33 Outstanding Things to Do in Banff in Winter
When you picture Banff, Canada, you are probably either picturing bright turquoise lakes or snowy mountains perfect for skiing. Well, Banff is one of the those destinations that can do it all and changes immensely based on season. In summer, you really do get the most bright turquoise lakes that look like an energy drink. But, in winter, Banff is a whole different kind of special with cozy restaurants, rooftop jacuzzis, and lots of outdoor adventure activities.
In this roundup, I’m sharing all the best things to do in Banff in winter covering the gambit, so even if you aren’t a skiier or snowboarder, you’ll find plenty to do in the Canadian Rockies!
Map of What to Do in Banff in Winter
Outdoor activities in Banff National Park in winter
1. Dog-sledding
Dog-sledding is a historic and long-standing activity in Banff important to their winter culture and to that of their Indigenous population. Naturally, it’s one of the most memorable things to do in Banff in winter.
There are a few companies that you can go dog-sledding with, but the choice really comes down to ethics, price, and location (emphasis on ethics).
To find a company that treats their dogs well without any shady, questionable animal cruelty going on, the key is to look for transparency on each company’s website. The good ones will not only have a detailed story of how their company got started (again dog-sledding is historical, so the longer running companies are more likely to have deep, respectful roots), but will also flesh out exactly how they care for their dogs. Do they share the details?
For example, we went with Howling Dog Tours. On their site, they outline how they care for their dogs, where they come from, and even have an entire page on Dog Sled Ethics sharing all the details on housing, exercise, diet, and so on!
For price and location these can obviously vary from company to company. We paid around $550 for 2 and found that was average, if not below the average of other companies. As for location, this varies as well where companies are located throughout the Banff area and beyond. Howling Dog Tours was based in Canmore and we actually went sledding in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, which was jaw-droppingly beautiful.
You’ll want to book your tour ahead of time and direct with the company. Be sure to read their rules on what to wear because you’ll likely be turned away if you aren’t prepared for the snow.
- Season: December through March or April
- Price: $260 CAD per person (2 hour tour)
- Address: 712 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore
2. Horse-drawn sleigh ride
Similarly to dog-sledding is another animal outdoor adventure — a horse-drawn sleigh ride. This is a great way to get in the holiday spirit and feel like you’re in the middle of a winter wonderland!
Again, please read up on the ethics of these experiences and choose your provider with intention.
We personally did not do a sleigh ride because I’m incredibly allergic to horses, but I would have if I could have!
- Season: December to March
- Price: $35 per person (group ride), $175 for a private tour for 2
- Address: 100 Sundance Rd.
Related read >> The truth about traveling with allergies
3. Skiing/snowboarding
Of course the quintessential thing to do during the winter in Banff is go skiing or snowboarding on their mountains! Banff is home to a collection of 3 ski resorts aka SkiBig3, which includes Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay.
You can purchase a lift ticket that works at all three resorts.
While I was visiting, I heard from locals that Sunshine and Lake Louise are the most popular and Norquay is like the old-timers’ favorite. I personally didn’t ski any of the three because I was too busy with all the other amazing activities Banff has to offer, but out of curiousity, I’d probably try Norquay first.
That said, you really want to pick one resort to ski/snowboard per day because they’re not right next to each other.
Each resort gets varying snowfall, so the seasons are not always uniform.
Finally, be sure to check out the free shuttle that will take you to and from downtown Banff and the resorts.
- Season: late-November to mid-May
- Price: $125 on average per day
- Address: 1 Sunshine Access Rd. (Banff Sunshine)
4. Ice skating
Ice skating is a quintessential winter past time, so of course Banff has a couple options to get your skate on!
In town, they have an outdoor skating rink at the Banff Train Station, but you’ll need to rent skates from separate rental facilities around town like at Wilson Mountain Sports for $19 per day.
Fenlands Outdoor Meadow Rink is another option. This is a more natural space at the Fenlands Recreational Centre where the rink weaves in and out of the trees. There are skate rentals and sharpening services at the rec centre.
The most popular place to ice-skate, however, is on Lake Louise, 45 minutes north of the city of Banff, but still in Banff National Park. Rentals are available at the Fairmont Chateau Hotel via Chateau Ski and Snow where half day rentals cost $23 for adults and $13 for children and you can even rent hockey sticks!
Note that to get to Lake Louise, you’ll want either a car with mud and snow tires (look for the M+S denotation) or you can take Banff’s Roam Transit Route 8x.
- Season: December through March
- Price: free to skate, $20 on average for skate rentals
- Address:
- Train Station: 327 Railway Avenue
- Fenlands Outdoor Meadow Rink: 100 Norquay Road
- Lake Louise Skating: 111 Lake Louise Drive (Fairmont Chateau Hotel address)
5. Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is another popular winter activity. Think hiking through the snow with fun winter-proof shoes!
There are a number of trails around Banff including Johnson Lake trail and Fairview Lookout trail. If you’re new to the sport or weary of safety (like tree wells or avalanches), I recommend a guided snowshoe tour.
- Season: late December to early April
- Price: $75 per person
- Address: various trails
6. Hike Johnston Canyon (one of my favorite things to do in Banff in winter)
Similar to the above idea, there’s one winter hike that you should definitely add to your winter bucket list for Banff and that’s Johnston Canyon.
Just 30 minutes from Banff, this canyon is a winter wonderland with snowcapped trees, frozen waterfalls, and a trail that weaves in and out of the canyon. It’s truly a beautiful spot that’s a must-do.
It’s free to hike Johnston Canyon and there’s a parking lot on site. You’ll want to bring ice cleats or crampons. These essentially buff up your snow boots so that you can hike in them easily. They provide necessary traction and grip so you aren’t slipping on the ice…of which there is a lot! We used these following their sizing guide and they worked great!
You can get there also by public transportation on winter weekends only using Roam Transit (Johnston Canyon Route 9).
- Season: year round
- Price: free
- Address: Bow Valley Pkwy, Improvement District No. 9
7. Snowmobiling
For a high adventure winter activity, try snowmobiling! While I haven’t been in Banff, I have done it before and it’s a thrill!
You can book your tour with local tour companies like Toby Creek Adventures or White ‘n’ Wild for around $300 CAD.
- Season: November to April
- Price: $300 CAD
- Address: 2213 Toby Creek Rd., Panorama, BC (Toby Creek Adventures)
8. Walk along Bow River
For a more relaxed activity, I recommend taking a walk along Bow River in Banff. This river, which on the surface is frozen in the winter, runs along downtown Banff and there are paths on either side as well as pedestrian bridges that go across.
Be sure to give yourself a little time to walk these paths for gorgeous views of Cascade and Mount Rundle.
- Season: year round
- Price: free
- Address: you’ll run right into when walking South from downtown
What to do in the town of Banff in the winter
Downtown Banff is such a fun city with so much to do for everyone — families, couples, friend groups and solo travelers.
9. Go bowling at High Rollers
Banff’s latest entertainment spot is High Rollers, part bowling alley, part pizzeria, part beer hall, part party spot with DJs! After 10pm it becomes an adults-only entertainment venue so if you’re looking for a kid-free zone, this is a great choice.
There’s only 6 bowling lanes, so be sure to reserve a lane in advance and if you’re looking to save, they do have daily happy hour deals!
- Price: Pizzas are $25 CAD, a pint is $8.75 CAD, and bowling lanes vary by day starting at $49 CAD per hour (half price bowling is from 3-5pm daily)
- Address: 110 Banff Ave.
10. Take a free distillery tour
If you’re 18+ (the legal drinking age in Alberta), you can take a free distillery tour at Park Distillery on Banff Ave. They craft gin, vodka, and rye whiskeys and on the tour you can see the behind the scenes!
The tour is offered daily at 3:00pm. There’s an optional $22 CAD flight of their spirits you can add on and with every tour, you get 10% off at their store if you want to bring home a spirit.
If you have time or an appetite, be sure to check out their restaurant as well. It’s camping themed so they have elevated versions of camping meals like campfire ribs, cornbread, and smoked s’mores.
- Price: free
- Address: 219 Banff Ave.
11. Sit by a fire pit
There’s nothing quite as cozy in the wintertime than cuddling up by a fire pit. Downtown Banff knows this and luckily for us, has some public fire pits that you can enjoy around town.
The easiest to find is in the open space on Bear Street, a newly revamped area of town with new eateries, coffee shops, and stores.
Settle in and just enjoy the winter vibes.
12. Enjoy happy hours
One thing I was not ready for in Banff was how freaking expensive the food is. It’s like $25 CAD per person per meal on average, which feels criminal. After a day or so of dealing with those prices, we decided to shift our dining schedule and have early dinners during happy hours around town.
And let me tell you, it was the BEST decision. Fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and still fantastic food.
Here are a couple we tried and loved:
- Hello Sunshine Sushi and Karaoke — happy hour food included discounted sushi, ramen bowls, and drinks
- LUPO Italian Ristorante and Patio — for happy hour, select pastas, pizzas, and appetizers were discounted as well as some drinks
- Price: $15 CAD on average per person
- Addresses:
- Hello Sunshine: 208 Wolf Street (#101)
- LUPO: 208 Wolf Street (#201)
13. Try a brewery
Banff has a couple breweries downtown so one of the best ways to get out of the winter cold is slipping inside and putting on a little alcohol blanket. The breweries we loved were:
- Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant — great beer and delicious food (but very expensive!)
- Banff Ave Brewing Company — a classic Banff staple; get a flight so you can try a number of their brews
- Price: $9 CAD for a pint
- Addresses:
- Three Bears: 205 Bear Street
- Banff Ave Brewing Co: 110 Banff Ave
14. Taste some local tea
The history of Banff tourism is quite interesting, especially with the Brewster family who are some of the original pioneers and Canadian cowboys who helped bring tourism and build the industry in Banff.
Well you can still see their effect all over Banff including Jolene’s Tea House, which is owned and operated by Jolene Brewster! Not only are the teas inspired by the mountains and truly delicious (I’m kind of a tea snob tbh, so I promise they’re good!), but the tea house is a perfect winter stop.
Inside and out front, there are different teas to taste daily for free. You can browse and smell all their teas and blends, and bring some home if you choose. And as a tip, the teas to try change daily, so keep coming back for different tastes!
I brought home their white oolong and a mountain mint that had a hint of vanilla. Yum!
- Price: $15 CAD on average for a 65g tin
- Address: 211A Bear Street
15. Fight ice with ice cream
As my family says, “it’s never too cold for ice cream!” Pop into COWS, a cow-themed store and ice cream shop that’s been around since the 1980s, for some “udderly fantastic” ice cream.
In fact, when I visited Banff in 2003, I bought some COWS merch at the time, so it was surreal to see them still on Banff Ave after all this time!
- Price: $5 CAD for a single scoop
- Address: 138 Banff Ave (#111)
Related read >> Best places to travel with kids (from a kid traveler)
16. Go shopping
Downtown Banff has no shortage of shops full of every souvenir and winter necessity you could possibly want. Forgot your thermal layers? Don’t worry, there’s a shop for that. Looking for a hand painted Banff poster as a souvenir? Don’t worry, there’s a shop for that!
17. Enjoy their coffee shops
Another unexpected, yet pleasant surprise in Banff was their incredible coffee shops! I’m not even a coffee person (see the tea house activity in #14), but their coffee shops are what I wish US coffee shops were. Each one had an array of freshly baked goods, small breakfast sandwiches and pastries, and truly fresh ingredients!
You can go there for breakfast and lunch and have full meals and in winter, coffee shop coziness is always a good thing.
I highly recommend Whitebark Café for the best coffee! I’m still dreaming about their mochas and we even returned twice during the week we were in Banff.
I also tried the following, which were all great:
- Evelyn’s Coffee Bar — lots of yummy, affordable breakfast sandwiches
- Good Earth Coffeehouse — great for lunch with sandwiches and soups (the grilled cheese and tomato soup were great)
- Uprising Bake Shop + Espresso Bar — HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH…oh yeah and coffee
- Wild Flour Bakery — known for their baked goods (the banana bread and carrot cakes were our faves), but the coffee is also great!
- Price: $3 CAD for an espresso, $5 CAD for a latte
- Addresses:
- Whitebark Café: 401 Banff Ave.
- Evelyn’s Coffee Bar: 215 Banff Ave
- Good Earth Coffeehouse: 333 Banff Ave.
- Uprising Bake Shop + Espresso Bar: 202 Banff Ave.
- Wild Flour Bakery: 211 Bear Street (#101)
18. Sample some local chocolate
Nothing quite warms me up like a sweet treat and Banff has the best local chocolate shops with specialties to fulfill your sweet tooth.
Be sure to try a bear paw, which is chocolate with three peanuts on top to look like a bear’s claws.
I recommend Banff’s Mountain Chocolates.
- Price: $3 CAD per item on average
- Address: 202 Banff Ave
Attractions in Banff National Park in Winter
Aside from Downtown Banff’s local businesses, there really are so many main attractions that will keep you entertained and busy in Banff!
19. Banff Gondola (number one thing to do in Banff)
The Banff Gondola is an absolute must-do. You’ll get the best possible views of the Canadian Rockies!
It costs $44 USD per person and I recommend getting your tickets ahead of time, but only a day or so in advance so you can plan around the weather as best as possible. This is because if it’s snowing or cloudy, the views can be obstructed. They’re really good at putting up signs if this is the case, so you can always go in person to check the conditions.
The gondola ride is 8 minutes and at the top there is an entire Interpretive Centre in the Summit Building, plus hiking trails, a coffee shop, two restaurants, and a souvenir shop. You can spend hours up there if you wanted. I especially recommend a dinner at Sky Bistro for views of the surrounding mountains while dining on some top notch food.
Don’t miss the educational video in the Interpretive Centre to see more views of Banff that you can only see by drone.
While you can hike from the base of the mountain to the Summit Building at the top, that sounds miserable to me, especially in winter, so instead opt for the short 30 minute light hike to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, an actual research station used in the 1950s! You can find it on the second level of the Summit Building, outside where the wooden decks are.
Finally, head outside on the top level for unobstructed mountain views. Be sure to walk around the entire building to see it all!
You can get to the Banff Gondola with public transportation on Roam Bus line 1.
- Season: year round
- Price: $44 per person
- Address: 100 Mountain Ave.
20. Nightrise
At night in winter at the Summit Building, they have an interactive Nightrise experience complete with free marshmallows to roast on their fire pits, an outdoor igloo, interactive lights and sounds, and isolated speakers to integrate Indigenous interpretation of the mountains.
The purpose is to “listen to the view” and experience the mountains in a new way given that the sun sets so much earlier in the winter preventing you from enjoying the mountain views for as long.
The Nightrise experience is included in your Gondola ticket so all you need to do to enjoy it is to be at the Summit Building after the sun sets.
- Season: early December to mid-March
- Price: included in Banff Gondola ticket ($44)
- Address: 100 Mountain Ave.
21. Upper Hot Springs
What better way to warm up during the winter than in a natural hot spring. These are commercially developed, but feature naturally heated water that travels up to 3km from the crust of the Earth.
In the winter, the water can get as hot as 116 degrees Fahrenheit.
It costs $16.50 CAD to visit and there are family discounts and multi-use punch cards if you plan to visit more than once. There’s also a Thermal Waters Pass that combines entry to the Upper Hot Springs and Cave and Basin (number 23 on this list). You can also rent bathing suits and towels if you’re worried about your own items smelling like sulfur. That happened to us at a geothermal park in New Zealand and I never got the smell out!
You can get to the Upper Hot Springs with public transportation on Roam bus line 1.
- Season: year round
- Price: $16.50 CAD
- Address: 1 Mountain Ave.
22. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Time to escape the cold and brush up on your Banff history, and it really is fascinating! Banff was founded because of a discovery of hot springs by railroad workers. But Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies tells so much more than this. Here, you’ll learn about the mountain pioneers who helped map the area, the Indigenous Peoples who influenced the development of Banff, and all things tourism.
Plus, you can step inside a recreated pioneer log cabin, see a historic open top tour car with a metal plate national park pass, and even a collection of paintings from the Whytes themselves.
- Price: $12 for adults and $5 for students, Indigenous visitors visit for free!
- Address: 111 Bear St.
23. Cave and Basin National Historic Site
This is the true site of discovery in Banff that led to the foundation of Banff as a national park. The story goes that railroad workers on their winter break saw some steam in the distance and traced it down to a cave with a hot spring at the bottom.
Hot water was a hot commodity, so naturally they tried to market it and eventually tourism to Banff was booming.
Now, you can visit the original cave through a paved walkway, unlike the original discoverers who descended into the cave on a tree.
Also on site is a basin of water that is home to a species of snail that is only found in that basin out of the whole world! They’re about as big as an apple seed so get close (don’t touch!) and see if you can spot them.
In winter, Cave and Basin historically held a winter carnival where travelers would come to celebrate and engage in fun winter activities. Well, they’ve brought it back, so now you can try your hand at curling, hockey, and crafts.
Admission is $8.50 CAD for adults or you can use the Thermal Waters Pass, which is $23 CAD with discounts for children, seniors, and families.
You can get to Cave and Basin by car or bike. Unfortunately, in the winter the usual bus route (Roam bus line 4) is not operational.
- Season: year round (public transportation only available Spring to Fall)
- Price: $8.50 CAD
- Address: 311 Cave Ave.
24. Buffalo Nations Museum
To learn more about the Indigenous Peoples, specifically the Buffalo Nations, visit the Buffalo Nations Museum. You’ll see collections of artifacts from the First Nations of North America and their trade partners to learn their stories of adaptability, culture, and history.
You can walk there from downtown Banff easily, so no stress on the public transportation front.
- Price: Admission is $12 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors.
- Address: 1 Birch Ave.
Other Memorable Banff Winter Activities
25. Enjoy a rooftop jacuzzi
One of the most relaxing parts of a Banff winter is getting to take in the views while staying warm in a rooftop jacuzzi. Lots of hotels downtown have them so they’re not super difficult to add to your radar when choosing a hotel.
I stayed at the Mount Royal hotel, which had two jacuzzis in a small space with outdoor couches, an indoor lounge with a bar and board games, and full locker room type facilities with showers. The views of Cascade were best, but the fence was a bit of an eyesore.
I also stayed at the Moose Hotel and Suites and loved their rooftop jacuzzi set up! They had two large rooftop jacuzzis, fire pits, and unobstructed views of Cascade and the surrounding mountains.
All I have to say is good luck getting out!
Related read >> Full review of the Mount Royal Hotel
26. Explore a frozen lake
Banff National Park and Jasper National Park are known for their lakes, specifically Morraine Lake, which is the gatorade blue/turquoise lake you’ve probably seen on Instagram. In the winter, these bad boys are frozen.
That means you can explore them in a different way! I mean, prior to this trip, I’d never walked on a frozen lake, so that’s cool!
One of the closest and most scenic is Lake Minnewanka. Parking is free, so bring some snow boots (and your crampons or cleats), a snack, and your sense of adventure. You may even find some Adirondack chairs to lounge on.
- Season: mid-late December to late April
- Price: free
- Address: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No. 9
27. Chase the Northern Lights
Yes, if the conditions are right, you can see the Northern Lights in Banff National Park! It’s not the easiest endeavor because of the light pollution, but be sure to check an Aurora Borealis app, have a car with M+S tires ready, and a full tank of gas, because you might need to chase them.
The best places to see the Northern Lights are typically around the lakes because they’re more open without the mountains blocking your view of the sky.
Another option is to book a guided night time stargazing tour and if you’re luckily, the Northern Lights will come out to play!
- Season: October to mid-April
28. Eat your way through the city
Banff has some fantastic food! I honestly couldn’t believe how much of a foodie city it was. You can make your own food tour and hit all the best spots.
Here are some recommendations:
- Sky Bistro — epic mountain views atop Sulphur Mountain at the Banff Gondola’s Summit Building
- Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant — delicious, fresh ingredients (try the Million Dollar Onion)
- Brazen — unique, seasonal dishes with fun presentation (I loved their creme brulée presented in an ashtray)
- Farm & Fire — a great brunch spot (pre-order a cinnamon roll, only sold on Saturdays)
- Hello Sunshine — a happy hour spot with sushi and ramen (perfect for a cold winter day)
- LUPO — another happy hour favorite with stellar pizza
- The Eddie Burger + Bar — fantastic wings and shakes (even alcoholic ones)
29. Take a scenic driving tour
One of the best ways to see the Canadian Rockies is by driving around on a scenic road trip. While you can drive north toward Jasper National Park on Icefields Parkway (M+S tires legally required in winter), you can also opt for a short 1-2 hour adventure to see some of the top sights.
Stop by Surprise Corner Viewpoint for a glimpse of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Another scenic spot is the Mount Norquay Lookout where you can overlook the entire Banff valley and mountains. It sits across from Sulphur Mountain (where the gondola is), so it’s an opposite view of the one you’d see atop the gondola.
30. Grab a photo with the Banff sign
As you enter town from the Trans-Canada Highway 1, you’ll see a popular photo spot: the Banff sign. There’s always people climbing on it for the perfect photo, so add it to your photoshoot list!
31. Take a day trip to Lake Louise
Even if you don’t want to ice skate on Lake Louise, it’s still a magnificent day trip from Banff. You can have afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, have some hot cocoa, or simply take in the views.
32. Explore Canmore
Just 25 minutes from Banff outside the national park boundaries is the town of Canmore. Here, you’ll find ample affordable accommodation, plus lots of things to do. They have some great breweries, tours, public parks, and restaurants that make Canmore a nice day trip from Banff.
33. Spend the day in Calgary
If you’re visiting Banff, you’ll be flying into Calgary (YYC), a major Canadian city. There’s lots to do, so check out this itinerary for a day in Calgary. I spent a day there waiting for my fiancé’s flight to get in so, I found lots of great activities. Some of my favorite spots were the Calgary Tower, public library, and a food hall!
How to get to Banff National Park
Like I just mentioned above, you’ll fly into Calgary (YYC), which is about an hour and a half drive from Banff National Park. There are a couple shuttles you can take including the Brewster Express and the Banff Airporter. I took both and found that the Banff Airporter was a bit nicer with a smaller bus, outlets, and reclining seats. It also runs a bit later if you’re flight gets in late at night or is delayed beyond your control (yes, that did happen to me and was super stressful, thanks for asking).
You can also rent a car from YYC Airport where they have major car rental companies.
A couple things to note on car rentals during winter in Banff. If you want to drive beyond Lake Louise up to Jasper National Park, legally you NEED mud and snow tires. And of course, you’ll want them for your safety. As you’re budgeting for your trip, be sure to add in a $10-20 per day for the tire upgrade.
Unfortunately, it’s really tricky to ensure that you’ll get a car with 4×4 capabilities, so I found the best way to do that is by selecting a larger size car. Typically, when you get to the rental car company, you’ll get to choose your vehicle from a selection in their parking lot so you can look for ones with 4×4, which provide better stability in the snow.
Although it’s not guaranteed, by reserving a larger car, you should have access to choose one with 4×4.
Another note is that when the roads are icy, they combat that with salt and small rocks to provide traction. Rocks on the road = cracked windshields. It happened to use multiple times totally beyond our control. So, ask their policy on acceptable crack sizes and if you’re worried, opt for extra insurance (or book with your travel credit card and call to see what kind of coverage is included so you don’t have to pay extra to the rental car company on top of that).
When we rented, an employee told us they accept cracks up to golf ball size!
Do you need a car to explore Banff?
This entirely depends on what you plan to do! Most activities on this list are accessible via public transportation, which is Banff’s Roam Transit. Tours also usually come with options for pickup and drop off including dog sledding tours.
Some exceptions where you would need a car are Cave and Basin, taking a scenic driving tour, visiting Lake Minnewanka, and chasing the Northern Lights.
Best places to stay in Banff
I stayed at the Mount Royal and at Moose Hotel and Suites and I think they were the perfect range for different types of travelers.
Mount Royal was more of an adult stay with elevated rooms and not a lot of options for families or bigger groups. The location was prime in the center of downtown near all the activity! And I appreciated that they recognized that meant it could be loud, so they provided a white noise machine and earplugs in each room!
The building’s history was also super fascinating as they have acquired multiple adjacent wings, so each one is themed for a different decade.
The hotel is also historically a Brewster hotel so they have free Jolene’s tea every morning!
Moose Hotel and Suites was great for families, larger groups, and even couples who wanted more space. The rooms were large with living rooms, fireplaces, kitchenettes, a balcony, and a separate bedroom. The property was larger, but a bit removed from downtown. It’s still downtown, but on the edge. We still walked everywhere downtown from here and had no problems!
Do you need a park pass?
Yes. You can purchase it ahead of time to skip the line at the park’s entrance. Be sure to print it out and display it on your dash.
The national park pass cost varies by duration of your visit where typically the best value for shorter trips is $21 for each adult per day.
What to pack for a winter trip to Banff
The key with packing for Banff in winter is layers, which probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but if you’re not from a cold place may be confusing.
Here’s a breakdown of what I wore as my layers to stay warm the whole time even when it was snowing and I was being pulled by a team of dogs on the back of a sled!
Base layer one should be thermal underwear or something like it. My preference? Merino wool! Because of its material, it’s naturally antimicrobial so you can rewear it for a few days and up to a week. This is amazing when you’re packing so much because you don’t need to bring a set of thermal underwear for each day of your trip! I was there for a week and brought 2 pairs.
You can also bring an under-layer like fleece-lined leggings for the ultimate cozy pick.
Next, I wore a pair of pants and a long-sleeved top. Nothing crazy.
On top of that, I wore a thin down jacket.
If it was really cold and/or snowing, I would either sub my down jacket for a full snow jacket or I’d put it on top.
For snow activities, you’ll want snow pants. I got these for only $30 and they were perfect!
Of course, add in essentials like:
- snow boots (I stand by my Sorel boots…they’ve lasted 7 years and counting!)
- ice cleats or crampons
- scarf
- beanie (the ones with a fleece lined inner headband are best for your ears)
- snow gloves or mittens
- wool socks
- tennis shoes
- reusable water bottle
- sunscreen
- sunglasses (snow is so bright, y’all)
I hope you have a wonderful time in Banff in winter! It’s truly a magical time to visit even if you aren’t a skiier or snowboarder. There’s something magic about seeing the Canadian Rockies surrounded by snow-capped trees.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments!
Looking for more Canada content?
My Travel Essentials
- Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
- Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
- Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
- Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
- Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
- Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
- Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!
Save to Pinterest
Wow Alanna! This is so in-depth! I just found this on Pinterest and did not expect this amount of information. I’m so excited to plan my trip to Banff next winter. Thanks for this!
Wonderful! I hope you have a great trip!