23 Reasons We Love Banff In The Winter

There are endless ways of soaking in the magic of winter in Banff, so let’s go ahead and dive in.              

How cold is Banff in Winter?

Winter in Banff brings all the snowglobe vibes. You’ll find buckets of freshly fallen snow and chilly temps.

Temperatures here in wintertime can get down to -34 degrees Celsius (-29.2 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder.

But there’s so much to love about this snowy season in Banff. With proper attire, all the most amazing winter activities are at your fingertips here. 

While November is the snowiest month of the year in Banff, January wins the award for the coldest month. But, with loads of snow and gorgeous mountain views comes all the very best Banff winter activities. 

Ice Skating

Skating along the frozen lakes and ponds of the Rockies, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is certainly one of the best things to do in a Banff winter.

It doesn’t get much more classic winter fun (or more Canadian) than ice skating outdoors in the mountains.

So, bring a pair from home, or just rent one in town and find a spot to lace them up. Skating is as Canadian as poutine, so beautifully maintained outdoor rinks are here. 

The Fairmont Banff performs upkeep for two beautiful outdoor rinks on the lake. Other excellent options include skating on Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, and Two Jack Lake.

As always, be sure the ice is thick and safe enough for skating before you head out. 

Another awesome outdoor skating rink is at Fairmont Banff Springs, and the city maintains a rink on the Bow River.

Johnson Lake is another excellent choice for winter skating. No matter where you decide to lace up, skating in the Canadian Rockies in winter is pure magic. 

Dog Sledding

For a super dreamy, classic winter experience, consider dogsledding. This is another family-friendly, fun-for-all-ages experience sure to give you memories of a lifetime. 

With a chance to experience this traditional activity, you’ll feel the rush of racing through the mountain wilderness, pulled by an experienced team of sled dogs. This incredible winter experience is a crowd-pleaser.

Fat Biking

Have you ever thought you might try winter biking? With the rise in popularity of so-called fat biking, you can now cycle around this mountainous stretch, even in the dead of winter. 

Fat bikes have huge oversized tires, allowing superb traction in wintery conditions. This fun new option for getting around might change your perspective on exploring your way through winter. 

The Banff area has different options for trying fat biking, including heading out on a guided tour or simply renting bikes and exploring independently. 

Wondering where to strike out on your winter bike?

Nordic (Cross Country) Skiing

If you want to enjoy one of the best cardio workouts against one of Earth’s most spectacular backdrops, check out Nordic skiing.

This traditional transport method will increase your heart rate while you enjoy all the beauty of the great outdoors in Banff National Park. 

With some utterly drop-dead gorgeous cross-country trails, Banff is the perfect place to get your ski on.

No need to own your gear. Ski rentals can be found across the area for a nominal fee. 

Helicopter Tours

Looking to take your Banff adventures to new heights? Consider a winter helicopter tour of Banff National Park. 

You’ll feel the thrill of gazing upon some of Canada’s most awe-inspiring mountains from a bird’s eye view.

While soaking in some of North America’s tallest mountains, tour operators share the area’s history. It’s a marvelous way to experience Banff from above. 

6. Northern Lights Viewing

Think Banff doesn’t have anything special in the store outside after dark?

Think again! Banff and the surrounding area, including Jasper National Park, are some of the best places in North America for peeping the Aurora Borealis. 

Jasper National Park, just a two-hour drive along the epic Icefields Parkway, is now designated a Dark Sky Preserve.

In other words, Jasper takes care to reduce and/or eliminate any light pollution possible. These efforts make the area a great place for stargazing and viewing the Northern Lights. 

An evening snowshoe tour at Banff Sunshine Village is another great way to witness the sky light up green. But the best spot close to Banff town for Northern Lights viewing is Lake Minnewanka. 

Sledding

For families, kids, or just the playful kiddo inside you, consider taking your family sledding down the hills of Banff. You’d be surprised at the childhood wonder this old-time winter activity will awaken in you!

Some of the best sledding hills around Banff include Spray Meadows Hill, behind the Banff Springs Hotel, close to Bow Falls. Another great spot is located off Lake Minnewanka Road, near Cascade Ponds.

This low-key, classic winter activity is just what you need in your Rocky Mountain holiday. Be sure to top it off with a festive hot cocoa downtown. 

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

Imagine yourself cozied up to friends or family, nestled inside a horse-drawn sleigh, gliding across snowy vistas. There’s hardly an activity that says classic winter moment than taking a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. 

This activity has many options, including joining a group sleigh ride, booking a romantic sleigh ride for two, or even a private family sleigh ride for your group.

Most tours include a sweet treat beside the bonfire after your cozy ride. Banff in winter just doesn’t get any better than this!  

Icewalks

If you’d like to hit the trails in wintertime, heading outdoors for an ice walk is an excellent way to soak in wintertime’s most gorgeous Rocky Mountain views.

Enjoy the same hiking trails you’d walk in summertime in Banff, but with a twist. A beautiful waterfall hike transforms from a surging waterfall into a sparkling frozen waterfall. 

Johnston Canyon hiking trail is the most popular ice walk in the Banff area, though several other ice walks nearby deserve a look. Grotto Canyon is another spectacular spot for an icy hike. 

Skijoring 

Have you ever seen someone skiing behind a horse? No? Well, welcome to the exciting spectator sport of skijoring. Each winter, Skijor Canada brings this awesome sport to the Banff area. 

Visit Banff in winter and enjoy the thrill of watching Alberta cowboys perform alongside trick skiers. If it sounds exciting, you’ll certainly enjoy this unique sport.  

Alpine (Downhill) Skiing

Think you can find better downhill skiing in North America than you can find in Banff? Guess again! With three world-class ski resorts, all inside the Banff and Jasper National Park areas, this is pretty much the pinnacle. 

The “Big 3” as they’re known, are comprised of Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay ski areas.

From brand-new beginner terrain to the backcountry skiing of your snowy dreams, every level of downhill skiing is available to you here. Equipment is all available to rent, so no need to lug your gear unless you choose to. 

Snowshoeing 

Strap on those snowshoes and head out into the pristine winter wilderness of Banff. Another great family-friendly winter pastime, snowshoeing, affords all the gorgeous mountain scenery at a more leisurely pace.

Not to mention, snowshoeing is a great budget-friendly option for exploring the outdoors. 

Snowshoes are easy to rent in several different spots around Banff, including Banff Adventures, White Mountain Adventures, and Ultimate Sports. Snowshoe rentals come in all sizes, including kid’s sizes, so bring along your whole crew! 

Begin with an easy but beautifully scenic snowshoe trail, such as Tunnel Mountain, Peyto Lake, or Johnston Canyon. Or, if you’d prefer not to go it on your own, sign up for a guided snowshoe tour with one of many experienced guides. 

Ice Fishing

Want to try your hand at catching some fish in wintertime?

Ice fishing is another great option for enjoying awesome mountain vistas while exploring outdoors in the crisp mountain air. Ice fishing tours are the best way to drop a line in the Banff wintertime. 

Dress for the chilly winter air, as you’ll mostly be stationary, unlike winter hiking or snowshoeing. Still, it’s worth braving the winter cold for your chance to catch a beautiful Banff Lake Trout. 

Hot-tubbing

One of the coziest ways to decompress after a day on the slopes or a day out hitting the icy trails is to head to the hot tub at your accommodations. And Banff surely has some Grade A hot tubs at their hotels for just this reason. 

For a rooftop soak, book a stay at the beautiful Deer Lodge near Lake Louise, Mount Royal Hotel on Banff Avenue, or Moose Hotel and Suites near downtown. 

For adventurous spirits, head to Canalta Lodge and dunk yourself in their icy cold glacial plunge tub before relaxing in the hot tub.

No matter where you choose to take a dip, it’s sure to ease your sore muscles and sleepy mind after a day of adventuring. 

Snow Tubing

For another fun way to whiz down the mountainside, consider snow tubing.

Located just a few minutes from Banff, you’ll find the Mt Norquay tubing hill. With 8 lanes of fast-paced fun, you’ll find the largest snow tubing hill in the entire province of Alberta.

Tubing is a fun-filled, family-friendly, snowy day activity for all. Generally accessible to kids ages 4 and up or 42” tall and above, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This fun and affordable winter activity is a great way to spend an afternoon for your whole crew. 

Banff Upper Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs

Dream of relaxing in hot springs, surrounded by epic Rocky Mountain views? Head to Banff in winter.

Considered one of the top things to enjoy while experiencing winter in Banff, a soak in the hot springs is a beautiful way to relax amongst the Rockies. 

Banff Upper Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs are the two most popular springs in the area. The Upper Hot Springs has several advantages, especially in the location department.

The springs are conveniently located right by the Banff Gondola, very close to downtown Banff.  From Upper Hot Springs, you’ll enjoy the most spectacular, jaw-dropping views of the snowy peaks surrounding you while you soak in the warm springs. 

Also located here, you’ll find a coffee shop with meal options, tasty drinks, and, most importantly, ice cream. But be sure to soak earlier, as the cafe doesn’t stay open late. 

Radium Hot Springs is another excellent choice, though it requires driving much further into the National Park from town.

Radium is an excellent choice for those preferring a more natural, less commercial hot springs experience. You honestly can’t go wrong with either choice. 

Banff Gondola

Looking to see the area from a different perspective? Book seats to ride up Sulphur Mountain on the always wonderful Banff Gondola.

Atop the mountain, you’ll find a lovely indoor interpretive center detailing Banff National Park’s geology and natural history. You’ll also find a coffee shop, cafe, and fine dining restaurant (Sky Bistro). 

Head to the rooftop observation deck for some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. For more exploring, take a stroll on the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk.

Be sure to dress in your warmest layers for the mountaintop as the wind picks up at higher elevations. 

Winter Hiking

Is all the great hiking in Banff gone before the frost hits? Nope! Banff National Park has glorious winter hiking, and the mountain views are as beautiful as in summertime.

In fact, you’ll enjoy a unique perspective on the panoramic views, with fresh-fallen snowcapped mountains in all directions. 

You’ll find pristine hiking through this winter wonderland across the Banff and Jasper National Park areas. Some of the best, easy, family-friendly hikes include Fenland Trail, Lake Louise Lakeshore, Marsh Loop, and the otherworldly Tunnel Mountain Hoodoos Trail.

Try the incredibly popular Johnston Canyon Trail or head over to Mirror Lake or Tunnel Mountain for more of a challenge.

For a longer, more strenuous hike with rich rewards, hike up Sulphur Mountain from the Banff Gondola base. You’ll admire 360-degree views of the mountains atop the mountain. 

When heading out on the trails in the coldest months, dress for the weather and terrain.

You’ll need zero cotton base layers (top and bottom), wool socks are best, mid-layer, and a down jacket on top. Ice cleats are a must on the trails in winter, in addition to high-quality mittens and hats.

Always tell someone where and when you’re heading out, and bring snacks and water. Even in wintertime, it’s important to stay hydrated. 

Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk

For some of the best views of Banff and the surrounding six mountain ranges, walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk.

After heading up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, strike out on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is approximately 376 steps along a short, 1 km trail. The boardwalk leads to the spectacular views atop Sanson Peak. 

With steps and no ramp, the boardwalk is unfortunately not handicap accessible. For any in your group who may need accessible spots, take the elevator to the rooftop of the interpretive center.

There, you can enjoy the spectacular views from the rooftop observation deck. The Banff Gondola itself is accessible and can bring both those in need of accessibility and a wheelchair, if necessary, to the top. 

Wolfdog Sanctuary 

Head to the Wolfdog Sanctuary to visit the resident wolfdogs and learn more about these beautiful animals. This family-friendly place offers an educational experience during the wintertime.

Though there is no petting the wolfdogs, you’ll have the chance to photograph them from outside their living enclosures. Enjoy a self-guided tour around the sanctuary as you read interesting facts about wolves and wolfdogs. 

Abraham Lake Methane Bubbles

There’s a very special spot in Banff when the weather turns cold and lakes freeze over. Abraham Lake is famed for its beautiful methane bubbles inside the frozen ice. 

How do these methane bubbles form on the frozen lake? They’re naturally occurring and are created as organic matter falls to the bottom and mixes with bacteria below. 

The ice bubbles on Abraham Lake are incredibly beautiful and are unique to this lake. If you don’t want to miss this amazing natural phenomenon, head to this beautiful frozen lake between mid-January and early February.

Abraham Lake is located just off Highway 11/David Thompson Highway. 

Snowmobiling

Want to see the mountains from a fast-paced ride along the trails? Snowmobiling is a thrilling way to get around Banff in winter.

For the best snowmobiling in Banff, book a tour through a respected tour company, and they’ll guide you to the most beautiful spots for riding. 

Heli-Skiing

What happens when you combine helicopter rides with high-altitude downhill skiing? Well, you get heli-skiing!

For experienced skiers and snowboarders seeking virgin snow to power through, check out winter heli-skiing in Banff.

After taking a helicopter ride up the mountainside, you’ll be dropped off, free to carve your path down the mountain.

Though heli-skiing packages are not for budget travelers, they’re an excellent option for the truly adventurous. If high-adrenaline thrills are on your winter wish list, heli-skiing promises a memorable rush.