A Guide to Visiting Banff in Winter

Banff National Park, straddling the Rocky Mountains just west of Calgary, is more than just a national park; it’s a piece of Canadian history. The third-oldest national park in the world, this 140-year iconic natural, national heritage has walked the fine line between careful environmental protection and easy access. What’s more, it’s home to some of the most emblematic landscapes of Canada, including the gorgeous Lake Louise. Banff in winter is more than a snowy wonderland; it’s a veritable destination. Besides the townsite, you can also access the snowy trails, three national historic sites, and the three ski resorts.

Not for thing is Banff hailed as one of the most amazing national parks on earth. This beautiful Canadian national park is more than just a wintertime adventure destination, which is what makes it so popular. Here’s a comprehensive and detailed guide to visiting Banff in the snowy season.

Weather in Banff

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Everybody knows this, but you need to “know” know this — Banff can get really cold in wintertime, and we mean biting cold. Think highs of around -4 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit) and lows of -14 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit). Brrr! So, you need to pack thoughtfully and well. The rule of thumb is to take winter parkas or insulated jackets, base layers, winter hats, snow gloves, winter waterproof boots, scarves/face or neck covers, and insulated socks. In fact, we always throw in some hand and toe warmers as well, and if you’re into hiking, then you need to bring along microspikes.

The coldest months are January and February, with just a few days of precipitation. However, most years have periods of extreme cold weather where temperatures drop below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). In fact, ski hills even shut if it gets this cold.

So, when is the best time to visit Banff? For Christmas vibes, the second and third weeks of December are perfect, but it won’t be a winter wonderland quite yet. That’s why the first few weeks of December are still the “off-peak” season. The peak snowy season is mid-February to early March, with perfect conditions for dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and snowboarding.

Walk On Lake Minnewanka

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Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, and this is where we feasted on spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies in winter. Between May and October, there are cruises happening here, which shut in winter because, well, the lake freezes. That’s how we got the opportunity to walk out onto this frozen lake, surrounded by mountains. It allowed us to see the wildlife along the shore up close, including mountain goats and big-horned sheep. When we drove to the lake, we passed a small parking lot which offered superb views from above the lake. This is the unusual angle from where we clicked under-appreciated, beautiful, and mesmerizing photographs of the lake.

Indulge In Nighttime Skiing and Stargazing

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There are very few places in the world with nighttime skiing, and Banff is one of them. Carving the turns in the stillness and darkness of the night made it all the more thrilling as we swished our way down the slopes. All you need to do is purchase a nighttime lift pass at Mt. Norquay and you can zip down the slopes with views of the twinkling lights of the town of Banff and the stars above. It’s certainly not your average ski run!

However, there is more than one memorable experience when the night falls in Banff. We’re talking about stargazing, and there are quite a few jaunts close to Banff. For instance, there’s Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, and Vermilion Lakes, or head to the Icefields Parkway for the darkest skies around. Another activity that can be experienced year-round, but should probably be more popular in wintertime, is stargazing from Banff Upper Hot Springs. The fact that it’s -28 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees Fahrenheit) outside doesn’t matter; once you begin soaking in the springs and gaze up at the starry skies, you’ll forget everything.

If you’re interested in guided tours, try this Banff/Canmore Night Adventure with Stargazing. Besides transporting you there and showing you starry skies through telescopes, they even provide you with hot chocolate/tea and cozy blankets to stay warm as well as inflatable portable loungers and chairs to get comfy.

Soak In Banff Upper Hot Springs

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There’s nothing better than recharging after a full day of adventure in Banff, and what better way to do that than soaking your sore muscles in the waters of hot springs? We’re talking about the soothing waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs, where we rejuvenated and relaxed to the hilt. This locals- and tourist-favourite spot was the perfect spot to unwind, soaking in the healing properties of its mineral-rich waters. We’ve already mentioned that soaking while stargazing is a great idea, but the experience is equally magical during the day. We even visited during sunset on a winter evening, watching the snowfall and the picturesque landscape around.

“Soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is one of the most romantic activities we indulged in during wintertime in the region.”

WOW Travel

The water in the hot springs is heated geothermally, bubbling up to the surface, with the water’s natural temperature varying depending on the season. During the winter, the temperature could be as hot as 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit). After they were designated as the Banff Hot Springs Reserve, these hot pools eventually became the catalyst for creating the very first national park in Canada. It was during the late 19th century that “the waters” here transformed into a mecca for people seeking healing properties.

Indulge In Spa And Healing Treatments

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We wanted to extend our wellness experience in Banff, so we thought, why not indulge and revel in a revitalizing spa day? Since we were staying at the gorgeous Moose Hotel and Suites right in the heart of Banff Downtown, we didn’t have to even leave the hotel to visit a spa for a relaxing soak. Ultimate rejuvenation lay right on the rooftop of the hotel, where we could soak in many peaceful moments of self-care.

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We’re talking about the rooftop whirlpool at the Moose Hotel, which boasted some of the most spectacular views of the mountains from the town. Even in the bitter cold, soaking in the bubbling waters with a warm drink in our hands was the best way to give our muscles a break from all that exploring. Of course, we even unwound in the sauna and underwent a full spa experience at the hotel’s very own Meadow Spa & Pools, including massages and full-body treatments.

Besides the spa, this luxurious Canadian Lodge also had gorgeous rooms and suites with in-suite kitchenettes, a pool, an exercise room, and an onsite restaurant serving delicious food.

Stay At The Fairmont Banff Springs

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Did you know that one of the world’s most haunted hotels, which is also one of the world’s most haunted places, is tucked right in the heart of Banff National Park? We’re talking about the Fairmont Banff Springs, which has been famed for having million-dollar views for more than 135 years.

However, this historic, luxurious Baronial-style hotel also has much-talked-about paranormal, almost borderline Gothic, activity on the inside. Think a ghost bride, the ghost of a bellman and whatnot. That being said, the hotel is a lot more than its paranormal fame. Made entirely from Alberta limestone and woodwork, this castle hotel (formerly the Banff Springs Hotel) required a three-month stay at the minimum for the first seven decades! When it winterized in the 1960s, it retired the policy, which is how we enjoyed it in a snowy Banff winter.

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Known as “The Castle in the Rockies,” this massive property is all about pampering in the form of its stay and amenities. Aside from the stunning world-class Willow Stream Spa, the hotel also has four bars and restaurants and various lounges with different levels of formality. What’s more, they also has a championship golf course, riding stables, and a whole lot of winter activities ranging from skiing and snowshoeing to ice skating and more. Plus, there was the Adventure Center, a guest activity hub with complimentary offerings for us nearly everyday. Finally, the rooms and suites were a meld of old-world charm and modern conveniences, with sweeping views from the huge windows.

Visit Lake Louise And The Icefields Parkway

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A visit to Banff in wintertime is incomplete without visiting Lake Louise, which is 45-minute journey from Banff town. The quieter and smaller Lake Louise has a variety of accommodation and restaurant options, a deli, a bakery, a grocery store, sporting goods stores, and even a visitor information centre.

However, the lake took our breath away with its postcard-perfect scenery and the strikingly stark mountains in the background. In fact, we felt like we were walking on clouds. What’s more, this place has been a mecca for adventure for a long time, featuring incredible skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, dog sledding, ice skating, and whatnot. We didn’t need to carry equipment either, as we simply rented everything from Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which is where we were staying. This Fairmont outpost was phenomenal, with amenities like steaming, heated outdoor pools, afternoon tea, and views that make it one of the hotels with the best views in the world.

While we stayed here, we also headed to the stunning Icefields Parkway along Highway 93. Some must-see stops here include Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and a bunch of glacier-fed streams, and breathtaking mountains.

Scenic Drives

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With miles of roads meandering through the remarkable snowy expanses of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park has no shortage of exhilarating scenic drives. While we already mentioned the Icefields Parkway, that’s not the only place for enjoying a scenic wintertime drive.

For instance, the Bow Valley Parkway was the original road connecting Lake Louise and Banff until three decades ago. We could feel the gently rising and falling curves as we drove along, spotting wildlife like wolves, mule deer, and elk along the way. There was also the 24-km-long (15 mi) Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, which had lakeview lookouts, snowy corners, and even the remnants of an old mining town. Did we mention that no matter which scenic drive we took, we saw beautiful frozen lakes and drop-dead gorgeous snow-capped mountains in all directions? Yep.

Ride The Banff Gondola

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One of the most fun, laidback things to do during wintertime in Banff is riding the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. It’s an 8-minute ride to the Sulphur Mountain summitt, where we soaked up sweeping vistas of the town of Banff, Bow Valley, and as many as six mountain ranges.There’s a visitor center at the top where we enjoyed a suoerbsuperbly delicious lunch buffet even as the took in the mesmerizing views.

After that, we walked down the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak, which is home to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. It’s a Canadian National Historic Site that was built to study cosmic rays, and we got all the more better views here. Plus, we got a chance to stretch our legs as well. If you want your gondola experience to be all the more special, head here close to sunset. That way, you can also experience Nightrise, an interactive art installation with wondrous and dazzling display of lights and sounds after dark. It was designed in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

While you can buy your tickets at the counter, we’d recommend buying them in advance. Not only was that slightly cheaper, but we were also able to skip the line, heading straight to the gondola when we arrived.

Enjoy Fun, Laidback Snow Activities

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It’s a no-brainer that snow activities are the ultimate thing to do in Banff. Even then, snow activities are of different kinds. While we do enjoy high-octane ones like skiing, etc., we also get to relax when there are laidback snow activities thrown into the mix. Luckily for us, Banff had these in spades, and you don’t need to be a snowboarder or a skier to enjoy the region in wintertime!

One of the most fun activities we tried out was snow-tubing at Mt. Norquay Tubing Park, where we flew down the slopes surprisingly speedily but always safely. Not only is the park open daily, but it’s even open for night tubing between 5 and 9 pm on Friday and Saturdays. Do you have a Ski Big 3 pass? You can access the tubing park for free.

We also indulged in what felt like our very own fairytale, a sleigh ride with horses padding at a steady speed and the whimsical sound of jingling sleigh bells in the backgorund. A thrilling way to enjoy the scenery is dog-sledding with a team of energetic huskies and a musher (guide). And since we were exploring the town, we even went ice-skating across the iconic Lake Louise before cozying up with a hot cocoa fireside and heading back out again!

Engage In Energetic Snow Activities

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This is why most people come to Banff in wintertime, don’t they? This skiers and snowboarders paradise is home to three world-class resorts, which are some of the best ski resorts in Banff. These include the Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, the Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, and the Lake Louise Ski Resort Area.

Since we wanted a taste of all three places, we bought the Tri-Area SkiBig3 lift tickets, which allowed us to access all three regions. What’s more, all three regions have enchanting ski runs with wide-open tracks, treed glades, and paths winding through the forest and multiple lifts. Does the idea of zooming down a slope not thrill you? Enjoy a laidback skiing adventure with experienced guides showing you the ropes of Nordic skiing. think of it like daytime disco! Snowshoeing, especially across the cloud-like Lake Louise, is another fun activity.

Since we’re avid hikers, we went on hikes and ice walks. One of the most thrilling and must-do ones is the winter walk to Johnston Canyon Icewalk. We strapped on a pair of ice cleats and burrowed through tunnels and strutted along steel catwalks in an unforgettable experience. The trail ends at the Upper falls’ “Cathedral of Ice,” which are 100-ft-tall gigantic bright blue ice pillars.

How do you get around Banff in the wintertime?

You can inquire with individual Banff hotels, many of which offer complimentary shuttle service within the Banff townsite to their guests. What’s more, there are ski shuttle buses available throughout the wintertime between Banff and the three ski areas — Lake Louise Ski Area, Sunshine Village, and Norquay.

Where is the best sunrise in Banff in wintertime?

Some of the best places to see the winter sunrises in Banff are from the Rockpile at Moraine Lake, from Lake Louise, Two Jack Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, and the Tunnel Mountain viewpoint.

Can you go to Banff without a park pass?

No, everyone visiting Lake Louise or Banff or needs to buy a Park Pass to enter the National Park. You could also buy your pass online and save the hassle and time when you arrive at the park entrance.