From hitting the slopes to celebrating the holidays in cozy mountain style, there is plenty to do in Banff during the winter months. Although Banff sees significantly more tourists in the summer months (around 1.3 to 1.5 million monthly visitors in July and August, compared to 200-300 thousand in November to January), this season is particularly beautiful with the snow-covered mountains and evergreen trees.
If you are heading to Banff this winter, be sure to have a reliable vehicle equipped with snow tires. I also recommend checking 511 Alberta to stay informed about the road conditions before heading out. The weather between Calgary and the mountains can vary significantly, so it’s always a good idea to plan ahead.
Without further ado, here are some of the top activities I’d recommend trying in Banff this winter, inspired by my recent stay in the Banff Springs Hotel.
Shop on Main Street
Banff town is home to many shops and restaurants, some of which are chains and others which feature local artisans. Stop by some of the local spots and check out the art that originates here.
Check out artisan-made goods at Branches Marketplace in the Cascade Shops mall, Rocky Mountain Flannel Company for distinctly Canadian styles, and Bear Street Outfitters for ski and bike gear or rentals. The Spirit of Christmas is a beloved spot, especially around the holidays, with all things Christmas.
If you’re interested in art, you should add the Canada House Gallery, Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue, and All in the Wild to your list. These galleries feature local Canadian artists, sculptors, and photographers.
Outdoor Activities
Banff is a great place to try all your favourite winter activities, from ice skating to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and alpine sports.
In Banff town, you can enjoy ice skating at the Fenlands Meadows rink or at the Banff Recreation Grounds. You can also skate on Lake Louise, if you want to make the drive out there. The town also offers some lovely hiking and walking trails, including the Spray River Loop, which offers a nice hiking loop in the fall and early winter, or a cross-country ski track later in the winter.
I also enjoy the Tunnel Mountain trail, which takes about 2 hours to hike the out-and-back trail and leaves straight from the town. If you do plan to go winter hiking, I recommend you bring micro-spikes (hiking cleats) and review my winter hiking essentials.
Johnston Canyon is another great winter option, with beautiful frozen waterfalls and the potential to watch ice climbers scaling them. And, just a little further from Castle Junction, down Highway 93, you can find Boom Lake, which offers an early season winter hike or a cross-country ski and snowshoe track once the snowpack forms.
Banff is also known for beautiful ski resorts, including Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Norquay. The town can make a great homebase for a ski trip, with lots of shops and restaurants to visit in the evenings.
Celebrate Christmas is Banff
Banff is especially magically around Christmas time, with the streets lit up and special events around the town. Banff is known for its Christmas Market, which runs Friday to Sunday from November 20 to December 14. Tickets are $15 per person, with discounts for seniors and children. There are lots of local vendors with foods, handmade goods, and more so you can support local this holiday season.
Banff also offers an immersive lights story called In Search of Christmas Spirit, which offers free admission but does require that you reserve tickets in advance. The event is hosted at the Cascades of Time Garden and is great for the whole family.
Visit the Banff Springs Hotel
Whether or not you’re staying at the Banff Springs, you can visit the hotel and wander the grounds. The restaurants, bars, and spa are available to guests and visitors alike, and the lobby level includes some interesting shops. If you visit in late November or the month of December, you can also check out the beautiful Christmas decorations around the hotel.
The Banff Springs is a common venue for corporate Christmas parties, conferences, and other events. If you’re heading to the hotel, make sure to make full use of the amenities, and bring your own gear for skating or winter walks.
The Banff Springs also has its own ice rink on the Vermillion Lawn, which is complimentary for guests. Bring your own skates if you have them, as rentals are extra.
See Banff from Above
The Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain is a beautiful, though expensive experience in Banff. There are a couple options to make it more affordable. Explore discounts such as Kids Go Free passes in the morning or a 20% discount available to Alberta residents.
The top of the gondola has many activities to explore beside 360 degree views. The Nightrise event offers an interactive art exhibit from November until the end of March, included in the gondola ticket. There is also an interpretive centre and a couple nice restaurants available at the top.
As always, Alyssa, a well researched blog about enticing venues to check out in Banff.
Thank you 😊