Is the Banff Gondola Worth It?

The Banff Gondola is a lovely ride that whisks visitors to the top of Sulphur Mountain and allows them to experience summit views over Banff without climbing a mountain. It’s one of the best things to do in Banff and possibly the best scenic gondola in North America.

It has a long history in the park, and unlike many gondolas and chairlifts across the continent, it was not built for skiing but for the incredible views. It’s on most first-time visitors’ bucket list, but it’s not a cheap ordeal, so the question arises – is the Banff Gondola worth it?

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About the Banff Gondola

The ride from the base station takes eight minutes and involves climbing 698 meters very quickly. The top station sits 2281 meters (7486 ft) above sea level. Once at the top, there is an interactive indoor station, a coffee shop, and two restaurants.

However, the real magic of the Banff Gondola is outside on the boardwalk. This is where you should head first! Visitors can get a great view from the top of a mountain without having to hike. From up here, you can see the town of Banff, the Banff Springs, Tunnel Mountain, and the towering Cascade Mountain. To the east lies Rundle Mountain and the Spray Valley, a notable region for those who travel into Kananaskis Provincial Park.

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Is the Banff Gondola Worth It?

We have been up the Banff Gondola during every month – multiple times. We’ve hiked up the trail, enjoyed Nightrise in the winter, spent Christmas Eve on the gondola (twice!), and taken our family members all up there. I have yet to meet one single person that says the gondola is not worth the money.

We love that the Banff Gondola is easily accessible from town, and can be easily combined with a day in Downtown Banff. It’s open year-round and is as educational as the views are stunning. There are always different seasonal events happening, and the Sky Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Banff with a view. Most importantly, it is wheelchair accessible, unlike the other gondolas in the area. Yound and old – those with limited mobility can take in the views from a mountaintop, which is impossible elsewhere. It’s also great for families traveling with children who may not have much of an opportunity to hike far.

We tell nearly every first time visitor to head up the Banff Gondola, and that it is 100% worth it! The only time we would tell someone not to go up is if they are afraid of cable cars and heights, are avid hikers that get to the top of mountains often, or if they happen to be European and enjoy summer cable cars often (gondolas are very common throughout Europe).

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Do You Need to Book the Banff Gondola in Advance?

It’s not an absolute necessity to pre-book tickets for the Banff Gondola, but it is highly recommended, especially during the summer months. It’s always possible to walk up on the day of and buy tickets at the counter. However, we recommend pre-purchasing to save money online and because tickets CAN and DO sell out during the summer months. Especially in between June and September.

During the shoulder seasons and winter, especially on weekdays, we find it’s typically not necessary to prebook, though if it gives you peace of mind, we say to book it in advance. However, keep in mind that around the holidays, the Banff Gondola does get busy and sells out.

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How Much Does the Banff Gondola Cost?

While there is much to love about taking the Banff Gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the price tag can be a deterrent. At $80 CAD on average per adult, it’s an expensive ordeal, especially if you are booking other paid attractions, like the Ice Explorer or Lake Minnewanka Cruise.

If you want to experience the restaurant, cafe, or gift shop, you must also budget for that.

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Are There Any Deals?

Ticket prices are at their highest during the summer months. Ticket prices online are sometimes slightly lower than buying at the ticket window. To save some money, there are some deals you can check out.

• If you have plans to enjoy other Pursuit actiivites. Check out the Pursuit Pass Combo Ticket, which gives you a ticket to the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, the Golden Skybridge, and Columbia Icefield Adventure, which includes the Columbia Skywalk.
• Alberta Residents: Can save 15% with a valid Alberta postal code at check out.
• Children 5 and under are free, but must have a ticket.
• The Banff Gondola offers a “Family Experience” where one child is free for every two full priced adults. This offer can be booked on their website and is available daily for the first two hours of the day.
• Guests are able to modify their tickets up to 48 hours in advance. If you have to change plans within 48 hours of your ticket price call 1-866-756-1904 and the staff will try to assist, but this may be subject to a small fee.
• Selecting a mid-week date in the off-season (outside of June-September) will often yield slightly lower prices.
• Group rates are available for groups over 15. Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance.

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Where Should You Book Tickets?

There are three main places to book Banff Gondola tickets. The first is the Pursuit website. BanffJasperCollection (or Pursuit) is the company that runs the Banff Gondola. You can find their website here.

We recommend two main third-party booking platforms: Viator and Get Your Guide. Based on exchange rates, Viator can sometimes be a dollar or two cheaper than Pursuit.

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How Long Should You Spend at the Banff Gondola?

When you go to purchase tickets on Pursuit, you’ll notice that you will be asked for an upload and download time. We recommend you allocate about two hours on the Banff Gondola to take in the views, walk to Sanson Peak, and learn about the area.

If you plan to have dinner or lunch up here, then plan for longer. That said, the staff are not sticklers who make you head down at your exact download time. Come to think of it, they’ve never bothered to check the time on my “down” ticket. In general, the staff here is very accommodating.