Planning a Trip to Banff in Winter

Banff in winter is pure magic! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE visiting Banff during summer and autumn… but there is just something so special about experiencing it during the winter months. I think it’s all the pretty snow, cozy atmosphere, comfort food, and fun winter activities!

I have now taken two winter trips to Banff, the first being a 7-day Alberta winter road trip, and the second being a 4-day winter trip specifically to the Banff area. Both visits were absolutely incredible and have given me insight into what everyone needs to know when planning a trip to Banff in winter. So read on to find out when to visit, where to stay, how to get around, what to pack, where to eat, and the best things to do!

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If you are looking for Christmas vibes in Banff then I would recommend visiting in the second or third week of December. You could even visit during the Christmas holiday! There will likely be some snow around but keep in mind that it might not quite be a winter wonderland yet. We visited during this time and found there to still be enough snow for hiking and skiing, but not quite enough for sledding around town. The first couple of weeks of December are considered “off-peak” so it’s a good time to visit if you are looking for more affordable accommodation deals.

For those who really want to explore the snow and see Banff in the peak of winter – I would suggest visiting during February or March. We explored Banff in mid-February and absolutely loved the conditions for snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Given that it will be peak ski season, you may find accommodations to be a little pricier in Banff during this time.

Between the choice of numerous hotels, lodges, chalets, and VRBOs, it can feel a little overwhelming deciding where to stay in Banff in winter. I’ve featured our favorite hotels in Banff and Lake Louise below. We’ve stayed at both multiple times and have had great experiences.

Our favorite place to stay in the town of Banff in winter is the Moose Hotel and Suites. This hotel is very modern, walking distance to everything in downtown, and the staff are super friendly. They also have some amazing rooftop hot tubs, fireplaces in all the rooms, and beautiful mountain views! Both times we have stayed at the Moose Hotel and Suites have been great experiences. I know we will be back again.

Both of our trips to Banff in winter have also involved staying a couple of nights in Lake Louise. This allows us to be closer to the Icefields Parkway, Yoho National Park, and beautiful Lake Louise. Our go-to option is the wonderful Post Hotel. We find their staff and service to be exceptional. The rooms are super cozy, and the location is central and convenient. Overall, we always love staying at The Post Hotel and always recommend it to our friends and family.

I think the best way to get around Banff in winter is by renting a car. Most visitors to the Banff area fly into Calgary airport. It’s easy to book and pick up a rental car right at the airport. During winter it is best to opt for a vehicle that has all-wheel-drive and preferably winter tires. These can usually be inquired about at the time of booking. Note – we always use Kayak to find the cheapest deals on rental cars!

On this most recent trip, we decided to drive our own car up from Seattle. It was approximately a 10.5-hour drive and we chose to stop for the night in Kamloops. That’s about halfway and was a good place to give my nephew a break from the car. If it had been just my husband and me then we would have driven the entire way in one day. Do whatever feels right for you!

It goes without saying that you should drive carefully during the winter months in Canada. The roads will be icy at times and you should be prepared for all conditions.

There is so much to see in Banff during winter! A good starting place is to explore the actual town of Banff and its main avenue with shops, restaurants, and bars. Banff is very pedestrian-friendly and you can spend hours strolling from one cute local store to the next (and eating way too much fudge!) There are also some short trails to take around town that provide scenic views, or you could try out tobogganing at some of the local hills (there is a fun spot at Spray Meadows Hill behind the Fairmont Banff Springs).

Another option close to town is the Banff Gondola, where you can access the summit of Sulphur Mountain and see some breathtaking views! You can walk along the Banff gondola skywalk and explore the rooftop deck. While there, check out the interpretive center, and you could even dine at the Sky Bistro. Tickets for the Banff Gondola start at $58 CAD per adult when purchased in advance. There are also options to ride the gondola at nighttime, and for lunch and dinner meals! There is also an option to hike up to the summit for free, but this can be kind of treacherous during the winter months.

A very popular winter activity in Banff is to ski the 3 main resorts – Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay. Let me tell you, these mountains have some of the best skiing views we have ever experienced! Many tourists opt to purchase a Ski Big 3 three day pass. This allows time to explore each resort and includes complimentary shuttle rides from Banff, a pass to Banff Hot Springs, tubing, and other perks. A three-day pass starts at around $400 CAD, with discounts for booking ahead of time.

Hiking beautiful Johnston Canyon is a great day trip from Banff. A quick 20-30 minute drive out of town will bring you to the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and ample parking at the Johnston Canyon trailhead. There are options for a short walk, moderate hike or even guided ice climbing tours. We usually opt for the 5 km /3.1 mi roundtrip hike to both the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls. Visitors can marvel at frozen waterfalls, icy turquoise streams and snowy pine trees. Be sure to bring some shoe traction – these microspikes from Kahtoola are the ones we use and love.

You simply cannot visit Banff National Park without seeing Lake Louise! It takes approximately 40 minutes to drive to Lake Louise from Banff. You may also opt to stay a couple of nights in the Lake Louise area, like we did! Whilst exploring the lake you can try out ice skating, go on a horse-led sleigh ride, go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, or enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

This is a must-do! You can easily explore at least the first section of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) on a day trip from Banff, and even more easily if you are staying in Lake Louise. This stunning scenic drive will wind you past beautiful mountains and glacier-fed streams. Some must-see stops include Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake. You could even consider popping into British Columbia to check out Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park (along the Trans-Canada Hwy).

You don’t need to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy Banff in winter! We tested out the Mt. Norquay tubing park and had SO much fun! The tubes flew down the slopes surprisingly fast, yet always felt very safe. The Mt. Norquay tubing park is open every day, as well as Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm – 9pm. Those with a Ski Big 3 pass will be able to access the tubing park for free, otherwise it’s $42 CAD per adult.

We already mentioned the Icefields Parkway and Bow Valley Parkway for scenic drive options when exploring Banff in winter, but there are a few more to consider! We also love taking the drive to see Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka. You will see snow-capped mountains in all directions, beautiful frozen lakes, and potentially even wildlife! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and deer.

We LOVE eating all the yummy food around Banff in winter! Some of our favorite places for dinner are Eddie Burger + Bar for the best vegetarian poutine (order it with added mushrooms). Bear Street Tavern has amazing pizzas and Indian Curry House is perfect for a warmmeal after skiing. Don’t miss the classic cheese fondue at Waldhaus Restaurant.

A good option for a special dinner or celebration is the 1888 Chop House at the Fairmont Banff Springs. For brunch spots and cafes I would suggest Tooloulou’s (breakfast until 2pm) or The Juniper Bistro (#1 on TripAdvisor.) The Wild Flour Bakery is a fantastic spot, too. For sweets you cannot go wrong with a classic Beaver Tail or a stop by the Banff Sweet Shoppe.

While in Lake Louise I recommend enjoying a breakfast wrap and coffee from the Trailhead Cafe. Enjoy a hearty lunch at Bill Peyto’s Cafe and a traditional afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. For a treat, consider an exquisite dinner at the Post Hotel Dining Room.

Banff in winter can get reaaalllly cold. I’m talking highs of around 25 F/ -4 C and lows of 7 F/ -14 C… so you need to pack appropriately! A general rule is to take a heavy parka or well-insulated jacket, thermal layers, beanie, gloves, a neck/face covering or scarf, waterproof boots, and warm socks. I always throw in some toe and hand warmers and like to bring along my microspikes for any icy hikes. Click here to access my free travel resource library and download your in-depth Banff winter packing guide!

See the map below to where I have pinpointed a bunch of places to see, eat and stay during your time in Banff. Click the map for more info!

You could also consider extending your trip to include a visit to beautiful Jasper, which is what we opted to the last time we visited. Here is our 7 day road trip itinerary, which started in Edmonton and ended in Calgary.