Banff (Winter) ❄🏂⛄

HOW TO GET THERE
Fly into Calgary International Airport and either take a 1.5 - 2 hour bus or taxi ride to Banff.

  • Bus: Book a bus to and from Calgary Airport with either Brewster Express or Banff Airporter. It will cost around US$95 round trip.

  • Taxi: If you need more flexible timing, take an Uber instead. However, it will cost around US$300-700 one way depending on traffic and weather conditions.

WHERE TO STAY

  • Banff

    • Fairmont Banff Springs ($$$)

    • Canalta Lodge ($$)

  • Lake Louise

    • Fairmont Chateau Hotel ($$$)

HOW TO GET AROUND

  • Take the Roam Transit bus within Banff (CA$2 pp) and to/from Lake Louise (CA$8 pp)

  • Call a local taxi (take card and cash) or order an Uber

WHAT TO DO

  • Go dog sledding with Kingmik or Snowy Owl Tours (book ahead of time, includes transportation)

    • Kingmik (from Lake Louise)

      • 1.5 - 2 hours; 9:30am, 12pm, and 2pm

      • CA$225 per person based on 2 people per sled

    • Snowy Owl Tours (from Canmore)

      • 2 hours; 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm

      • CA$250 per person based on 2 people per sled

  • Go ice skating on Lake Louise (natural rink)

    • Rent ice skates from Fairmont Chateau Hotel via Chateau Ski & Snow

    • Rental hours: 7:30am - 8pm

    • 2 hour skate rental: Adult CA$20, Hockey stick CA$5

    • Full day skate rental: Adult CA$30

  • Do the Johnston Canyon ice walk (wear ice cleats)

    • 4 hours; 8:30am, 10am, 1:30pm daily

    • CA$79 per person (US$60), including ice cleats and hot chocolate

  • Ski the Big 3 (transportation provided)

    • Lake Louise (steepest and longest slopes of the 3, intermediate or above)

    • Banff Sunshine (best for beginners & intermediate, great views)

      • Lift tickets: CA$127

      • For beginners: All Day Discover Ski Lesson, 4 hours (10:30am - 3:30pm), includes rentals and lift tickets for CA$219

    • Mt. Norquay

  • Ride the Banff Gondola for views of the Rocky Mountains

    • Open daily: 10am - 8:30pm in winter

    • Tickets are CA$57 per person (US$43)

  • Go snowshoeing or cross country skiing in Stewart Canyon, Johnson Lake, or Spray River Valley

  • Soak in the natural hot springs at Banff Upper Hot Springs

    • Hours: 10am - 10pm (11pm on Fri & Sat)

    • Single entry fee: US$6.50

  • Go tubing in Mt. Norquay

  • Take a horse-led sleigh ride along Lake Louise

  • Watch the sunrise at Vermillion Lakes

  • Find the Parks Canada red chairs

    • Parks Canada found the best views of Canada’s national parks and placed red chairs for people to take in the view

WHERE TO EAT

  • Banff

    • Cafes: Wild Flour, Whitebark, Evelyn’s

    • Park Distillery

    • St James Gate

    • Three Ravens

    • Block Kitchen & Bar

    • Banff Ave Brewing Co

    • The Bison

    • Juniper Bistro

    • Saltlik

  • Lake Louise

    • Outpost Pub

    • Laggans

Eunice ChinCanada, North America, Winter Getaway