After-Dark Winter Adventures in Banff, Alberta
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak. Our boots crunch across the cold, crisp snow. It’s a star-filled winter night in Banff, Alberta. Although the sun has set, there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Banff comes alive at night—and not just in the restaurants, pubs and bars!
Here are a few after-dark experiences to help you begin planning your winter vacation in Banff National Park.
Night Ski and Snowboard at Mt. Norquay
Ski and board under the stars at Mt. Norquay. The family-friendly ski resort offers flood-lit runs and an illuminated terrain park.
Night skiing at Mt. Norquay is offered Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm. Ski and snowboard gear, including helmets, are available for rent at Mt. Norquay.
Ice Skate After Dark
Once the sun sets, lace up your skates and glide across the night-lit ice in Banff and Lake Louise. Bring your skates or rent them at Bactrax or Banff Adventures in the town of Banff. In Lake Louise, rent ice skates at Chateau Ski and Snow Rentals located near the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise lobby.
Train Station Skating Rink
In the town of Banff, plan your night skate in the parking lot at the Banff Train Station. The almost NHL-sized skating rink is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. Warming huts are available.
Lake Louise
Skate under the stars at Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park, about 45 minutes by vehicle from Banff town centre. Located across from the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, the skating surface at Lake Louise is illuminated until around 10:30 pm every night.
Cross-Country Ski at Tunnel Mountain
Located just outside the town of Banff, Tunnel Mountain is a beginner-friendly cross-country ski destination during the winter months. The Trailer Court Loops 100-700, part of the eight kilometre trail system at Tunnel Mountain, are illuminated until 10 pm daily. Bring your own cross-country skis or rent them in Banff at Banff Adventures or Bactrax.
Celebrate Stoney Nakoda Culture and Winter at Nightrise
For a unique nighttime experience, visit Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. Created by Moment Factory, the Stoney Nakoda Nation and Pursuit, the interactive, multisensory Nightrise experience shares Stoney Nakoda culture and history while celebrating nighttime, winter and the Canadian Rockies.
Family-friendly Nightrise at the Banff Gondola runs daily from 5 pm to 10 pm until April 10, 2022. Tickets and more information about the experience are available here.
Explore Johnston Canyon After Dark
Book a guided tour through the narrow Johnston Canyon after dark. The nighttime ice walk is a unique opportunity to view dramatic ice formations using high-powered flashlights and headlamps during the winter.
The two-and-half-hour tour typically includes hotel pick up and drop off in Banff, a tour guide, ice cleats, snacks and hot chocolate. The minimum age is eight.
How to Get to Banff
Located within the Banff National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff was established in the 1880s as a tourist destination. Today, tourists from around the world travel to Banff and nearby Lake Louise year-round to explore the rugged Rocky Mountains, natural hot springs, rivers, and glacial lakes.
Calgary International airport is the closest airport to Banff. Rent a car and drive (about 1.5 hours) or take an airport shuttle from the Calgary Airport.
