25 Things to Do in Banff in Winter for Non-Skiers

You don’t need to ski or snowboard to have an incredible winter trip to Banff. In fact, there are so many ways to enjoy Banff in winter for non-skiers, from snowshoeing and winter walks to sleigh rides, scenic drives, gondolas, skating and relaxing in the hot springs.

We live nearby in Canmore and spend a lot of time in Banff throughout the winter. While our family does ski, many of our favourite winter days have nothing to do with the ski hills. Over the years, we’ve returned again and again to our favourite snowshoe trails, winter hikes, viewpoints, frozen lakes and other Banff winter activities that we love.

This guide brings together the best things to do in Banff in winter if you don’t ski, with practical advice on which activities are best for families, couples, first-time visitors and anyone who simply wants to experience the Canadian Rockies without spending the day on downhill skis.

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Best Things to do in Banff for Non-Skiers

While many might think that Banff in the winter is really only for people who ski or snowboard, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you are looking for winter activities around Banff National Park, here’s a list of the best things to do in Banff National Park for non-skiers:

Outdoor Winter Activities in Banff

1. Snow Tubing

Snow tubing is one of the easiest Banff winter activities to add to your trip, especially if you want some fun in the snow without needing any skiing experience. You simply grab a tube, ride or walk to the top and head down a groomed tubing lane. It’s great for families, but we’ve seen plenty of adults having just as much fun as the kids.

We’ve gone snow tubing at both Mount Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort with our kids, and they offer quite different experiences. Norquay has more variety in its tubing lanes and is a good choice if you want to spend a lot of time tubing.

Lake Louise has a smaller tube park. We often walk back up the short hill instead of taking the magic carpet because it keeps us warm and gets us onto the next run faster.

If snow tubing sounds like your kind of winter activity, read our complete guide to snow tubing in Banff. We compare Mount Norquay and Lake Louise, share our experience at both tube parks and cover what to wear, age requirements, tickets and how to fit tubing into your Banff winter itinerary.

2. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

A horse-drawn sleigh ride is one of the easiest ways to enjoy Banff in winter if you want something scenic and relaxing. You can bundle up under a blanket, sit back and take in the snowy mountain scenery while the horses do the work.

There are two good options depending on where you’re spending the day. At Lake Louise, Brewster Adventures runs sleigh rides from the lakefront at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The rides are approximately 45 to 60 minutes and typically operate from mid-December into early April, depending on snow conditions. This is a particularly nice option if you’re already planning a winter day at Lake Louise, since you can combine it with skating, a walk along the lakeshore or time at the hotel.

You can also take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff through the meadows near the Banff townsite. This 40-minute ride includes mountain views, a guide and a warm-up by the fire afterward with a hot drink. It’s a good choice if you’re staying in Banff and don’t want to make the trip out to Lake Louise.

3. Ice Walks

Winter is one of our favourite times to visit both Johnston Canyon and Grotto Canyon. The frozen waterfalls, ice-covered canyon walls and snowy trails make them feel completely different than they do in summer.

At Johnston Canyon, we’ve walked the trail many times in winter and always recommend bringing ice cleats. The packed trail can get very slippery, especially around the Lower and Upper Falls. If you’re comfortable walking on winter trails, you can easily do it on your own with proper winter traction devices for your boots. Read our complete guide to hiking Johnston Canyon in winter for trail details, what to expect and our winter tips.

If you’d rather go with a guide, you can book a daytime Johnston Canyon ice walk or an evening Johnston Canyon ice walk. A guided tour is a great option if you don’t have winter gear with you or simply want someone else to handle the driving and logistics.

Grotto Canyon is another favourite of ours, and it feels a little more adventurous because you actually walk along the frozen creek bed between the canyon walls. Our kids have always enjoyed this one, especially when the ice is smooth enough to walk directly through the canyon. See our complete Grotto Canyon ice walk guide for parking, trail details and what conditions to expect.

You can also book a guided Grotto Canyon ice walk if you’d prefer a guided winter experience.

4. Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a great Banff winter activity if you want to get outside, cover more ground than you would on foot and still enjoy the mountain scenery at a slower pace. Banff has several groomed trails that work well for beginners, along with longer options if you want more of a workout.

If you’re new to the sport, start with our guide to the best cross-country ski trails in Banff. We share the trails we’ve skied, what each one is like and which are best for beginners. If you’d rather learn with a guide, Bikescape offers cross-country ski tours, which can be a good option if you want help with technique, equipment and choosing a suitable route.

5. Ice Skating

The best part about ice skating in Banff is getting to enjoy the incredible mountain scenery as you glide across the ice. Skating on frozen mountain lakes is an incredible experience, but you need to make sure that the conditions are safe for skating.

Once a lot of snow has fallen, many of the lakes will not be conducive to skating as they will be covered in snow. However, skating at Lake Louise is the easiest option throughout the winter as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise clears and maintains a skating area on the lake. If you are visiting Lake Louise in late January or early February, you may get to also enjoy the ice sculptures from the Ice Magic Festival.

If skating on a frozen lake in Banff is beyond your risk tolerance and you don’t know how to check the lake ice to ensure it’s thick enough for skating, there are plenty of other places to skate. The town of Banff and Canmore both have several outdoor ice surfaces ready for you to ice skate on once it gets cold enough.

6. Dog Sledding

Dog sledding involves riding a sled pulled by a team of huskies. You’ll zip along the trails, led by the excited barks of the dogs, and feel the rush of the cold air. It’s also a cool way to learn about how people used to travel in the snowy mountains long ago, and you get to meet some amazing furry pups!

Depending on where you are staying, there are multiple dog sledding companies to choose from:

In Lake Louise, contact Kingmik Dog Sled Tours. Their most popular tour is 1.5 hours long and operates on the Great Divide Trail just outside the hamlet of Lake Louise.

In nearby Canmore, there are three other companies that operate dog sledding tours. Howling Dog Tours offers both a 2 hour tour and a half-day tour. They also do pickups in Banff and Canmore. Mad Dogs & Englishmen offer several different options for tours that range from 1.5 hour tours to multi-day tours. Similarly, Snowy Owl Dog Tours offers tours of 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours and overnight.

7. Tobogganing

If you truly want to feel like a kid again, pick up a cheap sled at Canadian Tire in Canmore and go for a tour of the sledding hills in both Canmore and Banff. There are a few hills popular with the locals in Canmore, including one at the Canmore Nordic Centre. In Banff, Cascade Ponds has a hill that’s easy to access and fun for everyone.

8. Snowshoeing in Banff

Snowshoeing is one of our favourite winter activities in Banff. We started snowshoeing years ago when we still lived in Calgary, and it quickly became one of our go-to family winter activities. Now that we live in Canmore, we still get out regularly in Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis. It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require much technique and is a great option if you want to enjoy snowy trails without skiing.

One thing to know is that you don’t always need snowshoes, even on designated snowshoe trails. Popular routes can get packed down quickly, so we often bring microspikes as well and decide which to use once we see the trail conditions. Also, don’t assume that every summer hiking trail is suitable in winter. Some routes cross avalanche terrain and require proper training and equipment.

For ideas, start with our guide to the best snowshoe trails in Banff, which includes easy and moderate options we’ve done ourselves. If you’re staying in Canmore or don’t mind driving a little farther, our easy Kananaskis snowshoe trails are also well worth considering. We still return to several of those trails every winter, especially when we want quieter trails or an easy family snowshoe.

If you’d rather try snowshoeing with a guide, this Sunshine Meadows snowshoeing experience is a good option. It takes you into the high-alpine scenery at Sunshine Village and is an easy way to try snowshoeing without worrying about route-finding or bringing all your own winter gear.

9. Winter Walks

You don’t need snowshoes or skis to enjoy Banff in winter. Some of our favourite easy winter outings are simple walks on packed trails, from the Lake Louise Lakeshore and Johnston Canyon to Johnson Lake and the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk. We usually carry microspikes because even easy trails can get icy, especially after freeze-thaw cycles.

If you want something scenic without committing to a long hike, start with our guide to the best easy winter hikes in Banff. We’ve included the walks and short hikes we return to ourselves, along with distances, elevation, family suitability and tips on when you may need microspikes or snowshoes.

10. Fat Biking

If you want to try a different winter activity, then fat biking should be on your list. Being able to ride a bike is the only necessary skill and you’ll really have a blast!

There are a few different options to consider for fat biking, like doing it on your own with a fat bike rental, joining a fat bike tour or signing up for an e-fat bike tour. You can see all the sights around the town of Banff on an e-bike. This is a really fun way to get a tour of the town on two wheels!

If you are a mountain biker, you’ll enjoy renting a fat bike and taking to the groomed trails in Banff or Canmore.

11. Ice Climbing

For the more adventurous visitors to Banff, try something completely new. Through locals companies like Alpine Air Adventures, you can learn to ice climb! They have programs that are suitable for beginners that can be a full or half day.

Banff Sightseeing Without Skiing

12. Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola is one of the easiest ways to get amazing mountain views in winter without hiking or skiing. The eight-minute ride takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you can look out over the Banff townsite, Bow Valley and surrounding peaks. We’ve been up countless times with our kids, and the views are always worth it, but we especially love the Banff Gondola in winter when the mountains are covered in snow.

There is plenty to do at the top besides taking in the views. We always walk the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak if conditions allow. It’s one of our favourite parts of the visit and gives you even better viewpoints along the way.

Inside the Upper Terminal, there’s an interpretive centre that our kids have always enjoyed, along with the rooftop observation deck and restaurants. If you want to make more of an outing of it, Sky Bistro is a great place to combine the gondola with lunch or dinner overlooking the mountains.

One thing we always recommend in winter is dressing much warmer than you think you’ll need to. The gondola cabins are enclosed but not heated, and it can feel significantly colder once you reach the summit. You can find all our practical advice on parking, transit, how much time to allow and what to do at the top in our complete guide to visiting the Banff Gondola.

The Banff Gondola is one attraction where I recommend buying your tickets in advance, especially if you have a particular day or time in mind. It’s one of Banff’s most popular attractions, and booking ahead lets you lock in your preferred gondola time before your trip.

13. Scenic Drives

One of the easiest things to do in Banff in winter is simply go for a drive. We’ve driven these roads countless times, and I still find myself pulling over for a mountain view or wildlife sighting.

If you want a shorter outing close to town, the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive and Bow Valley Parkway are both great choices. Lake Minnewanka is especially easy to combine with stops at Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake, while the Bow Valley Parkway is better if you want a slower drive with viewpoints, trailheads and the option to stop at Johnston Canyon.

If you have more time, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most memorable drives in the Canadian Rockies. We’ve driven it many times, and it’s a road where the journey really is the experience. Winter driving conditions can be much more serious here, though, with limited services and no cell coverage along much of the route, so this is one drive where you need to check conditions and be properly prepared before heading out.

For even more ideas, see our guide to the best scenic drives in Banff. It covers the main routes through Banff National Park and nearby areas, along with our favourite stops and tips for making the most of each drive.

If you’d love to experience the Icefields Parkway in winter but don’t want to drive it yourself, this Icefields Parkway & Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake tour is a great option. It includes winter stops at Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Abraham Lake, where you can see the famous frozen methane bubbles, plus transportation from Banff or Lake Louise, lunch and the winter gear you’ll need for the day.

14. Banff Stargazing

Banff can be a great place for stargazing once you get away from the lights of the townsite. For a simple DIY option, head somewhere with an open view of the sky, such as Lake Minnewanka or another roadside viewpoint, and give your eyes 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Winter nights are long, which helps, but clear skies matter far more than the season.

If you’d rather go with a guide, this two-hour Banff stargazing tour combines an evening walk with sunset views and stargazing opportunities, with headlamps and lanterns provided.

15. Winter Photography

Banff National Park is a photographers dream! It’s like every view is a postcard. The shorter days make it easier to capture one of the incredible sunrises or sunsets. There are opportunities everywhere to capture some impressive shots of the mountain peaks.

You don’t have to go far from the town of Banff to find some great spots. Vermilion Lakes Road gives stunning views of Mount Rundle and is an easy walk from downtown Banff. On Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive you can visit Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka.

16. Lake Louise Winter Sightseeing Gondola

If you have other family members skiing at Lake Louise Ski Resort, you can easily fill a day of fun in the Lake Louise area. Start by taking a ride up the Lake Louise Winter Sightseeing Gondola from some incredible views. You can pair this up with a tubing ticket to have some fun on your own. Then head over to Lake Louise for skating, hot chocolate and even a short winter hike up to Fairview Lookout.

17. Banff Viewpoints and Red Chairs

You don’t need to hike very far to get some of the best mountain views in Banff. We stop at places like Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, the Hoodoos Viewpoint and Vermilion Lakes throughout the year, and they’re especially beautiful in winter when the surrounding peaks are covered in snow. Many of these viewpoints are easy to reach by car or with only a short walk, so they’re a great option for non-skiers who still want plenty of mountain scenery.

While you’re out sightseeing, keep an eye out for the bright red Parks Canada chairs. We’ve visited many of them over the years, and our kids have always enjoyed finding them. Some are right at easy stops like Cascade Ponds, Two Jack Lake and the Hoodoos Viewpoint, while others require a little more effort. We especially like the Hoodoos red chairs in winter because you can park nearby and still get an excellent view over the valley.

For more ideas, see our guide to the best Banff viewpoints, including plenty you can reach without a hike. If you want to make a fun challenge out of your sightseeing, our Banff red chairs guide shows you where to find all eleven sets of chairs in Banff National Park.

18. Frozen Waterfalls

I have always loved seeing a frozen waterfall. When the ice is so pristine and blue hanging on the mountain side, it’s an spectacular sight. The best places to see a frozen waterfall in Banff National Park are at Johnston Canyon or at the end of Lake Louise.

At Johnston Canyon, hike all the way up to the Upper Falls to catch a glimpse of the ice climbers. You’ll also get to see ice climbers on the Louise Falls, found at the end of Lake Louise.

If you can’t get enough of frozen waterfalls, hike Troll Falls in Kananaskis or go for a more adventurous hike to the Green Monster.

19. Frozen Lakes

You won’t get the turquoise water Banff is famous for in winter, but the frozen lakes are still well worth seeing. One of the easiest ways to visit several in one outing is to drive the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, where you can stop at Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka.

If you’re visiting Lake Louise in winter, it’s also worth continuing west into British Columbia to see Emerald Lake in winter. And if you’re spending time in Kananaskis, you’ll have plenty of other frozen lakes to choose from. Barrier Lake is an easy stop along Highway 40 and has a nice shoreline walk if you want to stretch your legs.

20. Wildlife Watching

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for wildlife any time you are out driving. While you won’t usually see bears in the winter, there’s still plenty of opportunities to see deer, elk, bighorn sheep and even a moose in some areas.

Indoor and Relaxing Things to Do

21. Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs is the perfect place to relax and soak your tired muscles after a day out exploring. While the Banff hot springs aren’t a natural pool (it’s more like a giant hot tub), you’ll still appreciate the feeling of being in the warm water while being able to appreciate the mountain views.

22. Eat the Castle at Fairmont Banff Springs

If you want an indoor Banff winter activity that feels more special, the Eat the Castle food tour is a great option. The tour takes place inside the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and combines food and drink pairings with stories about the history, architecture and characters behind Banff’s famous “Castle in the Rockies.” Different courses are served in different venues around the hotel, so you get to experience more of the property than you would with a single restaurant reservation.

It’s especially well suited to couples, food lovers or anyone looking for a memorable winter afternoon indoors. The experience runs for about 2.5 hours and is best for guests age 14 and up. If this sounds like your kind of Banff experience, I’d book the Eat the Castle food tour in advance, especially if you’re visiting on one of its limited operating days.

23. Banff Museums

Visiting one of the Banff Museums is an excellent way to warm up from the chilly winter weather.

At the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, you’ll get to learn more about the cultural history of the area. The Buffalo Nations Museum shares the cultures, traditions and history of First Nations peoples of the Northern Plains and Canadian Rockies.

24. Cave and Basin National Historic Site

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is the birthplace of Banff National Park and is always worth a visit. You can visit the cave to see a natural hot spring.

From there, explore the Story Hall, filled a wide variety of exhibits, artifacts and information about our nation’s national parks. You can also take a walk on the the Upper Boardwalk which leads visitors to the site where the Cave and Basin steam vent was originally found.

Beyond the hot springs cave vent, follow the wooden boardwalk along the natural hot spring to its origin. Here you can watch the hot spring waters bubble up from the surface of the mountain and see if you can spot the tiny, endangered Banff Springs Snail.

25. Lunch and Shopping on Banff Avenue

Make sure to leave some time to just enjoy being in Banff. You can enjoy a walk on Banff Avenue and capture that iconic picture with Cascade Mountain in the background. Find a lunch spot with an incredible view and even do some shopping in the numerous shops and galleries along Banff Avenue.