The Norquay Chairlift is one of the easiest ways to get above the town of Banff for Rocky Mountain views without committing to a long hike. Mt Norquay is best known as a local ski hill in winter, but the summer sightseeing chairlift makes it a great option for visitors who want a relaxed, scenic experience close to town.
The open-air chairlift ride takes you up to a viewing area with beautiful views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks. It’s especially worth considering if you’re travelling with kids, visiting with non-hikers, or looking for a shorter activity that still has a great payoff.
What makes the Mt Norquay Chairlift even better is the Cliffhouse Bistro at the top. If time permits, we recommend pairing the chairlift ride with lunch or a drink on the patio so you can slow down and enjoy the views instead of just riding up and back down.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect from the Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift, including tickets, hours, parking, the free shuttle from Banff, what it’s like at the top, and whether it’s worth adding to your Banff itinerary.
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Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift
Visitors to Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift are taken up the North American Chair (the “Norquay” chair). While it feels a little odd to get on a chairlift when you aren’t wearing skis, it’s an incredible way to enjoy the surrounding mountains.
Being in the open air means you get unimpeded views, fresh mountain air, and a better chance of spotting Banff wildlife along the way. We were excited to see a deer during our ride up the Norquay chairlift, but there’s always a chance to spot bears or bighorn sheep.
The chairlift ride is slow and enjoyable, taking about 10 minutes to reach the top.
As amazing as the ride up the Norquay Chairlift is, the ride down is simply incredible. The 180-degree views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are impressive to say the least. You’ll get views of the town of Banff, Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain. It’s a sight you won’t soon forget.
Norquay Chairlift with Kids
If you’re visiting Banff with kids, the Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift can be a fun experience for the whole family.
You’ll be riding on a two-person open-air chairlift, so be sure your kids will be comfortable with this. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age for riding the chairlift is 2 years old.
While we haven’t yet taken our kids up the Norquay Chairlift yet, we have ridden the Lake Louise Summer Chairlift with kids (who are 8 and 6 years old). They are comfortable riding a chairlift from skiing, and loved the experience of riding a chairlift in the summer.
Don’t worry about getting on and off the chairlift. The attendants are there to help you and stop the chairlift so everyone can get on and off safely.
Norquay Chairlift Hours
The Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift operates daily in the summer (June through mid-October) from 9 am to 7 pm. Hours change slightly in the fall, with September and October typically reduced to 10 am to 6 pm.
Always check the latest hours before planning your trip. The hours for Mt Norquay Chairlift can be found here.
Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift Prices
To purchase a ticket to ride the Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift, it’s $47 for an adult (16+), $29 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).
Note: the Norquay Chairlift offers a reduced rate for locals. This includes residents in the Bow Valley from Dead Man’s Flats to Field, but doesn’t extend as far as Calgary. Inquire when you purchase your ticket and be prepared to show your ID with an address.
Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift Location
The Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift is one of 4 sightseeing chairlifts in Banff National Park and is located at the Mt Norquay Ski Resort.
From Banff, follow Mt. Norquay Access Road/Mt. Norquay Scenic Drive up to the resort. If you’re coming from Canmore, take the Trans-Canada Highway west and exit for Mt. Norquay Road.
Banff Norquay offers a free shuttle from four Banff stops: Train Station, Elk St at Banff Ave, Mt Royal Parking and Peaks Hotel on Lynx St. The shuttle is first-come, first-served, so check the latest schedule before you go. Just one more great way to get around Banff without a car!
Mt Norquay Chairlift Viewing Area
At the top of the chairlift, there’s 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.
Just a short walk downhill of the chairlift is another viewing area with chairs on a series of platforms. The vistas of the Bow Valley and the surrounding mountains are worth spending some time here!
Mount Norquay Chairlift Restaurant – Cliffhouse Bistro
Cliffhouse Bistro is located up a series of steps from the chairlift. This renovated 1950s tearoom offers not only incredible food but scenery to match.
The restaurant only seats approximately 50 people, so make a reservation if you plan to eat here in the summer. We ate at the Cliffhouse Bistro in early October and had no issues getting a table with a view.
We ordered the Shakshuka, the Gorditas and we couldn’t pass up an order of onion rings. The service was excellent and the food was amazing.
This isn’t necessarily the place we’d recommend if you’re visiting Banff on a budget, but if you’re going to make one splurge, a meal at the top of the Norquay Chairlift is worth considering.
Mt Norquay Sightseeing Platform
If you’d like to eat your own food while atop the Norquay Summer Chairlift, a fun alternative is to grab a couple of chairs on the viewing platform. Every chair has amazing mountain views from this 7,000-foot elevation.
Mt Norquay Hiking
There aren’t regular hiking trails from the top of the sightseeing chairlift, making the Norquay chairlift a good option for things to do in Banff for non-hikers.
You can book the Via Ferrata if you want a more adventurous mountaintop experience.
If you want to add a hike, the Upper 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 favorite free things to do in Banff!
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What to Bring for the Norquay Sightseeing Chair
- Bear Spray: Only if you plan to add a hike to your Norquay Chairlift experience.
- Water Bottle: Don’t forget water on a hot summer day.
- Sunscreen & Hats: Both the chairlift ride and the area at the top are very exposed, with limited shade. Sunscreen and hats are a must!
- Layers: It can feel much cooler higher up so be prepared with an extra layer.
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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.