You can do many other fantastic activities in Banff National Park when not skiing or snowboarding. And they don’t have to cost you a dime! Here are ten free activities you can do in Banff in winter.
Before we dive in, some of the activities below may require you to rent equipment, like snowshoes or skates. The tips below all have in common that you don’t need to pass a ticket booth to pay an entrance fee.
In case you did bring your skates or snowshoes, great! You really won’t have to spend a dime to be able to engage in these activities.
Alright, let’s have a look at what free activities Banff has to offer in winter.
Free Things to Do in Banff in Winter
Yes, Banff is an expensive place to spend your holidays, but you can do many thrilling activities without spending even a penny. Here are the ten exciting options I selected for you:
Explore the Town of Banff
This one you’ll do for sure when you’re staying in Banff. While the townsite is relatively small, it has so many shops, restaurants, bars, interesting buildings and exciting viewpoints that the town itself can keep you occupied for hours.
Here are some tips on where to go:
- Banff Avenue (shopping, drinking and dining)
- Cascade Gardens (provides a stunning view of the townsite and Cascade Mountain)
- Bow Falls (spectacular views of the falls, the Bow River and its surroundings)
- Banff Pedestrian Bridge (stunning views in both directions)
- Surprise Corner Viewpoint (gorgeous views of the Banff Springs hotel amidst the Rockies)
- Fairmont Banff Springs hotel (the most famous hotel in the Canadian Rockies)
- Banff Town Sign (for an excellent picture proving you’ve been to Banff)
- Banff Hoodoos Viewpoint (awe-inspiring feat of nature on Tunnel Mountain Road)
The map below pinpoints all 8 tips.
Hiking
Hiking is the quintessential activity for park visitors in summer; in winter, it’s also a great activity that offers incredible photo opportunities and a fantastic experience.
There are still a ton of hiking paths to choose from, ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, even if there are fewer walks available than in the summer. Below, you’ll find a table listing thirteen worthwhile winter walks.
| HIKE | Rating | Distance | Elevation Gain | Duration | Trailhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Lookout | Easy | 2.4 km (1.49 mi) out and back | 165 m (541 ft) | 1 hour | Upper Lake Louise parking lot |
| Fenland Trail loop | Easy | 2 km (1.24 mi) out and back | – | 40 – 60 minutes | West off Mount Norquay Road, 200 m south of the Vermi-lion Lakes Road exit |
| Johnston Lake | Easy | 3.1 km (1.93 mi) | Minimal | 1 hour | At the end of Johnson Lake Road, off Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive |
| Lake Louise Lakeshore | Easy | 4.0 km (2.49 mi) out and back | – | 1 – 1.5 hours | Head right on the lakeshore trail from the front of the Fairmont Château Lake Louise |
| Marsh Loop | Easy | 2.8 km (1.74 mi) | 80 m (262 ft) | 45 – 60 minutes | Cave and Basin National Historic Site |
| Spray River Loop | Easy | 11.2 km (6.96 mi) loop | 205 m | 3 – 4.5 hours | Parking lot, 100 m past the Banff Springs Hotel parkade |
| Stewart Canyon | Easy | 6.6 km (4.1 mi) round trip | 257 m | 2 – 3 hours | Lake Minnewanka parking lot |
| Two Jack Lake | Easy | 3.2 km (1.99 mi) out and back | 184 m (4416 ft) | 1 hour | Upper Two Jack Lake Parking |
| Tunnel Mountain | Easy | 5.8 km (3.60 mi) out and back | 260 m elevation gain | 1.5 – 2 hours | Lower Tunnel Mountain trailhead at 137 St Julien Road |
| Johnston Canyon and the Inkpots | Easy to Moderate | 2.4 km (1.49 mi) to the Lower Falls; 5 km (3.11 mi) to the Upper Falls, and 11.4 km (7.1 mi) to the Ink Pots out and back | 50 m (164 ft) for Lower Falls; 120 m (394 ft) for Upper Falls; 330 m (1083 ft) to the Inkpots | 1 hour round trip to Lower Falls; 2 hours round trip to Upper Falls; 4 hours round trip to Ink Pots | Johnston Canyon trailhead |
| Mirror Lake | Easy to Moderate | 5.4 km (3.36 mi) out and back | 295 m (968 ft) | 1.5 – 2 hours | The Lake Agnes Trail just beyond the Fairmont Château Lake Louise |
| Hoodoos Lookout | Moderate | 10 km (6.21 mi) out and back | 305 m (1001 ft) | 3 – 4 hours | Start at Surprise Corner off Tunnel Mountain Drive |
| Stoney Mountain | Moderate | 4.8 km (2.98 mi) loop | 205 m (673 ft) | 2 hours | Mt. Norquay parking lot |
Skating
Skating is arguably the most thrilling free activity you can do in the park. Thanks to the mix of speed, the elements and the stunning scenery you will enjoy spending hours outdoors.
You have many options as ponds and lakes are frozen in winter, and there are many of them. Here’s a list of places that are known for excellent skating. Additionally, you’ll find a map indicating the listed destinations below:
- Bow River (near the Banff Canoe Club)
- Banff High School Skating Rink (maintained by the Town of Banff)
- 40 Mile Creek to Vermilion Lakes
- Vermilion Lakes
- Lake Minnewanka
- Two Jack Lake
- Cascade Ponds (if the weather permits)
- Johnson Lake (the road to the lake is often closed, however)
- Lake Louise
The map below pinpoints all 9 skating locations.
Snow Shoeing
Snowshoeing is a fun variation of winter hiking! You can visit places with snowshoes that are too tough to reach with ordinary hiking boots.
They make it possible to walk through snowy terrain, including alpine meadows and other snowy locations.
Here are 13 of the best snowshoe opportunities you can find in Banff National Park:
| TRAIL | Rating | Distance | Elevation gain | Duration | Trailhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow Lake | Easy | 4 km (2.49 mi) out and back | 5 m (16 ft) | 1 hour | Behind the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge |
| Fairview Lookout Loop | Easy | 2.6 km (1.62 mi) | 153 m (502 ft) | 1 hour | Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot |
| Johnson Lake loop | Easy | 3.2 km (1.99 mi) | 74 m (343 ft) | 1.5 hours | Parking lot at the end of Johnson Lake Road |
| Johnston Canyon | Easy | 6.7 km (4.16 mi) out and back | 120 m (394 ft) | 2 – 3 hours | Johnston Canyon parking lot |
| Lake Louise Lakeshore | Easy | 4 km (2.49 mi) | – | 1.5 – 2 hours | In front of Château Lake Louise |
| Mirror Lake | Easy | 5.5 km (3.42 mi) loop | 355 m (1165 ft) | 2 – 3 hours | In front of Château Lake Louise |
| Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Easy | 2.3 km (1.43 mi) out an back | 45 m (148 ft) | 1 hour | Peyto Lake parking lot |
| Stoney Lookout Snowshoe | Easy | 4.2 km (2.61 mi) out and back | 232 m (&61 ft) | 2 hours | Mount Norquay parking lot |
| Hoodoos Viewpoint via Surprise Corner | Moderate | 9.6 km (5.97 mi) out and back | 305 m (1000 ft) | 4 hours | Hoodoos viewpoint |
| Tunnel Mountain | Moderate | 4.5 km (2.8 mi) out and back | 266 m (873 ft) | 2 hours | Closed gate at intersection of Tunnel Mountain Drive and St. Julien Road |
| Ink Pots via Moose Meadows | Challenging | 16.1 km (10 mi) out and back | 737 m (2418 ft) | 6 – 7 hours | A few kilometers east of Castle Junction (Bow Valley Parkway |
| Sulphur Mountain | Challenging | 13.1 (8.14 mi) out and back | 906 m (2972 ft) | 4 – 5 hours | Cave and Basin National Historic Site |
| Taylor Lake and Panorama Meadows * | Challenging | 15.8 km (9.82 mi) out and back | 755 (2477 ft) | 5 – 8 hours | Between Castle Junction and Lake Louise on west side of Highway 1 |
* Avalanche Danger! Never hike this trail alone. Only attempt with decent avalance training.
Visit the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise
The Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise (18-19 January 2023) is an annual winter event frequently referred to as Canada’s most scenic ice festival. It has a long history of featuring stunning ice sculptures created by the top ice carvers in the world. Watch on when sculptors shape their extraordinary see-through sculptures.
During the festival, you can also visit the TRIBUTE Craft Spirits Celebration. It highlights top craft distilleries from British Columbia and Alberta and promotes Banff and Lake Louise’s thriving local food scene.
For skating aficionados, there’s an ice rink set out on the Lake, so all in all, we can conclude there’s plenty to do during the Ice Magic Festival.
Maybe the best part of the Ice Magic Festival is that it’s free if you’re staying in one of the following hotels: Fairmont Château Lake Louise, Castle Mountain Chalets, Mountaineer Lodge, Storm Mountain Lodge, Baker Creek Mountain Resort or Emerald Lake Lodge. Hotel guests in the Banff area will receive an admission discount.
Visit a Frozen Waterfall
It generally freezes so hard in Banff that waterfalls can freeze over. Two of them are pretty much guaranteed to do so: the Upper Falls in Johnston Canyon and the Louise Falls near Lake Louise.
To get to the Upper Falls, just follow the Johnston Canyon trail. It’s a 2.5-kilometer (1.55 mi) one-way hike, which will take about two hours. The waterfall is sure to impress as it’s wedged between high, steep rocks. Don’t forget to bring your camera (or phone) with you!
Getting to Louise Falls is pretty straightforward. You can follow the path/sled trail on the lake’s righthand side or walk across the frozen lake to the backside. You’ll be able to approach the falls up close. Be prepared for a tall tower of ice to rise over you. Simply breathtaking
Visit the Banff SnowDays Festival
This annual winterfest on Banff Avenue in Banff has giant snow sculptures, skijoring (an intriguing fusion of cowboy and ski culture), and kid-friendly sledding on the SnowDays Playzone. It runs from January 18 to January 23, 2023.
Secure your spot along the streets of Banff to witness the festivities in January’s winter wonderland. It’s a pleasant way to enjoy the town of Banff when you’re not skiing. There is plenty to eat and drink as well.
Sledding
A significant winter pastime is tobogganing. Find a slope in Banff, Lake Louise, or elsewhere, and take in the rush of speed as you’re whizzing down through a magical white landscape.
Any hill will suffice. But make sure there are no trees or rocks on your way so you won’t injure yourself. I wrote an entire post on sledding in Banff. Click the link if you want to know all about it.
Popular locations:
- Spray Meadows Hill, behind the Banff Springs Hotel, near the Bow Falls
- Near Cascade Ponds (Lake Minnewanka Road), especially suitable for younger kids as the slopes here are not very steep
Wildlife Spotting
True, you’re less likely to spot bears as they hibernate in winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spot lots of other wildlife in the park. Elk still roam the Bow Valley, but you might also see deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, coyotes and owls.
If you’re (very) lucky, you’ll even be able to see wolves. In theory, you could also see wolverines, lynxes, and mountain lions, but they are even rarer spotted than wolves (and in case of cougars, that’s probably a good thing).
If you want to improve your chances of seeing wildlife, you’d better try to visit the locations below at sunrise or sunset.
Locations to spot wildlife in Banff in winter:ong>
- Sulphur Mountain
- Cave and Basin Historic Site
- Vermilion Lakes
- Johnston Canyon
- Lake Minnewanka
- Icefields Parkway
Where to Rent Skates, Snowshoes and Toboggans
If you didn’t bring your skates or snowshoes, there are several places in the park where you can rent them. I’ve listed them in the table below.
If you didn’t bring a sled (and you probably didn’t), there are two locations in the park where you can rent one. You’ll find the necessary details below.
| SHOP | Snowshoes | Skates | Toboggan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banff Adventures Unlimited, 211 Bear Street, Banff | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Château Mountain Sports, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Château Mountain Sports, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Snowtips-Bactrax, 225 Bear Street, Banff | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ultimate Sports, 206 Banff Avenue, Banff | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wilson Mountain Sports, Building A Samson Mall, 101 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
The Banff Weather in Winter
Temperatures in Banff can drop well below 0˚ Celcius (32˚F), depending on the month you visit the park. Think about -20˚C (-4˚F) or even colder.
Here are the average temperatures from November to March, so you’ll know what to expect. Please keep in mind that these temperatures are averages, and the weather you’ll experience can be vastly different. I experienced -21˚C (-5.8˚F) in November!
| MONTH | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| November | 0.1˚C (32.2˚F) | -8.1 (17.4˚F) |
| December | -5.2˚C (22.6˚F) | -13.3˚C (8.1˚F) |
| January | -3.1˚ (26.4˚F) | -12.2˚C (10.0˚F) |
| February | -0.2˚C (31.6˚F) | -11.0˚C (12.0˚F) |
| March | 5.2˚C (41.4˚F) | -6.6˚C (20.1˚F) |
What to Wear in Banff in Winter
Make sure you bring lots of warm clothing and wear multiple sweat-wicking layers to keep you dry. Your coat should be windproof. A parka is probably your best bet. It allows you to stay warm at all times, even when standing still for a long time. Wearing a fleece sweater and a thick long-sleeve T-shirt is a good choice.
Also, bring long underwear, at least two pairs of snow pants, and moist-wicking socks to keep your feet dry.
Also, make sure your footwear is adequate for the circumstances. Take warm, insulated (hiking) boots. Your average sneaker or everyday shoe won’t cut it. A pair of gaiters could be handy as they prevent moisture from entering your boots.
And, of course, you’ll also need gloves and mittens and a (woolen) hat that can cover your ears (bring two; if one gets wet, you’ll have a spare one).
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