Most people know that one of the best things to do in Banff in winter is ski and snowboard at Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, or Mt. Norquay.
However, not everyone is a skier. Thankfully Banff caters to every type of visitor, and there is something to do at all times for everyone!
Best Things to do in Banff in Winter (Non Skier Edition)
Ice Skate on Lake Louise
There’s really no more iconic ice-skating area in the world than at Lake Louise. Heading to Lake Louise in the winter is one of the best things to do in Banff in winter.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise clears and maintains the “rink” so that visitors can enjoy ice skating here all winter long. Don’t forget to check out the ice castles too!
Hike Up Tunnel Mountain
The hike up Tunnel Mountain is a short and cruisy one that you can do right from the Town of Banff. The hike up to the summit will take less than an hour and provides excellent views over the Bow Valley, Downtown Banff, and Mount Rundle.
Tunnel Mountain is a fun trail in the winter as it’s not too steep and we’ve never experienced it too icy either. Meaning you won’t need microspikes or poles to tackle this hike in Banff in winter, though having those items never hurts!
Wild Skate on Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake and Beyond
If you hit Banff just right, it’s possible to ice skate on one of the many lakes. My favorite is Johnson Lake, but there are so many amazing ones.
The key is to hit the lake right after it freeze, but right before the next snowfall for the smoothest skate. Typically this happens throughout November and December, but it all depends on the year.
Hit Up the Mt Norquay Tube Park
If you’re not much a skier, don’t worry, Mt. Norquay puts together an epic tube park every winter for families to go screaming down the hill. It’s one of the most thrilling things to do in Banff in the winter.
Catch the Northern Lights
If you’re lucky, and I mean fortunate, you may catch the Aurora while visiting Banff. It’s rare, and I wouldn’t plan on seeing the northern lights while visiting.
But if the sky is clear and the aurora forecast looks promising it’s best to make your way to a really dark area of the park and keep your eyes open. The darkest days are in December, but it’s possible to see the Northern Lights well into April.
Go on a Helicopter Tour
When wondering what to do in Banff in winter consider heading to the town next door.
Alpine Helicopters is based in Canmore and offers helicopter tours that provide a spectacular bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains. While it’s certainly not a cheap thing to do in Canmore in the winter it is undoubtedly an unforgettable one. Tours begin at $150 per person and can reach as high as $600 for a 45-minute tour.
However, rates are lower in the winter and during off season months like April, so make sure to check their site to find the best rate.
20 Canmore Winter Activities You’ll Love!
Go Dog Sledding With Howling Dog Tours
Dog sledding is one of those quintessential Banff winter activities and will easily be a highlight of any winter vacation in the Canadian Rockies. Howling Dog Tours in Canmore offers the chance to enjoy this experience deep in Kananaskis.
HDT is a small family operation that has been in operation since 1995 and a great ethical company to go within the Bow Valley. Head over to their website for their contact details.
Snowshoe Up to Taylor Lake
In Banff in winter, a fun thing to do is grab a pair of snowshoes and take them to the trails. A challenging but fun one is Taylor Lake!
If heading into avi terrain, you must be equipped with a beacon, probe, and shovel and check the Avalanche Canada forecast. You can find some easy snowshoe trails here.
Drive the Icefields Parkway
Driving the Icefields Parkway is one of the best things to do in Banff in the summer, but the road is open in the winter too. It’s such a different experience compared to the summer, and I think it is even more stunning seeing the peaks covered with snow. You’ll need winter tires and should have experience driving in the winter.
Make sure to check road conditions on 5.11 Alberta before venturing out. If there’s been heavy snowfall or a winter storm is brewing, it’s best to avoid driving the Icefields Parkway as it is infrequently plowed and prone to accidents and spinoffs. There is no cell service and no fuel or facilities along the Parkway in the winter.
See the Lakes Before they Freeze but when the mountains are snow-capped
There’s a particular time in Banff, typically around late October, when the lakes have yet to freeze, but the snow has started to fall, surrounding the peaks and the rest of the area. It’s a short period, but it’s magical to experience such a scene.
Wildlife Spotting
This one shouldn’t be too hard when visiting and is one of the best things to do in Banff in winter. Elk are roaming around the town everywhere.
They are the park’s best residents and a reminder of who indeed runs the beautiful landscape. They often roam in large herds, so if you see one, you’ll likely soon see 50 more.
Please stay at a safe distance away from the elk; they are wild and can get aggressive if you get too close. The general rule of thumb is that if you make an animal move or reroute, you are way too close.
Drive the Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway, or 1A, is a beautiful winter drive that connects Banff to Lake Louise. Especially just after a fresh snowfall when the trees are absolutely covered in white.
The road is much quieter in the winter and makes me fall in love with the drive even more. Some of the best stops are Morant’s Curve, Johnston Canyon, and Storm Mountain Lookout!
Snowshoe Back to Sundance Lodge
Sundance Lodge is a beautiful cabin in Banff managed by Discover Banff Tours. In the winter, it’s possible to snowshoe back to the lodge and stay overnight!
Which is the perfect adventure to have in Banff as a non-skier. Once back at the lodge, the excellent staff will treat you to a delicious meal in a traditional log cabin.
Enjoy a Mountaintop Christmas from the Top of Sulphur Mountain
If you’re spending the holidays in Banff, you are fortunate. The town hosts plenty of fun events to make the season magical.
One of my favorite events is the Mountaintop Christmas on top of Sulphur Mountain. Santa, cookies, and even adult Christmas cocktails await you!
Catch the Train at Morant’s Curve
Morant’s Curve is one of the best photography spots in Banff. It’s a scenic overlook along the Bow Valley Parkway. The train tracks run right beneath it, and if you are patient and are there at the right time, you may even catch the train for the perfect photograph.
How To Visit and Photograph Morant’s Curve in Banff
Catch the Stellar Winter Sunsets
Because the mountains are so tall and abundant, it can be hard to get great sunsets in Banff. However, in the winter you can get some outstanding ones. Keep an eye on the clouds; if you see funicular clouds during the day, you know for sure you have a fantastic sunset coming.
See the Ice Sculptures at Lake Louise
For a short time around January 19 – 30, there is an extraordinary event at Lake Louise. The Ice Magic International Ice Carving Competition is what winter in Banff is all about.
This is where ice comes alive and serves as a form of art and architectural design. During this time, you can watch artists from around the world carve different frozen figures.
Enjoy Christmas at the Castle
During the Christmas season, the Banff Springs Hotel decorates the whole castle into a Christmas wonderland.
Nonguests can go in and take a look around, but it’s better if you book a night or two in this iconic Banff hotel to enjoy a meal, ice skate, and hot chocolate by the fire.
35 Magical Ways to Spend a Christmas in Banff
Take a Sleigh Ride Down Banff Ave
I don’t think there’s a more magical place in the world to take a horse-drawn carriage ride than in Banff. Specifically downtown Banff, down Banff Ave during the holidays under the lights!
Enjoy the Fire at Lake Louise
Head to Lake Louise in the winter to enjoy a perfect fire under the stars. You can dip inside the Chateau for some hot chocolate if you get cold, go ice skating when you are feeling active, or just enjoy the atmosphere of the stunning area.
Enjoy a Hot Chocolate from Wild Bark Cafe
There’s really nothing better to do during winter in Banff than drink a hot chocolate. There’s even a “hot chocolate trail” in Banff where you can drink some of the best hot cocoas in the Rockies. My favorite is at Wild Bark Cafe and Seed and Salt!
Where to Stay in Banff in Winter
Banff Springs Hotel
The best place to stay in Banff in the winter is the castle itself, especially around Christmas. Not only do they host all the best Christmas events, but they are located close to Downtown Banff. It’s one of those places in Banff you won’t forget – great for special occasions.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
If you want to stay at Lake Louise and enjoy all the holiday experiences I mentioned above, then the best place to stay is the Chateau. Although this is one of the most expensive places to stay in Banff so save it for one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Baker Creek Mountain Resort
In the winter, one of the coziest places to stay is a Banff cabin. Baker Creek Mountain Resort offers some of the best cabins you can enjoy. Stay in a log cabin with friends and family and enjoy playing board games by the fire every night after getting home from an adventure.
The Malcolm in Canmore
If you choose to stay in Canmore over Banff The Malcolm is easily one of the best hotels in town. They have a heated pool and outdoor hot tubs in the winter with fantastic views out towards the Three Sisters.
Budget Friendly Places to Stay in Banff
In November and early December before the holidays, you can score some excellent shoulder season rates on accommodation in Banff. However as the month goes on and we get closer and closer to Christmas, hotel prices will creep up, and then they will go back down in March.
It’s best to book a hotel in Banff well in advance for the holidays. Nevertheless, there are still some great budget-friendly accommodations in the Rockies. Those are:
Hopefully, this helped you determine if what to do in Banff in the winter if you don’t want to ski or snowboard at the SkiBig3 Resorts!
If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Hiking in the Rockies: Purchase an AllTrails subscription to have a mobile map on you as you hike.
- Travel Insurance: We don’t recommend traveling without travel insurance. We recommend checking out Safetywing or HeyMondo offers competitive rates for all travelers.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Pack for the Rockies: See our complete Alberta packing list here.
- Get Around: We suggest either renting a car to get around, you can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip with companies like Outdoorsy.
- Fly For Free: Turn your spending into airline miles and points with travel credit cards (that’s what we do!). See our favorite travel credit cards.
