Who else has been dreaming of a mini-vacay in one of the most beautiful places in Alberta?? There are so many family-friendly things going on in Banff & Lake Louise this Winter – you might want to start making plans to go.
Things to do in Banff & Lake Louise this Winter
Banff Gondola
You’ll get to experience:
- The iconic ride up Sulphur Mountain in the Gondola car
- Ice sculptures
- Cafe for grab & go snacks
- Enjoy amazing views from the ridge-top boardwalk
- Family friendly, interactive exhibits
- Rooftop observation deck
- Dining options, including a restaurant with a full view of the mountain
- Gift shop
- Washrooms
- & take a walk down the walkway and up the mountain for the most spectacular view from the top of Sulphur Mountain
Watch for the brand new Nightrise experience – see the official Banff social media pages for dates/hours this runs.
Good to know: Kids go free before noon; Alberta residents save 15% when pre booking online! See the website for details.
World Famous Hot Springs
The Banff Hot Springs are naturally occurring hot water, coming out of the mountain. They are mineral-rich and said to have healing properties. The Hot Spings are open year-round and the temperature stays consistent, even in the Winter months. Sitting in a naturally hot pool of water while it snows is an amazing experience! The Banff Upper Hot Spings are the last in the area open to the public.
You’ll find:
- Hot Spring Pool
- Towels available for rent
- Lockets available for rent
- Cafe
Tubing
Get ready for some family fun tubing down the mountain! For ages 4 and up, jump on an inflatable snow tube and head down one of the 8 sliding-lanes at Mount Norquay.
Shopping
Take a scenic stroll in downtown Banff to discover good food, snacks, groceries, gift shops and retail stores.
Where you want to go:
- Banff Ave
- Bear Street
In Lake Louise: The small shopping mall in the village is great for gifts, groceries & souvenirs and more shopping can be found at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Take a Scenic Drive
Our mountains have some of the most beautiful views you will come across. Check out the list of the prettiest drives through the Rockies here.
Always take caution on the roads in Winter weather – note that Snow/Winter tires are recommended for Winter driving and mandatory for the IceWay between Banff & Jasper from November to March.
Private Bookings/Experiences:
There are several unique private tours/experiences you can look into and book with the family. Be sure to check out available dates before planning your trip – tickets should be purchased well in advance to guarantee your date/time. Worth checking out:
- Dog sledding
- Ice Skating – including on one of the most famous lakes in Lake Louise!
- Guided ice-walk tours
- Private/group horse drawn sleigh rides
- Snow Shoeing
- Country Christmas Dinner
Visiting in January or February? Check out the family friendly events planned for the annual Snow Days here.
Follow us on Instagram to get a peek at our Winter adventures in Banff this season & other local things to do with the kids in & around Edmonton.
Photo credit: Banff Tours