CityBuddy
Banff Gondola
Best time to visit
At sunset time, when the mountains glow orange and the shadows of the Rocky Mountains stretch dramatically. During the summer months, it's best to book an evening time, while in winter, bright daylight reveals the details of the snowy peaks best.
Budget tips
A single ticket costs about 65 dollars, but Banff National Park's annual pass is not valid for this. You save 15 percent by buying tickets online in advance, and it's worth checking the Mountain Collective pass if you plan to use multiple lifts.
Recommended for
Couples and romantic trips, Photographers and scenery enthusiasts, Families with school-aged children, Active travelers who want a light activity to balance out a hiking day
Plan your visit
1.5-2 hours
About
Quick facts: An eight-minute journey takes you to an altitude of 2,281 meters, and along the way the landscape changes from coniferous forest to barren mountain tundra. At the top, a three-story building awaits, offering a view of six different mountain ranges.
Highlights: A glass-walled restaurant slowly rotates on its axis, so every diner gets to enjoy the full 360-degree panorama without having to get up from their chair. At sunset, the lights of the Banff Springs Hotel come on and the river turns into liquid gold at the bottom of the valley.
Insider tips
- Skip the busiest time between 11 AM and 2 PM and arrive on the first lift at 8 AM. You will likely end up at the top station by yourself.
- It's worth taking your camera out already at the bottom, as elk and mountain goats often move on the slope below the lift during the ascent.
- Photos taken from the rooftop terrace of the top station are the most postcard-like, but from the northern edge window you can see open water rapids even in winter.
- Pack a windproof jacket, as it is often 10 degrees colder at the top than in Banff town regardless of the season.
Where to Stay in Banff
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
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