The BEST Methods to Expertise Banff in Winter (for 2024)

Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce

Final up to date on January 14, 2024

In Banff, Alberta, winter wraps itself across the city with a frosty white embrace. Bundled up like marshmallows, guests waddle via the streets, having fun with the diminished crowds and the winter wonderland environment. The mountains are draped in white fluffy powder, and lights twinkle all through city like stars. That is Banff in winter…and it’s a magical place to go to with a lot to see and expertise. Neglect a crimson carpet, it’s a stupendous white one which welcomes those that come to go to throughout these chilly months!

How you can Put together to Go to Banff in Winter

One should be ready to go to Banff in the course of the winter months. Having satisfactory heat clothes, together with jackets, toques, gloves, scarves and ski pants, is a necessity as climate can change rapidly. The chilly can and shall be excessive at occasions (beneath -40 levels Celsius) so examine the climate earlier than you enterprise out.

For those who’re driving to Banff Nationwide Park, you’ll want to have an emergency automobile equipment ready as roads could be extraordinarily icy. And in the event you’re venturing out on the Icefields Parkway, it’s obligatory to have your automobile geared up with winter tires or chains.

Issues to Do in Banff in Winter

Banff SnowDays

Banff and Lake Louise are rocking each January for just a few weeks with the annual SnowDays celebration. There are PLENTY of outside winter actions to participate in, together with snow sculpting, stay leisure within the streets, dogsledding, a winter carnival, plus rather more!

And don’t miss the thrilling occasion of skijoring as horses pull skiers down the streets of Banff at full pace! SnowDays is a bunch of enjoyable for the entire household

Attempt Winter Climbing

Don’t be afraid of climbing in Banff in winter… in reality, some folks desire it over summer time climbing! Banff Nationwide Park has many nice winter hikes; the secret’s sticking to the better, extra accessible trails, as you don’t wish to put your self at risk by straying too far within the snow. A few of our favorite winter climbing trails embody Johnston Canyon, Fenland Path, Lake Louise Lakeshore, Fairview Lookout, Tunnel Mountain, and Sulphur Mountain.

We suggest bringing climbing poles and ice cleats on these trails in winter, as they make it a lot simpler if the path is icy. Most of the climbing trails in Banff will also be explored by snowshoes, which is one thing to remember!

Take pleasure in Downhill Snowboarding and Snowboarding

For those who’re visiting Banff in winter, likelihood is you like to downhill ski or snowboard. Luckily, Banff Nationwide Park has a number of the greatest mountains on the earth! Take pleasure in the fantastic thing about the snow-capped mountains in all their glory in winter. With one of many longest ski seasons in North America, you’re spoiled for choices; select from Mount Norquay, Banff Sunshine Village, and the Lake Louise Ski Space, which mixed offer you over 8,000 acres of terrain. It doesn’t matter what degree you might be, there are ski hills in Banff Nationwide Park that may go well with you.

Don’t have your personal skis or snowboard? There are many locations to lease ski gear in Banff Nationwide Park, so there’s no excuse to not strive it in your subsequent go to!

Go Ice Skating

There’s no scarcity of spots to go ice skating in Banff Nationwide Park! Probably the most iconic locations to ice skate is on Lake Louise itself, as there are additionally ice sculptures and an ice fortress there to your enjoyment. For wild ice skating on frozen lakes – which takes loads of planning and precautions – Lake Minnewanka, Johnson Lake, and Two Jack Lake are all in style choices.

If you wish to go ice skating on a maintained rink, go to the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, the Practice Station in Banff city, or the Lake Louise Recreation Centre for an indoor rink. And don’t fear in the event you don’t have your personal ice skates, as there are many locations to lease them round Banff and Lake Louise!

Expertise Christmas

Is there something extra magical than experiencing Christmas in a winter wonderland like Banff? Christmas in Banff is without doubt one of the greatest occasions to go to, as you’ll have your choose of Christmas lights, markets, concert events, procuring, parades, and extra.

We extremely suggest visiting the Cascade of Time Backyard in Banff for an interactive vacation expertise, the Banff Christmas Market, and seeing the lights on the Banff Springs Lodge.

Go for a Gondola Journey

The Banff Gondola is a improbable approach to see the majestic Canadian Rockies from a distinct viewpoint, and it’s one of the in style issues to do in Banff within the winter.

Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for unparalleled views and enjoyable choices on the high, together with an interpretive centre with eating choices, 360-degree views, and even the occasional stay occasion. Discovered not removed from downtown Banff, the Banff Gondola is simply as lovely in winter as it’s in summer time.

Go Cross-Nation Snowboarding

Certain, we could immediately consider downhill snowboarding on the excessive peaks of the Canadian Rockies once we consider Banff Nationwide Park, however there are some improbable cross-country snowboarding trails within the park, too! There are scenic track-set and skate snowboarding choices in Banff, and also you’ll discover many various trails to strive all through the Banff and Lake Louise areas.

A few of our favorite cross-country snowboarding trails embody the Tunnel Mountain River Trails, the Spray River West Path, the Lake Louise Loop, the Bow River Loop, and Moraine Lake Street.

Expertise the Banff Springs Lodge

Visiting the Banff Springs Lodge in winter is like stepping onto the set of your favorite Christmas film!

Apart from the wonderful Christmas lights on show on the resort, the Fairmont Banff Springs has unimaginable eating, procuring, and spa choices. Referred to as the “Citadel within the Rockies,” the resort makes for a photogenic and memorable cease throughout your journey to Banff Nationwide Park.

See the Northern Lights

One of many advantages of visiting Banff in winter is the power to see the Northern Lights. Shining their brightest from December till February, the Aurora Borealis dance their manner throughout the Alberta skies in shades of inexperienced, blue, and even crimson!

You’ll be able to take a Northern Lights tour or attempt to catch them by yourself; your greatest guess to see them is on a transparent night time. There’s additionally the close by Darkish Skies Protect in Jasper, among the finest locations to see the Northern Lights in Alberta.

Go Snowshoeing

Considered one of our favorite Banff winter actions is snowshoeing. Excellent for traversing via deep snow, many of the climbing trails in Banff in winter will also be used as snowshoe trails. Undecided the place to start out? You’ll be able to take one of many snowshoe excursions within the park.

We personally love the Johnston Canyon stroll as you’ll be able to see the frozen waterfalls, however many individuals love Tunnel Mountain and Peyto Lake, too.

Go to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs

We don’t find out about you, however we desire winter sizzling springs over summer time! There’s simply one thing additional magical about seeing the entire steam within the air and experiencing the nice and cozy water in distinction with the chilly climate.

Arguably essentially the most well-known sizzling springs in Alberta, the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs are family-friendly; there’s additionally a present store, café, and a day spa with numerous remedies that embody therapeutic massage, steam rooms, and aromatherapy, so your time right here can take the higher a part of the day. Discovered close to the Banff Gondola, the recent springs are a improbable approach to chill out and unwind on a wintry day.

Take a Tour

Whether or not it’s your first time to the Canadian Rocky Mountains or your hundredth, there’s all the time one thing new to see and find out about. Undecided the place to start out? Take a tour! Luckily, there are many excursions to strive in winter in Banff; we love relinquishing all duty to a tour firm and never having to fret about driving, parking, or the place to go.

A few of our favorite winter excursions in Banff embody these run by Banff Adventures, the place you will discover excursions on all the things from mountain climbing to helicopter flights and past.

Attempt Dogsledding

For those who’re on the lookout for a singular approach to see Banff in winter, why not strive dogsledding? Discover the gorgeous Canadian Rockies with a workforce of energetic Huskies and a musher (your information) as you zip via the panorama such as you by no means have earlier than.

Our suggestion is Kingmik Canine Sled Excursions, which has operated in Banff since 1982.

Go Tubing

You will have tried snowboarding or snowboarding in Banff Nationwide Park… however have you ever tried tubing in Banff?! For those who’re on the lookout for one thing enjoyable and thrilling, tubing is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Banff in winter.

Top-of-the-line locations in Banff to strive it’s at Mount Norquay Ski Resort, the place there’s a whole tube park devoted to the exercise. Journey down Alberta’s longest tube lanes on an inflatable tube for a snowy exercise you’ll always remember.

Indulge within the Sizzling Chocolate Path

For those who love sizzling chocolate, you’re in luck! Banff has a particular “Sizzling Chocolate Path” with over 20 collaborating eating places and cafés to strive, all providing a singular festive-themed sizzling chocolate.

Excellent for a enjoyable winter exercise in Banff – this 12 months, it’s working from November seventeenth till December twenty third – get pleasure from all the things from Raspberry Ripple to Banana Bliss to boozy concoctions with Cointreau and Maple Rye!

Attempt Fats Biking

Fats biking is a comparatively new exercise to the park, however it’s an effective way to expertise Banff within the winter. It is a improbable manner for avid cyclists to maintain up their pastime, even when the snow falls, however learners love this distinctive exercise, too!

Whether or not you stick with the Banff townsite or enterprise additional afield to one of many trails – the Lake Minnewanka Path, Sundance Path, and Spray East Path are all in style – there are many methods to discover the park on a fats bike. You may as well join a fats biking tour. And there’s no have to convey your personal bike, as there may be lots to lease in Banff!

Go to Lake Louise

Seeing Lake Louise in winter is a should. Whether or not you’re skating on the frozen lake, popping into the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, having fun with the Lake Louise Ski Space, or wandering across the village, don’t miss out on visiting this a part of Banff Nationwide Park.

Whereas many guests to the park keep in downtown Banff, you would simply spend many days exploring all that Lake Louise has to supply… and it’s solely a brief drive away from the Banff townsite! Snowshoe, ski, skate, hike, store, eat… Lake Louise in winter actually has all of it.

Get Cozy on a Sleigh Journey

Probably the most memorable (and maybe most romantic) of all of the Banff winter actions? Occurring a horse-drawn sleigh experience within the park! There are fairly just a few choices for horse-drawn sleigh rides in Banff Nationwide Park, however we nonetheless suggest reserving your sleigh experience as far upfront as attainable.

Breathe within the contemporary air, take within the views of the Canadian Rockies, and luxuriate in the fantastic thing about this winter wonderland throughout you. You’ll be able to even e-book a non-public sleigh experience for an additional particular expertise!

Deal with-yo-Self on the Spa

In any case of these Banff winter actions, you would possibly really feel the necessity to chill out! Fortunately, Banff Nationwide Park is house to fairly just a few glorious spas. Each the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Fairmont Banff Springs are standouts, however there’s additionally Cedar and Sage Co. Spa, Meadow Spa and Swimming pools, Bliss Valley Therapeutic massage and Wellness, and lots of extra, most of which could be discovered within the city of Banff.

There’s nothing like a little bit of relaxation and rejuvenation after a protracted day of being outside, particularly within the chilly climate!

Take pleasure in Procuring

Let’s face it: typically we’d like a break from all of the outdoorsy adventures and simply really feel like a procuring spree! Fortunately, there may be loads of nice procuring in Banff Nationwide Park, each in downtown Banff and Lake Louise Village.

Stroll alongside Banff Avenue for a wide range of outlets providing all the things from winter gear to souvenirs. In Lake Louise, don’t neglect to take a look at the entire outlets on the grand Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Street Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to virtually each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card sport, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.