20 Banff Winter Activities for Non-Skiers
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 every visitor to Banff is a die-hard skier. Thankfully, Banff caters to every type of traveler, and some of the best winter activities don’t involve skiing or snowboarding.
Other popular Banff winter attractions include riding the Banff Gondola, ice skating on frozen lakes, tubing, taking a winter hike, and dog sledding! Let’s explore a few more of our favorite activities.
Banff Winter Experiences You Can Enjoy if You Don’t Ski
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 while staying at a hotel in Downtown 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 freezes, but right before the next snowfall for the smoothest skate. Typically this happens throughout November and December, but it all depends on the year.
Catch the Northern Lights
If you’re lucky—and I mean really lucky—you may catch the Aurora while visiting Banff. It’s rare, and I wouldn’t plan on seeing the Northern Lights while visiting as they only happen a few times per year.
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 and May.
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 start at $300 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.
Go Dog Sledding With Howling Dog Tours
Dog sledding is one of those quintessential Banff winter tours and will easily be a highlight of any winter vacation in the Canadian Rockies. There are a few dog sledding operations in Lake Louise and Canmore, but Howling Dog Tours in Canmore is our favorite as they offer the chance to enjoy this experience deep in Kananaskis.
HDT is a small family operation that has been in operation since 1995 and is a great ethical company within the Bow Valley. Head over to their website for their contact details.
Snowshoe at the Top of The World
In Banff in the winter, a fun thing to do is grab a pair of snowshoes and take to the trails. The most popular one takes place on top of Sunshine Village, and is called a Snowshoe on Top of the World.
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 seeing the peaks covered with snow is even more stunning.
To drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, you’ll need winter tires by law 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 in the winter. Elk and other four-legged friends roam around the town everywhere. They are the park’s best residents and a reminder of who run 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 connecting Banff to Lake Louise. It is especially beautiful just after a fresh snowfall, when the trees are absolutely covered in white. The road is much quieter in the winter, making 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 for a non-skier in Banff. Once back at the lodge, the excellent staff will treat you to a delicious meal in a traditional log cabin.
Head Up the Banff Gondola
Head up the famous Banff Gondola for some of the best views over Downtown Banff and Cascade Mountain. Once up here, you can enjoy the interactive displays inside, or take a walk on the boardwalk to Sanson Peak
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.
Catch the Stellar Winter Sunsets
Because the mountains are so tall and abundant, getting great sunsets in Banff can be hard. 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.
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.
Take a Sleigh Ride Down Banff Ave
I don’t think there’s a more magical place to take a horse-drawn carriage ride in the world than in Banff. Specifically, downtown Banff and 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. If you get cold, you can dip inside the Chateau for some hot chocolate, go ice skating when you are feeling active, or just enjoy the atmosphere of the stunning area.
Where to Stay in Banff in the 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.
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:
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 300 stops around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? We cannot recommend this Icewalks tour enough!
- Planning your visit to Moraine Lake and don’t want to deal with the Parks shuttles? We recommend using Moraine Lake Bus Company or booking this Radventures tour!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
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