All Ages
Age
Dec-Apr
Season

Combo Package; tour the must see highlights of Banff, then experience the new ‘Nightrise’ event after dark at the Banff Gondola.

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Included: Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour (8:30am – 11:30am)

Build a connection to our World Heritage Site as you visit Banff’s landmarks, learn its history and view wildlife in their natural winter habitat. This morning tour will include some of the most scenic and historically significant highlights of Banff such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint and Lake Minnewanka. Plus, enjoy hot chocolate and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. It’s a great tour for seeing wildlife in the morning.

Included: Nightrise at the Banff Gondola (various evening times available)

Sit back and relax in a four passenger, modern glass enclosed gondola as your soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. Marvel at the unsurpassed view of Banff, the Bow Valley and a 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) above sea level from the observation deck. This state-of-the-art summit facility has restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree observation deck.

See the Banff Gondola’s new experience Nightrise, as the summit transforms into an immersive evening for the senses. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections and music bring the summit to life in a new and unexpected way. When the sun goes down, step inside the gondola, leaving behind the light of day for the radiance of night. At the top, you’ll get the chance to explore the many levels of the summit building, as well as the outdoor terraces, discovering mysterious fleeting wonders that only emerge after dark.

Activities in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.

The best parts of the Discover Banff & Its Wildlife tour for most people include the following:

1

Bow Falls

Water crashes over ancient limestone creating a spectacle of sound and sight.
2

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

The ‘Castle of the Rockies’ is the railway’s contribution to the building of Canada.
3

Surprise Corner Lookout

See a higher view of Bow Falls and the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
4

Hoodoos Viewpoint

What is a hoodoo? Understand the lay of the land as you look out over the Bow Valley.
5

Lake Minnewanka

Learn about an underwater village and native history with a pleasant break at Banff National Park’s largest lake.

The best parts of the Nightrise at the Banff Gondola for most people include the following:

1

Ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain

Take an eight-minute journey in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin over the treetops up to a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at 2,281 metres (7,486 feet).
2

Nightrise Experience

At Nightrise, the summit transforms into an immersive evening for the senses. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections and music bring the summit to life in a new and unexpected way.
The tour begins at 8:30am and returns around 11:30am, approximately three hours.
The half-day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour to see some of the local highlights such as the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka. The tour includes several stops, including a brief break with a maple cookie snack and hot chocolate, and hands on interpretive tools.
We pick up from most hotels in Banff, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tour, and a popular central downtown meeting point is the public bus parking area behind the Mt Royal Hotel (the hotel address is 138 Banff Avenue).

Most guests choose to self-drive into Banff, although please note that you will need to find parking in Banff that exceeds the duration of the tour. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the banffparking.ca website for live parking availability. For guests staying in Canmore, you can also use the Roam bus service and disembark at the Banff High School. The closest pick up point to the Banff High School is across the road at the Elk and Avenue Hotel.

There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and we often spot animals, however we do not guarantee seeing wildlife on any of our tours. Our guides have a lot of knowledge about the animals within the park and can fill you in about them if you see any wildlife or if you have any questions.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
The Gondola Station is at the end of Mountain Avenue in Banff, about a five minute drive from downtown. Detailed driving directions will be included with your booking confirmation.

Alternatively, guests can catch the Roam Transit bus or the free winter shuttle bus to the gondola on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The gondola ride is approximately eight minutes each way. The suggested total visit time is 1.5 – 2 hours.
Step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) and stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step. Then warm up in the newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility with new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck.

Several scenic hiking trails lead away from the summit complex. One of the most popular is the self-guided interpretive Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak on which you can follow in the footsteps of Norman Sanson, who walked to the top of the mountain about every week for 30 years to check the weather.

At Nightrise, the summit transforms into an immersive evening for the senses. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections and music bring the summit to life in a new and unexpected way. This unique winter gathering merges immersive multimedia and nature for a new and inspiring take on a familiar location. Complementing the existing offer of food and drinks, Nightrise is an unforgettable evening of entertainment with friends and family.
The modern, fully-enclosed gondola cabins each comfortably fit four adults. A young child or baby may be possible to make five.
During the evenings, it’s particularly important to dress in proper winter attire. The gondola cabins are not heated, and it can get cold and windy at the top. For your safety, a winter jacket, warm socks and winter footwear are required.
Nightrise does feature moving and coloured lights that could trigger seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy. It also includes fog/smoke machines.
The gondola tickets are non-refundable.
  • Activities in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
  • All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Pets are not permitted on the gondola or in the facilities.
  • Please be aware that Nightrise features moving and coloured lights that could trigger seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy. It also includes fog/smoke machines.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
  • Please note that the Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
Hoodoos viewpoint winter photos with Discover Banff Tours
Hoodoods viewpoint on the winter Discover Banff Tour
Hoodoos winter viewpoint guided tour with Discover Banff Tours
Guided tour of the Hoodoos viewpoint with Discover Banff Tours
See Elk on the Discover Banff and Its Wildlife Winter Tour
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife with Discover Banff Tours
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife with Discover Banff Tours
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Winter from Surprise Corner
Our friendly guides will show you the best winter sightseeing spots in Banff
Winter Banff Gondola in Banff National Park
Nightrise at the Banff Gondola with Discover Banff Tours
Banff Gondola Nightrise Experience with Discover Banff Tours
Banff Gondola Nightrise Experience with Discover Banff Tours