8 Winter Activities to do in Banff Canada in Winter
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 the winter the town of Banff will transport you to a frozen wonderland of winter fun and adventure. 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 eight winter activities to do in Banff National Park.
Why Travel To Banff
Not only is Banff incredibly beautiful but it is located within the Canadian Rockies, sharing borders with several other National Parks and protected areas. There are a wide array of activities for winter lovers, skiers, non skiers, photographers and adventure seekers and with fewer crowds in winter it is sure to delight you. Whether you are looking for a thrilling adventure, a physical challenge, a relaxing escape to the spa or just a culinary excursion you are sure to find it here in the Canadian Rockies.
8 Winter Activities to do in Banff
Here are eight winter activities to try when visiting Banff National Park.
Ski or Snowboard with SkiBig3 in the Canadian Rockies
Situated right within the Canadian Rockies Banff is a great place to ski or snowboard. There are three ski resorts within 45 minutes of downtown Banff and 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, 7,748 acres and a ton of different terrain and stunning scenery.
All these ski areas have shuttle pickups in downtown Banff at several area hotels, and rental equipment can easily be picked up at the SkiBig3 Adventure Shop on Banff Avenue.
I spent two days skiing at the resorts in January of 2023. Sunshine is spread across 4 mountains and has some fantastic ungroomed slopes, tree runs, intermediate and expert terrain and 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, it is a much bigger ski resort, has less crowds, more expert terrain and the trails were better groomed for excellent ski conditions.
When guests book with SkiBig3, not only do they get all three mountains, they can reserve accommodation, rentals and transportation, too. SkiBig3 is also a proud partner of Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, offering exclusive discounts to snow enthusiasts around the world.
Going Green : An added bonus in sustainable travel is Mt Norquay’s new initiative that will be upgrading the resort, modernizing lifts to make them energy efficient and reducing the built environment of Mt Norquay to restore wildlife habitat in a long term goal called the Norquay 100 Vision.
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 visitors to the top of Sulphur mountain where several viewing decks and restaurants await. In the winter the visitors center transforms into an immersive after dark experience called Nightrise which started in 2022. Nightrise honors the sacred mountains in a collaboration with the Stoney Nakoda people. You 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 4 floors. 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 encouraged.
Go Spelunking on a Cave Tour with Canmore Cave Tours
For those looking for a unique adventure, a cave tour might just be for you, I just hope you don’t mind small spaces or the DARK. Touted as one of the best adventures in the Rockies a cave tour is certainly a unique adventure and this one takes you deep down into Rat’s Nest Cave system with Canmore Cave tours. Canmore Cave Tours has been taking explorers down into the depths since 1992.
I really loved this tour, its open year round and is great during the winter since the temperature in the cave is pretty constant. Wavering around 50 degrees fahrenheit which in winter is warmer than the chilly winter air. You can choose from two different tours; the Explorer Tour which is about 2.5 hours underground or the longer and more challenging tour called the Adventure Tour which includes a 60 foot 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 wiggly through small openings. Canmore Cave Tours provides jumpers for each participant as well as headlamp, helmet and gloves as the cave will get you pretty dirty as you climb and slide passed stalagmites and rocks.
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 by water and erosion over thousands of years. It is a very popular place to visit in all seasons but in winter the rivers and waterfalls freeze making it even more spectacular to walk along the metal boardwalks along the river. There are two ways to see Johnston canyon, through a self guided hike or with a professional tour guide.
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 Johnston canyon in winter up close but you will also have the opportunity to learn all about the history and geology of the area.
The Johnston Canyon Icewalk tour also includes 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. Temperatures will be very cold so make sure to pack appropriately and leave no trace while on the trail. If you are driving yourself you will 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 itself is 1.2 km each way to the lower falls on a series of metal boardwalks and pathways.
If you want to do this hike on your own make sure you have appropriate footwear and rent or buy a pair of microspikes to wear on your boots. I really like this brand which will certainly come in handy on all your winter hikes.
Ice Climbing in Canmore, Banff 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 signing up for an intro to ice climbing class is 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 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 US dollars for a half day. There are also group outings with larger groups 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.
Hit the trails on Snowshoes or Cross Country Skis
With miles of winter trails one of the best ways to see Banff in the winter is to head out on a snowshoe or cross country ski trip. If you happen to stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs you could join a hotel scheduled snowshoe tour which take place most evenings for hotel guests. There are also departures with Radventures Canada one of the best bespoke tour companies in Banff, which offers 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 fox. 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 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.
Ice skate on the 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 breath the crisp mountain air, plus it’s a quintessential Canadian pastime. 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 to rent skates, have a 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; the perfect place for your quintessential Lake Louise instagram photo.
Drive the ICEFIELDS Parkway
Heralded as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet, the Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise and Jasper on a 232 Km stretch of roadway. Dotted with more than 100 glaciers, cascading waterfalls, emerald lakes and forests full of pine and larch. In winter this breathtaking stretch is covered in white and the icy covered rivers, lakes and snow covered trees will take your breath away as you travel through Banff National Park and into Jasper.
Road conditions on the Icefield parkway can be treacherous in winter and 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 great 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 to Abraham Lake to see the famous ice bubbles.
Visiting Banff and The Canadian Rockies
Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are truly wonderful places and certainly deserve a place on your winter hit list. From adventure sports to photography, wildlife spotting, stunning scenery and great food this is a place you need to visit in the winter.
Ow, I really need to visit Banff in the winter time. We’re looking into visiting during the Summer, but there’s also so much fun to do in the Winter time.
Yes the winter is so great, fewer crowds and lots of really unique things to do.
Banff is gooooorgeous in the snow isn’t it!? I have done a few of these, but I have still never been skiing at any of the big 3 – I would loooove to try that next!
Banff looks so pretty in the winter! I’ve always considered going in summer but think winter could be equally pretty!