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Banff Gondola
Some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies can be enjoyed from the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take the Banff Gondola to the summit. The eight-minute ride offers spectacular views from a glass-enclosed cabin. The Summit Complex at the end of the gondola ride has restaurants, a gift shop and multiple viewing platforms. Look out over six different mountain ranges, through valleys and down onto the town of Banff.
The gondola leaves from the base of the mountain about five minutes outside town. It runs throughout the year. Come in summer, when the sun shines and wildlife roams the mountain. The view is no less impressive in winter, when the landscape is covered in a blanket of pristine white snow. In winter, come prepared for sub-zero temperatures and strong winds, and it can still be cold and windy at the summit in summer.
Each glass-enclosed gondola seats four people and offers 360-degree views for the whole ride. The Summit Complex is 7,486 feet (2,281 meters) above sea level.
Go inside to warm up in one of two restaurants. Both have glass walls to make the most of the scenery.
Take a short walk along the ridge for more photo opportunities. A half-mile (800-meter) wooden walkway runs along the summit ridge to the Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station. Norman Sanson was a local who hiked the mountain once a week for 30 years to check the weather. There’s not much to see at the station itself, but the views across the mountains are spectacular. It’s often less crowded than the gondola Summit Complex.
A second trail runs south from the complex to the mountain’s true summit, but only experienced hikers should attempt the rocky climb.
The gondola runs every day of the year, except during scheduled maintenance. Buses and taxis run from Banff to the base of the gondola, and there’s ample parking.
Guide to Exploring around Banff Gondola
Best Lodging Options Near Banff Gondola
Per night/room
Jan. 23 - Jan. 24
The Rimrock Resort Hotel
300 Moutain Avenue, Banff, ABSituated in the mountains, this spa resort is within a 5-minute walk of Upper Hot Springs and Banff Gondola. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Cave and Basin National Historic Site are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Per night/room
Jan. 26 - Jan. 27
Fairmont Banff Springs
405 Spray Ave, Banff, ABThis family-friendly Banff resort is located on the riverwalk, within a 15-minute walk of Bow Falls and Banff Cascades of Time Gardens. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Per night/room
Feb. 13 - Feb. 14
Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
521 Banff Ave, Box 1070, Banff, ABLocated in the heart of Banff, this spa hotel is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau, and within 3 mi (5 km) of Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Tunnel Mountain. Banff Springs Golf Club and Upper Hot Springs are also within 3 mi (5 km). Banff Station is 17 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
Feb. 3 - Feb. 4
Mount Royal Hotel
138 Banff Avenue, Banff, ABLocated in the heart of Banff, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Canada House Gallery and Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Cave and Basin National Historic Site are also within 1 mile (2 km). Banff Station is 10 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
Feb. 10 - Feb. 11
Banff Park Lodge
222 Lynx St, Banff, ABLocated in the heart of Banff, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Canada House Gallery and Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Cave and Basin National Historic Site are also within 2 miles (3 km). Banff Station is 6 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
Jan. 20 - Jan. 21
The Elk & Avenue Hotel
333 Banff Ave, Banff, ABSituated in a national park, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Tunnel Mountain are also within 3 mi (5 km). Banff Station is 6 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
Jan. 20 - Jan. 21
Moose Hotel And Suites
345 Banff Ave, Banff, ABLocated in the heart of Banff, this spa hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Banff National Park Information Centre and Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Cave and Basin National Historic Site are also within 2 miles (3 km). Banff Station is 8 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
Jan. 20 - Jan. 21
The Fox Hotel and Suites
461 Banff Ave, Banff, ABSituated in a national park, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Banff National Park Information Centre and Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Cave and Basin National Historic Site are also within 3 miles (5 km). Banff Station is 14 minutes by foot.
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