Banff: 20 Incredibly “Cool” Things to do in the Winter
SHARING IS CARING!
UPDATED POST: May 8, 2022
So you’re heading to Banff? Take me with you, please!!! 😍 BANFF is where alpine dreams are made of. From its snow-capped mountains and majestic landscapes to its glistening frozen lakes, you truly feel like you just stepped into a postcard. The beautiful town of Banff was the first municipality in Canada to be incorporated inside a national park (Banff National Park). Yes, you read that right - inside the national park! Soooo cool!
Banff , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 90-minute drive west from Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC) via the Trans-Canada Highway/AB-1. It is a bustling town of only about 10,000 residents and its picturesque location surrounded by rugged mountain terrain attracts around 4 million visitors each year.
Don’t think though that Banff is all beauty and no substance! This is adventure central right here. There are countless activities to do in Banff in the winter. Here are some adventures/sights you might want to do/see during your winter stay.
1. Skiing/Snowboarding/Tubing
Image courtesy of Weston Norwood via Unsplash
What’s a trip to Banff without some snow play? Banff has some of the most magnificent ski areas in Canada (if not the world!) so get your skis on and hit the slopes here. There are 2 ski resorts in the Banff area (Banff Sunshine and Mt. Norquay) and 1 in Lake Louise area (Lake Louise Ski Resort) which is about 40 minutes west (35 miles) of Banff.
Banff Sunshine Village is in the heart of Banff National Park, located 5 miles W of the Town of Banff on the Trans-Canada Highway (#1). This resort is famous for its spectacular ski lines and more than 3300 acres of skiable terrain, from beginner to extreme slopes.
Thrifty Tip
If you are a Costco member, keep checking their website or stores for ski and lift tickets during ski season. You can get as much as 25% off regular prices.
Mt. Norquay Ski Resort is famous for being the training ground of Olympic and World Cup athletes. It is a small family-friendly resort which has beginner, intermediate and advanced ski runs as well as a tubing area. It is located about 4 miles NW of Banff and is a local favorite.
Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in North America with over 4200 acres of mixed ski terrain amid breathtaking scenery of glaciers, lakes and forests. It also has a tubing area the whole family can enjoy.
2. Soak in the healing waters of Upper Hot Springs
SINGLE ENTRY TICKETS (AS OF MAY 2022)
Adult (18-64) - $9.25
Youth (3-17) - $8
Child (Under 3) - Free
Senior (65+) - $8
Family (2 adults & 2 youth) - $29
Extra Youth - $5
Soaking in a hot spring surrounded by snow-capped mountains breathing in fresh, crisp mountain air, is the ultimate alpine experience. I can’t imagine anything better after a long day or skiing or snowboarding. At 5200 ft elevation, the Upper Hot Springs in Banff is the highest hot spring in Canada. The springs are created by water flowing down from Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain. On its way down, the water picks up heat and minerals rendering the healing benefits of hot springs. Apart from reducing stress by helping your body relax, the sulfur-rich water is known to soothe skin irritations and infections such as eczema and rashes.
3. Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain
*Ticket price varies based on projected visitation
WINTER HOURS
January 9-20 Thurs–Mon: 11 AM – 5 PM
Tues-Wed: Closed
January 21-March 18 Thurs, Sun, Mon: 11 AM - 5 PM
Fri- Sat: 11 AM - 8 PM
Tues-Wed: Closed
*Note that the last ride up is 30 minutes prior to close and the last ride down is at closing time
Yes, it was terrifying to be inside this glass-encased gondola going up almost 7500 feet to the top of the mountain. If you are deathly afraid of heights, this might not be the best experience for you. If you do decide to brave the elevation (wootwoot!), you will be rewarded with epic views.
Thrifty Tip
Book your trip as soon as you know your dates. You will get the lowest rates when you book well in advance of your trip. Booking a date mid-week, or in the early/late season is also a great way to get a lower-priced ticket.
The Gondola Base has an information center, Starbucks cafe, gift shop, and bathrooms. There are plenty of activities you can do when you get to the Gondola Summit building. There is an interpretive center with interactive exhibits, a multi sensory theater, 2 restaurants, and a rooftop observation deck which offers 360 degrees of breathtaking views. It is really cold up here so you need to bundle up. I can imagine how beautiful it would be up here in the summer, too.
The Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk is a 0.6 mile self-guided interpretive boardwalk from the summit building which takes you to Sanson’s Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site of Canada.
There’s a lot to explore so plan to spend at least two hours here, more if you are planning to have a meal in one of the two restaurants, which I recommend you do.
The Upper Hot Springs is just a 7 minute walk from the gondola parking lot so you might want to plan these two activities together.
4. Dine with a view
There is nothing better than eating with a view and in this case, a fantastic view of those majestic snow-capped mountains. Although the mesmerizing snowy vista is a huge part of the dining experience, the food definitely is not taking a back seat here. I don’t normally expect great food in touristy places like this but was I in for a delightful surprise. I tried bison and venison for the first time and the dishes did not disappoint. The menu was limited but had a nice variety with local ingredients and some vegetarian options.
5. Ice skating on Lake Louise
Ice skating on Lake Louise will probably be one of the most stunning skating experiences you will have in your lifetime. The smooth glistening surface of the icy lake is set against a backdrop of the snow-covered mountains of the Canadian Rockies, or more specifically, the Alberta’s Rockies.
CNN Travel includes this frozen lake in their list of the “Ten Most Beautiful Ice Skating Rinks in the World”. It might seem “chilling” (pun intended, lol) to step foot onto a frozen lake but there is no need to worry. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which fronts the lake, maintains and monitors its conditions all winter long. Ice skating season in Lake Louise is usually from mid-December to mid-April. It’s always best to check with the hotel before your trip to get ice updates. This is a frozen lake so it’s pretty bare-bones here - no handrails, no benches, no covered areas - so just be prepared.
There is also an additional rink in the Lake Louise Recreation Center if you are more inclined to play hockey. Skate rentals are available in the lower lobby of the Fairmont Chateau at Alpine Social Rentals.
And for that unforgettable date night, why not skate under the stars with your sweetie? It is lit up so beautifully at night as you can see from this picture 😍.
Image courtesy of skibig3.com
Every January, the Ice Magic International Ice Carving Competition (cancelled for 2022) comes to Banff. It was a lucky coincidence that we planned our trip around the same time the event was in town. We got to see all these talented artists from all over the world creating these beautiful masterpieces.
6. Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Image courtesy of Tomasz Proszek via Pixabay
(Cue the caroling quartet) 🎶 Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh 🎶… literally LOL! If you want to truly live out your winter wonderland fantasies, go on a sleigh ride and enjoy cuddling under a blanket through a glittery white landscape. Sleigh rides are available in both Banff and Lake Louise. Layer up and dress warmly. Tours are available throughout the day and reservations are recommended (Banff here and Lake Louise here).
7. Johnston Canyon Icewalk
For safety reasons, we chose to go on a tour with an experienced guide instead of doing this ourselves. We chose to go with Discover Banff Tours and we are so glad we did. Our tour guide (shoutout to Matt!) was so knowledgeable and a real passion for the outdoors. I would highly recommend this tour company to anyone wanting to do this activity.
It was our first time hiking 3 miles in -25degree weather 😬. Any body part that was not covered was ice cold or covered in ice LOL. The hike was fairly easy with minimal elevation. The tour company provides crampons for you to wear to prevent slipping and falling. If you decide to do this activity without a guide, it is important to bring your own crampons or you could rent a pair from Banff Adventures in town. Layer up! Make sure you have the proper cold-weather gear so you can stay warm during the hike. It will be brutal putting one foot in front of the other for 3 miles in the ice cold weather if you are not dressed appropriately. Check out which cold weather gear to pack in my post Winter Weekend Wandering in Banff: 3-day itinerary.
The Upper Falls was a magnificent sight. At the time of our tour, a few ice climbers were getting ready to climb up the frozen falls. This is definitely a must-do when you are here in Banff.
8. Stroll downtown Banff
Downtown Banff is a charming town with its darling little shops, cafes and restaurants so it is certainly worth a visit. The food scene here is vibrant and robust so there’s always a good meal to be had. A must for us whenever we are in Canada is poutine. Banff Poutine on Bear St. had some tasty smoked meat poutine that really hit the spot!
In the winter, snow sculptures abound along Bear St.
9. Visit a “castle” in the mountains - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Image via Canada Rail Vacations
Dubbed as the “Castle in the Rockies”, this hotel was styled after a Scottish baronial castle. The interior of the hotel is grand, opulent and well worth exploring. It is so massive and has many hidden corridors and lounging areas to discover. There are various restaurants to choose from to satisfy food cravings.
And then there’s Room 873. Urban legends claim of a murder-suicide that happened in that room and because of spooky encounters related by guests and staff, the hotel was forced to seal it up. So apparently when you go to the 8th floor, you will not see a Room 873. I say apparently because I did not see it and would not even think about stepping out of the elevator onto the 8th floor LOL. Ask the concierge, though, and they will tell you that story is a hoax. That is not the only ghost story in this hotel. There is the phantom bride, who fell down the stairs and broke her neck on her wedding night, and the friendly bellman ghost in an old uniform who might just happen to help you with your stuff. Creepy. We wandered around at night and it did seem eerie at times but luckily, no paranormal encounters. Whew…
After a tour of the historic hotel, you might want to check out Surprise Corner Viewpoint. This is the iconic view of Fairmont Banff Springs you have probably seen in postcards or paintings. It is a short 6-minute drive or a 30-minute walk from the hotel.
Image courtesy of Canada Rail Vacations
10. Catch a perfect Banff sunset in Vermilion Lakes
Image courtesy of mckenzie toyne via Unsplash
A short 1.5 mile drive from the town of Banff takes you to the Vermilion Lakes. Here you will find a picture perfect winter sunset with Mount Rundle towering in the horizon.
If you’re lucky, you can see the stunning small pockets of bubbles in the frozen lake. Be careful and make sure the ice is thick enough to walk on. These “cool” (get it? LOL) ice bubbles are methane bubbles formed in water from methane produced by bacteria in the bottom of the lake. These bubbles then rise to the surface and simply pop in the summer. In the winter, though, these bubbles are trapped on the surface when the lake freezes over. It makes for a pretty cool photo.
Image courtesy of David Wirzba via Unsplash
11. Alternatively, you can behold a breathtaking sunrise in Two Jack Lake
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
Just 7 miles northeast of Banff via Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, this gorgeous lake boasts sweeping views of Mount Rundle against the warm pastel tones of sunrise.
12. See the Northern Lights
Image courtesy of HyunKuk Kim via Unsplash
Witness one of the most beautiful natural sights in the world - an impressive dancing light show set against the beautiful backdrop of Banff National Park. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are brought about by collisions between electrically charged gaseous particles from the sun that enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The type of gas particles released determine the color of the lights. The pale yellow green color, which is the most common, is produced by low-altitude oxygen molecules located 60 miles above the earth. High-altitude oxygen molecules (heights up to 200 miles) produce the rare, all-red auroras. Blue or purplish-red auroras are produced by nitrogen molecules.
To see the lights, you would have to drive out of town away from light pollution. Lake Minnewanka (10-min drive outside of Banff town), Castle Junction (on the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise), and Peyto Lake (along Icefields Parkway) are some of the best places you can see the lights. The best time of the year to see the lights are between September - April, with February - April the most likely times you will see them clearly. Aurora Watch is a website that alerts you once the aurora becomes active.
13. Take a scenic drive
Image courtesy of Jess Aston via Unsplash
If jaw-dropping scenery straight out of a Christmas postcard is what you are looking for, try any of these scenic drives from Banff town.
Bow Valley Parkway - Known to be the best place to spot wildlife, this winding mountain road is 30 miles of stunning snowy landscapes.
Highlights: Johnston Canyon, Silverton Falls and Castle Mountain views
Minnewanka Lake Loop - This 9 mile loop boasts plenty of Big Horn sheep, elk and mule deer sightings. If you’re lucky, you can catch the Northern Lights during your trip. Get aurora alerts here. Note that part of the loop is closed to vehicles during winter so you will need to double back from there.
Highlights: Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake
Vermilion Lakes Road - Short but sweet. Only 5 miles, this is famous for the fabulous Mount Rundle views and occasionally, glimpses of elk, coyotes or even wolves.
Highlight: Mount Rundle
Icefields Parkway - A constant fixture in travel lists for most scenic drives in the world, this 166 mile highway has magnificent viewpoints in just about every corner. This is a mountain highway so it is not as well-maintained as the TransCanada Highway to the south. If you decide to brave driving this highway in the winter, be sure to check 511 Alberta for updated road conditions and avalanche alerts. This is a very informative post about what to know before driving Icefields Parkway in the winter.
Highlights: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Misty Canyon, Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier
14. Snowshoeing
Image courtesy of Ali Kazal via Unsplash
Enjoy the crisp mountain air with this fun winter activity easy enough for all ages and fitness levels. There are several trail options ranging from short and leisurely to long and challenging. Check the Parks Canada website for Banff and Lake Louise trails you might want to try. With any snow play activity, it is always important to check the weather conditions and avalanche alerts prior to your trip.
15. Wildlife tour
Image courtesy of Justin Hu via Unsplash
Although there is much information on the internet as to what time of the day (dawn and just before sunset) and where to go (Bow Valley Parkway or quiet, unpopulated areas) for optimal wildlife viewing, seeing wild animals is a matter of luck. There’s always a good chance to see wildlife in the winter (even inside the town of Banff) but if you want to heighten those chances, you can book a winter wildlife tour (Discover Banff tours) with guides who have knowledge of prime viewing spots in the area.
Thrifty Tip
Take advantage of early bird discounts. Discover Banff has as much as a 20% discount when booking 7 days in advance. Book your tours as soon as you have confirmed your dates.
This historic site is the birthplace of the Canadian National Park System through the discovery of the hot springs and eventually Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. There are interactive exhibits and film presentations that give a glimpse into the history of Banff National Park and the railway. It is also home to the endangered Banff snail, which is not found anywhere else in the world.
There are two interpretive boardwalk trails in the site - Marsh Loop and and an interpretive walk to the cave vent. It is located in the town of Banff at the end of Banff Avenue near Bow River. If you decide to go, note that the sulphur smell can be overpowering inside the cave due to the hot springs.
17. Helicopter tour
Image courtesy of Shawn Lee via Unsplash
For a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Banff and the Canadian Rockies, go on a helicopter tour to take it all in. The thrill-seeker in you will probably even want to heli-hike, where the helicopter lands on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere and you could begin your hiking adventure there. Imagine exploring an area where very few people have been? Unreal!
18. Spa day
Relax and rejuvenate after a day of snow play in one of the many mountain spas in the Canadian Rockies. Whether you prefer an opulent or rustic experience, there are plenty of blissful options to indulge your mind, body and soul.
Willow Stream Spa - Award-winning spa inside Fairmont Banff Springs
The Rimrock Resort Hotel Spa - Mountaintop spa retreat a few minutes away from the town of Banff
Red Earth Spa - Laidback and rustic, mountain lodge style spa inside Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
Meadow Spa and Pools - Chalet-style spa inside Moose Hotel and Suites
Grotto Spa - Intimate setting inside the boutique hotel Royal Canadian Lodge
19. Jasper National Park
Image courtesy of Mark Basarab via Unsplash
If you have a few days to spare, try to visit Jasper National Park, which is another snowy wonderland in and of itself. Apart from your usual winter activities of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, you can also explore Maligne Canyon, which is Jasper National Park’s deepest canyon. Come winter, the raging river in the canyon is frozen solid giving an icewalk experience like no other.
Image courtesy of Max LaRochelle vis Unsplash
The unique draw of Jasper National Park is the Columbia Icefields area and Athabasca Glacier. Glaciers form when snow accumulates more than it melts. As time passes, the snow transforms into ice which flows through the mountain crevices creating these rivers of ice. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier in North America. Tours to visit the glacier are coupled with a white-knuckle walk along the glass-floored Skywalk. Unfortunately, tours are not offered during the winter when conditions are much too dangerous for the public.
Image courtesy of Andy Holmes via Unsplash
20. Dog sledding
Image courtesy of Jack Ross via Unsplash
As a dog momma, I have mixed feelings about dog sledding. Upon asking different tour companies in Banff about this activity, I was told that these sled dog breeds love running and are most likely enjoying the dog sled activity as much as the humans involved in it. Researching and choosing an ethical dog sled operator who treats the dogs humanely would probably be the best advice I could give.
So now that you know that there are tons to do in the winter, are you ready to go to Banff? Let me know in the comments below which epic adventures you chose for your winter getaway in Banff. I would love to hear from you.
- Ellie
Only have a weekend? Check out my blog post on a Banff 3-day winter weekend plus itinerary. Enjoy!
