Banff Winter Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + Tips

Visiting Banff in winter had been on our bucket list for years, and it completely lived up to expectations. Snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes, and some of the most incredible winter scenery we’ve ever seen made this one of our favourite trips. In this Banff winter travel guide, we’re sharing the best things to do in Banff in winter, where to stay, best things to do, and helpful tips to help you plan your trip.

In This Banff Winter Travel Guide:

• Where is Banff National Park
• How big is Banff National Park
• Best time to visit Banff National Park
• How many days in Banff National Park
• Best things to do in Banff National Park
• Where to stay in Banff National Park
• Do you need a car in Banff National Park
• Banff National Park travel tips
• Is Banff National Park worth visiting in winter
• Useful links for planning your trip

Where Is Banff National Park?

Banff National Park is located in the province of Alberta in western Canada, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The nearest major airport is Calgary International Airport, which is around a 1.5 hour drive from Banff, making it the main gateway for most visitors travelling to Banff.

We flew into Calgary and picked up a hire car from the airport before driving to Banff, which took approximately 90 minutes. A snow storm started during our drive – it was quite the introduction to winter in Canada!

P.S. Winter Driving Tip

If you’re visiting Banff in winter and planning to drive, we highly recommend renting a car with winter tyres. The roads can be snowy and icy, and winter tyres make a big difference and feel much safer when driving in the mountains.

It’s also important to know that if you continue driving further into British Columbia, winter tyres are actually mandatory by law on many highways during winter months, so make sure to check this when renting your car. Winter tyres do make the rental more expensive, but in our opinion, they are definitely worth it for safety and peace of mind.

→ Compare car rental prices in Calgary here

How Big Is Banff National Park?

Banff National Park is huge! It covers over 6,600 square kilometres, and many of the main sights are spread out across the park rather than all being in one place. Something that can be confusing when planning a trip is that Banff is both a national park and a town.

Banff Town and Lake Louise are both located within Banff National Park, and it takes around 40 minutes to drive between Banff Town and Lake Louise.

Because the park is so large, it’s important to plan your days so you’re not driving back and forth too much between locations.

Driving distances in Banff National Park:

• Banff Town → Lake Louise: 40 minutes
• Banff Town → Sunshine Village: 17 minutes
• Banff Town → Johnston Canyon: 25 minutes
• Lake Louise → Icefields Parkway: starts near Lake Louise

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Best Time to Visit Banff in Winter

The winter season in Banff typically runs from November through to April, with each month offering slightly different experiences depending on what you want to see and do.

If you’re hoping to see frozen lakes and snowy landscapes, the best time to visit Banff in winter is usually January to March, when temperatures are colder and the lakes are fully frozen. This is the best time for activities like ice skating on Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon ice walk, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.

Banff is also a very popular destination for skiing and snowboarding. It actually has one of the longest ski seasons in Canada, typically running from November through to May, depending on snowfall conditions. This makes Banff a great option if you’re planning a late winter or early spring ski trip.

We visited Banff in late February and found it a great time to visit. Though there were tourists, it never seemed too busy and as it was deep into winter enough that the lakes were frozen and the ski season was in full swing.

If you’re travelling Banff in winter be prepared for cold temperatures, sometimes well below freezing, especially in the mornings and evenings.

Quick guide to winter in Banff:

• November – December: Start of winter, Christmas atmosphere.
• January – February: Coldest months, best for frozen lakes and winter activities
• March: Slightly warmer, longer days, still great winter conditions
• April – May: End of winter, conditions can be mixed depending on snowfall

How Many Days Do You Need in Banff in Winter?

How many days you need in Banff really depends on how many winter activities you want to do and whether you plan to explore beyond Banff town.

We’d recommend spending at least a long weekend in Banff to experience some of the main winter activities and visit places like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.

If you want to explore more of the area at a slower pace, go skiing or snowboarding, or drive the Icefields Parkway, then 5–7 days would be ideal. This gives you enough time to enjoy the winter activities without feeling rushed and allows for some flexibility in case of snow or changing weather conditions.

Quick Overview:

• 2-3 days: Banff town + Lake Louise
• 3-4 days: Add Johnston Canyon or other tours/experiences
• 5-7 days: Add ski days and more winter activities

We spent one week in Banff and this was a nice amount of time to experience all that Banff town and Lake Louise had to offer. This also included 3 half days at the ski resorts and a tour to Johnston Canyon.

Watch Our Banff Winter Trip Video

If you want to see what Banff looks like in winter and the activities we did on our trip, you can watch our Banff winter travel video below.

Best Things to Do in Banff in Winter

If you think you’re missing out by visiting Banff in winter over summer, you’re wrong. There are so many winter activities in Banff, from skiing and snowboarding to ice skating, gondola rides and winter walks through incredible snowy landscapes. Here are some of the best things to do in Banff in winter!

Banff Gondola

One of the most popular things to do in Banff in winter is take a ride on the Banff Gondola, which takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain for incredible panoramic views over Banff town and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. We visited on our first day in Banff and talk about a strong first impression, it was spectacular!

The gondola takes around 8 minutes to reach the summit, climbing to an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) above sea level. 

P.S we’d highly recommend grabbing a hot chocolate to sip by the fireplace while enjoying the views!

→ You can book Banff Gondola tickets here

Ice Skating on Lake Louise

Ice skating on Lake Louise is one of the most iconic things to do in Banff in winter and definitely something we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Skating on the frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains feels like something out of a postcard and is easily one of the most scenic ice skating spots in the world.

If you have your own skates, you can bring them and skate for free on the lake. If not, you can hire ice skates from Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which is located right on the lake. 

P.S parking at Lake Louise is free in winter!

Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

One of the most popular things to do in Banff in winter is the Johnston Canyon ice walk, where you walk through Johnston Canyon to an incredible frozen waterfall.

We joined a guided tour with Discover Banff Tours and had a great time! Our tour guide also supplied ice cleats, snacks and a hot drink. The walk itself isn’t too difficult and is suitable for most fitness levels, but having a guide was great for learning more about the area and the canyon.

You can choose to self-guide Johnston Canyon but we’d highly recommend purchasing or renting ice cleats, which makes walking on the ice and snow much easier and safer.

→ Don’t miss out and book Johnston Canyon Ice Walk here

Skiing in Banff (SkiBig3 – Sunshine Village, Lake Louise & Mt Norquay)

If you’re visiting Banff in winter, skiing or snowboarding is one of the main activities to do. Banff is home to three ski resorts, known as SkiBig3: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. One lift pass can be used across all three resorts, which makes it really convenient if you’re staying in Banff for a few days and want to try different mountains.

Sunshine Village is known for its incredible snow conditions and wide open runs above the tree line, you take a gondola from the parking area to reach the ski area.
Lake Louise Ski Resort is the largest of the three resorts and has a huge variety of runs for all levels, as well as amazing mountain views while you ski.
Mt Norquay is the smallest resort and the closest to Banff town, making it a good option if you want somewhere quick and easy to get to for a half-day of skiing.

If you don’t have a car, there are free ski shuttle buses that run from Banff town to all three ski resorts, which makes getting around really easy in winter.

New to skiing? On our trip to Banff we were complete newbies to skiing and undertook lessons with SkiBig3! We visited all 3 resorts and had a great time.

Watch our full experience of learning to ski in Banff in the video below:

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Afternoon Tea

One of the most iconic hotels in Canada is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and visiting it in winter is a really special experience.

If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can’t just walk around inside, but you can visit if you book a dining experience, such as afternoon tea or a meal at one of the restaurants. We pre-booked the afternoon tea for our visit.

Afternoon tea is served inside the hotel with large windows overlooking the lake. We were lucky enough to get seated directly by the window so we could watch the ice skaters on the lake as we ate!

We ordered a vegan and vegetarian afternoon tea during our visit. The vegan afternoon tea was slightly disappointing if I’m honest, though the vegetarian option was better.

Snow Tubing at Mt Norquay

If you’re looking for a fun winter activity in Banff that doesn’t involve skiing or snowboarding, snow tubing at Mt Norquay is a great option. Mt Norquay is one of the three SkiBig3 resorts and is located just a short drive from Banff town, making it very easy to get to.

Snow tubing is a lot of fun and very family-friendly, and it’s a great way to enjoy the snow even if you’re not a skier. You sit in a large inflatable tube and slide down groomed snow lanes, it’s a lot of fun! Plus, there’s a magic carpet lift that takes you back up to the top, so you don’t have to walk back up the hill each time – yay!

Sunshine Village Gondola & Chairlift 

Even if you’re not skiing, visiting Sunshine Village is still worth it for the views. To reach the resort, you take the Sunshine Village gondola from the parking area up to the main village, and from there you can take additional chairlifts higher up into the mountains.

One of the most popular things to do is take the Standish Chairlift to the top, where you’ll find the famous Sunshine Meadows sign and incredible panoramic views over the surrounding snow-covered mountains. On a clear day, the views from the top are amazing and it really feels like you’re high up in the Rockies.

P.S there’s eateries and even accommodation at the top if you want to extend your visit!

→ Book Banff Gondola + Standish Chairlift here

More Things To Do:
If you have some additional time or looking for other activities, we’d also recommend:

• Cave & Basin National Historic Site
• Lake Louise Gondola
• Showshoeing Tour
• Banff Hot Chocolate Trail
• Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
• Lake Louise Winter Sleigh Rides
• Icefield Parkway (check weather conditions)
• Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

Visit Canmore

If you have a bit more time, it’s worth taking a trip to Canmore, which is located about 20 minutes from Banff. Canmore is a small town just outside Banff National Park and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

Canmore has some really nice cafés, restaurants, and shops, and it’s generally a bit quieter and more ‘local’ compared to Banff town.

It can also be a good place to stay instead of Banff if you’re looking for slightly cheaper accommodation while still being very close to the national park.

To see more of Canmore, watch our video below:

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Where to Stay in Banff

Choosing the right place to stay is an important part of planning your trip, so in this Banff winter travel guide, we’ll go through the best areas to stay.

There are a few different areas to stay when visiting Banff National Park, depending on budget and your itinerary. The two main choices are Banff town and Lake Louise. We broke up our stay between the two. Other options outside of the national park include Banff and Dead Man’s Flats, a small hamlet just outside of Canmore.

Banff Town

Banff town is the most popular place to stay and is a great base for your trip, especially if it’s your first time visiting Banff. It has lots of hotels, restaurants, shops, and tour companies, and it’s a good central location for visiting places like Johnston Canyon and the Banff Gondola.

It’s also a good place to stay if you’re skiing, as there are free ski shuttle buses from Banff town to Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay.

During our visit, we stayed at Peaks Hotel & Suites which we thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

→ Check dates and availability: Banff Peaks Hotel & Suites

Lake Louise

If you want to stay somewhere more scenic and quieter, Lake Louise is an amazing place to stay, especially in winter. Staying near Lake Louise means you can visit the lake early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s much quieter, and you’re also very close to Lake Louise Ski Resort and the Icefields Parkway.

While we explored the best of Lake Louise we stayed at Lake Louise Inn, ideally located just 6 minutes drive from the ski resort!

→ Check dates and availability: Lake Louise Inn

Do You Need a Car in Banff in Winter?

Having a car in Banff in winter is very useful, especially if you want to visit places like Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and drive some of the Icefields Parkway. Having your own car gives you a lot more flexibility and allows you to visit places early in the morning or later in the day when it’s quieter.

We hired a car from Calgary Airport and found it made our trip much easier, especially for getting between Banff town and Lake Louise and visiting some of the more remote areas of the park.

If you’re planning to rent a car, we recommend using DiscoverCars to compare prices across different rental companies and find the best deal.

→ Compare car rental prices here

However, if you don’t want to drive in winter, public transport and shuttle buses are also very good in Banff.

There are regular buses between Banff and Lake Louise, and there are also free ski shuttle buses that run from Banff town to the three ski resorts (Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay) which makes it easy to get around even without a car.

Banff Winter Travel Tips

Banff in winter is an incredible place to visit, but there are a few things we think are really helpful to know before your trip.

• Buy a Parks Canada pass – You need a park pass to enter Banff National Park with a vehicle. Make sure you display it on your dashboard at all times while inside the park. You can purchase pass on arrival also.
• Wear layers – Banff gets very cold in winter, often well below freezing. We’d recommend thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, and a waterproof winter jacket, as well as a hat, gloves, and warm socks.
• Bring or rent ice cleats – Paths can be very icy in winter, especially at places like Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise. Ice cleats that attach to your boots make walking much easier and safer.
• Book activities in advance – Popular winter tours like the Johnston Canyon ice walk can sell out, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Days are short in winter – It gets dark quite early in winter, so plan outdoor activities earlier in the day and leave restaurants, Banff town, or indoor activities for the evening.
• Check road conditions and weather – Weather in the mountains can change quickly, so check conditions before driving, especially in winter.
• Winter tyres are recommended – If you rent a car, make sure it has winter tyres, as roads can be snowy and icy.
• Consider travel insurance – Especially if you’re skiing, snowboarding, or doing winter activities.

Is Banff Worth Visiting in Winter?

YES! Banff in winter was honestly truly incredible and one of our all time favourite trips. There are so many winter activities to do, such as skiing, snow tubing and winter walks, so it never felt that we were missing out by visiting during winter.

The snowy landscape looked like something out of a postcard, it was honestly like a winter wonderland at times. While temperatures can be very cold, if you dress appropriately with layers it shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, who doesn’t love warming up with a hot cup of hot chocolate in their hands, sitting by a roaring fire. We certainly did!

Final Thoughts on Visiting Banff in Winter

Banff National Park is an incredible destination year-round, but winter is a particularly special time to visit. From skating on frozen lakes and skiing in the Rocky Mountains to taking gondolas up to snowy viewpoints, there are so many amazing winter activities to experience.

We hope this Banff winter travel guide has helped you plan your trip and given you a good idea of the best things to do in Banff in winter, where to stay, and helpful tips to know before you visit.

Banff Winter Travel Guide: Useful Links

Some useful links for planning your trip to Banff:

• 🚗 Compare car rental prices – DiscoverCars
• 🏨 Find hotels in Banff – Booking.com
• 🎟️ Book tours & activities – GetYourGuide
• 💳 Travel card we use – Wise

Thank you!

Hi adventurers, thanks for reading our Banff winter travel guide!

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