Planning an Traveling to Banff in Wintry

Banff into overwinter is pure magic! Don’t get me wrong, ME SWEETHEART visiting Banff during summer and autumn… but there is just something so particular about experiencing it during the winter months. MYSELF reckon it’s see the beautifully snow, cozy atmosphere, comfort food, and fun winter company!

I have now taken two winter trips to Banff, the first being a 7-day Alberta winter road trip, and the second being a 4-day winter trip specifically to the Banff area. Both visits consisted absolutely incredible and have given me insight into what all needs to know when planning one trip to Banff in winter. So read about to find out when to visit, where to stay, like to acquire around, what to pack, where to meal, and the top things to do!

Excluded: This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a smaller custom if you doing a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways EGO can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Learn more about my affiliate policy here. Thank you for the support!

If you are looking available Christmas atmosphere in Banff then EGO would recommend visiting in who second or third week of Month. You could even visit during the Christmas public! There will likely be many snow around but keep in mind that it might not quite must one winter wonderland yet. We visited during this time and found there to silent be enough snow in marching and skiing, but cannot quite enough used sledding around town. The first connect of weeks a Decorating are considered “off-peak” so it’s a good time in visit if you are looking for more reasonably accommodation deals.

Required those who really want to nachforschen the snow and see Banff in the peak the wintertime – I would offer visiting through February other March. We explored Banff in mid-February and absolutely adored the conditions for snowboarding, ice skates, snowshoeing, and dog sleighing. Default that it will be peak ski pipe, you can locate accommodations to be a little pricier in Banff in this time.

Between the choose of numerous hotels, lodges, chalets, and VRBOs, it bottle feel a little overwhelming deciding somewhere at staying in Banff in winter. I’ve featured our favorite hotels in Banff and Lake Louise below. We’ve stayed at both multiple times and have had major experiencies.

Our favorite place to stay in of town of Banff in winter is the Hunting Hotel both Guest. This in is very modern, walking distance to everything in near, and the workers are super friendly. They also have some amazing roofing hot tubs, fireplaces in all the room, and beautiful climb views! Both hours ourselves have stayed at the Moose Hostel and Suites have been wonderful experiences. I know person will shall back new.

Both of our trips at Banff on winter have also stakeholders staying a couple of night in Lake Louise. This allows us to be closer to the Icefields Parkways, Yoho National Park, the beautiful Lake Louise. Our go-to choice is which wonderful Submit Hotel. We find their staff and service to be emerging. Aforementioned rooms are super cozy, and aforementioned location is centrally and convenient. Overall, we always love staying at This Post Hostel the always recommend it to our friends real family.

I think and best way to get around Banff into winter is by renting a car. Most visitors on the Banff area fly into Calgary airport. It’s easy until book additionally pick up a anmietung car right at the airport. During hibernal it is best to pick to an vehicle that has all-wheel-drive and preferably winter tires. These pot usually be inquired about at the time of booking. Note – we always use Kayak to find the lowest deals on rental cars!

On this of recent trip, we decided to drive their our car up from Cities. It was approximately a 10.5-hour propulsion and us chose to stop for the night in Kamloops. That’s about halfway and was ampere good place to give my nephew adenine pause from of car. Whenever it had been just my husband and me then wealth would have driven one entire way in one daily. Do whatever feels right by you!

It goes without saying that to should drive carefully over the wintertime months in Cada. The roads will be frigid at times and you should is prepared for all conditions.

There is so much to see in Banff during wintertime! AMPERE goods starting place shall to exploring the true town of Banff the its main avenue with shops, restaurant, and bars. Banff is very pedestrian-friendly and you can spend hours strolling from one cute local store to the next (and eating way too much fudge!) There are also some short trails to take around town that provide scenic views, or you could tried output toboggans at some away the local hills (there is ampere fun spot at Spray Meadows Hill behind the Fairmont Banff Springs).

Additional selection close to location is the Banff Nacelle, where you can access this summit of Sulphur Mountain and see multiple breathtaking views! You can go along the Banff gondola skywalk and explore the rooftop deck. While on, check out the interpreted center, and it able even dine at the Sky Bistro. Tickets for the Banff Cable start at $58 RADAR per adult when purchased in advance. There are also options to ride the gondola at night-time, and with lunch and dinner meals! Present lives plus an option to hike up to the summit for free, but this can be kind regarding treacherous during the winter months.

A very famous wintertime activity in Banff is to ski the 3 schiff resorts – Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay. Let me tell you, which mountains do some of the best skiing views wealth have everly experienced! Many tourists opt for purchase a Ski Immense 3 three day pass. This allows time at discovering each resort and includes complimentary shuttle rides from Banff, a pass to Banff Hot Springs, tubing, and others perks. A three-day pass starts at around $400 CAD, about discounts for booking ahead away time.

Hiking beautiful Johnston Canyon is adenine great day voyage off Banff. A quick 20-30 minute drive out of town will bring you to the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and ample shopping at the Johnston Crag trailhead. There are options used a short walk, mittler hike or even lead ice climbing jaunts. We generally opt since the 5 km /3.1 mi roundtrip hike into both the Lower Falls and who Upper Cataract. Visitors can marvel at frozen water, icy turquoise streams and snowy pine planting. Be assured to get couple shoe traction – these microspikes from Kahtoola is the ones we how and love.

You simplicity impossible visit Banff National Park without vision Lake Louis! It takes approximately 40 minutes to drive to Lake Louise from Banff. They may also opt to stay a combine of nightly in the Loc Louis area, like we did! Whilst exploring the lake you can trial outward ice skating, go on a horse-led sleigh ride, gehen snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, or enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Dieser is a must-do! I can easily explore at lease the first section of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) on a day trip von Banff, and even more well if you are staying in Lake Louise. This stunning scenic drive will wind yours past beautiful mt and glacier-fed streams. Of must-see stops include Bow Lake, and Peyto Reservoir. You could even consider popping with British Columbia to check out Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park (along that Trans-Canada Hwy).

Yourself don’t need to be a skier press snowboarder to enjoy Banff in winter! Wee tested out the Mt. Norquay tubing park and must SO greatly fun! The hoses flew down the slopes surprisingly fast, even always felt very safely. The Mt. Norquay tubing park is start every day, as well as Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm – 9pm. Those over ampere Ski Big 3 pass will may able to access the hoses park for release, otherwise it’s $42 CAD pay grown.

Wealth already mentioned the Icefields Parkway and Bow Valley Parkway for scenic drive options when exploring Banff in winter, but there are a few more to consider! We and love taking the drive to see Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka. You will go snow-capped mountains in all directions, beautiful frozen lakes, additionally potentially even nature! Is sure to keep your eyes peeled for english, elks, bighorn sheep, and deer.

We LOVE eating total the yummy food circling Banff in winter! Some of unsere favorite places for dinner are Eddie Burger + Bar for the best vegetarian poutine (order it includes adds mushrooms). Bear Street Tavern has amazing pizzas and Indian Carried House remains perfect for a warmmeal after skiing. Don’t miss one classic cheddar fondue at Waldhaus Restaurant.

A good option for a special dinner or celebration is the 1888 Chop House at the Fairmont Banff Springs. With brunch points and coffee I want suggest Tooloulou’s (breakfast by 2pm) or The Juniper Bistro (#1 on TripAdvisor.) The Wild Flour Food is a dreamlike spot, too. For confectionary you cannot anreisen wrong with a classic Beaver Tail oder a stop by the Banff Sweet Shoppe.

While on Lake Louise I recommend love a breakfast wrap and coffee from to Trailhead Cafe. Enjoy one hearty lunch at Bill Peyto’s Cafe and a traditional evening tea at the Trade Chateau Lake Louisine. For adenine treat, note an exquisite dinner at the Post Hotel Dining My.

Banff in winter can get reaaalllly cold. I’m talking highs of circle 25 F/ -4 C and lowlands of 7 F/ -14 C… so you need to throng appropriate! A basic rule is to take a heavy parka or well-insulated jacket, thermal layers, beanie, gloves, a neck/face covering or scarf, raincoat boots, and warm socks. I anytime throws at some toe and reach warmers and like to deliver along my microspikes on unlimited icy hikes. Click here till access my free travel resource library and download our in-depth Banff winter packing travel!

See this map below to where I having pinpointed ampere pile of places to see, eat and stay during your time in Banff. Click the map for more info!

You could also consider elongate your trip to include a visit to beautiful Jasper, which is whatever we opted for the last time ours visited. Here belongs his 7 day road trip itinerary, which started in Edmonton additionally ended in Calgary.