Banff National Park is your ultimate winter wonderland with snow-capped mountain peaks, wildlife sightings, hot springs, and sleigh rides underneath the Northern Lights. The winter months are perfectly suited for outdoor adventure lovers and snow-sports enthusiasts alike, not to mention offering cheaper prices & smaller crowds! And don’t worry… there are plenty of things to do here in winter besides ski. Without further ado, here are the top 10 best winter activities to do in Banff National Park!
1. Ice Skate Lake Louise
Skating in Banff comes with plenty of options but Lake Louise is my personal recommendation. It is very well maintained and perhaps the safest natural rink all winter long. On top of that, there are plenty of other winter activities nearby! If you visit at the right time, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will display a beautiful ice castle on the lake as well as an ice bar where you can warm up with hot cocoa.
2. Ice Hike Through a Frozen Canyon
Hiking to a frozen waterfall is one of my favorite winter activities in Banff! If you have never seen a frozen waterfall in person then strap on your ice cleats and hop to it because Johnston Canyon is a hike you don’t want to miss. The canyon consists of several frozen waterfalls, mainly the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls.
I recommend booking a guided ice walk tour. The tour includes ice cleats and a professional ice trekking guide that will weave you through Johnston Canyon’s frozen Narnia-like landscape. Along the way, your tour guide will provide interesting facts about the area and possibly a hot cocoa break!
3. Dog Sledding
With cute pups and a beautiful snow-covered landscape, I am already sold. Kingmik offers dogsledding tours in Banff National Park and the Lake Louise area. The rush of the sled as it glides over the snow and races through a snowy forest is unforgettable.
4. Ski Big 3
You knew this activity would be on the list! There are 3 major ski resorts in Banff which are Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay, and Banff Sunshine. With a Ski Big 3 pass, you get access to all three!
You can purchase your pass and rent your gear at Ski Big 3 Adventure Hub, located conveniently on Banff Ave. There are also complimentary shuttles to each ski resort area throughout Banff, making it super easy to get to and from your hotel to the mountain base!
5. Tubing at Norquay
No need to be a skier or snowboarder to slide down a snow-covered mountain! Mt. Norquay tubing park has a magic carpet to carry you and your tube to the top of the slope where you can slide down. Mt. Norquay’s tubing is open every day, as well as Friday and Saturday nights from 5 pm-9 pm. If you have a Ski Big 3 pass, tubing will be included.
I recommend buying the Norquay lift ticket package as well. Take the lift up to the Mountain Top Bistro for a snack break with a view!
6. Try out Snowshoes
Since hiking can be made quite difficult by mounds of snow in the winter, snowshoes are the perfect solution.
If you’re new to winter hiking I recommend taking a guided tour with an experienced hiking guide who can help you learn to hike in icy conditions. If you need your own snowshoes and poles, you can rent from stores in the town.
7. Sleigh Ride
Add some winter enchantment to your trip by taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the frozen Lake Louise. Sleigh rides depart from the Fairmont Lake Louise on a set schedule throughout the day between December and April.
8. Banff Hot Springs
After a long day of ice activities, all your body will want is to relax, preferably somewhere warm and steamy. Banff has exactly what you need at the Upper Hot Springs. The warm water has “healing powers” that can soothe your aching muscles leaving you feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on more winter activities the next day.
If you are looking for the ~total spa package experience~ then my personal recommendation would be either Cedar & Sage Spa or the Willowstream Spa at the Banff Springs Hotel.
9. Take A Drive Down The Icefields Parkway
One of the most spectacular drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway. There are several great pull-off points to view during winter such as Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. They both also have beautiful snowshoe trails to explore, just be sure to check the trail conditions before venturing out.
As a visitor, it’s extremely important to always check the weather before your drive and pack the proper gear. Icefields Parkway winter conditions should be taken seriously.
Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife in Banff National Park! You can spot a variety of animals including elk, bighorn sheep, deer, grizzly bear, black bear, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, moose, and many more.
10. Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola Ride whisks you warmly up 7,486 feet to the Sulphur Mountain summit, roughly an 8-minute ride. Once you arrive at the top, you’ll find a couple of restaurants and a large observation deck. Walk along the Banff gondola skywalk for 360° Rocky Mountain views.
The Banff Gondola ride costs $49-58 CAD and is open every day during the winter. You can buy tickets online before you go, but make sure to check weather conditions for clear skies beforehand.
Bonus: Visit Surprise Corner
The scenic overlook is located right on the outside of town. The appropriately-named Surprise Corner boasts iconic views of the stunning Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel, which looks like a castle nestled amidst an evergreen forest. Definitely a sight to see during winter and at most a 5 minute drive from your hotel in Banff.
Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies is no doubt a 4 season destination. But, in winter, the landscape transforms itself into a snowy paradise with endless activities and sights special only to the season. Make sure to try some of these top winter activities in Banff this winter!
Which winter activities would you like to do in Banff?
