-house, renowned atmosphere, and great eats on Bear Street.
Where you’ll stay:
Best Weekend Trips from Calgary
You guessed it! Banff and Lake Louise made the list.
Day 3 – Mount Norquay and Fat Bikes
Letting your legs take a break doesn’t mean you can’t still hit the slopes. On day 3 of your Banff in winter itinerary, not only will you have the thrill of your life snow tubing, you’ll also get to pedal through more of the quintessential Canadian mountain town you haven’t seen yet.
After breakfast, take the SkiBig3 shuttle to the resort that’s closest to Banff – Mount Norquay. While not the largest, it’s the only one that offers night skiing, is incredibly close to town, and has the longest and fastest tube lanes in Alberta.
Situated by a separate parking lot that’s a little further up from the base of Mount Norquay is a rollercoaster on snow that’ll have you screaming from the top of your lungs.
Mount Norquay is a rollercoaster on snow.
With your tubing ticket on hand, you’ll be passed a red tube and take the magic carpet to the top. From here, you’ll have a choice of several lanes. You’ll soon learn that some are faster than others, and there’s one that actually loops back around.
If you’re with your significant other, family, or friends, you can also link up it different ways to amp up the excitement (or terror). Ask the snow tubing attendant for ideas, let them know how much spin you’d like, and off you go.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 2 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1B4
Mountain stats: 6 lifts, 60 named runs, 503 m (1650 ft) vertical rise, 2133 m (6998 ft) top elevation, and longest run is 1167 m (3828 ft), and 190 acres (77 hectares) in area.
Terrain ability levels:
- Beginner – 31%
- Intermediate – 25%
- Advanced – 44%
Lift Hours: 9AM – 4PM and night skiing 5PM – 9PM (Fri/Sat, January 6 – March 18, 2023)
Tubing Hours: Most up-to-date hours are on their online booking page.
- Morning: 10AM – 12:30PM (weekends, holidays and busier periods)
- Afternoon: 1:30PM – 4PM
- Night: 5PM – 7:30PM (Friday, Friday & Saturday from January 7 – March 18, 2023 and on holidays)
Passes: Full-day, afternoon, last hour, and magic carpet tickets are available. Tubing passes are also available for specific sessions (morning, afternoon, and night). For the flexibility of visiting multiple resorts, SkiBig3 Lift Tickets are available which give you access to all 3 including ski shuttles, hotel delivery for rentals, and discounts & perks.
Website: Mount Norquay
Shuttle: Full shuttle schedule. This shuttle takes approximately 15 minutes. Shuttle is first-come-first-serve so it’s recommended to arrive at least 5 minutes before departure. Note that the shuttle drops you off at the resort base so you’ll need o walk up on the snow to get to the Tube Lodge.
Tips:
- If you decide you want to ski or snowboard, you can get a 3 day SkiBig3 Lift Ticket instead. Again, note that if you use your ticket on this day, you’ll get free access to tubing.
- You can buy tickets for the tubing park at the Tube Lodge
- For the fastest lanes, make your way to the far left of the tube lanes.
- The tubing time slots are 2.5 hours which is quite long and most people don’t last that long. As a result, there are a lot less people near the end of the session than at the beginning.
- A helmet is not necessary for tubing but on windy and cold days, ski goggles are a good idea.
After taking the shuttle back to town, grab a lunch at a spot like Wild Flour Bakery which serves bakery items, soup and bread, and coffee.
In the afternoon, you’ll go on an exciting excursion around Banff in the hottest ride in town, either a fat bike or battery-powered e-fat bike, with locally-owned Bikescape.
With the help of the certified guide, you’ll learn how to operate your fat bike and before you know it, you’ll be riding to various viewpoints that you likely haven’t been able to make on foot.
A majority of the winter fat bike tour will take you around the Bow River Trail but there’ll also be few other surprises along the way. There’ll also be plenty of stops along the way for photos.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: (Bear Street Outfitters is the meeting point for tours) 203a Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1E3
Hours: Tours run Thursday – Sunday 1PM – 3PM (2 hour duration)
Cost: $139 + 5% GST per person
Website: Bikescape
FAQ:
- Does Bikescape do custom private or group tours? Yes, they do private tours.
- What equipment is provided for fat biking? Fat bike and helmet are provided by Bikescape.
- Will the fat bike slip on ice or snow? No, these are specialized fat bikes equipped with studs.
- Is fat biking experience required? Beyond standard bicycle experience, nothing else is needed.
- What is the difference between an e-fat bike and a regular fat bike? An e-fat bike has a battery and motor to assists in pedalling, making it quite effortless to ride on a variety of terrain. An analog fat bike has the same over-sized tires but all of the pedalling is done by the rider.
Tips:
- It can get cold in the winter so make sure you have a good pair of boots, gloves (ideally not mitts to have access to fingers), ski goggles or sunglasses, Buff, snow pants, and warm layers.
- If you have your own ski helmet that you prefer to wear, you are allowed to wear them for this excursion.
- Bring a backpack with water, room for layers in case it gets too warm, and snacks.
In the afternoon, you’ll have free time again to use the Mount Royal Hotel rooftop hot tubs, but one place we encourage you to check out during SnowDays is the Play Zone which is only open from Wednesday – Sunday.
Play Zone might seem like it’s just for kids but it’s honestly a fun area to be a kid. The activities available change year to year but expect to find opportunities to slide down hills, warm up around fire pits, try your hand at curling, go fat biking once more, and see more snow sculptures.
SnowDays Play Zone is honestly a fun area to be a kid.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 330 Banff Avenue, Banff High School Field
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 4PM – 8PM, Saturday – Sunday 12PM – 4PM during SnowDays
Cost: Free
Website: SnowDays Play Zone
Tips:
- A waiver is required when entering the Play Zone. You can fill it out at the welcome tent when you get there. Afterwards, you’ll receive a Play Zone lift-style ticket.
- Helmets are required for sliding hills for kids under 5. You can bring your own or you can rent them for free at the fat biking tent.
You’re in for a treat this evening with dinner at The Grizzly House. It isn’t easy to find a good fondue place in Canada, but of course, there’s one right in the heat of Banff.
With their complete fondue dinners, start off with their classic French onion soup, followed by a traditional Neuchâtel Swiss fondue with garlic and bread. For the main, you’ll be cooking your pick of surf, turf, and exotic meats on a hot stone. To close it off, you’ll be in heaven with bowls of fruit and wafer that can be dipped in a pot of silky smooth Toblerone chocolate.
We’d also be remiss to mention that this used to be a disco club. This is why each table has a phone where you can dial other tables. Let’s just say that this can lead to be a bit of crank calling fun.
Day 3 Summary
What you’ll see:
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Brazen – Lots of brunch items to choose here and is conveniently connected to the hotel.
- Lunch – Wild Flour Bakery – An artisan bakery cafe that’s perfect for a quick grab and go.
- Dinner – The Grizzly House – An awesome fondue restaurant that combines a traditional Swiss cheese and chocolate fondue experience with a sizzling hot rock to cook your mains.
Where you’ll stay:
Day 4 – Banff Sunshine Slopes and Snowshoes
The Continental Divide isn’t a well-known geographical term for North Americans but there’s a massive ridge of elevated terrain that separates the drainage that largely follows the Rocky Mountains. More simply, if you drop water on one side of the divide, it’ll flow to the Pacific Ocean, and if you do it on the other side, it flows towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Banff Sunshine of SkiBig3 is perched on the Continental Divide and is also right by the border with British Columbia. In fact, some parts of the resort do criss cross into BC. This puts Banff Sunshine in quite the unique territory.
To start day 4 of our Banff in winter itinerary, you’ll have to grab early breakfast and catch one of the first SkiBig3 shuttles so you can maximize your half-day on the slopes.
Out of all 3 mountains in the SkiBig3 portfolio, this one might have the nicest snow, because it is in fact, the highest altitude ski resort in Canada. It also has the honour of being the only one that has a ski-in ski-out hotel, giving visitors access to 3 mountains; Goats Eye Mountain, The Eagles, and Lookout Mountain.
Banff Sunshine (previously called Sunshine Village) is massive and what is most memorable are its powdery light snow and the expanse of ski and snowboard-able terrain. Personally, as snowboarders, we loved how much space there is to carve.
It’s best known for its powdery light snow and the expanse of ski and snowboard-able terrain.
To get to the Village, you have to take the gondola up from the Base. There’s a midway stop that gives you access to the Goat’s Eye part of the resort. Keep going to get all the way up to the Village. From here, there are a number of quads to help you explore the rest of Banff Sunshine.
Since you’ll be doing snowshoeing after, drop your hiking boots in the locker at the basement of Mad Trapper’s.
For lunch, return to Centennial Lodge in the Village for a power-up smoothie at Flamingo Smoothie Bar, and tacos from the Sixty Five South food truck outside.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 1 Sunshine Access Rd, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1J5
Mountain stats: 12 lifts, 137 named runs, 1070 m (3514 ft) vertical rise, 2730 m (8954 ft) top elevation, longest run is 8 km (5 mi), and 3358 acres (1359 hectares) in area.
Terrain ability levels:
- Beginner – 20%
- Intermediate – 25%
- Advanced – 44%
Lift Hours:
- Gondola – Sat – Thurs 8AM – 5:30PM, Fri 8AM – 10:30PM
- Chairlift – 9AM – 4:30PM daily
Passes: Full-day and afternoon tickets are available. If you plan on visiting multiple resorts, SkiBig3 Lift Tickets are available which give you access to all 3 including ski shuttles, hotel delivery for rentals, and discounts & perks.
Website: Banff Sunshine
Shuttle: Full shuttle schedule. This shuttle takes approximately 25 minutes. Shuttle is first-come-first-serve so it’s recommended to arrive at least 5 minutes before departure.
Tips:
- The gondola ride from Base to Village takes approximately 17 minutes.
- Instead of taking the gondola back down at the end of the day, you can take the green run, Banff Ave., all the way down to the Gondola Base.
- If you’re not a big terrain park rider but would love to have a little fun with easier jumps and rails, look for the Kids Play Park near the Jackrabbit Quad.
- Banff Sunshine does not have a tube park.
Next, change into your boots, put anything you don’t need back into the locker, and meet your White Mountain Adventures guide at the pre-coordinated location in the Village.
The Snowshoe Sunshine Meadows excursion will take you trekking out to the backcountry where a blanket of deep snow amongst phantom-like pines and never-ending mountains awaits.
With your expert guide, you’ll make tracks on fresh snow towards Rock Isle Lake, entering into British Columbia’s Assiniboine Provincial Park before looping back around to the Village. You’ll take the gondola back down to the base of Banff Sunshine and White Mountain Adventures will have a van waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Feeling a bit peckish? Not to worry! During the snowshoeing excursion, your guide will set up a mini basecamp where you’ll be able to take a break with hot chocolates and a variety of snacks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 202 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1E6 (office in town of Banff)
Hours: Tours run daily 12:15PM – 4:15PM (4 hour duration)
Cost: $125 + 5% GST per person
Website: White Mountain Adventures / Snowshoe Sunshine Meadows
FAQ:
- Does White Mountain Adventures do custom private or group tours? Yes, they do private tours.
- What equipment is provided for snowshoeing? Snowshoes are provided by White Mountain Adventures.
- Is snowshoeing experience required? This tour is beginner friendly and no experience is required.
Tips:
- Remember that you need hiking boots for snowshoeing.
- It’s recommended to have ski goggles if it’s windy but on calm days, you don’t need them.
- Other recommended clothing includes winter coat and pants, warm hat, and warm gloves.
- When booking this excursion, let them know that you’ll meet them at Banff Sunshine instead of being picked up in town.
- If you are going from skiing or snowboarding at Banff Sunshine to snowshoeing, you’ll need a place to store your gear. There are lockers in the basement of Mad Trappers where you can leave your boots. The cost is two loonies. Your snowboard or skis can be left on the rack outside.
For dinner, make your way to Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar. This is a restaurant that’s gotten rave reviews ever since it opened. Built in a nearly 100-year-old building, it’s been completely renovated with a 15-metre fireplace centrepiece, bringing in a classic elegance that combines mountain chalet chic with mid-century modern class.
The heart of the kitchen is open for everyone to see with their woodfired hearth and this is where they also prepare their astonishingly juicy prime rib – a must-order. Sides like their ultra cheesy mashed potatoes and maitake & oyster mushrooms are also essential.
Their desserts shouldn’t be slept on either with our favourites being the authentic key lime pie and baked-to-order brown butter madeleines.
Day 4 Summary
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Grab early breakfast to go as Brazen won’t be open early enough to catch one of the first shuttles to Banff Sunshine.
- Lunch – Flamingo Smoothie Bar and Sixty Five South taco truck – Find hand-crafted smoothies and freshly made tacos by the Centennial Lodge.
- Dinner – Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar – Not only are they one of the newest, it just might be the best restaurants in town when you factor how serious they take their food and drink, love letter to mid-century and mountain heritage design, and superb service.
Where you’ll stay:
Day 5 – Skijoring and Banff Gondola
You could say that your first 4 days in Banff are really a build-up to this one. Skijoring is usually near the end of the SnowDays festival and it is a fitting finale that’s packed with highlight reel stunts and a thrill for anyone that hasn’t seen this in-person before. You’ll also cap off your last full day with the most scenic views at the top of Sulphur Mountain.
So what is skijoring? It’s a winter sport that’s derived from Norwegian, meaning “ski driving”. Originating as a way of travelling in the winter, it’s now a showcase of skill, speed, and style, where cowboys or cowgirls on horseback tow a skier or snowboard simply with a long rope.
For one day during SnowDays, Skijor Canada puts on a superb show, where they show the full range of the sport with champion equestrians partnered with snow riders, wowing the crowd with a series of jumps and unbelievable tricks along Banff Avenue.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Along Banff Avenue (specific location changes year to year)
Hours: Multiple shows
- In 2022 – 11AM and 3PM for 90 minutes
Price: Free
Website: SnowDays Skijoring
FAQ:
- Are there warming tents for skijoring? No, but since the show is lined along Banff Avenue, you can easily warm up in one of the businesses (i.e. stores, restaurants, and hotels).
Tips:
- Before the start of the first show, they’ll be doing practice runs and this is a great chance to see them perform without the huge crowds.
- Be prepared to be standing outside for 90 minutes ore more so dress warmly for the show.
- Since the layout of the track is different every year, it’s hard to pinpoint the best place to watch the show but we recommend you scout out the area. Look for elevated views from stands, locations with unobstructed sight lines, and also being close to the big jumps.
- If you’re staying at the Mount Royal Hotel, the rooftop hot tub area has an excellent vantage point.
- They also live stream the show at several restaurant venues. In the past, they’ve included Banff Avenue Brewing Co., Bear Street Tavern, Canadian Brewhouse , The Eddie Burger, High Rollers, Melissa’s MisSteak , Park Distillery and Three Bears Brewery.
For lunch, if you’re feeling something quick, the sandwich and coffee combination at The Uprising Bakery is a great deal. For Banff’s best pizza and Italian, you can’t go wrong with LUPO on Wolf Street.
From town, you can call a cab or take the ROAM Transit route 1 which is 10 minutes from downtown to Banff Gondola.
Quintessential for any Banff in winter itinerary is a trip up to Sulphur Mountain on the historic Banff Gondola. Early pioneers summited the mountain on snowshoes for meteorological purposes but as tourism started to take hold, the first gondola was built in 1959.
Today, you can take the 8-minute gondola ride that soars above treetops and provides spectacular views of peaks and the town of Banff below. Arriving at the upper terminal, you’ll be greeted by state-of-the-art facilities that provide visitors with multiple observation decks and interactive experiences.
Once you arrive at the summit, your breath will be taken away by the 360 degree scenery. Starting from the first level, you can walk out to the viewing platforms right outside or you can make the walk along the boardwalk up to Sanson’s Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station.
Head up to the Rooftop Observation Deck on the 4th floor for the best unobstructed views of the Canadian Rockies, and in particular, Spray Valley and Bow Valley. Here, you’ll also find Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
Gondola Hours:
- January 9 – March 31, Sunday – Thursday 10AM – 9PM, Friday – Saturday 10AM – 10PM
- April 1 – May 5, 10AM – 9PM daily
Price: Banff Gondola prices vary depend on the day of the week and projected visitation numbers.
Website: Banff Gondola / Nightrise
FAQ:
- How do you get to the Banff Gondola without a car? You can call a cab or you can take the Bow Valley ROAM bus on Route 1 which stops along Banff Avenue and ends at Banff Gondola. The price for a one-way ride is $2 for adults, and $1 for seniors 65+ and youth 13-18.
- How many people fit inside the gondola? The cabin can fit 4 passengers each.
- Are gondola rides private? Yes, your group will have their own private gondola and won’t be shared with others.
- Is Banff Gondola and summit accessible? Yes, the gondola cars and summit are fully accessible. The only exception is the summit boardwalk which includes shallow stairs.
- Are dogs allowed on the Banff Gondola? No with the exception of service dogs.
- Are strollers allowed? Due to limited space on the gondola and at the summit, strollers are not recommended but you can bring ideally collapsible strollers up if you need to.
Tips:
- The 2 km walk to Sanson’s Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station is not too challenging but account for the 25 minutes it takes to get there (50 minutes return plus viewing time).
- Sign up for Pursuit Rewards to save up to 20% for Banff Gondola. You can sign up as part of the check out process.
- Banff Gondola admission prices go up for times at 6:10PM or later so choose an earlier time to save $2.
- There is a Sky Experience Dinner bundle which includes the Banff Gondola, your choice of appetizer and entrée at Sky Bistro, and gratuities.
- Reservations at Sky Bistro are highly recommended.
- The taxi ride from downtown Banff to Banff Gondola is approximately $15-$20.
- Curious about what the weather conditions are like or want to scope out the view beforehand? Check out the Banff Gondola webcam.
- While you have to pick a time slot when you book your Banff Gondola ticket, they aren’t too strict so it’s okay if you show up a tad early or late.
- You can take the gondola back down at any time.
The best seats in the house though are at Sky Bistro. With their floor to ceiling windows you’ll be treated to the most spectacular show as the sun slowly sets and the skies burst into vivid colours.
Not just a pretty view, this restaurant is known for their modern take on Canadian culinary traditions where local ingredients, attention to detail, presentation, and knowledgeable staff take centre stage.
For our meal, the seafood chowder, scallops and pork, braised lamb shank, and arctic char with BC prawns are excellent choices.
The photos from here don’t do the whole experience justice so watch our video. Or better yet, just go!
As the alpenglow dissipates, Nightrise awakens at the summit, revealing a spectacle of soundscapes, dynamic lights, and a blizzard of emotion through their Four Wonders.
Created in collaboration with the Stoney Nakoda Nations, they’ve done an amazing job of bringing the music, spoken word, and culture of the Indigenous peoples of this land by creating an ethereal place where visitors an connect with winter, the surrounding landscapes, and its ancestors.
Look up and listen to the stars
It’s more than just a light projection show. You are fully part of the experience, leaning into “sonic binoculars” to hear the sounds of Indigenous peoples, interacting with waves of light by walking through them, and creating music of the mountain by jumping from pad to pad.
Take as long as you’d like at Nightrise before taking the gondola back down, and either taxi or bus back to your hotel.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
Nightrise Hours: January 9 – March 31 (in 2023)
- Sunday – Thursday, 5PM – 9PM
- Friday – Saturday, 5PM – 10PM
Price: There is no additional admission cost for Nightrise as it’s included as part of the Banff Gondola ticket (prices go up slightly after 6:10PM). Essentially, Nightrise installations are activated in the evening so just make sure you take the gondola near or after sunset.
Website: Nightrise
FAQ:
- How do you get to the Banff Gondola without a car? You can call a cab or you can take the Bow Valley ROAM bus on Route 1 which stops along Banff Avenue and ends at Banff Gondola. The price for a one-way ride is $2 for adults, and $1 for seniors 65+ and youth 13-18.
- How many people fit inside the gondola? The cabin can fit 4 passengers each.
- Are gondola rides private? Yes, your group will have their own private gondola and won’t be shared with others.
- Are tickets refundable? Yes, they are refundable up to 28 hours of travel date.
- If I stay too late at Nightrise, will I miss the bus? No, the last ROAM transit bus leaving Banff Gondola is 11:32PM.
Tips:
- 2 of the Four Wonders are outdoors so make sure you’re dressed for the cold. At the summit, it’s colder and windier so wear more than you think you’ll need.
- On the Rooftop Observation Deck is a dome with seats (no heater), several propane fire pits, and heater panels by the door.
- The gondola is not heated.
- If it gets too cold, you can always head back inside.
- If you enjoyed the Niagara Parks Power Generation Station and their show, Currents, you’ll definitely like Nightrise.
- If you are looking to photograph or watch the sunset with Banff below, the Rooftop Observation Deck has the best view.
- Sky Bistro has great views of the Sanson’s Peak and the left side which includes Bow Valley and Mount Bourgeau.
- When making your reservation at Sky Bistro, make sure you think ahead of time, where you’d like to be at sunset. If you’d like to shoot a timelapse or watch the sunset outdoors, we recommend that you book the earliest dinner so you can enjoy the view from both locations while there is still light.
Day 5 Summary
What you’ll see:
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Brazen – Lots of brunch items to choose here and is conveniently connected to the hotel.
- Lunch – The Uprising Bakery or LUPO – For a nice sandwich and coffee combination, The Uprising Bakery is central and next to Mount Royal Hotel. LUPO serves the best Italian food in Banff and many say they have the best pizza in these parts as well.
- Dinner – Sky Bistro – A restaurant with a spectacular view serving fresh takes on Canadian cuisine and using seafood caught on the BC coast, and naturally raised meats from Alberta.
Where you’ll stay:
Day 6 – Final Day in Banff
6 days will feel awfully short by the time you get to the end of your Banff itinerary, but depending on your flight or next destination, there just might be some time to squeeze in some extra mountain rejuvenation.
Enjoy another hearty breakfast at Brazen and the rest of the morning is yours to explore the town after an action packed few days. Check out shops like Rocky Mountain Flannel Company, Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Roots, pick up some souvenirs, and treat yourself to Banff Sweet Shoppe treats, BeaverTails or COWS ice cream.
A fitting way to bid farewell to Banff would be on the steamy bubbles atop Mount Royal Hotel. Grab your robe and head up to the rooftop and take it all in, one last time.
If you have time for lunch, you’ll have a blast eating at Sushi House Banff, one of the very few restaurants in Canada that serve sushi on a conveyer belt, or in this case, a toy train track.
Check out of your hotel and for those taking Banff Airporter, they’ll pick you up at the hotel at the scheduled time and bring you back to Calgary International Airport.
Day 6 Summary
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Brazen – Lots of brunch items to choose here and is conveniently connected to the hotel.
- Lunch – Sushi House Banff – SmallJapanese restaurant that serves sushi and other small dishes on a toy train
Where to Stay in Banff & Lake Louise
For your winter in Banff, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right hotel for you. These are our top picks for places to stay in Banff.
WHERE WE STAYED
A historic hotel that was renovated in 2018 and centrally located in the town of Banff, featuring mid-century modern and contemporary design, sleek rooms, and spectacular hot tub.
BUDGET
Great value and pet-friendly property located on Banff Ave. with clean, comfortable, and spacious rooms. Rooms include a kettle and the inn has an on-site sauna and ski locker.
B&B
For those looking for a shared apartment style accommodation, this B&B is a great choice. Minutes walk from the city centre, you also get self-serve continental breakfast, access to a kitchenette that has a microwave and refrigerator, and free parking.
LEGENDARY
A legendary resort styled after a Scottish Baronial castle and is a National Historic Site. It features a 30m lap pool, a 19m heated outdoor pool, spa, and on-site activities include bowling, tennis, horseback riding, and golfing. This is truly a fairytale stay.
Map of Banff in Winter Itinerary
If you love planning trips with maps, we’ve included an interactive Google Map below that has pins on all of the ski resorts, restaurants, activities, and recommended hotels mentioned in this Banff in winter itinerary.
TIP: Expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. WIth this copy, you’ll be able to access it in your Google Maps app under Saved. Scroll to the bottom and look for “Maps”.
What We Missed in Banff
While 6 days in Banff and Lake Louise might seem like a lot of time, you’ll quickly realize that it’s not possible to fit everything in.
Recognizing that this itinerary is certainly more geared towards skiers and snowboarders that have an adventurous itch, we also wanted to mention a few Banff winter activities that you might want to consider in your itinerary if you’re looking for something a little different.
- Lake Minnewanka – This is an epic spot to go ice skating on a frozen lake and only a 20 minute drive from town.
- Vermillion Lakes – These cluster of lakes are close to the town of Banff and offers great views of Cascade Mountain, especially at sunrise.
- Ice Walk – The region is blessed with an abundance of epic locations for ice walks including Johnston Canyon (lower and upper falls), Grotto Canyon, and in and around the town of Banff where you’ll see things like frozen waterfalls.
- Sleigh Ride – Great for families, this is a charming and scenic 40 minute tour that all visitors love.
- Abraham Lake – If you’re wondering where you can see the ice bubbles near Banff, this is the lake where you have a good chance to see this natural phenomenon typically mid-January to early February. To view it safely, consider this ice bubbles helicopter tour.
- Wildlife Viewing – There are incredible opportunities to see animals such as elk and deer if you know where to go. This winter excursion is a great option.
- Lake Louise – You’ll be able to see Lake Louise from a distance from the ski resort but a great winter activitiy is to see Lake Louise and the Fairmont property up-close.
- Banff Hot Springs – Soak in the sooting mineral-rich waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs. Just make sure they have enough water flow in the winter before you go.
- Tunnel Mountain – Grab or rent ice cleats and hike the Tunnel Mountain winter trails that offer great views of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Cascade Mountain, and Mount Rundle. At the summit, you’ll find Parks Canada’s classic red chairs. Check for trail conditions before you go.
- Dog Sledding – There are several mushing providers to check out if you’d like to thrill of exploring the snowy tundra with the help of friendly and hardworking huskies.
- Cross Country Skiing – Take this cross country skiing lesson and tour with Freeheelin’ Adventures.
- Full Day Tour In The Winter – If you want to be able to see as much as you can of the area and you don’t have a car, a private full or half day tour is a great option to see spots like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canton all in one day. Chances are high you’ll see wildlife along the way as well!l
- Peyto Lake – One way to see Peyto Lake is to combine it with the ice bubbles of Abraham Lake with this guided tour and snowshoe hike.
- Jasper National Park – This is ab it more than a day trip but if you have Jasper in your sights, this winter wildlife discovery tour is amazing.
There’s of course more to see and do in Banff and Lake Louise but these should give you more ideas to help put together your winter getaway.
Final Thoughts on Banff in Winter
Believe it or not, this was our first time to Banff in the winter and our expectations were blasted away at every turn with this 6 day itinerary.
The food – Banff and Lake Louise isn’t traditionally thought of as a culinary hub but it really should be. Each of the restaurants you’ll visit on this trip will surprise you.
The powder – In addition to the vast variety of terrain, take advantage of the fresh snow which will feel like skiing or snowboarding on a cloud. The mix of cold weather, altitude, with fresh and dry air is a blissful formula that’ll have you dreaming of it even after you leave.
The vibes – We often go out of our way to escape the cold or simply take it for granted but SnowDays and the abundance of winter activities triggers something inside of you that’ll make you want to stick out your tongue on fresh falling snowflakes.
Banff will leave you in awe and have you chuckling inside because you’ve stumbled upon something you didn’t know you could find.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time of the year to go to Banff is in January when you can pair your trip with the SnowDays festival. December is also a great time to go but is much busier.
The dates for SnowDays changes year to year but it is usually the third week and spans 12 days.
Skijoring is sport where a horse drags a skier or snowboard on a track of snow while performing tricks. SnowDays is an iconic showcase for the sport in Banff where the pros do jumps, catch rings, and show off their swagger.
Getting around Banff and Lake Louise is quite easy without a car thanks to ROAM transit and the SkiBig3 shuttle to their mountains. Banff Airporter also makes it convenient to get from Calgary Airport to Banff.
Ideally, you want to spend 5-7 days in Banff in the winter season.
While you’ll see other tourists walk on the ice, it is not safe to walk on Bow River in town because of the varied thickness of ice and changing conditions.
The closest place to see ice bubbles form is at Abraham Lake, 2 hours north of the town of Banff.
The recommended minimum thickness of ice before it’s safe for ice skating is 15 centimetres or 6 inches.
The best place to rent winter gear is at the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub, located in the town of Banff. You can rent everything from skis, snowboards, winter clothes, and ice cleats.
To protect your gear at any resort around the world, it’s a good idea to lock your ski or snowboard but anecdotally it’s quite safe to leave your gear on the rack unlocked.
The best time to go to Banff Gondola is right before sunset so you can enjoy the light from Sky Bistro or from one of the many viewing platforms.
Yes, since the town of Banff, SkiBig3 resorts, and all of the activities around Banff and Lake Louise are all within Banff National Park, you will need to have a National Park Pass which is easiest to purchase online ahead of your trip.
This trip was in partnership with Banff & Lake Louise and SkiBig3.
What you should read next
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
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If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.