16 Things to Do in Banff in Winter with Kids: A Local Mom’s Picks

Banff is an incredible place for a family winter vacation, and you certainly don’t need to spend every day on the ski slopes to have a great time! There are so many fun things to do in Banff in winter with kids, from skating on frozen lakes and snow tubing to winter hiking, snowshoeing and exploring frozen waterfalls.

We’re local parents who have been raising our kids in Canmore, just outside Banff National Park, for over a decade. We’ve spent countless winter weekends exploring the mountains as a family, and we’ve learned which family-friendly Banff winter activities are worth your time, what works best for different ages and how to keep everyone happy when the temperatures drop.

In this guide, we’re sharing 16 of our favourite winter activities in Banff for families, including outdoor adventures, indoor attractions and some great options for kids who aren’t interested in skiing. We’ll also share our practical tips for planning your days, dressing for the cold and staying safe so you can make the most of your family trip to Banff in winter.

If you are unsure of when to visit Banff in winter, you can consult our guide to visiting Banff by season. Here’s you’ll find useful information, including links to our month-by-month guides to visiting Banff during winter.

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Best Things to do in Banff in Winter with Kids

Things to do in Banff in winter with kids include skiing, snow tubing, skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, winter hikes and visits to indoor attractions. Families can mix outdoor adventures with easier activities such as the Banff Gondola, museums and hot chocolate stops, depending on the weather and children’s ages.

Skiing and Snowboarding in Banff National Park

Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter activities in Banff, and for good reason! Banff National Park is home to three excellent ski resorts: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay. All three offer ski lessons for kids, beginner areas and plenty of terrain for families with more experienced skiers.

We’ve been skiing at these resorts with our kids for years, and each has its advantages. Mt. Norquay is the closest to the Town of Banff and has a great learning area for young children. Our kids have been taking ski lessons here for years.

Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of our favourites for family ski days, with plenty of green runs and incredible mountain scenery. Sunshine Village is another excellent option, especially for families who enjoy exploring a large ski resort with a variety of terrain.

If your kids are just learning to ski, we recommend booking lessons and choosing a resort with beginner terrain that matches their abilities. Even green runs can vary considerably in difficulty. We’ve put together detailed guides to the best green runs at Lake Louise and beginner ski runs at Sunshine Village to help you choose where to ski with your kids.

If you’re trying to decide which resort is best for your family, our complete guide to skiing in Banff compares all three resorts, including their terrain, locations and practical information for planning your ski days.

Snow Tubing in Banff

Snow tubing is one of our favourite winter activities in Banff with kids, and you don’t need any skiing experience to enjoy it! It’s a great standalone activity for families who don’t ski, but it’s also easy to add some tubing to a day on the ski slopes.

There are two places to go snow tubing in Banff National Park: Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort. We’ve been tubing at both with our kids, and they offer slightly different experiences.

Mt. Norquay has the larger tube park, with longer runs and more variety between the lanes. It’s our recommendation if you want to make snow tubing the main activity for your morning or afternoon. Some sessions also run in the evening, which can be a fun way to finish a winter day in Banff.

The Sunny Tube Park at Lake Louise Ski Resort is smaller, but it’s still plenty of fun! We especially like it as an addition to a family ski day. The hill is short enough that we often walk back up rather than wait for the magic carpet, allowing us to fit in more runs.

For a detailed comparison of the two tube parks, including tickets, age restrictions and our experiences at both, read our complete guide to snow tubing in Banff.

Ice Skating in Banff

Some of our favourite winter memories with our kids are from teaching them to skate on frozen lakes surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. There’s something pretty special about skating on a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains, and we’ve spent many memorable days teaching our kids to skate on the lakes around Banff and Canmore.

If you’re visiting Banff in winter with kids, skating on Lake Louise is our top recommendation. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise maintains an outdoor skating area on the frozen lake, making it one of the most reliable places to enjoy this activity throughout the winter. The mountain scenery is incredible, and the ice castle adds to the fun for kids. You can bring your own skates or rent them nearby. Our complete guide to ice skating on Lake Louise covers everything you need to know, including rentals, parking and when to visit.

For a different experience, you can try wild ice skating on Banff’s frozen lakes. Johnson Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka are all popular with locals when conditions are right. We especially love skating on Johnson Lake, which is often one of the first lakes to freeze.

The challenge is that good skating conditions on natural lakes aren’t guaranteed. The lakes need to freeze before too much snow falls, and safe ice conditions can change quickly. Our guide to the best places for ice skating in Banff explains the different options and what to know before heading out.

There are also several outdoor skating rinks in the Town of Banff and nearby Canmore. If you’re staying in Canmore or exploring Kananaskis, don’t miss our guide to ice skating in Canmore and Kananaskis, which includes maintained family-friendly rinks and some of our favourite natural skating locations.

Banff Gondola with Kids

Our kids have been riding the Banff Gondola since they were little, and they still enjoy it every time we go. The eight-minute gondola ride takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the snow-covered Canadian Rockies. It’s a great way to give kids a mountaintop experience without having to hike, and there’s much more to do at the summit than simply admire the scenery.

One of our favourite things about the Banff Gondola with kids is the interactive Interpretive Centre inside the Upper Terminal. Our kids have always loved exploring the little tent cabin, crawling through the tunnels and watching the life-sized wildlife projections. They especially enjoy the animal scat display, which is surprisingly useful when we’re out hiking and trying to identify what an animal has left behind!

We always try to make time for the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, which leads to Sanson’s Peak and the historic Cosmic Ray Station. Our kids love exploring the viewing platforms and looking through the binoculars at the surrounding mountains. In winter, it’s especially nice to return to the Upper Terminal for a hot chocolate and some time around the outdoor firepits. Be sure to dress warmly, as the summit can be significantly colder than the Town of Banff.

For everything you need to plan your visit, including Banff Gondola ticket prices, booking tips, transportation and what to do at the summit, read our complete local guide to visiting the Banff Gondola.

Visiting Banff at Christmas? Going up the Banff Gondola to see Santa has become one of our favourite family Christmas traditions. In fact, more than half of our family photos with Santa have been taken at Mountaintop Christmas!

Along with visiting Santa, our kids have enjoyed decorating cookies, seeing the ice sculptures and getting into the Christmas spirit at the top of Sulphur Mountain. We’ve shared more about this annual tradition and other family activities in our guide to the best things to do in Banff at Christmas.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in Banff

A horse-drawn sleigh ride is a wonderful way to enjoy Banff in winter with kids, especially if you’re looking for an activity that doesn’t involve skiing or hiking. Bundle up under warm blankets and enjoy the snowy mountain scenery while the horses do the work. It’s a great option for families with younger children or anyone who wants a relaxing winter experience.

There are two excellent places to enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff National Park. At Lake Louise, Brewster Adventures offers winter sleigh rides along the lakeshore, with views of the surrounding mountains and Victoria Glacier. The rides last approximately 45–60 minutes and are a lovely addition to a day spent skating or exploring Lake Louise in winter.

You can also book a family-friendly horse-drawn sleigh ride in the Town of Banff. This 40-minute ride takes you through the snowy meadows near Banff, with views of the surrounding mountains. Afterward, there’s an opportunity to warm up by the fire with a hot drink, weather permitting. It’s a convenient option if you’re staying in Banff and don’t want to drive out to Lake Louise.

Snowshoeing in Banff National Park

We’ve been taking our kids snowshoeing around Banff since they were little, although some of our outings have involved more playing in deep snow than actually covering any distance! That’s part of what makes snowshoeing such a great winter activity for families. It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require much special technique and gives kids plenty of opportunities to explore snowy forests and have fun along the way.

There are plenty of family-friendly snowshoe trails in Banff National Park, ranging from short, easy outings to longer adventures for families with older kids. Johnson Lake is one of our favourite easy options, with a relatively flat loop through the forest and beautiful mountain views. Upper Stoney is another option worth considering for families who want a little more of a challenge. See our guide to the best snowshoe trails in Banff for more ideas, including trail distances, difficulty levels and practical tips.

If you’re spending time at Lake Louise, you’ll find even more opportunities to enjoy deeper snow. The best snowshoe trails at Lake Louise include short outings near the lake and longer routes through snowy forests.

We also love snowshoeing in nearby Kananaskis Country, where trails such as Hogarth Lakes and Penstock Loop are excellent choices for families. Our guide to easy Kananaskis snowshoe trails includes several routes we’ve enjoyed with our own kids.

Want to Try a Guided Family Snowshoe Adventure?

If you’d prefer to explore with a local guide, Among the Trees offers family-friendly winter adventures in Banff and the surrounding Canadian Rockies. Their private half-day and full-day family adventures are designed for kids ages 5–15, with the pace and activities tailored to your family. They also offer guided snowshoeing experiences for different ability levels. It’s a great option if you’re new to snowshoeing, would like help choosing a suitable route or simply want someone else to take care of the planning.

Save on Your Banff Family Vacation: Travelling to Banff with kids can get expensive, especially when you’re booking activities for the whole family! We’ve put together a list of Banff discounts and deals to help you save on tours and attractions, including a discount on guided adventures with Among the Trees.

Winter Hiking in Banff with Kids

You don’t need to tackle a challenging mountain trail to enjoy winter hiking in Banff with kids. Some of the best family-friendly winter hikes are short walks through snow-covered forests, around frozen lakes or to scenic viewpoints. We’ve been hiking these trails with our kids for years, and winter often makes familiar places feel completely different.

For an easy winter hike near the Town of Banff, we recommend the Johnson Lake Loop. This relatively flat 3 km trail takes you through the forest and along the lakeshore, with beautiful views of Cascade Mountain.

The Fenland Loop is another excellent choice for younger children, while families looking for more of a challenge can consider hiking Tunnel Mountain when conditions are suitable. If you’re spending time at Lake Louise, the lakeshore trail is a wonderful winter walk with very little elevation gain.

One of the things we love about winter hiking in Banff is that many popular trails become packed down enough to walk without snowshoes. You can often enjoy a beautiful winter outing with little more than warm clothing, winter boots and traction devices. Our guide to the best easy winter hikes in Banff includes our favourite trails, with distances, difficulty levels and practical advice for choosing a hike that suits your family.

If you’re staying in Canmore or don’t mind exploring a little farther, there are also some excellent easy winter hikes in Kananaskis Country. We’ve been hiking trails like Heart Creek, Troll Falls and Grassi Lakes with our kids since they were small. These are especially fun family outings because there’s plenty to keep kids interested along the way, from little wooden bridges to frozen waterfalls.

See Frozen Waterfalls in Banff

One of the most impressive sights you’ll encounter during a Banff winter vacation is a frozen waterfall. Instead of rushing water, you’ll find enormous walls of ice, sometimes with beautiful blue and white formations. Visiting frozen waterfalls is a fun winter activity for families, and several of our favourites can be reached on relatively easy hikes.

Johnston Canyon is our top recommendation for seeing frozen waterfalls in Banff National Park. We’ve visited Johnston Canyon with our kids countless times, and we especially love hiking here in winter. The trail follows Johnston Creek through a narrow canyon, with elevated catwalks and views of frozen waterfalls along the way.

The Lower Falls are just 1.2 km from the trailhead, making this a manageable outing for many families. Older kids may enjoy continuing to the Upper Falls, where the massive frozen waterfall is well worth the extra effort. Our complete guide to hiking Johnston Canyon has everything you need to plan your visit.

Another excellent option is Louise Falls at the far end of Lake Louise. The Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail is a relatively flat winter walk along the edge of the lake, with impressive mountain scenery throughout. At the far end, you’ll be rewarded with views of the frozen Louise Falls, where you may even see ice climbers making their way up the ice. This is a great activity to combine with ice skating or winter sightseeing at Lake Louise.

If you’re willing to venture outside Banff National Park, Troll Falls in Kananaskis is another favourite family winter hike. The relatively easy 3.5 km return trail winds through a forest before reaching the frozen waterfall. We’ve enjoyed this hike with our kids, and it’s a particularly good choice for families looking for a shorter outing with a rewarding destination. Our guide to hiking Troll Falls in Kananaskis includes trail directions and tips for visiting with kids.

Take a Guided Ice Walk

Imagine walking through a narrow canyon with frozen waterfalls towering above you and ice covering the creek beneath your feet. A guided ice walk is one of the most unique winter activities near Banff for families, especially if your kids enjoy exploring and are up for a little adventure.

There are two excellent options for a family ice walk: Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park and Grotto Canyon near Canmore. Both are beautiful in winter, but they offer quite different experiences.

The Johnston Canyon Icewalk follows a well-established trail through the canyon, including sections of elevated catwalks attached to the canyon walls. You’ll see frozen waterfalls and learn about the canyon from your guide.

This is a great choice for families who want to experience one of Banff’s most popular winter attractions without worrying about arranging transportation or having the right equipment. You can book a guided Johnston Canyon Icewalk with Discover Banff Tours.

For a different adventure, Grotto Canyon is one of our favourite winter outings with kids. Located in Kananaskis Country, just outside Canmore, this ice walk takes you right along the frozen creek bed between towering canyon walls.

Depending on conditions, you’ll walk over smooth ice and packed snow before reaching frozen waterfalls. There’s also Indigenous rock art along the route, which is easy to miss without knowing where to look. For families who would prefer to explore with a guide, book the Grotto Canyon Icewalk with Discover Banff Tours.

Both guided ice walks are approximately four hours, including transportation, and provide ice cleats, hiking poles, a guide, hot chocolate and a snack. The tours are suitable for children aged 8 and older, making them especially appealing to families with school-aged kids.

Dog Sledding Near Banff

Dog sledding in Banff is another excellent winter family activity. It’s a thrilling experience that gives you the chance to navigate through the stunning snow-covered landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, led by a team of enthusiastic and hard-working huskies.

Dog sledding isn’t just about the ride. It’s also an opportunity for kids to learn about the dogs and the work they do. Many tour operators will let you spend some time with the dogs before and after the ride, adding to the overall experience.

You can go dog sledding in Lake Louise with Kingmik Dogsledding or out of Canmore with one of the three Canmore dog sledding operators (Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tours, Howling Dog Tours or Mad Dog & Englishmen Tours). Dog sledding offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Indoor Activities in Banff with Kids

Even though we encourage families to get outside during their winter vacation, sometimes everyone needs a break from the cold! Fortunately, there are several indoor activities in Banff with kids that are worth adding to your itinerary, whether you’re looking for something educational, a little entertainment or simply a chance to warm up.

One of our favourite indoor attractions is the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where the story of Canada’s national parks began. We’ve visited with our kids many times, and there’s plenty to keep children interested. Kids will enjoy walking down the dark hallway into the natural hot spring cave and exploring the exhibits in Story Hall. The activity booklet is another fun way to keep them engaged while learning about Banff’s history.

If the weather isn’t too cold, we also recommend exploring the short outdoor boardwalks at the Cave and Basin. Our kids have enjoyed looking for the tiny endangered Banff springs snails and watching for fish in the warm waters along the marsh boardwalk. It’s a great opportunity to combine a little indoor learning with time outdoors.

If your family is looking for something a little more active, High Rollers in downtown Banff is a fun place to spend an afternoon bowling. My kids get invited to many birthday parties here.

You could also catch a movie at Lux Cinema or simply head back to your hotel for some swimming if you’ve booked somewhere with an indoor pool.

Banff Winter Festivals

Banff SnowDays Winter Festival

If you’re visiting Banff in late January or early February, you may be lucky enough to catch the annual Banff SnowDays Winter Festival. We’ve been taking our kids to SnowDays for years, and it’s a fun way to experience Banff in winter beyond the usual skiing, skating and hiking. There’s a mix of snow sculptures, ice carving, entertainment and family-friendly winter activities, with many events available for free.

One of our favourite SnowDays traditions is walking through downtown Banff to see the enormous snow sculptures. We usually grab a hot chocolate and wander along Bear Street and through Central Park, stopping to admire the incredible detail in each sculpture.

Another highlight for families is the SnowDays Play Zone. When our kids were younger, they even had the opportunity to try downhill skiing and snowboarding with help from the event volunteers! Activities change each year, but past festivals have included snow slides, fat biking, cross-country skiing and other fun ways for kids to enjoy the snow.

See our complete guide to the Banff SnowDays Winter Festival for the current dates, events and activity schedules.

Ice Magic at Lake Louise

Another winter event we’ve enjoyed with our kids over the years is Ice Magic at Lake Louise. We’ve visited many times, watching talented ice carvers transform enormous blocks of ice into detailed sculptures and returning to admire their finished work. Our kids have always enjoyed exploring the sculptures, especially with the frozen lake and snow-covered mountains in the background. It’s also fun to combine a visit with ice skating or other winter activities at Lake Louise.

Important: Ice Magic has changed significantly in recent years. It is now an exhibition of finished ice sculptures rather than a live carving competition, and access is restricted to eligible hotel guests and local residents. Visitors must also use the designated shuttle. If seeing the sculptures is important to your family, read our guide to the Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival before making your plans.

Tobogganing in Banff

There’s nothing better than spending an afternoon tobogganing with the kids. They’ll love sliding down the hill, and the walk back up is a great way to burn off some energy! This truly is good fun for the entire family and even better, it’s a free activity in Banff.

Cascade Ponds has a fun hill for even the littlest ones. Canmore Nordic Centre is another popular place for tobogganing.

If you need a sled, Canadian Tire in Canmore is an easy place to pick one up.

Cross-Country Skiing in Banff

Our family took up cross-country skiing after years of winter hiking and snowshoeing, and it’s become another favourite way to enjoy winter in the Canadian Rockies. Cross-country skiing in Banff with kids is a fun way to explore snowy forests and enjoy mountain scenery while getting some exercise. If your family is new to the sport, we recommend starting with a lesson and choosing a short, relatively flat trail.

Lake Louise has some excellent family-friendly cross-country ski trails. The 2 km Lake Louise Campground Loop is a great place for beginners to practise, while the Great Divide Trail is another favourite of ours. We’ve skied the Great Divide with our kids, and its wide, gentle terrain makes it a good choice for families. See our guide to the best cross-country ski trails in Banff National Park for more options.

There are also some wonderful cross-country skiing trails in nearby Kananaskis. When our kids were younger, the Wedge Connector was one of our favourites, especially because they loved playing in the deep snow near the meadow. Our guide to family-friendly cross-country ski trails in Kananaskis will help you choose a route that suits your family’s abilities.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

After a day of skiing, skating or exploring Banff with kids, soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a great way to warm up. There’s something special about relaxing in the steaming outdoor mineral pool while surrounded by snow-covered mountains, especially on a cold winter day.

The Banff Upper Hot Springs are family-friendly, although they’re better suited to relaxing than swimming and playing. If your kids prefer waterslides and splashing around, you’ll probably get more enjoyment from a hotel with an indoor pool.

Banff Hot Chocolate Trail

There’s nothing quite like warming up with hot chocolate after a winter adventure in Banff. The Hot Chocolate Trail is a fun way to try something different with the kids.

The Hot Chocolate Trail is a collection of cafes and restaurants throughout the town, each offering their own unique take on hot chocolate. From traditional recipes to creative concoctions, there’s a hot chocolate to suit every taste.

Where to Stay in Banff in Winter with Kids

When choosing where to stay in Banff in winter with kids, we recommend looking for a hotel with amenities your family can enjoy after a day outside. An indoor pool is always a hit with our kids, while outdoor hot tubs are a great way to warm up after skiing or exploring in the snow.

Tunnel Mountain Resort is a great option for families who want extra space, with cabin-style accommodations, fireplaces and an indoor pool. Hidden Ridge Resort is another favourite for its apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens and large outdoor hot pools.

If you’d prefer to stay downtown, Moose Hotel & Suites has an indoor pool and rooftop hot pools, making it a great choice for a winter family vacation.

For more options, see our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in Banff.

What to Pack for Banff in Winter with Kids

To fully enjoy your Banff winter vacation, it’s crucial to stay safe and warm during your outdoor adventures.

The best way to stay warm in Banff in winter is to dress in layers. A base layer that’s either synthetic or wool is great at wicking moisture to help keep you warm. On top of your base layer add a warmth layer (your middle layer can be fleece or down). Then top it up with winter jacket and snow pants that are waterproof and windproof.

You’ll want to pack warm mitts, winter boots and a warm hat for everyone. A scarf or a buff is an effective way to keep that warmth in.

To keep little fingers and toes warm, pack some hand and foot warmers. For a reusable option, I recommend rechargeable hand warmers. My kids love them, and they do a great job of keeping little hands and feet warm.

Finally, traction devices like microspikes are great to have. Chinook winds can bring several days of warmer weather in the middle of winter. When temperatures drop again, trails can become very icy.

For more tips on keeping your family warm and comfortable, see our complete Banff winter packing list, including the clothing, winter gear and essentials we recommend bringing for a winter trip to Banff.