8 Winter Activities to Do in Banff National Park

Surrounded by mountains with dramatic ridgelines and deep within a wonderland of wildlife and nature lies the tiny town of Banff, Canada. Nestled inside the national park with the same name, this place is an immensely popular summer destination for Canadians and world travelers alike. In winter, Banff will transport you to a frozen wonderland of winter fun and adventure. You’ll find tons of winter activities to do in Banff when it’s a world of snow blankets and ice crystals!

From skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing, ice skating, and dog sledding, Banff is the perfect winter destination for endless outdoor adventure, great dining, and unique opportunities for sightseeing. Banff is located just 90 minutes from Calgary and can be reached easily by car or shuttle.  Here are 8 winter activities to do in Banff National Park!

Winter is one of the best times to head to Banff, Canada because there’s so much to do! You may come across affiliate links in the post below as I share exciting ideas for your itinerary. Clicking and making a purchase through these links helps me earn a small commission that costs you nothing and helps support this blog. Thank you for your support! 

Why Visit Banff in Winter?

Banff National Park is incredibly beautiful and located in the majestic Canadian Rockies, sharing borders with several other national parks and protected areas. There are a wide array of activities for winter and adventure lovers—skiers, ice skaters, hikers, photographers, and adventure seekers. With fewer crowds in winter, Banff is sure to delight you. Experience a frozen Lake Louise in this charming alpine setting that whisks you away to a world of crystalline ice and fluffy snow. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, a physical challenge, a relaxing escape to the spa, or a culinary excursion, you can find it here in the Canadian Rockies during the winter months.

8 Thrilling Winter Activities to Do in Banff 

If the cold never bothered you anyway, you’ll be in a true wonderland when you experience the many things to do in Banff in winter. Take a look at my favorite winter activities to try when visiting Banff National Park below!

1. Ski or Snowboard in the Canadian Rockies with SkiBig3

Situated within the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a great place to ski or snowboard in winter. There are three ski resorts within 45 minutes of downtown Banff, and grabbing one pass will get you access to all of them. A pass with SkiBig3 includes Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Mountain Resort, and Lake Louise, which is one of North America’s largest ski resorts. Combined, there are more than 362 runs at these ski areas over 7,748 acres. You’ll ski and snowboard through a ton of different terrain and stunning scenery.

All these ski areas have shuttle pickups in downtown Banff at several area hotels. Rental equipment can easily be picked up at the SkiBig3 Adventure Shop on Banff Avenue.

I spent two days skiing at the Banff resorts in January of 2023—it really is one of the best winter activities to do in Banff. Sunshine Mountain Resort is spread across four mountains and has some fantastic ungroomed slopes, tree runs, and intermediate to expert terrain. I really loved the scenery! You start high above the treeline, and in the afternoons, the fog descends on the mountain—making for some very unique and picturesque skiing.

Lake Louise, however, was my favorite ski area for a few reasons:

1. It’s a much bigger ski resort
2. Sees fewer crowds
3. Features more expert terrain
4. Trails were better groomed for excellent ski conditions

When you book with SkiBig3, not only will you get access to all three mountains—you can also reserve your accommodations, rentals, and transportation all in one convenient place. SkiBig3 is also a proud partner of Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, offering exclusive discounts to snow enthusiasts around the world.

2. Take the Banff Gondola at Night for Dinner and Art 

Great views, fantastic food, and immersive art await you at the top of Sulphur Mountain. The Banff Gondola is just south of the Banff townsite and takes you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you’ll find several viewing decks and restaurants.

In the winter, the visitors center transforms into an immersive after-dark experience called Nightrise (this started in 2022). Nightrise honors the sacred mountains in a collaboration with the Stoney Nakoda people. You’ll get to interact with cosmic rays of light, interactive diamond dust, and immersive sounds that transport you into nature.

There are several immersive exhibits on each of the four floors during Nightrise. My favorite was the immersive light screens that changed slowly to form a fun and interactive photography background (pictured above). Complementing this experience are fantastic food and drinks at Sky Bistro and the Northern Lights Bistro. Reservations are encouraged and tend to fill up fast! Grab tickets and get information here.

3. Go Spelunking on a Cave Tour with Canmore Cave Tours 

For those looking for a unique adventure, a cave tour might be one of the coolest winter activities to do in Banff! If you don’t mind small spaces or facing total darkness like you’ve never experienced, you’ll love taking what I found to be one of the best adventures in the Rockies: a cave tour. This one takes you deep down into the Rat’s Nest Cave system with Canmore Cave Tours. Canmore Cave Tours  has been taking explorers down into the inky depths since 1992.

I really loved this tour. It’s open year-round and is great to escape the chill during the winter because the temperature in the cave is pretty constant—wavering around 50F, it’s much warmer than the winter air. You can choose from two different tours:

• The Explorer Tour: Less challenging tour that includes about 2.5 hours underground
• The Adventure Tour: More challenging and includes a 60′ rappel and some tight squeezes through small chambers

I chose the Adventure Tour and really loved the challenging route through the cave which included a lot of butt sliding, crawling, and wiggling through small openings. Canmore Cave Tours provides jumpers for each participant as well as headlamp, helmet, and gloves. The cave will get you pretty dirty as you climb and slide passed stalagmites and rocks! Sound like something you’d like to try? You can book a tour here.

4. Visit a Frozen Waterfall at Johnston Canyon

Located less than an hour from Banff, Johnston Canyon is an incredible limestone canyon that has been carved steadily by water and erosion over thousands of years. This is a very popular place to visit in all seasons, but in winter, the rivers and waterfalls freeze and make it even more spectacular. You’ll get to walk along the metal boardwalks along the frozen river, admiring the sparkling ice in the snowy landscape.

There are two ways to see Johnston Canyon—choose a self-guided hike or go with a professional tour guide. We’ll explore each of these options below.  

Booking a Guided Tour of Johnston Canyon 

A great option for first time visitors is booking the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk with a professional guide. On this tour of Johnston Canyon, you’ll not only get to experience the wonderful sights of the canyon in winter up-close, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn all about the history and geology of the area. The Johnston Canyon Icewalk tour also includes your transportation, ice cleats, poles and a warm beverage. What a great way to experience one of Banff’s most popular frozen waterfalls! 

Self-Guided Hike of Johnston Canyon 

Hiking to Johnston Canyon on your own is totally doable and a really fun way to see this waterfall in winter. Temperatures will be very cold, so make sure to pack appropriately and leave no trace while on the trail. If you are driving yourself, get on the Bow Valley Parkway and exit at 1A. There are two parking lots for Johnston Canyon, which can fill up quickly (so try to go early). The hike is 1.2 kilometers each way to the lower falls on a series of metal boardwalks and pathways.

If you want to do this hike on your own, bring appropriate footwear and rent or buy a pair of microspikes to wear on your boots. I really like this brand, and they’ll certainly come in handy when you’re enjoying the many winter activities to do in Banff!

5. Ice Climbing in Banff, Canmore, or Jasper 

Seeing a frozen waterfall is one thing, but climbing it is something entirely different. If you are athletic and ready for a challenge, sign up for an intro to ice climbing class—it’s an epic experience to have in the Canadian Rockies! There are a few outfitters you can climb the ice with and all will provide a licensed and experienced guide as well as your gear: ice picks, helmet, and ice cleats.

I headed out to Calgary for this adventure with local company, Yamnuska Adventures. There were two of us and we booked a private guide, which cost about $450 USD for a half-day. There are also group outings with larger groups that may be cheaper, depending on the week and location. This adventure is for those looking for a real challenge and can be booked with an experienced climbing guide with Alpine Adventures or Yamnuska Outdoors.

6. Hit the Trails on Snowshoes or Cross Country Skis

With miles of winter trails, one of the best things to do in Banff in winter is head out on a snowshoeing or cross country ski trip. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the scenery while enjoying some thrilling slopes and trails in the wintry wilderness!

• If you happen to stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs, you can join a hotel-scheduled snowshoe tour. These tours take place most evenings for hotel guests.
• There are also departures with Radventures Canada, one of the best bespoke tour companies in Banff. They offer three weekly snowshoeing trips.
• The Snowshoe Explorer will have you trailblazing your way through Banff National Park with an experienced guide where you may see wildlife, like elk or foxes. The tour includes equipment, instructions and hot beverages.  Book it here!

For cross country skiing in Banff, there are several different areas and groomed trails for independent travelers. A few of my favorites are the Moraine Lake Road and the Great Divide Trail. For trail information and more ideas, visit the Banff Lake Louise page. Ski and boot rentals can be picked up at Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff. 

7. Ice Skate on Frozen Lake Louise in Banff National Park 

Ice skating in Banff and Lake Louise is a truly magical way to soak up the winter beauty and breathe the crisp mountain air. Plus, it’s a quintessential Canadian pastime and winter activity to do in Banff! The best place to glide along the ice is on the famed Lake Louise, right in front of the historic Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel.

Stop in the Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel to rent your skates, have a cozy cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy one of the most picturesque places in the Canadian Rockies. Outside the hotel, you will also find an ice bar for a post-skate cocktail and an ice castle. It’s the perfect place for your charming Lake Louise Instagram photo! 

8. Drive the Icefields Parkway 

Heralded as one of the most beautiful and scenic drives on the planet, the Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise and Jasper on a 232-kilometer stretch of roadway. Dotted with more than 100 glaciers, cascading waterfalls, emerald alpine lakes, and dense forests of pine and larch, it’s a feast for the eyes. In winter, this breathtaking stretch is covered in white snow and frozen rivers, lakes and glittering trees. 

I’ve put together a complete guide to driving the Icefields Parkway and stops you shouldn’t miss along the way here: The Icefields Parkway: A Winter Guide for the Most Beautiful Drive in Banff National Park. I recommend reading through this guide and bookmarking it to follow during your adventure! 

Road conditions on the Icefield Parkway can be treacherous in winter, so snow tires or chains are required. If you are not experienced in driving on winter roads, join the Icefields Parkway & Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles | Small Group Full Day Adventure. This tour takes you to some of the best places on the icefields parkway, like Peyto Lake—one of the best views along the parkway—and Abraham Lake to see the famous ice bubbles.

Thrills and Chills With the Best Banff Winter Activities

Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper are truly wonderful places to visit for fun activities in the snow and ice. From skiing and snowshoeing to ice skating on frozen lakes and exhilarating cave tours, the best winter activities in Banff National Park certainly deserve a place on your winter hit list. Whether you’re after thrills or chills, you’ll find what you’re looking for right here in the Canadian Rockies.