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Looking for the top activities in Banff during the winter? You’ve come to the experts!
As a Canadian myself, I’ve visited Banff during every season. Winter is easily one of my favorites – it’s insanely beautiful!
It can be hard to figure out exactly how to spend your winter vacation in Banff. You might be wondering what activities are open, what the road conditions are like, and what is the best use of your time.
If that’s you, don’t worry! Simply read this blog to find the top things to do and easy-to-book experiences and let the professionals take care of the logistics (like driving on winter roads). Simply sit back and enjoy Banff in winter!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do is ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountian! The views are out of this world, especially in winter, and there are lots of activities at the top. Check out the 1,500 5-star reviews and purchase your tickets here!
Tip: This activity is popular – book your tickets online in advance and save time when you go!
Best Things to do in Banff in Winter
1. Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain
At the top of Sulphur Mountain, you get arguably the most spectacular view of Banff town and the surrounding Mountains. Seriously, it’s a 360-degree view that gets better every time I go! This is the most popular thing to do in Banff for a reason – regardless of the time of year!
The easiest way to the top is to take the famous Banff Gondola. With it, you can give your legs a break and enjoy a 10-minute gondola ride up the side of a mountain. If you really want to stretch those legs, don’t worry, there’s a boardwalk at the top that leads to an old weather station and an even better view of the valley below.
Aside from the boardwalk, you can enjoy a meal at the Sky Bistro, let the kids explore the Above Banff interpretive center, visit the Above Banff Theater (free with a gondola ticket), get a coffee at Castle Mountain Coffee, or shop at the gift shop.
If you go skiing at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, you can see how the Lake Louise Gondola compares to the Banff Gondola. However, we definitely think the Banff Gondola takes the cake when it comes to activity options at the top. You could spend several hours up here, in winter or summer.
The best place to buy Banff Gondola tickets is online in advance here. That way you can skip the ticket line when you arrive!
The Banff Gondola hours of operation have been changing recently, however, in winter the gondola opens at 10 am and closes at 9 or 10 pm. They also closed every year around November 4-15 for annual maintenance.
This activity has over 1,500 5-star reviews and is likely to sell out – book your tickets here!
2. Day trip to Lake Louise
Lake Louise is an alpine lake located within Banff National Park. Surrounded by mountains and wildlife, the lake and village nearby have become one of the most popular places to visit in Canada. In fact, because of all the amazing things to do, Lake Louise is a winter destination all on its own.
During winter, the lake freezes over and becomes one of the most beautiful places to ice skate in the world. The ice skating area is maintained by the Fairmont Château Lake Louise – one of the most luxurious hotels in the Rocky Mountains. Because of this, the ice is usually in great condition.
While you’re there, be sure to enjoy the ice castle sculpture – it’s so neat! There is also a bar made of ice, too. Both the ice castle and ice car are located right near the skating area, you can’t miss them!
If you don’t have a car or would rather just have an epic day planned for you, you can’t pass up this guided tour from Banff. Not only will it take you to Lake Louise, but you’ll also get to hit some other iconic attractions on the Icefields Parkway as well as enjoy some time at Lake Minnewanka.
We love this tour because it takes care of the details and logistics of your day. These areas of Banff can get rather busy, even in the winter, and parking, entrance fees, and driving can easily put a damper on your vacation. Having a tour that plans the route and takes care of the logistics frees you up to simply enjoy the beautiful Lake Louise and surrounding areas.
This full-day tour includes transportation from Banff and entrance fees. It doesn’t include lunch, so bring some extra cash for food and souvenirs! You can reserve this tour to Lake Louise for $195 CAD.
Book this top-rated tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Another way to take in the spectacular wintertime scenery in Banff is to visit Johnston Canyon and do what we Canadians call an “icewalk”. This famous attraction is open all year round but without a doubt, winter is the best time to go.
You’ll need a pair of ice cleats (also known as spikes or crampons) to do this trail. Honestly, without them, you’re pretty much guaranteed to slip and fall.
Luckily, if you take this guided tour to Johnston Canyon, they will provide ice cleats and also transportation. This is perfect if you aren’t used to driving in snowy or icy road conditions!
The tour will pick you up in Banff before making your way to the beginning of the trail. All the gear you’ll need including ice cleats, as mentioned before, and hiking poles are provided. Plus, you’re expert guide is full of knowledge about the area!
You’ll enjoy the views of frozen waterfalls and icicles while walking along the steel walkway. The tour is $104 CAD and includes a hot chocolate and a maple cookie snack at the end! This is not an experience you’ll want to miss – it is simply beautiful!
This is a popular experience – book this tour in advance here to secure your spot!
4. Spot winter wildlife
Banff National Park is famous for its abundance of wildlife. I’ve seen plenty of cool wildlife in Banff including bears, moose, and tons of elk. I’ve not yet seen a wolf in the wild but it’s on my bucket list!
As a visitor, it would be such a shame to come all this way and miss out on the opportunity to see at least some wildlife in person. By simply enjoying the outdoors you’ll have plenty of chances to see wildlife, however, if you’re finding yourself not so lucky then join a wildlife tour. And honestly, spotting animals in the winter is even trickier!
This specific wildlife tour lasts for 3 hours and includes five main stops around Banff National Park. Your expert guide knows where to spot Banff’s unique wildlife so you’ll have the best chance possible of seeing them. During winter in Banff, there is still lots to see! Plus they take off around dusk, which is the best time to see animals and have fewer crowds.
On top of that, it’s also a sightseeing tour that includes your transport and a ton of information about the national park! I was amazed at how much our guide knew about wildlife, plant life, and indigenous history. For only $110 CAD that’s a pretty good deal, especially for Banff!
Book this tour now and access FREE cancellation options!
5. Drive the Icefields Parkway
Don’t let winter stop you from going on a road trip! The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic roads in Canada (and possibly the world, if you ask us) so you shouldn’t miss this chance.
The 232 km (144 mi) stretch of highway travels from Lake Louise all the way to Jasper. It takes around 3 hours to drive the whole thing without stopping in winter, however, I’d allow an entire day if you plan on stopping along the way.
Winter tires are a requirement on the Icefields Parkway and you need to be careful and alert while driving this highway in winter. Parks Canada will close the highway over the pass (after Big Bend) during bad weather so check ahead of time for road closures.
To be honest, I’d recommend booking this guided tour instead of dealing with the stress of winter driving!
It is a full-day tour of the Icefields Parkway with hotel pick-up in Banff. This tour really is the ultimate tour of attractions in Banff National Park as it hits all the main spots including Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake – talk about crossing a few things off your to-do list!
This is a smaller group tour so you can easily move from one scenic sight to the next. The tour lasts for about 8 hours and costs $195 CAD per person. It is one of the more popular winter tours in Banff, so you be sure to reserve it in advance!
Don’t miss out – book this tour with over 600 5-star reviews here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Try snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a classic winter activity that you can enjoy in Banff on more trails than you’ll have time for. It’s my favorite way to get outside and enjoy the crisp winter air and the snowy mountain peaks in Banff!
If you’ve never snowshoed before then it is probably best to join a tour. On a guided tour, you’ll get all your gear included as well as an expert guide who can teach you the best technique. Plus, tours will only take you on safe trails (you need to be aware of avalanche terrain in Banff, it’s a serious danger.)
There are two different snowshoeing tours that we would recommend in Banff. The first is this snowshoe tour at the top of the Banff Gondola. This tour offers the most epic views, and honestly, it’s one that wouldn’t be safe for you to do on your own. Best of all, this tour includes your Banff Gondola ticket, so it’s like a two-for-one experience!
I love that this snowshoe experience takes you off the beaten path at the top of Sulphur Mountian. At the end, you can warm up with hot chocolate and cookies. All of this is just $145 CAD, which is a pretty good deal for all it includes!
Book this experience now to secure your spot and get flexible cancellation and payment options!
Another unique experience is this snowshoe Tour at the Paint Pots! I love this tour because it actually takes you out of Banff and into a less-explored park called Kootenay National Park. The Paint Pots are small mineral pools known for their bright orange color and were actually used as paint back in the day. During the winter, the trail is very hard to navigate and you won’t find them – unless you’re with an expert tour guide!
This 4-hour tour is an easy way to experience the area. Transport is included, and the drive out there is gorgeous. You’ll snowshoe at the Paint Pots, which is a stunning and fairly easy trail. You can book this tour for $104 CAD.
Check availability and book this snowshoe experience in advance here!
7. Ride a fat bike
A fat bike is just a normal mountain bike with really fat tires built for riding through the snow – perfect for the winter in Banff! It makes trails that would be otherwise impossible to ride, rather easy. Around Banff, there are quite a few trails that are perfect for fat biking.
I love this fat bike tour which includes your rental and a guide, making it easy to navigate the trail. This tour actually includes the use of an electric fat bike! That’s right, you can ride uphill with ease (a requirement in the mountains if you ask me!) The expert guide will show you around the trails around Banff and you’ll even get a warm drink at a special viewpoint.
This fat biking tour lasts for about two hours and is limited to a small group, making it easy to navigate the trails. The tour costs $147 CAD and includes all your gear!
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book here!
8. Grotto Canyon Icewalk
Another awesome hike that is better in the winter than the summer is Grotto Canyon! The Grotto Canyon Icewalk is a 4.4 km (2.7-mile) trail, and in the winter, you’ll actually walk right on a frozen river through the canyon!
It takes around 1.5 hours each way if you allow time to explore the canyon and take some photos. It takes 30 minutes of walking until you reach the canyon, and from here on out you’ll follow the frozen river up the canyon to frozen waterfalls and an Inukshuk Garden. Along the way, there are also indigenous pictographs (but you’ll need a keen eye to spot them!)
If you’re worried you’ll miss the hard-to-find attractions in the canyon such as the pictographs you can actually join this tour through Grotto Canyon. You’ll explore all the cool rock formations, frozen waterfalls, and learn about the history and geology of the area. I’d definitely recommend going with a guide if you’ve never done an ice walk before – it can be slippery!
The tour is also very handy because it includes return transport from Banff as well as all of your gear (ice cleats/crampons are essential!). They even provide hot chocolate so you can stay toasty warm! The tour costs $104 CAD and is well worth adding to your Banff itinerary!
Access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go when you book this tour here!
9. Visit Abraham Lake to see the ice bubbles
Abraham Lake is easily one of the most impressive winter destinations in Canada. Although it’s not in Banff National Park, this lake is well worth checking out if you’re up for a road trip and an adventure!
What makes Abraham Lake so special to visit in the winter is the methane bubble that you’ll see in the ice. It’s a really neat phenomenon and makes for some cool photos. It’s not uncommon for photographers to travel from all over the world just to see this. The lake is also great for ice skating and on a clear day, the views of the surrounding mountains are magnificent.
You can easily reach Abraham Lake on this guided tour! This tour departs from Banff and takes you for a scenic drive on the Icefields Parkway, stopping at the stunning Peyto Lake along the way. Once you arrive at Abraham Lake, your guide will show you the best spots to see the ice bubbles and you can even skate if you want (BYO skates).
The tour is a full day at about 8 hours long. It includes your transport, an expert guide, and warm drinks, but doesn’t include lunch. You’ll need to pack your own as there aren’t options to purchase out at the lake! This tour costs $255 CAD per person.
Check availability and book this tour in advance here.
10. Go caving in Canmore
While it’s not technically in Banff, caving in Canmore is just too fun to pass up! Canmore is only a 20-minute drive away, so it’s an easy way to escape the crowds of Banff. And yes, this is an activity that you can do even in winter. Despite the cold outside temperatures, the cave maintains a temperature of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F).
This half-day cave tour lasts for about 4 and a half hours, including a full safety brief as well as plenty of time down in the caves! It’s also super beginner-friendly, so even if you’ve never been caving before the guides are really helpful in making you feel comfortable and confident.
If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, then this longer adventure cave tour lasts for about 6 hours and even includes rappelling down 59 feet (18 meters) into the cave! The adventure begins with a 30 to 40-minute hike up the trail, followed by plenty of squeezing and wiggles once you’re down in the cave.
Both tours start and finish at their office on the southeast side of Canmore and are tons of fun! Tickets for the half-day tour cost $149 CAD per person, and tickets for the full-day tour are $199 CAD per person. Be sure to reserve your spot well in advance, as these tours are popular and are known to sell out!
Book the half-day cave tour here or the 6-hour cave adventure here – before spots fill up.
Where to Stay in Banff in Winter
Banff, being the holiday destination it is, has no shortage of beautiful hotels. All over Banff National Park, there are tons of hotels to choose from. In fact, it’s hard to book a bad hotel in Banff. With that said, there are a few stand-out hotels for every budget. You know, those places that offer more for less.
From hotels in Banff town to ones that are a little more out in nature, we’ve put together a list of our favorites that would be our top picks for each budget category:
Please note: Hotel prices in Banff differ from winter to summer. In fact, most hotels are more than double the price in summer.
Fairmont Banff Springs ($$$)
The Fairmont Banff Springs is easily the most luxurious hotel in Banff. As you can expect, it’s not cheap but the place is simply incredible – it seriously looks like a castle! If you’re visiting Banff on a honeymoon then this should be the hotel you choose.
Inside the hotel, you’ll find 11 restaurants, 14 shops, a bowling alley, bars, a top-rated spa, a couple of pools, and so much more. With so much to do in this one-of-a-kind luxury hotel, you’ll honestly feel like you’ll never want to leave!
Rooms here at the Fairmont start from around $550 CAD per night in the winter, but can rise further in peak season. For the best deals, it’s best to book as far ahead as possible! You can check prices and room availability online here.
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort ($$)
Pushing up into the mid-range budget, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort has a beautiful swimming pool, hot tub, and gym, and all the rooms come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens. We’d say this is the perfect option for families since two and three-bedroom units are also available.
The hotel is also in a good location that’s just a 5-minute drive away from town, so it’s a great place to enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet of the Banff countryside!
Rooms here average around $500-600 CAD per night in the high season, but dip as low as around $104 CAD in the low season in the winter. You can check availability and book Banff Rocky Mountain Resort online here.
Banff Inn – ($$)
Rooms at the Banff Inn have a very affordable price tag, but are also chock-full with all the amenities you could want to have a great stay! This way, you can splurge on those once-in-a-lifetime tours and experiences that make a trip to Banff so memorable.
The hotel is located right on Banff Ave and all rooms are air-conditioned. Inside, you’ll find a hot tub, steam room, and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar – perfect for a little bit of relaxation after a long day out exploring Banff.
Rooms here start at $115 CAD in the winter, but don’t forget to book the Banff Inn well in advance as this is one of the most popular hotels in Banff!
Samesun Banff Hostel – ($)
For folks looking to save some cash while having a blast in Banff, it’s definitely worth checking out the Samesun Banff Hostel. It’s a great place for backpackers or anyone who’s fine with making some new friends and doesn’t mind sharing a dorm. But if you’re keen on privacy, keep in mind that there aren’t any private rooms available here.
A bed in a dorm here starts from around $40 CAD in the winter, including breakfast, and can be booked on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $11 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.50 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $22.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $75.25 CAD
- Senior (65+) – $64.50 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $151.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Banff really is just as much a winter destination as a summer one. These winter activities will keep even the most adventurous busy for this trip and many more to come. There’s just so much to see and do in Banff in the winter!
Thanks so much for reading. I really hope your upcoming trip to Banff is amazing and you enjoy every second of this magical place. If you found this blog helpful then be sure to check out more blogs such as:
8 BEST Johnston Canyon Tours from Banff