Are you planning your trip to Banff with your kids and wondering if the Banff Gondola is worth it?
We’ve been there. When we first visited Banff with our kids, we had the same question:
“Is the Banff Gondola Worth it for a family with kids?”
It took us more than 2 years of living in the Canadian Rockies to finally reach the top of Sulphur Mountain. The first time we visited Banff was during our Canada cross-country road trip we were on a tight budget, so we only did free activities in Banff.
Then, we decided to settle in Alberta and finally bought tickets to the Banff Gondola in our second year of living in Alberta.
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Many visitors are concerned about whether the gondola ride and the experiences at the summit are worth their time and money. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive review of the Banff Gondola to help you make an informed decision.
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Banff Gondola Reviews (for Families)
Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. One of the must-visit attractions in Banff is the Banff Gondola. There are more than 500,000 visitors annually.
The Banff Gondola takes visitors on an 8-minute ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. From the summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies, and engage in various activities like hiking, dining, and gift shopping.
There is also a small interpretive center where families can learn more about Banff National Park and its wildlife and features.
No time to read the entire article? Here is my honest opinion:
If you are traveling with children, riding the Banff Gondola is a fantastic family adventure in the Canadian Rockies. You will probably not have the chance to reach a summit like Sulphur Mountain or any other epic hikes otherwise. But it’s an expensive attraction in Banff.
Banff Gondola Price (And How to Save Some Money)
The cost of a round-trip ticket on the Banff Gondola varies a little depending on the time of year, but it’s around:
- $60.00-$70.00 for adults
- $35.00-40.00 for children (6-15 years old)
- Free for infants (under 5 years old)
Plus, there are a few ways to save money when purchasing your Banff Gondola tickets:
1. Compare Banff Gondola Tickets
You can compare pricing on Get Your Guide, Viator and directly on Banff Jasper Collection. Prices may vary, so try to find the best available price.
▶️ Check prices on Get Your Guide
▶️ Check prices on Viator
2. Take advantage of the Banff Gondola Family Experience
The Banff Gondola Family Experience allows your children to ride for free. If you plan your family’s mountain adventure early in the day, you can get free admission for your kids (6-15 years old). Children 5 years old and under always ride for free.
The Banff Gondola Family Experience also comes with a treat for your child, which kids always love.
Kids ride for free in the first 2 hours of the day. Selecting an upload ride time between 10:10 AM and 11:50 AM allows you to have a free children’s ticket for each paying adult. So you are a family of 4, you can save almost $100, and 10:00 AM is not early when you have kids 😉
3. Consider hiking up the Sulphur Mountain Trail
You can purchase a half-price ticket for the Banff Gondola to ride down. That means you would need to hike up Sulphur Mountain and use the Gondola only for the way down.
It’s important to note that if you plan on doing the reverse – using the Gondola on the way up and hiking your way down), you still have to purchase the full-priced ticket.
It’s not your best option if you’re traveling with kids. The hike is a moderate 5.4-kilometer trail with an elevation gain of 759 m. Plus, the hike is boring. You approach the summit, there is no view until the trail’s end.
💡 Banff Gondola Price – Tip from the Pros
The tickets are refundable up to 48 hours before your travel date. The Banff gondola to the Sulphur Mountain is worth it for the 360° view of Banff and its magnificent mountains. On a cloudy day, it doesn’t have the same effect.
Check the weather forecast 48 to 72 hours before your travel date. If the weather seems great, amazing. But if the weather doesn’t seem so great, you may consider canceling your tickets and finding another activity.
Of course, the weather in the Canadian Rockies is UNPREDICTABLE. It can change fast, and it’s even more true at high altitudes, but it’s still worth checking in a few days before and seeing if your family is still interested.
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Things to Do at the Top of The Banff Gondola
The ride to the Sulphur Mountain summit is fun but pretty short. It takes only 8 minutes to reach the top. But there are a few things to do at the top.
Interpretive Center
First, families will love visiting the interpretive center on Level 2 of the Terminal building.
The interpretive center has lots of exciting information about the area, but the real treat is the hands-on exhibits for the kids. Just wait until you put your hand inside a paw print of a grizzly bear – you’ll be amazed by how big it is! If your children are interested in learning, they can easily stay at the interpretive center for an hour (or even more).
Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk
Then, you’ll want to use the boardwalk right outside the Terminal building. The Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak and the Cosmic Ray Station is an easy walk. It’s a 1.0-kilometre walk (out and back).
Snack/Picnic Break
Finally, you can stop for a coffee & treats at the Castle Mountain Coffee or sit at the Sky Bistro or the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen.
If you’re on a limited budget, I highly recommend you pack a lunch and hot beverages. There are a lot of picnic tables at the Summit as well as along the boardwalk. There is nothing better than a picnic with breathtaking views.
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How much time should you spend at Banff Gondola?
Plan at least 2 hours at the top of Sulphur Mountain, especially in the summertime. In two hours, you’ll have time to visit the Interpretive Center, walk to the Cosmic Ray Station and enjoy a picnic.
In winter, 2 hours may be longer if it’s freezing outside.
One of the ticking system’s downsides when we visited in August was that we had to select our upload time (our ride up to the summit) and our download time (our ride down). I am unsure if it’s always this way or only during peak season.
How to Get to Banff Gondola
A parking lot is right by the gondola, but it’s pretty limited. If you visit in the off-season, you should be fine finding an empty parking space. But it might be harder in the summertime.
When we visited, we parked our car at the free parking lot by the Banff train station. We walked into the town of Banff and used the ROAM Transit to get to the Banff Gondola.
It went smoothly, and we didn’t have to wait much for the bus to arrive. Plus, for our kids, taking public transportation is always a fun activity.
Now, is the Banff Gondola worth it?
Banff Gondola Review: Is it Worth It?
Here is my honest opinion:
If you are traveling with children, riding the Banff Gondola is a fantastic family adventure in the Canadian Rockies. You will probably not have the chance to reach a summit like Sulphur Mountain or any other epic hikes otherwise.
Let’s be clear, though. There are AMAZING short and easy hikes in the Canadian Rockies, but no summit hike with a 360° view of the Bow Valley and Spray Valley without a longer and harder hike.
We did the Banff Gondola at the end of August 2022 and had a clear day. It was a bit chilly at the top (bringing lots of layers), but the views were breathtaking. The kids had fun running at the top of the mountain and visiting the Interpretive Center, and I was in awe, admiring the view.
But it’s an expensive attraction in Banff. For two adults and two kids (above 5 years old), it would cost around:
- CA $125.00 if you visit in the first two hours of the morning
- CA $200.00 if you visit after 11:50 AM
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Alternative to the Banff Gondola
If you’re not sure if the Banff Gondola is your best option. Here are a few alternatives. But note that only the Banff Gondola is open all year round. The three other options are only open during the summertime (June to September/October)
Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift VS Banff Gondola
Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift is a great alternative, but it’s not accessible to all families since it’s a chairlift and not a gondola. It’s only open during the summertime (from mid/end of June). It offers beautiful views, and the food at the bistro is AMAZING!
We have not yet done the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift, but we used the chairlift at Kicking Horse Ski Resort in Golden to see Boo, the Bear, and it was not relaxing with two toddlers.
It costs around $120.00 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children).
One of the nice things about the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift is a free shuttle bus from Banff.
For a more relaxing time, if you’re traveling with young children, I recommend doing one of the gondolas (Banff or Jasper) instead of the Mt. Norquay chairlift, not because of the views but more for safety reasons.
Note that children under two years old can’t use the chairlift.
▶️ Compare the Banff Gondola
▶️ Compare the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift
Banff Gondola or Lake Louise Gondola
The Lake Louise Gondola is a good option if you’re looking for a less crowded attraction. Plus, it’s a little less expensive than the Banff Gondola.
It’s also one of the best places to spot grizzly bears. The animal museum on the ground floor of the bistro can also be fun for kids.
In 2022, the Ride and Dine tickets (which include a $25 food/beverage voucher) were $59.95 for adults and $26.95 for children (aged 6-15). Standard gondola tickets were $39.95 for adults, $18.95 for children, and $109.95 for families (2 adults and 2 children). Tickets are free for kids under 5 years old.
At least one adult must accompany children under 12 on a chair or gondola for safety reasons. Also, children under the height of 42″ (106cm) can only use the gondola (and not the chairlift).
▶️ Compare the Banff Gondola
▶️ Compare the Lake Louise Gondola
Sunshine Meadows Gondola VS Banff Gondola
The Sunshine Meadows gondola brings you to the Sunshine Village ski base. From there, you can choose from different hikes to see alpine lakes and take a chairlift to go higher.
It’s more of a hiking place than a purely sightseeing gondola. If your family is into hiking, I recommend trying the Sunshine Meadows. But if your idea is more of a relaxing and sightseeing activity with young children, this may not be the best option for your family.
In 2023, the Banff Sunshine summer gondola tickets were:
- Adult (16+): $45
- Family (2 Adults / 2 Children): $109
- Youth/Child (6-15): $23
- Toddler (0-5): FREE
Also, the Sunshine Meadows offers a short season. It opened at the end of June and closed in early September.
▶️ Compare the Banff Gondola
▶️ Compare the Sunshine Meadows Gondola
F.A.Q Banff Gondola Reviews
Which is better, Banff Gondola or Lake Louise Gondola?
Both the Banff Gondola and the Lake Louise Gondola are worth it. The Lake Louise Gondola is less expensive than the Banff Gondola (and offers a voucher for some food at the bistro). Plus, it’s a great place to see bears. On the other hand, the Banff Gondola is the only gondola that is open all year round.
Do you need to book the Banff Gondola in advance?
It is recommended to book your tickets for the gondola in advance, especially if traveling during the summertime. But it’s possible to purchase your tickets at the ticket office.
How long does it take to walk down from Banff Gondola?
The Sulphur Mountain trail is 5.4 kilometers (one-way). The time to complete this hike will vary depending on your hiking pace, but it can take a few hours with little kids.
Can you take Banff Gondola down for free?
You can’t take the Banff Gondola down for free. It’s possible to hike to the top of Sulphur Mountain and take a one-way ticket down for the Gondola, but the reserve is impossible. If you plan on using the gondola on the way up and hiking on the way down, you’ll need to purchase a full-price ticket.
Final Thoughts: Is Banff Gondola Worth it?
The Banff Gondola is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park. It offers breathtaking views from the Sulphur Mountain Summit.
While it’s an expensive attraction for families, it may be one of your best options for reaching a big summit in the Canadian Rockies. Of course, if you have older kids, you can find other epic hikes to reach beautiful mountain peaks, but it’s unrealistic for young children.
If you’re planning a trip to Banff and want to splurge on a paid attraction, the Banff Gondola is overall worth it.
You can find a few alternatives in the summertime, but if you’re visiting Banff outside the summer peak season, there are few alternatives to the Banff Gondola.
Related Articles – Family Trip to Banff
If you’re planning a family trip to Banff, you might want to read these articles:
- Easy Hikes in Banff and the Canadian Rockies: 33 Kid-Friendly Hikes Under 5km
- Renting a Car in Calgary or in Banff? Everything To Know
- 11 of the Best Hotels in Banff for Families
- The Ultimate 7-Day Calgary, Banff, & Jasper Itinerary
- 21 Fun Things to Do in Banff With Kids
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.