Why The Banff Gondola Is A Must Do Banff Activity

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Banff, the most beautiful town in the Canadian Rockies, is a picture perfect place. So imagine being able to look down on it from above. That’s exactly what you can do at the Banff Gondola.

Gazing out as far as the eye can see in every direction, past some of the highest mountains you’ve ever seen, lakes in the distance. Breathtaking doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The Banff Gondola is a must-do activity, and the ideal place to spend a morning or afternoon in Banff – especially on a clear day.

What is the Banff Gondola?

The gondola is a unique way to get to the top of Sulphur mountain overlooking the stunning national park of Banff with zero effort. Sign me up!

Although I do like a good hike, it’s sometimes nice to just sit back and be whisked into the air to experience the views without arriving at the top sweaty and exhausted. Which is probably exactly what they were going for back in 1959 when it first opened.

Don’t worry, the cars have been updated and the gondola ride redeveloped since then. But you can’t argue with the reasoning – it’s a great way to see more of Banff with a bird’s eye view. Perhaps the best bird’s eye view this close to the town.

At the top you’ll find yourself at a whopping 7,486 feet above sea level. If that doesn’t make your ears pop I don’t know what will. Swiss engineering makes sure you don’t have to worry about safety with the thick and sturdy steel cables which can haul over 600 people per hour each way.

Getting to the Banff Gondola

Don’t have a car during your time in Banff? Worry not. The Banff Gondola is super easy to get to by public transit too – it’s a bit far to walk to from the town. See below for all the ways to get here.

If you’re staying at the Rimrock Resort the hotel is walking distance to the gondola, which gives you more options for visiting outside of peak times.

For everyone else there are three main ways to get to the gondola:

BY CAR: Only a few minutes drive from downtown Banff, or the Fairmont Banff Springs it’s easy to get to the Banff Gondola. There is a parking lot, but it’s often busy so either plan to arrive early, or leave the car behind and take the bus.

BY TAXI: Usually only 10 minutes from even the furthest hotels on Banff Avenue, a taxi will run around $15-20 including tip. If there are a few of you and you either can’t be bothered waiting for the bus, or miss it and need to make your entry time, this is a more expensive but quick option.

BY BUS: The cheapest option at only $2 each way – even cheaper in summer months when you can show your Banff Gondola ticket for free bus transfer. Plus most hotels will give you a ROAM transit pass to use, so it’s rare you’ll end up paying. Take BUS #1 from along Banff Avenue. The trip takes about 10 minutes and buses leave around every 20 minutes. It’ll drop you right at the base of the gondola.

How much is the Banff Gondola?

While the cost of the Banff Gondola can vary slightly depending on season, or whether you visit on a weekday or weekend, you’re looking at around $60 per adult ticket.

It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make a day of it – and the views more than make up for the cost in my opinion.

While you might be able to get tickets on the day at the gondola, it’s always best to book them online in advance. Not only do you guarantee the best pricing, but you also make sure you get the tickets for the day you want.

The only tricky part is balancing getting your tickets with a good weather day. Keep an eye on the forecast as you can usually change tickets outside of 48-hours. If you’re in Banff for a few days you might want to wait and see how the weather looks, then book your ticket. Just be quick!

The Gondola ride

The ride up there is only half the fun though, the real treat is when you reach the top and you get 360-degree views over Canada’s first National Park. It’s going to be epic, so get your camera ready.

You’ll reach the top before you even know it, mostly because you’ll be so distracted by the views. You won’t even have time to think about the engineering of this attraction which has been in Banff since it was built in 1959.

In only 8-minutes you will travel almost 2300 feet on one of the forty car fleet of gondolas that serve Sulphur Mountain.

A steady stream of four person gondola cars will take you from the base of the mountain to the top while giving breathtaking views of the Bow Valley in Banff National Park.

Food options at the Banff Gondola

Before you get on the gondola at the base of the mountain there is a Starbucks. I would also encourage you to bring a snack or two if you’ll be here for a few hours. A packed lunch is never a bad idea and will save a bit of money on what could be an expensive afternoon.

If you do want to try what’s at the gondola though, there are a few options at the top, from quick and easy café to full service restaurant. For a super fancy dinner with the town’s best view, try the Sky Bistro. Northern Lights is a buffet style dining experience with lots of local ingredients.

My go to is usually the coffee shop which sells sandwiches, snacks, baked goods and drinks for the cheaper alternative. Grab something to go, then sit outside and take in the fresh mountain air.

What to do at the top (other than eat)

You’ve got your ticket and you’re heading through the clouds, now what? Well there’s enough to keep you busy at the top of Sulphur Mountain – both indoors and outdoors.

Interpretive Centre

On the third floor is the interpretive centre. Almost like a museum, this not only teaches some of the history of Banff National Park, but about what you can find within it.

Animals, plants and local geology – it’s a great place for kids to explore. I thought it was kind of good too, but definitely based more at the younger demographic. I think the highlight has to the be the “guess the poop” game.

Walk the boardwalk

One of the highlights of the Banff Gondola is getting outside with the wind whipping around you as you gaze miles in every direction at the huge mountains.

Follow the boardwalk trail leading from the discovery center to Sanson’s Peak, an old weather station at the furthest point. It’s about a 30-minute round trip to walk to the end of it and back.

Along the way keep an eye out for local wildlife – you might hear a marmot or two, or see some high-altitude-loving chipmunks running around.

There are storyboards along the way to inform you of what you can see. Be aware there are steps up and down along the way so those with mobility challenges may not find this easy. Anyone with children will likely have to leave the strollers at the discovery centre.

Have a cocktail or two

In the summer there is the Peak Patio serving delicious cocktails. In winter there is an rooftop bar with enclosed area. Either way, it’s a mighty fine spot to enjoy a drink.

The Sky Bistro also serves some genuinely delicious and unique takes on popular cocktails. If there’s one thing I discovered that Banff does well, it’s cocktails.

Do some shopping

As a sucker for a good gift shop I did enjoy perusing the offerings of the shops at both the bottom and the top of the Banff Gondola. Of course there are your typical souvenirs and trinkets, including every item of clothing with BANFF written on it. But you’re here so it doesn’t hurt to embrace it a bit.

The shops also do a good job of drawing attention to First Nation’s indigenous related items including stunning jewelry and artwork.

See a mesmerizing polar bear

OK, not a real one. But at the top level of the Banff Gondola discovery center is a really cool piece of art. A standing up (and waving) polar bear made of mirror fragments.

Reflecting impressive views in every direction, he’s a must-see in my opinion – even if it’s because he might be the only bear you get to see.

Check out the view!

Duh, this may be super obvious, but it’s likely the real reason you’re here. If it’s a clear day, even better. But even on a snowy or slightly cloudy day the fresh mountain air (and views) are literally breathtaking.

Use the telescope binoculars for even closer views, but you’ll still be impressed even without those. Check out the mountain ranges on all sides and make sure to take a peek at the boards which tell you what you’re looking at.

What other services are there?

Visiting with kids? The Banff Gondola has a mobile app game called Agents of Discovery. There are QR codes scattered around so you can download the game and get playing. Kids can learn about the National Park, Banff Gondola and surrounding area as they go.

You might end up taking so many pictures that your phone starts to run out of juice. No worries, there is a complimentary mobile charging station with space for multiple devices. Even better – you can lock them away and go have a coffee while you wait for your device to charge.

Like many places in Canada, all trying to be as sustainable as possible, there are water bottle fill up stations at the Banff Gondola in the discovery center. Save some dollars, and some plastic, and refill your own water bottle for free.

Can’t wait to post all your photos? You don’t have to. The Banff Gondola has complimentary WiFi – you’ll see signs around the visitor center with the network and password info.

How long do you need to explore?

At least a couple of hours to really enjoy it and get the full experience. Allow for at least 15 minutes each way in case you have to wait a few minutes for a gondola (maybe more on busy summer weekend days). But other than that, the rest of the time is your own.

Only having an hour will be quite rushed – and not worth paying the entrance ticket. Plan for a minimum of two hours. There’s enough at the top of the gondola for that. Unless you’re eating at one of the restaurants you likely won’t need longer than 3 hours though.

Is the Banff Gondola worth the money?

I know it’s not cheap, especially if you’re a family. But in my honest opinion, yes it’s worth it. I love a good view, and any opportunity to see a place from a different perspective is worth it to me. That’s exactly what you’ll get here.

Look down on the town of Banff and trace your way through the streets – see if you can spot your hotel! Cast your sights past the towns to see if you can spot blue lakes or other snow-capped peaks.

This is one of Banff’s most popular activities for a reason. If you’re visiting Banff, this has to be on your list. Just make sure to plan in advance, and book those tickets to avoid disappointment.

If you’re feeling super energetic (or cheap) you can also hike the Sulpur Mountain trail. It’ll take a few hours, and a lot of effort to climb the 2300-ft/650 meter trail that’s 5.5-km in each direction.

Top Travel Tip: Hike up and take the gondola down with a half price ticket. Note that if you take the gondola up and hike down, the ticket is full price.

Visiting the Banff Gondola

Whether you’ve got a few days in Banff, or are just passing through, you can’t miss the Banff Gondola. For the price, you’ll likely want to spend enough time up there to make it worth it, but with an 8-minute ride in each direction, you can do this within an hour if you really want to.

I recommend taking public transit to get there from the town. It’s only marginally less convenient than driving but is often just as quick and way cheaper considering most people can use the bus for free. Plus, it’s way better for the environment.

Unless you’re particularly interested in the restaurants at the top I’d say save your money and take a snack – or plan to eat before/after your visit. The boardwalk is a must, it’s not too far for most people and really is the highlight of the experience.

I’ve visited in winter and in summer and both are spectacular. Personally I enjoy seeing a bit of snow up there in the early spring when it is starting to warm up. And although the weather is a little less predictable, it’s prettier in my opinion.

Whenever, and however, you visit the Banff Gondola, this will be an experience you won’t forget.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you been up the Banff Gondola before? Would you prefer to visit in winter to see the snow or in the summer?