Planning the ultimate Banff winter itinerary and looking for the best things to do?
While Banff is absolutely stunning at any time of year, winter in Banff is absolutely magical.
From the flurries of snow cascading down the sky, to the unbelievably teal blue pools of water, visiting the Canadian Rockies during the winter is something that needs to be on your bucket list.
Adam and I did a quick little Banff winter road trip during November 2018, and it was the most romantic anniversary trip.
It was a little difficult to plan our Banff itinerary because so many hikes and places were closed for the winter, but overall we managed to see a bunch of beautiful spots in Banff.
I’ve seen Banff during winter, spring, and summer, and seeing it during fall is on my bucket list – I’d love to see it surrounded with coloured leaves someday!
Here’s our Banff winter itinerary, including all the best things to do and top places to eat during your visit to the Canadian Rockies!
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!
Plan your Banff trip
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Banff, you might enjoy these posts:
- Visiting during winter? Here are the best winter activities in Banff.
- Searching for places to eat? Stop by the best restaurants or cafés in Banff.
- Planning your itinerary? Here’s the perfect 4-day itinerary.
- Doing a road trip? Check out my 6-day Banff & Jasper itinerary or visit the best stops from Banff to Jasper.
Tours & activities in Banff
Looking for actual tours and activities to add to your Banff winter itinerary? You might enjoy these ones:
- Horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff: Cozy up on this 40-minute sleigh ride tour through the snow-covered meadows of Banff.
- Johnston Canyon Icewalk Tour: Witness the frozen beauty of Johnston Canyon during winter.
- Banff snowshoe adventure: Hike through hidden forests, canyons, and mountain passes.
- Banff wildlife tour: Observe wildlife on this guided nature-spotting tour.
- Full-day Banff tour: Experience the best of Banff with travel from Calgary or Banff.
Tips for your road trip in Banff National Park during winter
Plan your Banff winter road trip ahead of time
Some sights and attractions close during the winter months, so you’ll definitely want to plan your Banff road trip ahead of time.
Here are a few fun tours and activities that are available in Banff during the winter months:
- Head up the Banff Gondola and enjoy the mountain views
- Take a ride on this scenic horse-drawn sleigh ride
- Go on this 3-hour winter wildlife tour
- Try snowshoeing in Lake Louise
- Go skiing or snowboarding in Banff
I’ve got a comprehensive blog post all about how to plan a travel itinerary if you’re in need of some planning tips!
If you’re traveling from afar, I’ve also got a post on how to survive long-haul flights.
Rent a car for your Banff winter road trip
While there are buses that take you from Calgary to Banff, you’re definitely better off renting a car.
By having your own vehicle, you can stop along any stops you come across, and spend as much time as you want in each attraction.
It’s also cold and snowy during the winter, so you’ll be much more comfortable hopping in and out of the car rental versus on a bus.
Expedia is my go-to website for booking car rentals because you can collect points towards discounts and free rewards!
When driving through Banff during the winter, you’ll need snow tires, which your car rental will likely already have.
If you’re not used to winter driving, be very careful and take extra precaution – it’s very easy to skid, especially on black ice!
I’ve got a blog post all about road trip tips if you’re interested, as well as comfy road trip outfits you can wear.
If you decide to visit Banff without a car, you can get a hop-on and hop-off bus ticket that takes you to a bunch of hotspots in Banff.
Download music or podcasts
Because of all the mountains, most of the Icefields Parkway has absolutely no service.
So, you’ll want to download music or podcasts to listen to on the drive!
If you’re looking for new podcasts to listen to, check out my fave road trip podcasts.
Pack warm clothing
Alberta is hecka cold during the winter months, and you’ll want proper winter clothing and gear.
It usually snows as early as October, and you’ll want a proper winter jacket, winter boots, and cold weather accessories like a beanie and mittens.
A good pair of socks is definitely a good idea – these Swiftwick Vision Five Winter Socks are moisture-wicking, made with merino wool, and made in the USA using sustainable practices!
Winter clothes tend to be a bit bulkier, and I’ve got a blog post all about how to plan your travel outfits to make your life easier.
I’ve also got blog posts on the ultimate carry-on packing list and how to pack for a weekend in a personal item.
Brush up on avalanche safety
Avalanches are a risk in the Canadian Rockies during the snowy winter months, and you’ll want to learn or brush up on avalanche safety.
I found this wikiHow guide super helpful, but you’ll probably want to read multiple sources to be safe.
My motto is that it’s always better safe than sorry!
Where to stay in Banff
Hotels in Banff, AB
Hotels are a bit pricier in Banff and Lake Louise and can set you back $200-$400 CAD a night, especially during the summer months.
If it’s within your budget, the ease of getting around without having to drive too far is worth it!
- Lake Louise Inn is a cozy 3-star hotel located right around the corner from the incredible Lake Louise.
- The Moose Hotel and Suites is a beautiful 3-star hotel right in the heart of Banff that serves up all of the cottage feels.
- Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic and luxury 4-star hotel located right in Banff, and it’s perfect for honeymoons.
Hotels in Canmore, AB
The hotels in Canmore are slightly cheaper, and it’s less than a 30 minute drive to Banff.
- Basecamp Resorts Canmore is an amazing and modern 3-star condo building right in the heart of Canmore. It’s got a rooftop spa tub and laundry facilities, and there’s even free parking.
- Basecamp Lodge Canmore is another nice property by Basecamp Resorts that serves up all the lodge feels.
Hotels in Golden, BC
If you’re on a tight budget, you can opt to stay in a hotel or Airbnb in Golden, which is about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Banff one-way.
We’ve done so ourselves twice, and honestly would not recommend it because of all the driving time.
Of course, we were trying to keep it as budget-friendly as possible back then, but now we prefer to spend a little more to drive a little less.
2-day Banff winter itinerary
Day 1: Icefields Parkway & Bow Lake
We landed in Calgary around lunchtime, so we grabbed some quick drive-thru burgers at Wendy’s before heading off to Bow Lake, our main stop of the day.
Icefields Parkway
We made a few stops on our way from Calgary to Bow Lake along the Icefields Parkway, which is one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The views are absolutely incredible, even during the winter!
One of the perks of visiting Banff during the winter is less crowds, and we managed to get a few shots in the middle of the road with this gorgeous mountain view!
If you choose to do this as well, please do so at your own risk and be safe, my friend.
If you’re lookin’ to take great photos for the ‘Gram, check out my blog post on how to take perfect travel photos.
Bow Lake
It took us about two and a half hours to drive from Calgary to Bow Lake, which is one of the largest lakes in Banff.
We couldn’t see much because of all the snow, but it was still pleasant to walk around the area – we even managed to get some beautiful shots here!
Stay overnight in Banff, Canmore, Field, or Jasper
Since we planned on visiting Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park the next day, we stayed overnight in Jasper.
Jasper is just under a 3 hour drive from Banff, so it’s quite a drive, but it’s definitely worth making the stop if you’re able to.
You can also stay in Canmore, which is less than a half hour drive from Banff, or Field, which is about an hour from Banff.
Hotels in Jasper
- Pyramid Lake Resort is an adorable 3-star chalet-style hotel located right on Pyramid Lake, with beautiful and modern rooms.
- Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a posh 4-star lodge that was built in the early 1900s, and you can stay in one of the cozy log cabins.
Hotels in Banff, AB
The hotels in Banff and Lake Louise are a bit pricier and can set you back $200-$400 CAD a night, but the ease of getting around without having to drive too far is worth it if it’s within your budget.
- Lake Louise Inn is a cozy 3-star hotel located right around the corner from the incredible Lake Louise.
- The Moose Hotel and Suites is a beautiful 3-star hotel right in the heart of Banff that serves up all of the cottage feels.
- Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic and luxury 4-star hotel located right in Banff, and it’s perfect for honeymoons.
Hotels in Canmore
The hotels in Canmore are slightly cheaper, and it’s less than a 30 minute drive to Banff.
- Basecamp Resorts Canmore is an amazing and modern 3-star condo building right in the heart of Canmore. It’s got a rooftop spa tub and laundry facilities, and there’s even free parking.
- Basecamp Lodge Canmore is another nice property by Basecamp Resorts that serves up all the lodge feels.
We stayed in an Airbnb, which was quite affordable during the winter, and I’ve got a blog post all about how to find the best Airbnbs if you’re interested!
Dinner in Jasper
Since we stayed in Jasper, we had dinner at the Fiddle River Restaurant downtown.
The food was amazing, and so was this beer from The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, which is a local craft brewery based out of Canmore!
Day 2: Sunwapta Falls, Peyto Lake, Lake Louise, & Town of Banff
Sunwapta Falls
We came early to Sunwapta Falls hoping to catch the sunrise, but we unfortunately didn’t get any sun.
We made the best of it and just enjoyed the view.
The upper falls is easily accessible from the parking lot, but you’ll probably need snowshoes to access the lower falls during the snowy winter months.
If you look closely, you can see Adam right by the waterfall.
I didn’t dare to even climb down the trees – I was happy standing safely by the bridge!
It ain’t always worth it for the ‘Gram.
Since Jasper and Sunwapta Falls are a bit of a farther drive, you can skip them entirely to cut down on the driving.
Sunwapta Falls seemed like a really cool spot (and was a cool spot), so we wanted to take the extra time to pay it a visit!
LOCATION: Jasper National Park, AB
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park, which is less than a 20 minute drive from Field (where we stayed overnight).
The sun also didn’t show up for us here, but it was still an amazing stop and we loved having it all to ourselves early in the morning.
I loved the moody vibe of all our shots!
It would be so nice to stay in one of the rustic cabins here at Emerald Lake.
The hike around the entire lake is about an hour, but we just stayed around the section of the lake near the parking lot.
If you visit during the summer months, you can rent canoes here!
LOCATION: 1 Emerald Lake Rd, Field, BC
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is an absolutely incredible gem in Banff National Park, and it’s just over an hour and a half drive from Sunwapta Falls.
The walk up to the top was a little tiring, but I blame it on the elevation and the cold air going up my nose.
You can hike, snowshoe, or ski from the lower parking lot up to the viewing platform, which offers up stunning views.
Please be aware of avalanche safety before doing any winter hikes in Banff!
LOCATION: Banff National Park, AB
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is one of my favourite places in the entire world, and it’s absolutely magical during the winter months.
It’s beautiful no matter what time of the year you go, and this was my first time seeing it during the winter.
You can simply walk around and marvel in Lake Louise’s beauty, or go on a guided snowshoeing tour to get a more unique experience!
If you come later during the winter season, Lake Louise freezes over, and you can actually skate over the ice!
They even have a super cool ice sculpture exhibition that happens here every January.
If you visit from spring through fall, I’d highly recommend doing the epic Plain of the Six Glaciers hike, which starts at Lake Louise!
Lunch in Lake Louise
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Lake Louise, the Fairmont Château Lake Louise has an incredible restaurant with great food and cocktails, though their menu is a bit on the higher end price-wise.
If you’re traveling on a budget, Trailhead Cafe is an amazing and affordable café with fantastic sandwiches and drinks!
Walk around the Town of Banff
After wandering around Lake Louise, we wandered off into the Town of Banff and did a little bit of exploring and souvenir shopping.
It’s such a picturesque little town, and it’s beautiful at every angle!
I adore the souvenirs at the Big Bear Trading Company, which are more stylish and modern and don’t look like your typical touristy screen-printed t-shirts.
There’s even a massive shop called The Spirit Of Christmas that sells Christmas ornaments and goodies, and it’s Canada’s largest year-round Christmas store!
Also take note that all parking in the Town of Banff now requires payment, though there is free parking at the Banff Train Station with 500 spots.
It’s a little bit of a walk from the train station into town (about 10 minutes), so I personally prefer just paying for parking in town if I’m not staying very long!
Dinner at Block Kitchen + Bar
Block Kitchen + Bar is an awesome Asian fusion restaurant with a cool urban rustic interior.
We ordered a bunch of small tapas to share, all of which were so delicious!
If you’re looking for more places to eat in the area, I’ve got a post all about the best restaurants in Banff.
Stay overnight in Banff or Field
Since Banff is a little pricier to stay in (even during the winter), we decided to stay overnight in Field.
Field is a tiny little town that’s super picturesque, and it’s just an hour outside of Banff.
We stayed in an Airbnb, and I’ve got a blog post all about how to find the best Airbnbs if ya need some tips.
If you’re not an Airbnb fan (or want to spend the $), you can stay in a hotel in Banff or Canmore, which also cuts down on the driving time!
Hotels in Banff
The hotels in Banff and Lake Louise are a bit pricier and can set you back $200-$400 CAD a night, but the ease of getting around without having to drive too far is worth it if it’s within your budget.
- Lake Louise Inn is a cozy 3-star hotel located right around the corner from the incredible Lake Louise.
- The Moose Hotel and Suites is a beautiful 3-star hotel right in the heart of Banff that serves up all of the cottage feels.
- Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic and luxury 4-star hotel located right in Banff, and it’s perfect for honeymoons.
Hotels in Canmore
The hotels in Canmore are slightly cheaper, and it’s a little closer to Calgary than Banff is.
- Basecamp Resorts Canmore is an amazing and modern 3-star condo building right in the heart of Canmore. It’s got a rooftop spa tub and laundry facilities, and there’s even free parking.
- Basecamp Lodge Canmore is another nice property by Basecamp Resorts that serves up all the lodge feels.
That was our quick 2-day winter itinerary of our time in Banff and Jasper!
We headed back to Calgary the next morning, which was about a two and a half hour drive from Field.
We then had a delish brunch at one of Calgary’s best brunch spots, a local chain called OEB Breakfast Co., before doing a little stop at the Peace Bridge.
Banff is always a fun place to visit, whether you’re visiting during the summer or the winter.
It’s one of those trips that just never gets old – like Niagara Falls!
Have you been to Banff National Park during the winter before? What were your favourite sights and attractions? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
Plan your Banff trip
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Banff, you might enjoy these posts:
- Visiting during winter? Here are the best winter activities in Banff.
- Searching for places to eat? Stop by the best restaurants or cafés in Banff.
- Planning your itinerary? Here’s the perfect 4-day itinerary.
- Doing a road trip? Check out my 6-day Banff & Jasper itinerary or visit the best stops from Banff to Jasper.
Tours & activities in Banff
If you’re looking for tours and activities to add to your Banff winter itinerary, you might enjoy these ones:
- Horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff: Cozy up on this 40-minute sleigh ride tour through the snow-covered meadows of Banff.
- Johnston Canyon Icewalk Tour: Witness the frozen beauty of Johnston Canyon during winter.
- Banff snowshoe adventure: Hike through hidden forests, canyons, and mountain passes.
- Banff wildlife tour: Observe wildlife on this guided nature-spotting tour.
- Full-day Banff tour: Experience the best of Banff with travel from Calgary or Banff.
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