Cameron

Cameron

Cameron has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. You can learn more on the about us page.

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14 Comments

  1. Unless you live in the Bow Valley (Banff/Canmore residents), the gondola is never FREE to take down. My husband and I live in Calgary and have made the beautiful and absolutely worthwhile hike up and down Sulphur Mountain many, many times – I would encourage any tourist who is interested and has the time to take the opportunity to hike Sulphur Mountain. But know you will be paying to ride the gondola down, if that is how you choose to descend. Please update this blog with accurate information.

    1. Thank you Karen, but this is simply not true, we have taken the Banff Gondola down for free many times in the winter, as recently as 2019. In 2020 many rules were changed by Pursuit and they restricted things like this due to COVID. Perhaps this is when you visited.

      We’re still waiting to hear what will happen for winter 2021 and will update when Pursuit releases its guidelines. PS we live in the Bow Valley, and have never been asked to share our ID or proof of residency to take the gondola down.

  2. Decided to do this Sulphur today December 12th 2021, as we have many times before. Full disclosure,: we live in Cochrane but we’ve done this hike many times and this is the first time we hiked up and were told we had to pay to take the gondola down, like Natasha was saying. When I told the lady at the counter the website said otherwise, she told me I was incorrect and reiterated the fee. Sadly, that is enough of a deterrent to stop the annual hike we used to do and we ended up saying forget it and hiked back down. I am curious now of the impact this will have on people visiting the summit. $70 for two people for a gondola ride is way too much and the food and drinks at the top are expensive too. Just a bit heartbreaking to see a tradition go out the window.

    1. Hi Kiki,

      Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I called Pursuit in November and they didn’t have an update, but after chatting with them today it seems the rules that changed during covid are here to stay. I have updated this article to reflect that. It’s a shame that they are not allowing winter hikers this free opportunity anymore, but thankfully there are plenty of other adventures to get up to in the Rockies!

  3. Hi. Very disappointed today as we bought 2 tickets via our hotel at lunchtime for a 3.10pm departure. As soon as we got off the gondola we were told the last gondola left at 5pm and would have to line up early to be gone by 5pm for a private function.This barely left us 1 hour. Very expensive hour. Why didn’t you advise our hotel at midday when we booked. Again very disappointing for 2 Australian ladies.

    1. Hi Roxy,

      I’m sorry for your experience and disappointment, but please note we are just local bloggers providing information on the area and do not run or operate the Banff Gondola. It’s best to voice your concern to the Banff Gondola or directly with your hotel..

  4. Thank you for the list of all the gondolas with prices. I didn’t know that there were so many to choose from! I’ve been reading all your blogs and enjoying them plus learning so much. I am traveling to Canada in August and visiting most of the parks. You’ve been very helpful, thank you.

  5. Hello!
    I made a reservation for Sky Bistro and “a note from the restaurant” says a gondola ticket is required to visit Sky Bistro. Is this true? I was planning to hike up Sulphur Mountain, eat at Sky Bistro, then take the gondola down (or hike down).
    Thanks!

  6. Thanks for the very informative article! One question, is there a place by the base where I can park my bike if I choose to bike there?