The Banff Gondola is one of the most popular things to do in Banff National Park, and for good reason. In just a few minutes, the gondola takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you’re rewarded with wide-open views over the Canadian Rockies, Banff townsite, the Bow Valley and the surrounding mountain peaks.
But the Banff Gondola isn’t just about the ride up. At the summit, you’ll find an impressive Upper Terminal with restaurants, interpretive exhibits, a rooftop observation deck and plenty of space to take in the views.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before visiting the Banff Gondola, including ticket tips, parking and transit options, what to do at the top, where to eat, and how much time to allow for your visit.
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Banff Gondola Lower Terminal
Your Banff Gondola experience begins at the Lower Terminal at the far end of Mountain Avenue. Within the Lower Terminal you’ll find the ticket counter, a well-stocked gift shop and a Starbucks. There’s a coffee shop up top as well, but if you are partial to Starbucks coffee, grab your Venti before going up.
Before you leave your hotel, keep in mind that the temperature at the top of Sulphur Mountain is often 10°C (18°F) cooler than it is down at the Lower Terminal. You may wish to bring some extra layers if you are worried about the temperature.
The Banff Sightseeing Gondola Ride
After enjoying the amenities at the Lower Terminal, you’ll begin your exhilarating gondola ride to the summit. During your eight-minute journey up Sulphur Mountain, you’ll rise from an elevation of 1,583 m to 2,281 m above sea level.
As you smoothly glide to the summit, keep your eyes peeled on the trails in the forest below for intrepid hikers or even one of Banff’s beloved forest creatures. There are few experiences more exciting than spotting Banff wildlife in their natural habitat.
Note that although the gondola cabins are enclosed and protected from the wind, they are not heated, so ensure you dress appropriately if your gondola ride is in winter.
Sulphur Mountain Upper Terminal
All too soon, you’ll arrive at the newly transformed Upper Terminal, where you will find amazing food, a fun interpretive centre, and of course incredible views of the Canadian Rockies. The new Banff Gondola summit terminal has four levels:
Level 1
This is the level where guests disembark from their gondola ride. You’ll be welcomed to the top with a chance to get a warm coffee or snack at Castle Mountain Coffee. Level 1 is also where you’ll board for your gondola ride back to the base, so it’s no surprise there is a large, well-stocked gift shop as well.
Level 2
The highlight of the second level is the amazing interpretive centre. Kids of all ages will love exploring this area and enjoying the many interactive interpretive exhibits.
In addition to the floor-to-ceiling windows, the interpretive centre is filled with lots of interesting information about Banff, but the real treat is the hands-on exhibits. Just wait until you put your hand inside a paw print of a grizzly bear; you won’t believe the size of it!
It’s no surprise that there are plenty of fun things for kids to do in the interpretive centre. Our kids love playing in the little tent cabin, the tunnels to crawl through and the life-sized grizzly bear and cougar video projections.
But perhaps their favourite exhibit in the interpretive centre is the scat display. As funny as it is for kids, it’s also very helpful identifying the various animal poops you’ll encounter on the easy Banff winter hikes around town.
Another popular attraction on the Upper Terminal Level is the new multi-sensory Above Banff Theatre. In this unique experience you’ll glide over the magnificent Canadian Rockies from the perspective of a bald eagle, then witness the raw power of Mother Nature over the rugged Bow Valley.
Level 3
You’ll find the two Banff Gondola restaurants on Level 3 of the Upper Terminal. Get more details on the Sky Bistro and Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen below.
Level 4
We love the outdoor 360-degree rooftop observation deck on Level 4. From this elevated viewpoint, you can see all the way from Lake Minnewanka to Lake Louise.
You’ll find the iconic glass bear on the Level 4 observation deck, along with plenty of places to sit and take in the views. In wintertime, you’ll also find many comfy chairs around several firepits.
In season, this is also where you’ll find Peak Patio, one of Banff’s best outdoor patio restaurants.
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Can’t get enough of those incredible Banff views? Visit one of these other Banff Gondolas and Chairlifts!
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Sulphur Mountain Outdoor Summit Area
A mountaintop visit is even better when you can step outside, breathe in the mountain air and take in the views from every angle. With a walkway wrapping all the way around the Upper Terminal, guests will love exploring the views of the Canadian Rockies from every angle.
If you’d like a close-up look at anything, there are plenty of coin-operated binoculars to enjoy.
For guests wishing to make a day of their trip up the Sulphur Mountain gondola, there are many picnic tables outside, making it a perfect place for a picnic in Banff!
The Banff National Park Views
So, what can you see atop the Banff Gondola? Honestly, the views are a big part of what makes this experience so memorable.
Looking west, you can see all the way to the mountains of Lake Louise, including Mt. Bourgeau (2,930 m) and the massive Mt. Temple (3,544 m).
As you look northwest you’ll see Mt. Cory (2,802 m) poking its summit up on the left, while Mt. Norquay (2,522 m) is to the right.
Perhaps the view looking north is the best of all. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy views of the townsite, Tunnel Mountain (1,692 m), the Banff Springs Hotel and golf course, the Bow River, Cascade Mountain (2,988 m), Mt. Inglismaldie (2,964 m) and Lake Minnewanka.
The view looking east is dominated by Mount Rundle (2,949 m), one of the most beautiful of the peaks in the Canadian Rockies.
Looking south, you can see the true summit of Sulphur Mountain, with Mt. Rundle stretching all the way to Canmore on the left and the beautiful Sundance Range on the right.
See the Canadian Rockies views for yourself on the Banff Gondola Live Webcam.
The Sulphur Mountain Ridgetop Boardwalk
One of our favourite things to do after our Banff Gondola ride is to walk the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson’s Peak, which is one of the best Banff viewpoints. The 500 m walk from the Upper Terminal to the national historic site is along a wide wooden boardwalk with many built-in benches.
Take your time meandering up the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk and learn about Banff National Park through the abundant interpretive signs along the way. A fun activity for kids is to try and find Norman Sanson on 8 of the interpretive signs along the way.
The trees surrounding the ridgetop boardwalk give visitors a good opportunity to see an endangered whitebark pine up close and learn about the challenges it faces to stay alive.
As you near the end of the boardwalk, the panoramic views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains from the viewing platform are even better than the view from the Upper Terminal.
A fun surprise at the next platform up from the viewing platform are another pair of the iconic Parks Canada red chairs. It’s always a great photo opportunity sitting on these fun chairs.
The wooden ridgetop boardwalk ends just a few metres before the Cosmic Ray Station, where the surface changes to a more natural trail with protruding rocks. Perhaps this is to give visitors a feel of what a real hiking trail is like atop a mountain in the Canadian Rockies? In any case, watch your step as the surface is uneven and it can get very crowded in this area.
Due to its national significance, the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Take a short walk along the small balcony around the building for a chance to look inside through one of the windows. If the crowds are not too bad, take a moment to soak in the views as they are the best views you can find up top.
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Banff Gondola Restaurants
Sky Bistro
The award-winning Sky Bistro is your place for fine dining in the sky. Sky Bistro is one of Banff’s most popular special-occasion restaurants, with two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows and a memorable summit setting.
Reservations are strongly recommended to dine at this top Banff Gondola restaurant. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen
Not to be outdone, the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen also offers floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the spectacular views of Banff National Park. The Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen offers a creative menu, served buffet style for both lunch and dinner.
Reservations for the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen are available on OpenTable.
Peak Patio
Open seasonally, the Peak Patio offers light bites and tasty beverages to enjoy outdoors. Food just seems to taste better when you’re enjoying it in the fresh mountain air.
Castle Mountain Coffee
There’s nothing like enjoying a piping hot coffee in the fresh mountain air on your walk along the ridgetop boardwalk. Located on Level 1 of the Upper Terminal, Castle Mountain Coffee is your home for hot drinks and quick snacks.
Banff Gondola Tickets
Banff Gondola Price
The Sulphur Mountain gondola has a dynamic pricing policy in effect. In a nutshell, the busier the Banff Gondola is projected to be, the higher the price will be. The day of the week and how far in advance you book can both affect the price of your ticket.
Prices are subject to change, but typical prices range from $69 – $93 per adult and $45 – $61 for children 6 and up.
Banff Gondola Discounts
Banff Ticket Bundles
You can save up to 25% by purchasing tickets for several top area attractions as a package. The very popular Pursuit Pass Rockies package bundles tickets for six excellent Banff & Jasper attractions including:
- The Banff Gondola ride
- Columbia Icefield Adventure
- Columbia Icefield Skywalk
- Open Top Touring
- Golden Skybridge
- Either the Lake Minnewanka boat cruise in Banff or the Maligne Lake boat cruise in Jasper
If you are flexible on your timing, you can save up to 40% on your tickets by purchasing a Pursuit Pass Rockies Value package. This package is identical to the Pursuit Pass Rockies package, except you can only visit the two Columbia Icefield attractions after 3:30 PM.
You can easily buy the Pursuit Pass Rockies ticket packages while you are making your Banff Gondola reservation – simply look at the ticket options on your day.
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In addition to the Banff Gondola Adventure, Pursuit also operates many other top Banff and Jasper attractions. Don’t miss our informative posts on the Jasper SkyTram, the Columbia Icefield Adventure and the Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
Alberta Locals Discount
Alberta residents enjoy a Banff Gondola discount. The variable pricing policy is in effect for Alberta residents as well, but the Banff Gondola Alberta resident discount is roughly $15 for adults and $10 for children. Proof of Alberta residency is required, and the offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
Family Experience
Alberta locals are not the only ones who can enjoy discounted Banff Gondola pricing; families can get discounts too if they visit the summit of Sulphur Mountain early in the day! Families who book the Family Experience can get one free child admission with each regular-priced adult ticket. It’s available daily for the first two hours of the day and can’t be combined with other offers.
Banff Gondola Tours
Joining an organized tour is a great way to easily see the best of Banff. Here are some top tours which visit the Banff Gondola:
Recommended Banff Gondola Tour #1
Offered seasonally, the excellent Explore Banff Tour visits many of our favourite spots around Banff, including the amazing Lake Minnewanka boat cruise and, of course, the Banff Gondola ride.
Recommended Banff Gondola Tour #2
The Sulphur Mountain Highline Trek tour begins at the Upper Terminal and takes you on an exciting hike along the Sulphur Mountain ridgeline to the true summit.
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Other sightseeing gondolas and chairlifts you can visit in the summer & fall in Banff are the Sunshine Gondola to Sunshine Meadows, the Norquay Chairlift and the Lake Louise Gondola.
Banff Gondola in Winter
Canada’s mountain parks may get the most visitors during the warm summer months, but in our opinion the Canadian Rockies are the most beautiful if you are visiting Banff in winter. There are few better places to enjoy the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Spray Valley than the Banff Gondola.
In addition to the incredible Rocky Mountain scenery, there are lots of fun things to do atop Sulphur Mountain in winter. After enjoying a leisurely walk along the ridgetop boardwalk, we recommend grabbing a warm drink, gathering by an outdoor fireplace and soaking in the mountain views.
Banff Gondola Christmas
Mountaintop Christmas
One of our favourite things to do in Banff at Christmas is the Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas. Parents will enjoy the ice sculptures and holiday cocktails, while kids will love the crafts, cookie decorating and of course, a visit with Santa! Best of all, kids go free if you buy your admission tickets before noon.
We visit Santa at the Banff Gondola every year!
Additional Christmas Experiences
As if a visit with Santa isn’t enough, guests visiting the Banff Gondola during the Christmas season will enjoy sugar shack maple toffee, Christmas carollers, featured Christmas films, and hot chocolate or mulled wine at the North Pole bar. Dates for each experience may vary.
Sulphur Mountain Hike
The Banff sightseeing gondola is a fun experience, but honestly, we enjoy the summit even more when we hike up instead. In fact, because of the payoff at the top, the Sulphur Mountain Trail is one of our favourite hikes in Banff National Park and one of the best FREE things to do in Banff.
The Sulphur Mountain Trail isn’t for everyone, but in our experience most people with a good attitude and a smile on their face can make it to the top. If you love a good mountain hike, or are visiting Banff on a budget, learn more about the Sulphur Mountain hike to see if it’s right for you.
Getting to the Sulphur Mountain Gondola
If you are wondering how to get to the Banff Gondola ride, visitors to Banff National Park have several ways to get there:
Driving
It takes approximately 10 minutes to drive from downtown Banff to the Banff Gondola. Simply cross the bridge on the south end of Banff Avenue, turn left, then immediately turn right on Mountain Avenue.
Follow Mountain Avenue all the way to the top, past the 5-star Rimrock Banff (one of Banff’s best hotels), to the traffic circle. Take the second exit to find the Banff Gondola parking lot.
Starting in 2026, a daily parking fee of $17.50 will be in effect from mid-May to mid-October.
Public Transit to the Gondola
Given that the Sulphur Mountain gondola parking lot is quite limited, you may wish to look at other ways to get there. It’s surprisingly easy to get around Banff without a car.
The Roam public transit bus is an easy and convenient way to get to the Banff Gondola from the Banff townsite. Have your same-day, pre-purchased Banff Gondola ticket ready when boarding the Roam Route 1 bus to ride for free.
The Roam Transit Route 1 begins at the far end of Banff Avenue near the Dorothy Motel (one of the best inexpensive hotels in Banff). From there, it travels along Banff Avenue through downtown, until it crosses the Bow River bridge. It finishes its route up Mountain Avenue, passing the Upper Hot Springs on its way to the Banff Gondola.
Free Banff Gondola Shuttle
Another way to get to the Banff Gondola without a car is the free Banff Gondola shuttle. The gondola shuttle makes life easy for you with convenient shuttle stops throughout downtown Banff. Check the current Banff gondola shuttle hours before you go for the current schedule and stops.
Hiking to the Banff Gondola
Walking from downtown Banff is a wonderful way to get to the Banff Gondola. From the south edge of downtown, walk east along the Bow River trail to the pedestrian bridge. From there, it’s a very enjoyable 10-15 minute walk along the Bow River to the Bow Falls.
After enjoying the power and beauty of Bow Falls, walk up the stairs to the world-famous Banff Springs Hotel, which is one of the best hotels in Banff and a must-see attraction for all visitors.
There are two hiking trails from the Banff Springs Hotel to the Banff Gondola parking lot. The first departs just south of the parkade at the southern end of the Banff Springs Hotel while the other begins nearby at this location.
After 0.8 km of hiking, these trails converge and continue on for another 0.6 km, passing below the luxury Rimrock Banff Hotel, ultimately ending at the gondola parking lot.
This beautiful 3 km walk from downtown to the gondola should take most people 30-45 minutes (not including the time you’ll want to spend at the Bow Falls and Banff Springs Hotel).
Banff Gondola Information
Banff Gondola Hours: The hours of operation vary by season, fluctuating with the amount of daylight hours and temperatures.
Banff Gondola Address: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B2
Banff Gondola Parking: Parking in the Sulphur Mountain area is shared/nearby for the Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs, but it is limited and paid seasonally, so transit or the free shuttle is often easier in peak season.
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Dan Brewer, a life-long Alberta resident, calls Canmore home along with his wife and two kids. He is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada, where he gets to share his passion for the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Dan, along with his family, love being outdoors doing one of the many activities they enjoy in the mountains: hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
When he's not in Canmore enjoying one of his favourite local hikes, you can find him hopping on a plane to explore a new country with his family or working on one of their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.