Curator’s statement
Only an hour away from Calgary, Alberta, Banff becomes a magical winter wonderland in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Winter brings fewer crowds and better rates, so you can enjoy Banff at half the cost—and honestly, it might be even more beautiful in the winter. Spend your weekend exploring snow-covered mountains, eating good food, and cross-country skiing!
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Day 1: Explore Banff
Fly into Calgary and rent a car. From there, drive straight to Banff, where you can begin exploring the town. Consider renting a car you are comfortable driving, as it will be snowy and the weather can be unpredictable.
If you want a relatively easy hike to stretch your legs, consider Tunnel Mountain, located right downtown it offers beautiful views of Banff.
Consider renting crampons or snowshoes for the weekend to hike and explore with ease. This can be done at Banff Adventures.
Finally, end the day off with a nice dinner at Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant, where you'll find excellent food and drinks.
Day 2: Spend the day at Lake Louise
Spend the day at Lake Louise, a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains. In the winter, it freezes over and you can skate on it.
If you’re not a big skater, no worries—to the right of the lake, you will find a trail up Lake Agnes. This can be challenging in the winter, but the views are so worth it. Consider packing a sandwich or some snacks for lunch, as there aren’t any food options around.
Head back to Banff for a much-needed dinner at Bear Street Tavern, where you will have the best pizza. Not much of a pizza lover? Try Eltoro for a more Mexican/Spanish tapas vibe.
Day 3: Visit Sulphur Mountain
On your last day in Banff, spend the morning exploring the shops and town.
In the evening, take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain, where you will find a beautiful observation deck overlooking Banff. Walk along the boardwalk, sit back, and relax while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Finish the night off at the Sky Bistro, where you will enjoy amazing food at the top of a mountain.
Need to know
If you have longer than a weekend, consider driving up to Jasper, along the Icefields Parkway, where the views will just keep getting better. Or visit Yoho National Park, where you can cross-country ski, explore Emerald Lake, or experience Takakkaw Falls.
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Banff page.