Banff Canada is a winter lover's paradise. Just about every winter outdoor activity imaginable can be found in the area since it is located within Banff National Park. There is so much to do visitors may have to plan their trips carefully in order to fully experience what Banff has to offer.
Banff Winter Festival
The Banff Winter Festival is an annual event in January and February of every year. The festival features winter activities, including a cross-country skiing race, the "Mountain Madness" relay race from the top of Mount Norquay to Central Park, an ice sculpture contest, ice skating, and the Banff Town Party at Wild Bill's. The Town Party has been the Banff social event of the year since 1917.
Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise
Within Banff National Park are three world renowned ski resorts - Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Collectively, these three resorts provide more than 240 trails on more than 7700 acres of skiing terrain. No matter what the ability of the skier, any of these resorts can comply with groomed runs rated from novice green to advanced double-black diamond, bowls, chutes, gullies, and terrain parks. Sunshine Village even offers on-site accommodations while all three resorts offer shuttle service to and from Banff.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
For backcountry winter activities, Kicking Horse is the place to go. There's plenty of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, helicopter skiing, authentic "Telemark" skiing, and ice climbing. The resort also offers aerial sight-seeing trips and "tubing" down the slopes at the base of the Catamount Chair. Kicking Horse is a definite must-see for the winter activity enthusiast.
Dog Sledding
Not many places offer dog sledding but this can be taken advantage of in Banff. Howling Dog Tours is one such outfit that offers a hands-on dog sledding experience. You can travel either as a passenger or learn to drive a dog sled team. Dog sledding offers a unique perspective on the Canadian Rockies during winter time.
Sulphur Mountain Gondola
Since 1959 the Banff Gondola, located 5 minutes from Banff on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain, has offered 360 degree views from the mountain summit. Within the summit gondola terminal is a restaurant and rooftop observation area. Also located on the summit is a 1km long board walk that winds along the Sulphur Mountain ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site.
Ice Climbing
Some of the best ice climbing areas in the world are located in Banff National Park. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been in the ice climbing business for over 30 years. Owned and operated by certified climber/guides, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers day programs for the novice with no ice climbing experience, weeklong programs, and intensive semester programs for the serious mountaineer.
Calgary Flames
Take a day trip to Calgary to catch the Calgary Flames of the NHL. After all, hockey is a purely Canadian sport. A live hockey game is full of action the whole family can enjoy. Many hotels in Banff offer transportation to and from the Flames home games in Calgary.
Ice Walks
Three different canyons in the area can offer a unique experience: ice walks. The ice walk through Grotto Canyon on a frozen creek features ancient rock art, ice falls, and unusual rock formations. Johnston Canyon is quite popular where steel walkways have been built into the canyon walls. Thirdly, along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka, the sound of the frozen lake's crackling ice cap pervades the air as you journey to Stewart Canyon Bridge and warm up next to a campfire and roast marshmallows.
Winter wildlife tour
During the winter deep snows at high elevations drive the animals to the valleys, providing excellent opportunities for viewing them in their natural environment. The Winter Wildlife Tour, offered in Banff National Park, boasts that wildlife is seen on 95% of the tours and is the best wildlife tour available.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Locals and visitors alike enjoy skating on various ponds, rivers, lakes, and artificial outdoor rinks. Skating spots include Forty Mile Creek, Johnston Lake, Two Jack Lake, Lake Louise. However, it is very important to inquire with locals about the current conditions for skating on any of these spots before venturing out yourself.
