Are you planning a quick winter road trip to Banff in the Canadian Rockies? Do you want to know what some must-sees are and learn about some unique activities to do while it’s cold outside? Read below; we’ve covered you with the best 3-day itinerary for visiting Banff in the winter!
This beautiful mountain town is the perfect destination for those exploring the great outdoors and immersing themselves in nature. To make the most of your trip, we recommend exploring all Banff offers at least three days.
Below is a detailed 3-day itinerary to delight and entertain the entire family. After reading this article, you’ll know why Banff is worth it even in the wintertime.
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3-Day Itinerary To Visit Banff in the Winter (RECAP)
- Day 1: Arrive in Banff, visit Johnston Canyon, and drive through Bow Valley Parkway.
- Day 2: Enjoy a morning hike, ride the Banff Gondola, relax with a soak in the hot springs, walk in downtown Banff, and enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
- Day 3: Visit the Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise.
Day 1: Arrive in Banff
Whenever we visit Banff, we arrive as soon as possible to check in at our hotel. Even though the hotel’s check-in time is usually around 3:00 or 4:00 pm, you’d be surprised to know that sometimes your room is ready as early as noon. Even if the room isn’t prepared, at least the check-in is done! Leave your bags in the car or the room, and explore!
Continue your day off with a scenic drive along the Bow Valley Parkway. This is a calmer, less busy alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the area and offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The trees are all covered in snow and it’s a winter wonderland. There are several spots where you can stop for a picnic or photo.
You’ll arrive at Johnston Canyon by taking the Bow Valley Parkway. This popular and busy trail will bring you up to the lower falls and upper falls that freeze in the winter.
Although you can drive through this route pretty much all winter, there is a seasonal closure from March 1st to June 25th between 8:00 pm and 8:00 am every year. The reason behind this closure is to provide wildlife with some quiet time to travel through the area and feed themselves.
Furthermore, the Bow Valley Parkway is the road you’ll take to the famous Morant’s Curve. This is one of the most famous viewpoints to snap a picture of the surrounding mountains, such as Sheol Mountain, Devil’s Thumb, Popes Peak, and Mt Aberdeen, with a Canadian Pacific train in the foreground.
💡 PRO-TIP – For safety reasons, there is no public schedule for when the freight trains will pass by, so it’s up to you to decide how long you’ll wait.
Once you’ve finished visiting Johnston Canyon, head back to your hotel. I highly recommend staying at the Moose Hotel and Suites. Once you’ve arrived, head to the rooftop and swim in one of the two exterior hot tubs or in the interior swimming pool.
Enjoy an Italian meal at Pacini right in the Moose Hotel and Suites to end the day.
Day 2: Hike, Ride the Gondola and Relax
Start your day off with a winter hike. Banff is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, so you’re sure to find a trail that suits your preferences. You can easily do several of these trails in a day. Some short and sweet hiking trails are:
- Tunnel Mountain is a moderate 4.3 km out-and-back trail.
- Cascade Ponds, an easy 1.4 km loop trail
- Johnson Lake, easy 2.9 out-and-back trail.
- Fendland Loop, an easy 1.9-loop trail.
- Bow Falls Viewpoint, easy 2.7 out-and-back trail.
In the afternoon, continue to visit Banff and enjoy a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain to get panoramic views of the Valley, Banff, and its surrounding mountains, such as Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain.
Furthermore, you can visit the Interpretative Center, walk on the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, and grab a snack or a coffee at the Castle Mountain Coffee shop.
💡 PRO-TIP: Besides a regular gondola ride in Banff, from November 18, 2023, to March 30, 2024, you can experience “Nightrise”. This interactive experience, a partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, lights up Sulphur Mountain with art structures, multimedia effects, video projections, and music. Kids will surely enjoy both the ride and the lights!
After, take a quick five-minute drive from Sulphur Mountain to Banff Upper Hot Springs, where you can immerse yourself in naturally heated mineral waters that offer ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, particularly on chilly days. The warm water is even more enjoyable with a stunning view of Mount Rundle.
Later in the afternoon, take a stroll through the town and explore the local shops and galleries. Stop by Evelyn’s Coffee Bar to enjoy a latte, a chai latte or a homemade soup! When we went, they had an absolutely delicious split pea with black forest ham soup.
Walk some more on Banff Avenue and finish your day off with a delicious dinner in town. Being Mexican, I completely enjoy eating at Mexican restaurants occasionally. We ate at Añejo Restaurant, and let me tell you that their Margaritas are some of the best I’ve ever had!
We indulged in some Queso Fundido con Chorizo and Chili Relleno with a Modelo beer and a strawberry rhubarb Margarita. To complete our meal, we treated ourselves to a slice of tres leches cake. Everything was absolutely enjoyable!
Finally, you can either head back to your hotel to rest or, if you still have some energy left, attend a live performance at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Day 3: Visit the Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise
Complete your 3-day winter Banff itinerary with a drive up to the Icefields Parkway.
With its stunning mountainous views, pristine glacier-fed lakes, and abundant wildlife, the Icefields Parkway is a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. This road offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Canadian Rockies, including the Columbia Icefield, which boasts six major glaciers and is a popular spot for guided tours and ice walks.
Along the way, you can stop at various lookout points such as Peyto Lake Viewpoint and Bow Lake, and picnic areas to take in the natural wonders and maybe even catch a glimpse of some wildlife like elk or bighorn sheep.
Whether you plan to drive the entire length of the parkway or explore a few highlights, a visit to the Icefields Parkway is sure to be a memorable experience.
After, continue your day by driving back to Lake Louise. This stunning lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and frozen forests, is a must-see when visiting Banff and is regularly very busy no matter the time of day.
The lake will likely be frozen, so you’ll not see the turquoise colors that have made this lake so famous. However, you can still enjoy the views and some ice skating on the lake.
⚠️ Warning:
Follow the rules for ice skating on the lake. You can to make sure the ice is thick enough. While the lake starts to freeze in November, you won’t likely be able to ice skate until the end of December.
Parks Canada does not monitor these lakes, and your safety and your family are your responsibility. Be sure to avoid hazards and skate safely.
Some of Parks Canada’s recommendations when it comes to wild ice skating are:
– Contact the visitor center for more information about ice skating.
– Verify with a drill the depth of the ice. You need a minimum of 15 cm thick to safely walk or ice skate alone. For groups of people, you’ll need 20 cm thickness.
Finally, conclude your day enjoying a winter festival. Both Banff and Lake Louise have winter festivals where you can appreciate extraordinary ice sculptures. For more information about their festivals and any other winter festival, visit this Events & Activities website.
Banff in the Winter: More Things to Do
There is many other things to do in Banff in the winter. If you have a few extras, don’t miss;
Ski at One of the SkiBig3 resort
Banff National Park is home to 3 world-class ski resorts. The SkiBig3 includes:
- Banff Sunshine
- Lake Louise
- Mt. Norquay,
If you plan on skiing a lot and testing all three resorts, get the SkiBig 3 ticket.
Go on a Dog Sledding Tour (or a Horse Sleigh Ride)
This is one of the most Canadian winter activities in Banff with kids. Many different operators offer dog sledding tours in Banff and Lake Louise.
You may want to do a horse sleigh ride with little kids instead. There is one that goes around Lake Louise up to the frozen waterfall.
A Few Things to Know When Visiting Banff in Winter
GETTING READY FOR YOUR BANFF TRIP?
✈️ BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS: Find cheap flights to Calgary International Airport (YYC) using Google Flights or Skyscanner where you can compare airline tickets for YYC, including some low-cost ones.
🚗 RENT YOUR CAR: You can rent a car directly from Calgary Airport or wait until you are in the city. I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars. or Expedia.
Do you need a car in Calgary?
You don’t necessarily need a car in Calgary, as several transport options are available to get you to Banff and back to Calgary. Some of the options are:
- Airport Shuttle Express. They offer a daily schedule service to any hotel or residence in the Town of Banff. You can also book a private van or minibus to accommodate your schedule.
- Brewster Express. Departing daily from Calgary International Airport or Downtown Calgary, Brewster Express is an excellent option to travel anywhere from Canmore to Banff to Lake Louise or Jasper. If you book a round trip, you’ll save 15%.
- Banff Airporter. They offer a daily and hourly schedule service from Calgary International Airport to Banff.
🛏️ BOOK YOUR HOTEL: Booking.com is an excellent search engine for hotels in Banff. For this itinerary, I highly recommend you stay in a hotel in downtown. Some options in downtown Banff are: Moose Hotel and Suites, Banff Park Lodge, Canalta Lodge or Fox Hotel and Suites
Final Thoughts Banff in Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary
So, is Banff worth visiting in winter? Absolutely. Banff in winter is magical and cozy, even when it’s cold. The snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes create a genuinely breathtaking winter wonderland and offer an experience you won’t forget.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or an adventure seeker, Banff offers something special. These are just a few ideas to help you plan your 3-day Banff winter itinerary. Take your time exploring and creating unforgettable memories.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read the following articles:
- Is Banff Worth Visiting in Winter? Opinion from a Local
- 17 Things to Do in Banff in Winter [Activities for Families]
- 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Visiting Banff in November
- 11 of the Best Hotels in Banff for Families
- 13 Best Winter Hikes in Banff for Families (All Skill Levels)
Meet Maria: Originally from Mexico City, Maria relocated to Montreal, Quebec in 2011. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. In 2018, she fell in love with the Canadian Rockies and has since resided in Cochrane, Alberta. Despite the harsh winter weather, she has fully embraced the great outdoors and enjoys hiking on easy and challenging trails. One of her goals is to summit Mount Temple and acquire rock climbing skills.