Millions of visitors flock to Banff National Park every year to enjoy the raw and rugged beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As beautiful as the mountain ranges are from the Bow Valley floor, there’s no better way to appreciate the size and magnitude of the Canadian Rockies than from the top of a Banff mountain. The easiest way to enjoy these mountaintop views is by taking one of the excellent Banff gondolas. But deciding which is the best gondola in Banff isn’t easy.
There are four gondolas and chairlifts operating within Banff National Park, each providing visitors with a different experience and mountain perspective. No matter which gondola you choose, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
We are locals who live in Canmore, just outside the Banff park gates. So we’ve had plenty of opportunities to try out all four gondolas in Banff National Park. What you’ll find in this post is our personal experience with each of these Banff gondolas and the pros and cons of each one.
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1. Banff Gondola
Visitors who take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain will be treated to 360-degree views of the majestic Canadian Rockies, plus a state-of-the-art Upper Terminal with several excellent restaurants..
Your Banff Gondola experience begins at the Lower Terminal and ends 8 minutes later, having risen from an elevation of 1,583 m to 2,281 m above sea level. Each gondola car holds 4 adults.
The Upper Terminal is where you will find amazing food, a fun interpretive centre, and of course incredible views of the Canadian Rockies. There are four levels in the Banff Gondola Upper Terminal:
Level 1 has Castle Mountain Coffee, a gift shop and is where you’ll board the gondola for the ride back to the base.
Level 2 has an interpretive centre and the multi-sensory Above Banff Theatre. Kids of all ages will love exploring this area and enjoying the many interactive interpretive exhibits.
Level 3 of the Upper Terminal is where you’ll find the two Banff Gondola restaurants: Sky Bistro and Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen.
Level 4 has the outdoor 360-degree rooftop observation deck with the iconic glass bear. You’ll find plenty of places to sit and take in the views. In wintertime, you’ll also find many comfy chairs around several firepits.
From the Upper Terminal, you can also walk the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson’s Peak. The 500 m walk from the Upper Terminal to the national historic site is along a wide wooden boardwalk with many built-in benches, abundant interpretive signs along the way and jaw-dropping views!
It’s important to note that although the Banff Gondola cabins are enclosed and protected from the wind, they are not heated, so ensure you dress appropriately if your gondola ride is while visiting Banff in winter. You’ll want to bundle up for heading out on the boardwalks in the winter time and don’t forget appropriate shoes!
All year long, you’ll find it much cooler at the top so plan to have extra layers if you want to walk the boardwalk.
Banff Gondola Tickets:
The Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain 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 $70 – $93 per adult and $45 – $61 for children 6 and up.
To increase your chances of getting the best price for your visit, book your Banff Gondola tickets at least 10 days in advance and try to schedule your visit midweek.
Banff Gondola Hours:
The Banff Gondola operates year round but 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:
The Banff Gondola shares parking with the Banff Upper Hot Springs, another top Banff attraction. As such, parking at the Banff Gondola is limited and can fill quickly during peak times.
A parking fee of $17.50 is in effect in the Sulphur Mountain area, and the Banff Gondola now recommends using the free Banff Gondola shuttle or Roam Transit Route 1 when possible.
Other Ways to Get to the Banff Gondola:
You can avoid the Parks Canada parking fees and make your arrival easier by taking transit instead. Your Banff Gondola admission includes shuttle service and Roam Transit fare.
The Banff Gondola shuttle schedule and list of stops can be seen here. Just have your same-day, pre-purchased ticket ready when you board the Banff Gondola or Brewster shuttle in downtown Banff.
You can also take Roam Transit Route 1 to Sulphur Mountain and show your ticket to the driver when you board.
Finally, you can walk to the Banff Gondola. It’s an uphill 2.5 km walk from downtown Banff. Alternately, it’s just a 7-minute walk from the Rimrock Banff, one of the best luxury hotels in Banff.
Why Choose the Banff Gondola:
The Banff Gondola is wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy the views from the top of Sulphur Mountain. Keep in mind that while the Upper Terminal is wheelchair accessible, the boardwalk has over 360 stairs and is not accessible. Strollers are not recommended.
If you want to make it a longer outing, you can hike Sulphur Mountain to the top and take the gondola down for half-price. We always enjoy the hike up!
The boardwalk has some of the most incredible views and is well worth the time.
You can easily get to the Banff Gondola even if you are visiting Banff without a car.
The restaurants at the top offer some of the most incredible views.
Potential Downsides of the Banff Gondola
Don’t expect to have a quiet time. The Banff Gondola is one of the top attractions in Banff National Park. It can be very busy!
You should plan ahead for your tickets and any restaurant reservations.
While you might get lucky, this isn’t the best gondola for wildlife sightings.
Read More
If you still have questions about this top Banff attraction, we have even more information in our post about visiting the Banff Gondola.
2. Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola
After the snow melts, the Lake Louise Ski Resort transforms into the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola for the summer season. This Banff gondola takes visitors up to an elevation of 2,101 m (6,893 ft). Along the way, you’ll get spectacular Rocky Mountain views and a chance to spot grizzly bears.
Visitors to Lake Louise Summer Gondola have the choice of taking an open-air quad ski chairlift or a closed gondola to the upper viewing area. We recommend the open-air chairlift as it gives you the most visceral experience. Being in the open air allows you to enjoy unimpeded views, smell the fresh mountain air and gives you the best chance to see a grizzly bear.
Along the way up, you’ll enjoy beautiful fields of wildflowers, rushing mountain streams and dense evergreen forests. The scene is so magical it’s hard to concentrate on watching for grizzly bears.
The ride down is equally exciting with 180-degree views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Lake Louise. We think this is the perfect activity to add to any Lake Louise itinerary.
At the top of the Lake Louise chairlift, visitors can explore a safe area which is protected from grizzly bears by electric fence. There’s an amazing viewing platform just a few minutes away from the top of the Lake Louise Summer Gondola. The views of Lake Louise and her surrounding mountains from the observation deck are worth the price of admission alone.
Also within the safety of the electric fence is an interpretive walking trail down to the Wildlife Interpretive Centre. The Lake Louise Gondola Interpretive Centre is a small, but very enjoyable experience. Just above the interpretive centre is the Whitehorn Bistro.
The views from this upscale Lake Louise restaurant could be some of the best restaurant views in the world. The patio is surrounded by glass, allowing unimpeded views from any table.
Visitors to the top of the Lake Louise Summer Gondola do not have to remain within the safety of the enclosed electric fence. If you wish to venture out of the secure area, there are two enjoyable hikes to choose from.
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Lake Louise Gondola Tickets:
To purchase a ticket to ride the Lake Louise Gondola, it’s $65 for an adult, $54 for seniors (65+), $29 for a youth (13-17) and $16 for a child (6-12) with 5 and under riding free.
Lake Louise Gondola Hours:
The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola operates from early June until mid-October. The Lake Louise Gondola hours do change slightly throughout the summer (with the longest hours in August from 8am to 6pm). Check the operating hours for the Lake Louise summer gondola here.
Lake Louise Gondola Address:
1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise
The Lake Louise Gondola is located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
From Banff, take Highway 1 west towards Lake Louise and exit on the Bow Valley Parkway exit towards Lake Louise. Rather than turn left to Lake Louise, stay right at the fork onto Whitehorn Road/Bow Valley Parkway. Stay on this road (turns into Whitehorn Drive) until you reach the ski resort.
Lake Louise Gondola Parking:
The Lake Louise Ski Resort has a large parking lot. This parking lot is also being used as the Park and Ride for some Lake Louise Shuttles and Moraine Lake Shuttles.
Other Ways to Get to the Lake Louise Gondola:
There is a free shuttle that runs from the Samson Mall to the Lake Louise Summer Gondola. Always check the shuttle schedule before leaving!
Why Choose the Lake Louise Gondola:
The Lake Louise Summer Gondola has the option of either an enclosed gondola car or an open-air chairlift. If you have a fear of heights, you may prefer the added comfort of the enclosed gondola.
Also note: children under 42” or 106 cm must ride in a closed gondola for safety reasons. In addition, children under 12 must ride with an adult.
The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola is one of your best chances to see a grizzly bear in the wild.
The Lake Louise Gondola has restaurants at the base PLUS the Whitehorn Bistro up the mountain, offering plenty of options for everyone.
If you are a Lake Louise Ski Resort season pass holder, the gondola is free!
Lake Louise Ski Resort has a daycare that operates during the summer.
While the Lake Louise gondola is not 100% wheelchair accessible, they make every effort to help everyone enjoy this experience. This page offers all the details on using a wheelchair or scooter at the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola.
There are two hiking trails for those interested in adding a hike to their Lake Louise Summer Gondola experience. You can do these on your own or as a part of a guided hike. Follow all precautions if hiking here, including carrying bear spray. For more on safety, please read our Banff hiking tips.
Potential Downsides of the Lake Louise Gondola:
Although there is a decent chance of spotting one, there’s no guarantee you’ll see grizzly bears. But even if you don’t, you’ll still love the experience. We’ve taken the Lake Louise Summer Gondola on many occasions and have yet to see a grizzly, but we have spotted a lynx, which was very exciting!
Read More
If you’d like more information, be sure to check out our full post on the Lake Louise sightseeing gondola.
3. Sunshine Gondola
The Sunshine Gondola is one of the best things to do in Banff in the summer! Operated from the Sunshine Village Ski Resort, the Sunshine Gondola takes visitors in an 8-person gondola on a 25-minute gondola ride from the parking lot up to Sunshine Village.
From the village at 2,159 m (7,083 ft) of elevation, the Standish Chairlift takes visitors on an 8-minute ride up to 2,385 m (7,825 ft) of elevation and the Standish Viewing Deck, one of the best viewpoints in Banff National Park!
From the top of the Standish Viewing Deck, visitors will find themselves in a hiker’s paradise with over 11 km of hiking trails through Sunshine Meadows. With incredible wildflowers, viewpoints and alpine lakes, you’ll never want to leave this Canadian Rockies mountaintop experience!
Before you head up the Standish Chairlift, don’t forget to refuel! There are restaurants up at the Village in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge and the Old Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Sunshine Meadows Tickets:
Admission tickets for Banff Sunshine Meadows are roughly equal in cost to the Banff Gondola. Pricing is as follows:
- Adult (16+): $68
- Senior (65+): $63
- Youth (13-17): $35
- Child (6-12): $19
- Toddler (0-5): FREE
Summer season passes are also available.
Sunshine Meadows Gondola Hours:
The Sunshine Meadows gondola typically operates from late June to the third week of September. Operating hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Sunshine Gondola Address:
#1 Sunshine Access Road, Banff
The Sunshine Gondola is located at the Sunshine Village Ski Resort. To reach Sunshine Village, take the Sunshine Village Access Road west of Banff (8 km / 5 miles) along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Sunshine Gondola Parking:
As the Sunshine Gondola is located at a major winter ski resort, there is a very large parking lot at the Sunshine Gondola.
Other Ways to Get to the Sunshine Gondola:
You can take a free shuttle bus from downtown Banff to the Sunshine Gondola. This shuttle runs several times daily.
Why Choose the Sunshine Gondola:
The views from the Standish Viewing Deck are spectacular and worth the price of the lift ticket. Add to that the opportunity to hike among wildflower filled meadows to alpine lakes!
Visitors get the opportunity to ride the Sunshine Gondola plus the Standish Chairlift, the perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the views!
There are plenty of options to refuel before or after hiking.
This is one of our favourite hikes in Banff you can reach without a car.
Choose to stay at the top of the gondola at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Potential Downsides of the Sunshine Gondola:
Not everyone will be comfortable with the open chairlift, although it is possible to hike up and not take the chairlift.
The operating season is very short from late June to September, so it will be busy!
Read More
For more information on this amazing Banff gondola and the many hiking trails you can enjoy, don’t miss our post on the Sunshine Meadows Gondola.
4. Mt. Norquay Chairlift
Mount Norquay is a ski resort just minutes from the town of Banff, but visiting Mount Norquay isn’t just for the winter! In the summer months you can ride the Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift.
The Mount Norquay Chairlift is worth it for the views alone. They are spectacular, but it’s even better if you pair the ride with lunch at Cliffhouse Bistro.
Being in the open air allows you to enjoy unimpeded views, smell the fresh mountain air and gives you an excellent chance to spot Banff wildlife along the way. The ride to the top of the Mt. Norquay Chairlift takes about 10 minutes.
The 180-degree views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are impressive to say the least. At the top of the chairlift is a viewing platform where visitors can take in the mountain views. You’ll get incredible views of Stoney Lookout, Cascade Mountain, Mt. Rundle, Mt. Inglismaldie and the Town of Banff.
Located up a series of steps from the chairlift is the Cliffhouse Bistro. This renovated 1950s tea house offers incredible food with scenery to match.
Unfortunately, there is no hiking at the top of the Norquay Chairlift. Though you can enjoy an epic mountain adventure with the Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata.
If you wanted to do a hike as well, the Stoney Lookout hike and the Cascade Amphitheatre hike (while this post describes the snowshoe, the hiking trail is the same) can both be accessed from the main Norquay Ski Resort parking lot. Hiking is one of our favourite free things to do in Banff!
Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift Tickets:
To purchase a ticket to ride the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift, it’s $50 for an adult (16+), $30 for a child (6-15) and free for children 2-5 years old.
There is also a Family Pass available for $125, which includes 2 adults and 2 children (6-15 years old).
Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift Hours:
The Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift operates daily in the summer from early June to early October. Operating hours are from 9 am to 7 pm. The hours change slightly in the fall with the hours in September and October reduced to 10 am to 6 pm.
Norquay Chairlift Address:
#2 Mt. Norquay Rd, Banff
The Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift is located just outside the Banff townsite at the Mt. Norquay Ski Resort.
Take Highway 1 west and exit at Mt. Norquay Road. Continue right onto Mt. Norquay Scenic Drive. Continue past the first large parking lot for the Mt. Norquay Ski Resort and follow the signs to a smaller parking lot at the North American Lodge.
Norquay Parking:
The Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift is located at the Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, so there is ample parking.
Other Ways to Get to the Norquay Chairlift:
Norquay operates a free shuttle from Banff to Norquay. See the schedule and stops here.
Why Choose the Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift:
You’ll love the views over the town of Banff and the Bow Valley.
The Cliffhouse Bistro is a fun dining experience with delicious food and even better views.
It’s easy to get here without a car, with the free daily shuttle.
The Via Ferrata is a mountain experience for the adventurous that you can do at Mt. Norquay (and includes the Sightseeing Chairlift). You can get 5% off this GetYourGuide tour with our exclusive discount code. Check out our Banff attraction discounts page for more details.
While there isn’t hiking from the top of the chairlift, there are two nearby hikes that leave from the ski resort.
Potential Downsides of the Norquay Chairlift:
There’s no hiking at the top or anything besides the viewpoint and restaurant (unless you are doing the Via Ferrata).
The only option is to ride the open-air chairlift. You’ll be riding on a double open-air chairlift, so if visiting Banff with kids, be sure your kids will be comfortable with this. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and minimum age for riding the chairlift is 2 years old.
Read More
If you’d like more information on this fun Banff gondola, check out our complete post on the Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift.
Comparing the Banff Gondolas
Which is the Best Gondola in Banff?
It’s no easy feat to declare one of the four Banff gondolas or chairlifts as the best gondola in Banff. They each have something different to offer, from amazing restaurants to different perspectives over the Bow Valley.
The main factors to consider when choosing which Banff gondola is best are: mountain views, wildlife, hiking trails, interactive exhibits, restaurants and pricing.
Given the different locations of the gondolas and chairlifts in Banff National Park, they all have amazing views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains from a different perspective.
If we had to declare one as our favourite, it would be the Banff Sunshine gondola to Sunshine Meadows. Between the views and hiking in Sunshine Meadows, we love this experience.
Which is Better Banff Gondola or Lake Louise Gondola?
If you’re comparing the Lake Louise Gondola and the Banff Gondola, the better choice depends on the season. We would choose the Lake Louise Gondola in the summer, especially with the chance to see grizzly bears.
The Banff Gondola is a better choice in the winter, since there’s not as much to do at the Lake Louise Gondola aside from nice views in the winter (assuming you aren’t skiing or snowboarding!).
The Banff Gondola has more options for walking around on the observation decks and the boardwalks in the winter.
Mt. Norquay Chairlift vs. Banff Gondola
If you are deciding between the Mt. Norquay Chairlift vs Banff Gondola, I would choose the Banff Gondola for most first-time visitors. Both offer beautiful views close to the town of Banff, but the Banff Gondola gives you a much more complete summit experience.
At the top of the Banff Gondola, you’ll find indoor exhibits, restaurants, viewing decks, washrooms, and the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk. This makes it a great option if you want more than just the ride and the view, especially if you are travelling with kids or visiting in cooler weather.
The Mt. Norquay Chairlift is quieter and more low-key, with an open-air ride and lovely views over Banff. It is well worth considering if you want something shorter, less busy, or you have already done the Banff Gondola.
For most visitors choosing only one, we recommend the Banff Gondola because there is simply more to do once you reach the top.
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Celine Brewer, a local Canmore resident, is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada. She has a passion for being out in the mountains any time of year. In the summer, you'll often find her hiking or mountain biking. In the winter, she enjoys cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking the most.
As much as she loves the mountains, she also loves travel! When she's not playing outdoors at home, she's either traveling the world with her husband and two kids or working on their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.