VESSELA SMITH
- May 17, 2019
- 4 min read

The Best Things to Do in Banff in Winter Besides Skiing and Snowboarding

The area near Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, had always been on my travel bucket list. If you have ever visited or at least seen pictures of the majestic Canadian Rockies, you can understand why. It is a land of jagged mountain peaks, pristine lakes, and striking natural landscapes. So, when hubby, out of the blue, suggested taking a ski trip there for spring break, I was ready to start packing pronto! However, we didn't only want to ski; we wanted to find the best things to do in Banff in winter all around.

Without wasting any time, we booked a ski vacation package, and just like that, we were on the way to Winter Wonderland in the Canadian Rockies. Originally, it was going to be just the four of us, but soon we became a party of seven, as hubby's parents and my mom also decided to join us on this adventure.

Where to Stay: While in Banff, we stayed at Brewster's Mountain Lodge, which was a great place right in downtown. It offered cozy Western atmosphere and included a hearty continental breakfast, covered parking, and coin-operated washer and dryer. If you want to try something else, click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations in Banff on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you!

Fly to Calgary

It all began at the airport in Calgary where all of us flew in and met. This is the closest major airport to Banff, and the place where most visitors start their journey into the Canadian Rockies.

The first order of business was to pick up our rental car, a mighty Dodge Grand Caravan, which happened to be one of the most capacious vehicles they offered. Even with all that space, we had to employ a great deal of creativity to fit everyone in along with our ski gear and luggage. After the Caravan was packed to the gills, we drove to a nearby restaurant for dinner, then successfully made our way to the town of Banff.

Tip: Banff and Lake Louise are part of Banff National Park. You will need a Canadian National Park Pass when driving in this area. Click HERE to purchase a pass in advance, and avoid waiting in line there or getting a fine.

Best Time to Enjoy the Snow in Banff and Lake Louise

Before I dive into all the details of this epic vacation, I want to mention that during December, January, and February, the weather in and around Banff tends to be quite frigid. You may want to take this under consideration when planning your trip. While the holidays at the end of the year are popular time to visit, the average temperatures are not particularly friendly to those of us that are perpetually cold. This is why we decided to wait until March, and go to Banff and Lake Louise during our spring break. As it turned out, this was a really good call - the weather was fantastic, and we not only enjoyed skiing, but also many other activities out in the snow.

Tip: Click HERE to check out the average temperatures and precipitation for Banff throughout the year.

Things to do in Banff in Winter if You are NOT Skiing

Being the travel fanatic that I am, I knew it would not be enough to just go and enjoy all the fantastic ski options near Banff and Lake Louise. I needed to find out what else there was to do, and make sure our itinerary was completely packed. I mean, really...who wants to just relax while on vacation!? So, I compiled a list of some really great winter activities to check out when we weren't out on the slopes skiing.

The Most Magnificent Views from Above

When it comes to incredible scenery, Banff and Lake Louise are truly unsurpassed. You will find impressive mountains and stunning natural beauty everywhere you look. Still, there are a few places that offer absolutely mind-blowing sights that you simply have to see to believe.

Take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain

View of Banff from Sulphur Mountain

One of the most incredible experiences for us was riding the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain at nearly 7,500 feet (2,286 meters). The panoramas that emerged before our eyes as we ascended to the summit were nothing short of epic! But epic views weren't the only thing we found up there. The Above Banff Interpretive Centre on top offered a variety of exhibits, a movie theater with a short film about the Canadian Rockies, an observation deck, a gift shop, and different dining options. Oh, yes! There was plenty of good food at the Sky Bistro, well beyond crunchy snacks and fizzy drinks. Just imagine the experience of devouring a delicious meal while overlooking jagged majestic mountain peaks. It's life at its finest!

Tip: Buying tickets in advance online will save you some money, as opposed to purchasing them at the gondola counter. Click HERE to check the current prices and packages.

Take in the Views

The absolute best thing of this entire experience, however, were the views, and we made sure to soak up the magnificence from every angle possible.

Follow the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk

Without question, our most favorite activity was hiking on the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Weather Station. Every step along this spectacular trail lead to more and new incredible panoramas. Feeling awe-struck by the scenery, I kept snapping away hundreds of photos, while hubby and the kids were having a snowball fight behind my back. They loved the views too, but just couldn't resist the urge to smack each other with cold wet snow, preferably right in daddy's face!

Tip: The Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk is a well-maintained trail, approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) round trip, which features a considerable amount of stairs. If you have any health issues that could prevent you from enjoying this hike safely, don't fret! Just take the elevator at the Interpretive Centre to the top floor, and enjoy the views safely from the observation deck.