Banff may be known as a skiers paradise, but there are so many ways to enjoy the snowy season, no skis required! Here are some of our favourite winter activities. 

Winter Walks

Take a gentle stroll along the Bow River, or venture out to Vermillion Lakes for a scenic winter wonderland. Bring along a steaming cup of specialty coffee or hot chocolate from Wild Flour or Goodearth Coffeehouse to complete this winter experience.

Banff & Lake Louise Tourism | Paul Zizka

Want to take it even further? Try a guided tour of Johnston Canyon from White Mountain Adventures or Discover Banff Tours. For an extra special end to the day, try it at night and enjoy the canyon under the starlight while lighting up the ice falls with your headlamps. It’s a fantastic way to extend your day in the dead of winter!

Snowshoe Adventures

Enjoy a powder day in a new way by going on a snowshoe adventure! If you’re experienced, you can DIY it with trails like the Johnson Lake Loop, a 2.8 km loop around this lake with fantastic views, or even the closed portion of Tunnel Mountain Drive, which is 2 km from one side to the other. If you didn’t bring snowshoes, rent them from Banff Adventures, or Snowtips.

Travel Alberta | Tegra Stone Nuess @tegrastonenuess

For added adventure, consider a guided snowshoe experience. White Mountain Adventures offers guided snowshoe tours at Sunshine Meadows and at Fortress Mountain with their Snowcat Snowshoe Adventure. Snowshoe in Lake Louise with Banff Adventures or find rentals in the village from Wilson Mountain Sports.

Winter Events

No one celebrates snow like a ski town, and Banff and Lake Louise are no exceptions! The annual SnowDays Festival takes place between January 17 and February 2, 2025, and this year promises another fantastic lineup of events! Watch carvers create snow sculptures in Banff and admire them all festival long. In Lake Louise, enjoy the ice sculptures on the lake. Bring the kiddos to the free PlayZone and enjoy sledding, curling, and a fat tire bike track. Experience live music, street performers, stilt walkers, and more on the weekends during
the festival.

Travel Alberta | Josh Segeleski

Stay tuned for everybody’s favourite festival event: skijoring! Watch as highly trained horses, riders, and trick skiers tear up main street with fantastic stunts and brilliant speed. Stop by on January 18 and 19, 2025 to see the skijoring display. This is a free event, but it’s busy, so make sure you get there early to find your spot along Main Street!

Horsin’ Around

Get your own horse fix with a horse drawn sleigh ride! Sleigh rides are a fantastic way to experience the stunning mountain scenery with the whole family – young and old can sit back and relax in the sleigh covered in warm blankets while listening to hoofbeats and the sounds of nature. Don’t forget to say hi to the horses after your tour!

Travel Alberta | Chris Amat

In Banff, Banff Trail Riders offer sleigh rides that the whole family will enjoy. Try their private sleigh ride experiences or an intimate cutter for two. In Lake Louise, Brewster Adventures offers sleigh rides, including private sleighs and cutters, under the incredible views of Victoria Glacier and the ice falls. This is one of our favourite winter activities that everyone can enjoy! 

Kate Barker