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10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff in Winter (+ 1 Day Itinerary)

Last Updated: October 19, 2021 · Canada

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Banff is one of Alberta, Canada’s most popular mountain towns surrounded by snowy peaks and vivid turquoise lakes.

It is a post-card village with ski resorts, hot springs, fragrant pine trees, and it is just teeming with nature and wildlife (like roaming wild elk and grizzlies). After our quick one-day visit to Banff, it was easy to see why so many people come to experience this curated town, not just in summer, but year-round!

That’s right, Banff during winter can be just as magical as Banff during the summer. It’s one of the rare destinations where there isn’t much of a low season. Banff is popular among outdoor lovers year-round for its hikes in the summer and its frosty ski slopes in winter. So what is there to do in Banff during winter if you just have one day?

Here’s my short and sweet guide to visiting Banff, Alberta in 1 Day: Winter Edition! Read on to discover the top things to do in Banff in winter for short trips.

  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel
  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel
  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Know Before You Go

On our first visit to Banff, we were extremely surprised to realize that you had to pay the Banff National Park fee each day you wanted to visit Banff or partake in any activities. So any activity you do or campgrounds you stay at requires you to have a valid pass into the national park.

  • Costs: $10.00 per adult beginning January 1st, 2020
  • Gives entry to Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes, and Elk Island national parks until 4:00 p.m. on the day after purchase (renewable)
 

Banff Visitor’s Center: In hindsight, the Banff Visitor’s Center should be the first thing you do in Banff, as this is where you’ll get the most up to date accurate information about the available hikes, slopes, and conditions of trails, along with other essential information like road closures, weather updates, or wildlife spottings. When we visited the center, signs warning us about aggressive elk decorated the place. It wasn’t until hours later we saw several wild elk walking on the sidewalks in downtown Banff that we realized what they meant. Wildlife here gets very up close and personal, and it’s not just elk, but grizzly bears come out to wander too!

 

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com
Banff, Alberta in late October

10 Things to Do in Banff in the Wintertime

Banff is a resort town with lots of things to do. But it does close some of its trails and lakes during the winter, which we found out when we visited the Banff Visitor Center.

Although winter starts generally in December, these trails/lakes can close down as early as October 15 due to icy road conditions and the risk of avalanches.

So before you get your hopes up (like I did), here’s what you CAN’T do in Banff in winter:

  • Visit the turquoise Moraine Lake after mid-October
  • Road trip the Icefields Parkway (it is risky even with snow tires and therefore best avoided)

P.S It’s still possible through mid-October to visit Lake Louise and even camp there. Only 1-2 campgrounds stay open in winter in Banff and Lake Louise.

So now here is what you CAN do in Banff during winter (this list is much longer!)

1. Visit the Fairmont Banff Springs & Bow Falls

Dubbed “The Castle of the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs is actually just 1 out of 11 luxurious Fairmont castles across Canada.

But Banff’s somehow comes with an additional charm as it’s set against a breathtaking backdrop surrounded by mountains, pines, and hot springs. Just a short 20-minute walk down the slopes of the hotel is the iconic roaring rapids of Bow Falls. Visiting the falls makes for a great outdoor activity in Banff in winter.

Book your stay at Fairmont Banff Springs here

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel

Fairmont Banff Springs as seen from Bow Valley

2. Ride the gondola up to Sulphur Mountain

If you can’t hike up close to the Rockies during summer, then viewing their snowy peaks from a fully enclosed gondola is the second-best option. As you soar above Banff, you get unparalleled 360-degree views of six mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Prices aren’t cheap, though, so make sure to carve out time (and money) if you want to do this during your trip to Banff.

Costs: $66/person | Book your tickets in advance here

3. Dog-sled or take a helicopter ride with Banff Adventures

Banff Adventures is a locally owned and operated adventure tour company in Banff for the past 20 years. They do all sorts of guided tours; canoeing, kayaking, hiking, ice walking, helicopter tours, and even dog sledding! If you only have one day in Banff, consider booking an all-inclusive tour so you don’t get FOMO.

Check out available tours with Banff Adventures here

Photo: Noel Hendrickson via Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

4. Go ice skating

You have two options for ice skating in Banff in winter. You can either skate indoors at the public Fenlands Rec Center or go to the outdoor ice skating rink in the evenings after mid-December at the Banff High School downtown. The Banff Visitor Center even mentioned they often skate on the river or even the frozen pond in front of the Fairmont Banff Springs!

5. Hike the short Hoodoos trail

Let’s hunt for hoodoos! What’s a hoodoo, you ask? A hoodoo is a spire of soft rock and shaped like a pyramid, spiral, tent, sometimes dubbed fairy chimneys (my favorite). Banff has a hoodoos trail that directly faces Mt Rundel and the valley leading up to the Fairmont Banff Springs.

If you have a good camera zoom, you can see the hotel far away! The views from this trail are impressive but check winter trail conditions before venturing out. You can find the start of the hoodoos trail near the Tunnel Mountain campgrounds in Banff or learn more here.

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com
10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com
Mt Rundel overlooking Bow Valley and the hoodoos

6. Go skiing or tubing at Mount Norquay or Sunshine Village

Okay, skiing in Banff in winter is the number one reason to visit Banff during winter. But I put it as number 5 because you likely won’t have time to visit Banff in one day if you go skiing and do other stuff.

However, if you plan to stay in Banff for at least two days or more, then splurging on a ski resort trip is exactly the best thing to do in Banff in winter, without a doubt! Alternatively, you could spend a full morning skiing at Sunshine Village or go snow tubing at Mount Norquay and then soak in the Banff upper hot springs later in the evening.

7. Visit the public lakes near Canmore

If you’re like me, you will want to at least see some turquoise-hued lakes set against jaw-dropping mountain peaks. I mean, maybe? If so, you can voyage outside of Banff to nearby Canmore, where there are several mountain ranges towering over several clear lakes.

Although they might not be as vivid blue as others such as Peyto Lake, Lake Louise, or Moraine Lake, they still give you an immersive experience of the Canadian Rockies. I’m so glad we decided to stop over and do this on our way to Banff. And plus, visiting these places costs us nothing!

P.S. Lakes will start to freeze in mid-winter, so it’s best to visit the lakes before the end of October.

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com

Canmore has many beautiful peaks and lakes to check out and is just 15 minutes from Banff

8. Go ice walking in Grotto Canyon + Johnston Canyon

A guided ice walking tour is another way to discover the wintertime charm of Banff! Several guides operate tours during the winter to various locations such as Grotto Canyon or Johnston Canyon.

Both are heart-pumping adventures with dropping views over canyons along steel catwalks and both afford visitors another breathtaking chance to experience Albertan’s love for the outdoors.

Book your Grotto Canyon ice walking tour here

Book a Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk here

9. Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs is perhaps the most popular thing to do in Banff during winter as the hot springs operate from mid-October to mid-May. The price is fairly cheap and gives you access to the steamy hot pool until late into the evening. 

Costs $8.30/adult for access to the hot springs and around $7-8 for the radium hot springs. More information here.

10. Hit up the cute restaurants and shops

The best thing to do in Banff is to just marvel at the curated streets, signs, and log-style shops and houses. I say curated because Banff is a mountain town through and through. Even the street signs are named after wildlife! During winter Banff becomes especially cozy in the evenings when the festive holiday lights are aglow and the sun sets perfectly on Mt Rundle.

There are many trendy restaurants, pubs, and bars to discover in Banff as well, so take advantage of eating out when you can. Restaurant highlight: Park Restaurant & Distillery is a special Banff restaurant known for mountain camp fire-style food with creative spirits.

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com

A magical Banff sunset

Bonus Activity to do in Banff: The Whyte Museum

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies sits in the heart of Banff and is a great indoor activity if the weather turns sour. The museum showcase a large exhibition showcasing the area’s beautifully rich culture and historic heritage. You can learn about women in history, the First Nations, among local heroes and other stories from Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Get your admission ticket to the Whyte Museum here!

What to Do in Banff in 1 Day Itinerary

As you can see, there are so many things to do in Banff during winter that it would be impossible to do all of this in just one day. So here is my itinerary suggestion on what to do in Banff if you only have one day!

1 Day in Banff itinerary in Winter

  • Early Morning: Gondola ride up to Sulphur Mountain
  • Morning-Noon: Ski, dogsled, snow tube, ice skate, snowshoe, etc.
  • Late lunch in Banff (Nourish Bistro & Eddie Burger Bar are great lunch choices)
  • Afternoon hike to the hoodoos
  • Early evening ice walk to a canyon with Banff Adventures
  • Evening: Soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs (until 10 pm weekdays, 11 pm weekends)
  • Dinner out at Parks Distillery

Feel free to swap out the activities above, but I think this one-day itinerary for what to do in Banff in winter pretty much gives you a good insight into the possible activities you can do!

If you plan to stay in Banff for 1 night or more, check out these top-rated places to stay. Whether it’s a campground to park your camper van, a cozy B&B, or a mountainy boutique hotel, Banff has great accommodation options for one night or many.

10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com
We self-checked in at Tunnel Mountain Campground II – the only campground open in Banff in winter

With so much to see and do in Banff, there’s no doubt we’ll be going back. We’re hoping to visit Banff and Lake Louise for much longer during our next trip!

Have you ever explored Banff? What was your favorite thing to do there?

  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel
  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel
  • 10 Adventurous Things to Do in Banff, Alberta (+ 1 Day Itinerary) | bucketlist bri www.bucketlistbri.com #banff #alberta #canada #travel
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By: Bri · In: Canada

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Comments

  1. Aswani says

    December 10, 2019 at 10:09 am

    Your photos are amazing! I want to go there so bad! Do you suggest going during winter?

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 11, 2019 at 10:29 am

      Thanks, Aswani! It all depends if you enjoy winter activities! It can be beautiful and snowy, but cold and lots of hikes and lakes aren’t accessible anymore. There are hot springs though to soak in which is lovely!!

      Reply
  2. Taylor Deer says

    December 3, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    Ah Banff is one of my favorite places in the world! I went during summer 2017 and I truly fell in love with its beauty and all of the adventures there. I’d love to go back in the winter next time. 🙂 Also beautiful photos!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      December 3, 2019 at 4:27 pm

      How fun!! So I need to go in summer now and you need to go in winter! 😉

      Reply

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1 Day Itinerary Old Quebec City and Rue du Petit Champlain #quebec #oldquebec #vieuxquebec Itineraire pour un jour dans le Quartier Petit Champlain et Vieux Quebec: Chateau Frontenac, Escalier Casse-Cou, Fortifications, Promenade des Gouverneurs... | BUCKETLIST BRI www.bucketlistbri.com

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National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
📍Canyonlands National Park
📍Zion National Park
📍Bryce Canyon National Park
📍Grand Canyon National Park (North & South Rims)
📍Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

+ Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock State Park, & Monument Valley Navajo Park!

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for the full 2-week itinerary plus detailed guides & itineraries to each NP!*

*except for BCotG

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#nationalparkweek #utahrocks #zion #bryce #southwestusa #roadtripusa #desertvibes #archesnationalpark #moab #canyonlands #roadtripamerica #grandcanyonnationalpark
"From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜 I saw her gigg "From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜

I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

As soon as she said yes, I hurriedly clicked a few shots; rushing so as to not waste her time. After showing her portraits to her, she gave me a big nod and said softly, "de Santa Catarina Palopó" with immense pride.

I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

You can read more about the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya and the colorfully painted town of Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala on my blog @bucketlistbri 💜
10 years together 💛😱 It’s not our annive 10 years together 💛😱 

It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

I just wanted to remind the internet that I have a pretty badass partner (& not to mention the best cat dad) who puts up with both my silly madness and my need to live around the world in pursuit of adventure. 

If I have any advice for love and long-term relationships, it's this:

Keep choosing each other;
again, and again, and again,
over everything else, no matter what you go through. 

❤️❤️❤️

Can you guess which one of us first "friend-requested" the other all those years ago? 😉

#internationalcouple #ourlove #travelcouplegoals #10yearstogether #digitalnomadcouple #adventuretogether
On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. I am On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. 

I am the granddaughter of a guiding light, a woman so lovely and gentle and spiritual and strong that she attracted to her all walks of life. 

I was the butterfly enamored by her glow. The ship lost at sea that found safety at her shores. 

On every adventure, I’ll think of you. On every adventure, you’ll be with me. 

🦋 ✨
Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

Read more about this epic spot + other must-see places in Guadeloupe on the blog @bucketlistbri 🌴

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#guadeloupeislands #caribbeanisland #pointedeschateaux #wanderlusttravel #caribbeanlife #caribbeanvibes #gwada #hikingtheworld #islandphotography #travelaesthetic
I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY: ✍️ I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY:

✍️ 2022 is going to be the year I become a published author. 

💛  It's the year I celebrate 10 years of love & adventure with my best friend. 

💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

🌎  It's the year I hit my bucket list of "slow living in 10 countries" as a nomad and the year I travel and discover even more destinations. 

And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

📍Hell's Gate / Porte d'Enfer, Guadeloupe (click the link in my bio to read about this hike!)
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