Banff National Park is a destination that almost everyone seems to have on their bucket list – for good reason too! After seeing one photo of the brilliant blue lakes and snow-capped mountain peaks, how can you not want to go?!
However, something you don’t ever see in those photos are the crowds, lines, or insane traffic that plague Banff in the summer season. Since millions of people all want to visit and experience Banff, there’s always a TON of tourists and a TON of traffic. Good news for the Banff tourism industry, bad news for travelers.
To put it in perspective, so many people flock to Banff each year that Lake Louise, one of the most popular attractions, has an additional overflow parking lot with a shuttle bus for the sole purpose of getting tourists to and from the lake. There’s even a live camera for people to check how full the lots are!
Just to visit Lake Louise in peak season it could take you up to two hours to weave through traffic, find a parking spot, and shuttle to and from the lake. How crazy is that?!
When we visited Banff in 2016 we arrived at the Lake Louise parking lot at 6:30 AM and almost didn’t get a parking spot. We were completely baffled. Usually waking up that early means having a destination all to yourself!
We don’t know about you – but we typically try and avoid the chaos and crowds when we’re trying to spend time outdoors! However…
Despite the Crowds, Banff is Worth The Hype
We believe that some destinations are worth the hype and Banff is definitely one of them – popularity and crowds aside. This section of the Canadian Rocky Mountains has something truly special about it and we think that everyone should experience that magic for themselves.
Banff receives raving reviews from almost everyone who visits for a reason. If Banff has caught your attention and you want to fulfill that wanderlust, you definitely should.
How to Travel Banff Better
However, we know for a fact that you’re not going to feel the magic of the mountains if you’re endlessly circling parking lots searching for an open spot or waiting in a long, crowded line to snap the same photo as everyone else.
The beauty and allure of Banff is found in the small moments of seclusion and pristine nature – not in overcrowded viewpoints where everyone is jockeying for space. Those small, natural moments are what make Banff completely worth the hype.
So how do you get those authentic and secluded moments in one of North America’s most popular destinations?
Visit Banff in the winter.
You read that right. One of the best ways to avoid the summer chaos in Banff is to visit in the off season – right in the dead of winter. It sounds almost too obvious yet too insane to be true.
Before you stop reading, hear us out! And when you’re done with this post check out our Banff winter itinerary and guide that highlight the beauty of Banff in the winter and tips for how to plan your own trip!
Should I Visit Banff in the Winter?
Absolutely!
Until this trip, I wouldn’t have considered myself a “winter traveler” but going to Banff in February totally changed my mind.
From wandering through snow-covered Johnston Canyon, to ice skating across crystal-clear Lake Louise, and even trying our hand at downhill skiing – we had an absolute blast exploring, adventuring, and taking in all the stunning views of the Canadian Rockies.
Visiting in the winter allowed us to take our time, thoroughly explore, and find seclusion at some of Banff’s most popular attractions and viewpoints! We barely encountered any crowds or traffic and overall spent more of our time relaxing and enjoying ourselves instead of stressing out about staying on schedule or trying to beat the masses to the top sights.
We had an amazing time and felt that traveling to Banff in the winter allowed us to truly experience the magic of the region. We’d definitely go back in a heartbeat!
7 Reasons to Visit Banff in the Winter
Amazing Outdoor Recreation
Visiting Banff in the winter opens up a whole new world of opportunities for recreational activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, curling, hockey, and more!
As a bonus, scenic and beautiful Banff is the perfect place to try something new because even if it’s not your thing in the end, you still get to admire the amazing scenery surrounding you while trying it out!.
On our visit we tried at a different outdoor activity each day and compiled everything we did in a guide for visiting Banff in the winter. Check it out for more planning tips and inspiration!
Pristine Winter Views
Even without visiting Banff in the summer, we’ve all seen the brilliant photos of the teal blue lakes and majestic, glacier-studded mountains. However, in the winter all the iconic views and sights look a little different coated in fluffy white snow and ice.
The coniferous trees sag under the weight of the snow, Lake Louise freezes into dark crystal clear ice, and the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon transform into light blue icicles that plunge into the still-flowing creek.
Banff looks absolutely gorgeous in the winter. We took a ton of scenic drives and often found ourselves sitting in silence admiring the views and beautiful nature surrounding us. The views alone make exploring the Canadian Rockies in the winter worth the trip!
ZERO Crowds
There’s a night and day difference between winter and summer travel to Banff in terms of your ability to get around, explore, and find seclusion at some of the most popular attractions and viewpoints. Since most people visit Banff in the summer – you’ll encounter only a fraction of the total tourists in the winter which means no crowds, no lines, and no traffic.
For five whole days, we felt like we had everywhere we went all to ourselves. We never waited in line, had trouble parking, or stood in a crowd to take in a view. Hiking through Johnston Canyon we only saw 15 people over six miles and we virtually had the Lake Louise ice rink all to ourselves on a Friday night! It felt amazing!
I do want to caveat that Banff is not a complete ghost town in the winter and that you will find crowds in one place in the winter – the ski resorts. The Banff area is known for having great skiing/snowboarding and their Big Three resorts attract hundreds of winter travelers. If you do want to spend a day skiing – just make sure you get there early and set your expectations for crowds appropriately.
Lighter on the Budget
Since winter is technically the off season for Banff, overall costs are a lot cheaper in comparison to the summer. You can expect to see lower prices for accommodation, vehicle rentals, drinks, food, and more just by visiting at a different time of year.
Although Banff is a tough destination to visit on a budget, planning your trip there in the winter could be a good option depending on your situation!
More Relaxing
Overall, visiting Banff in the winter is more relaxing. From the white powdery snow, to the blue-tinged views, and the hush of silence that only comes in winter – everything about Banff feels calm and serene.
Additionally, since you don’t have to worry about beating crowds or snagging parking spots you don’t have to rush to be anywhere at any given time. You can take your time at the view points, have a leisurely breakfast, or stop for a spontaneous drink or dessert at a restaurant that catches your eye. You have all day and no one else to worry about!
Chill Ski Town Atmosphere
While situated in the shadow of Mount Rundle, the town of Banff is inherently picturesque in any season. However, in the winter snow transforms Banff into an adorable mountain village right out of a Hallmark film.
In comparison to the continuous flow of summer tourist traffic, the whole pace of town slows down in the winter. At any given time, you’ll only find a scattering of people walking along the main street and you’ll hardly struggle to find a parking spot.
All around and inside the bars and restaurants you’ll primarily find ski bums and outdoor enthusiasts hanging out and warming up after a long day in the cold – further adding to the chill winter atmosphere.
We loved the Banff experience in the summer too – but there was just something special about that relaxed, ski-bum vibe that really completed the whole winter experience.
Rewarding Hot Springs
Hot springs always feel amazing no matter what time of year. However, after a long day of exploring out in the cold, there’s nothing more rewarding than a nice long soak in a thermal hot spring or hot tub – especially if there’s a great view! (Bonus points if you’ve got an ice cold beer to go along with it!)
Many of Banff’s hotels and resorts have hot tubs for guests to hang out and relax in. If your accommodation does not, you have a few public hot spring options as well, like the Banff Upper Hot Springs!
Final Thoughts for a Trip to Banff Done Better
We know that a trip to Banff in the winter definitely cannot replace the experience of going in the summer. How else are you going to see those brilliant blue lakes? But I will say that I enjoyed going to Banff in the winter far more since everything felt more relaxed, easy going, and equally as beautiful.
We hope this Banff Done Better guide has proven that visiting Banff in the winter is a perfectly reasonable option for avoiding the crowds and chaos of the summer while still having an authentic and amazing experience in one of North America’s most popular destinations.
Have we inspired you to plan a winter trip of your own?!
If not, that’s okay! We’re also compiling a Banff Done Better Summer Edition [coming soon!] to ensure that no matter what time of year you visit – you’re having the best Banff experience!
Plan Your Own Banff Getaway
Are you dreaming of your own trip to Banff but confused or overwhelmed with the complicated planning process? Let us help you!
Over the years, we’ve had the absolute pleasure of visiting Banff in both the summer and winter seasons. On both of those trips we found exciting and unique ways to make our experience in Banff and the Canadian Rockies completely our own.
Travel is one of our favorite topics to talk about and we’d love to help you plan or offer some guidance for your upcoming trip! Check out our travel planning and consulting services page and send us a note – we can’t wait to get started!
