A Car Free Winter Itinerary for Banff

Winter is one of the most magical times of year to visit Banff. White-capped mountains, champagne powder ski slopes, the crunch of snow underfoot, wood-burning fires, and cozy cabins—there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. It’s actually our favorite season in the Rockies!

One of the most daunting aspects of visiting Banff in the winter is the variable driving conditions. You can avoid the added stress and costs by planning a car-free winter trip to Banff. While a bit more coordination is required to get around using buses and shuttles, you can still enjoy many winter highlights without a car.

This car-free winter itinerary for Banff provides suggestions for a 4-day trip, which is a great introduction to snow season in the Canadian Rockies. Bundle up and get ready to explore some of Banff’s coolest spots using public transit, shuttles, tours, and your own two feet.

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Banff in Winter

Banff’s winters are long and cold with shorter days and a slower pace. Snow starts falling around October, and the winter season really kicks off in November, extending far into April. While some popular attractions like Moraine Lake are not accessible until the summer, Banff has no shortage of activities to fill your winter travel itinerary.

Visitors must be prepared for cold temperatures and variable weather. The right clothing will keep you comfortable while walking outside and waiting for buses. Your winter packing list should include warm clothing, a good jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots.

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Getting to Banff Without a Car

Most visitors to Banff start their trip by flying into the Calgary International Airport. Regular airport shuttles make it easy to connect to Banff without a car. The Banff Airporter provides excellent door-to-door service with almost hourly departures from morning to evening. We can’t recommend this service enough, but keep in mind that booking in advance is recommended.

On the two-hour ride from YYC to Banff you can sit back and watch prairie fields grow into towering peaks. The shuttle will stop in the town of Canmore first before dropping you off at whichever Banff accommodation you have booked.

While the most popular, the Airporter isn’t the only shuttle connection to Banff. Brewster Express offers similar service at a comparable price point, while Vivo Green, or Mountain Park Transportation offers slightly cheaper rates for fewer daily trips.

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Roam Transit

Travelling around Banff without a car relies heavily on the use of Roam Transit buses, the public transit service that operates through the Bow Valley. Some routes are reduced or suspended in the winter months, so planning your trips in advance and familiarizing yourself with the stops, schedules, and fares will be important.

This itinerary notes specific buses to take to reach key destinations in Banff. While this winter itinerary focuses on a more DIY travel approach that uses the public transit system, there are also many excellent tour options to help you explore almost anywhere in the Rockies without a car.

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DAY 1

• Stroll Downtown Banff
• Walk to Bow Falls
• Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

Stroll Banff Avenue

Whether you’ve woken up from a restful night in the mountains or checked into your hotel in the morning, starting your car-free trip to Banff by strolling the town is a great way to get the lay of the land. Grab a coffee from Whitebark Cafe to keep warm while you wander the streets.

The town’s main street, Banff Avenue, offers an inviting array of shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes that you can browse for as much or as little time as you’d like. If you’ve booked a hotel in downtown Banff, there’s a good chance you’re already on Banff Avenue! Make note of the Banff High School Transit Hub on your walk down the street, as you’ll likely be using this in the coming days.

Nearby Bear Street also offers cute shops and eateries, including one of our favorites, Three Bears Brewery. During the winter months, outdoor firepits offer opportunities to warm up.

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Walk to Bow Falls

If you are feeling warm and energized, cross one of the bridges over the Bow River and walk along the forested pathway to the scenic Bow Falls. While smaller than many other waterfalls in Banff, the accessibility of Bow Falls is hard to beat, just a 20 minute walk from the town’s center. 

If you want a break from walking, you can also catch Roam Route 2 back to downtown from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is up the hill above Bow Falls.

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Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular trails in Banff and even more surreal in the winter. When the temperatures drop, the waterfalls freeze in time – you may even see ice climbers scaling these impressive monoliths. Walking Johnston Canyon is most serene in the winter months without the summer crowds. You’ll want to use microspikes between November and April as the trail can become quite icy.

While it is possible to visit Johnston Canyon without a car in the winter, Roam Regional Bus 9 only makes the trip on weekends and statutory holidays. Unless the schedule aligns well with your travel dates, it may be more convenient to book an icewalk tour. These guided tours are offered with morning and afternoon departures and include round-trip transportation from Banff, as well as ice cleats, a hiking pole, a light snack and hot chocolate.

Both afternoon guided tour and the last Roam Bus will return you to Banff in time for a nourishing dinner at one of the town’s many cozy restaurants.

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DAY 2

• Bus to Lake Louise
• Skate on Lake Louise
• Fairview Lookout or Sleigh Ride
• Warm Drinks at the Ice Bar
• Fondue Dinner

Bus to Lake Louise

After breakfast, catch Roam Regional Bus 8X from the High School Transit Hub. Check the departure schedule in advance to time your walk to the stop and avoid waiting too long in the cold.

While the bus service is less busy in the winter months compared to the summer, it is still a good idea to reserve a ticket in advance. In 2025, a roundtrip ticket will cost $20/adult with reduced rates available for children, youth, and seniors.

Once on the bus, you’ll travel north along the TransCanada Highway reaching the Lakeshore stop within an hour. Note that the bus will first stop in the Village of Lake Louise, but you’ll want to remain on board until the Lake. 

You can visit Lake Louise as a day trip from the Town of Banff or treat yourself to a night at the Fairmont Lake Louise.

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Skate on Lake Louise

For a classic Canadian experience, lace up a pair of skates (rentals available from the Fairmont) and glide across the frozen lake. The hotel clears and resurfaces rinks for the public to play hockey, figure skate or just cruise around at a leisurely pace. Few rinks are as scenic and enjoyable for skating as Lake Louise. Non-skaters can also walk out and explore the area.

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Hike to Fairview Lookout or Enjoy a Sleigh Ride

The majesty of Lake Louise is best appreciated through different vantage points. While most hiking trails are inaccessible and dangerous during the winter, the Fairview Lookout Trail is a short excursion (2.4km) that most visitors can enjoy year-round. As the trail sees regular traffic, it is generally well-packed down, but may be more challenging to navigate after a fresh snowfall.

Alternatively, for a unique and dreamy experience, book a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the lake, which is bookable through the Fairmont.

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Warm Drinks at the Ice Bar

For drinks on ice, there is no better spot than the Lake Louise Ice Bar. That’s because the bar itself is made of giant ice blocks, each weighing 300 lbs. While the setting is cold, the drinks are toasty warm and include such delights as hot chocolate and mulled wine. The ice bar is open daily from around mid-December to mid-April (exact dates vary from year to year).

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Fondue Dinner

For more warm indulgences, make a reservation for fondue dinner at Walliser Stube in the Fairmont Lake Louise or return to Banff to try fondue at the Grizzly House or Bluebird.

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DAY 3

• Catch a Ski Shuttle
• Ski, Snowboard or Tube

Catch the Ski Shuttle

Banff boasts some of the most scenic and exhilarating ski resorts in the world and many visitors choose winter travel for the purpose of hitting the slopes. While this itinerary dedicates one day to such pursuits, avid alpine skiers should consider multiple days to fully explore the range of terrain offered in Banff.

Fortunately, you don’t need a car to downhill ski in Banff! All three ski resorts in Banff – Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay – run free shuttles to transport snow bunnies from Banff hotels to the lifts. There are multiple pick-up locations within a short walk of almost anywhere in town, but if you are traveling with your own gear, you may want to book accommodation at one of the hotels that serve as a shuttle stop.

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Ski or Snowboard at Lake Louise

While Banff is home to three different ski resorts, Lake Louise is our reigning favourite. It’s one of the largest ski resorts in North America with incredibly varied terrain, including scenic groomers, playful bowls, steep chutes, and glorious glades. Even on the busiest days, skiers spread out across the resort’s four mountain faces and it rarely feels crowded.

There are ample runs for skiers and boarders of all abilities set against stunning backdrops that everyone will appreciate. The panoramic views from the runs are breathtaking and provide some of the best landscape scenes in the world. You may even find yourself skiing above the clouds if you’re lucky enough to visit when a temperature inversion keeps clouds low in the valleys.

Ski as long as your legs hold up then catch one of the return shuttles in the afternoon for the 45-minute return trip to Banff.

Best Runs at Lake Louise

• Beginner
  • Jerry’s Jungle
  • Lookout
  • Wiwaxy
  • Pika
• Intermediate
  • Juniper/Juniper Jungle
  • Grizzly Gully
  • Boomerang

• Advanced
  • Eagle Flight
  • Lipalian Chutes
  • Upper Boomerang
  • Hour Glass
  • Ptarmigan Chutes
  • Brown Shirt
• Expert
  • Brown Cow First
  • Boundary Bowl
  • Vertical Cornice
  • Swedes

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No Ski Option 1: Tube at Mt. Norquay

If you’re not a skier but still want to experience the thrill of coasting down a slope, try tubing at Mt. Norquay! Three-hour morning and afternoon sessions are offered daily and timed closely with the shuttle schedule.

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No Ski Option 2: Snowshoe Tour

For a mellower day and alternative ski-adjacent activity, book a backcountry snowshoe tour at Sunshine Village. You’ll still get to frolic in the powder and enjoy the majestic scenery. Snowshoe tours include transportation from Banff, providing a great option for those visiting without a car.

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DAY 4

• Sunrise Hike on Tunnel Mountain
• Soak in the Banff Hot Springs
• Sunset on the Banff Gondola

Sunrise Hike on Tunnel Mountain

Tunnel Mountain is one of Banff’s most accessible summits and a great all-season hike. You can easily walk to the trailhead from your hotel downtown and then it’s a short hike to the summit that should take less than an hour. From the top, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. Microspikes can be helpful in the winter as snow and ice can make the trail slick.

Catching sunrise from the summit is a special treat and more appealing in the winter months when the sun rises as late as 9 a.m.

Marvel at the winter wonderland and retrace your steps back to town. You should return from the hike at the perfect time to grab a hearty brunch.

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Soak in the Banff Hot Springs

There is no better way to sooth your post-hike, post-ski muscles than with a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. This pool of natural hot water from Sulphur Mountain is even more idyllic in cooler months when the snow falls and the steam rises from the warm waters.

To reach the hot springs without a car, catch Roam Transit Route 1 bus from downtown and get off at the Banff Upper Hot Springs stop. If you’ve booked a gondola ticket, the bus ride will be free!

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Banff Gondola

After a relaxing soak in the hot springs, walk across the parking lot to the Banff Gondola. As the region’s most renowned gondola, the Banff Gondola will whisk you up 2,292 ft in 8 minutes. On your journey, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Spray and Bow Valley. There is much to enjoy at the summit, so give yourself time to explore and to walk the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station.

From mid-November to March, you can experience Banff Nightrise at the top of the Gondola once the sun goes down. This interactive experience, in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, animates the Gondola station with lights, projections, and ethereal soundscapes.

We recommend ending your day with an elevated dinner at Sky Bistro, one of the most scenic restaurants in Banff, where you can enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by snowy peaks. Reservations are strongly recommended, even in the winter. It’s hard to think of a more ideal conclusion to a winter Banff trip!

Note that your Gondola ticket includes a free return bus trip on Roam Transit Route 1 – simply show your reservation to the driver when boarding buses to and from downtown.

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Know Before You Go

• National park passes are required for all visitors to Banff regardless of whether they drive into the park. 
• There are no Ubers in Banff or other towns in the Canadian Rockies. However, there are a few taxi services, though be forewarned they are not cheap. Taxi Taxi and Banff Taxi operate from Banff, while Three Sisters Taxi operates in Canmore. You can expect a cab ride from Canmore to Banff, or vice versa, to cost anywhere from $50-$80 (one way).
• Base yourself in the Town of Banff to make traveling without a car easier. You can walk to many sites in town and easily connect to buses that depart from the town center. Lake Louise is more remote and while Canmore is walkable with its own attractions, staying here will require an extra bus ride to Banff’s most popular sites.
• Reserve in advance where possible. Banff is a popular year-round destination and while the winter months are not nearly as crowded as the summer, booking shuttles and tours in advance will provide some peace of mind.  
• Check bus schedules in advance and make sure to give yourself time to make the return trip to Banff. While Banff has an exceptional bus service for a mountain town, buses do not run at all hours and some stops do not have cellular service. Note that some bus routes are seasonal and do not run during the winter months.

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Where to Stay Without a Car