| Banff Canada is a winter lover's paradise. Just about | | | | restaurant and rooftop observation area. Also located |
| every winter outdoor activity imaginable can be | | | | on the summit is a 1km long board walk that winds |
| found in the area since it is located within Banff | | | | along the Sulphur Mountain ridge to the Cosmic Ray |
| National Park. There is so much to do visitors may | | | | Station National Historic Site. |
| have to plan their trips carefully in order to fully | | | | Ice Climbing |
| experience what Banff has to offer. | | | | Some of the best ice climbing areas in the world are |
| Banff Winter Festival | | | | located in Banff National Park. Yamnuska Mountain |
| The Banff Winter Festival is an annual event in | | | | Adventures has been in the ice climbing business for |
| January and February of every year. The festival | | | | over 30 years. Owned and operated by certified |
| features winter activities, including a cross-country | | | | climber/guides, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures |
| skiing race, the "Mountain Madness" relay race from | | | | offers day programs for the novice with no ice |
| the top of Mount Norquay to Central Park, an ice | | | | climbing experience, weeklong programs, and |
| sculpture contest, ice skating, and the Banff Town | | | | intensive semester programs for the serious |
| Party at Wild Bill's. The Town Party has been the | | | | mountaineer. |
| Banff social event of the year since 1917. | | | | Calgary Flames |
| Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise | | | | Take a day trip to Calgary to catch the Calgary |
| Within Banff National Park are three world renowned | | | | Flames of the NHL. After all, hockey is a purely |
| ski resorts - Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake | | | | Canadian sport. A live hockey game is full of action |
| Louise. Collectively, these three resorts provide more | | | | the whole family can enjoy. Many hotels in Banff |
| than 240 trails on more than 7700 acres of skiing | | | | offer transportation to and from the Flames home |
| terrain. No matter what the ability of the skier, any | | | | games in Calgary. |
| of these resorts can comply with groomed runs | | | | Ice Walks |
| rated from novice green to advanced double-black | | | | Three different canyons in the area can offer a |
| diamond, bowls, chutes, gullies, and terrain parks. | | | | unique experience: ice walks. The ice walk through |
| Sunshine Village even offers on-site accommodations | | | | Grotto Canyon on a frozen creek features ancient |
| while all three resorts offer shuttle service to and | | | | rock art, ice falls, and unusual rock formations. |
| from Banff. | | | | Johnston Canyon is quite popular where steel |
| Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | | | | walkways have been built into the canyon walls. |
| For backcountry winter activities, Kicking Horse is the | | | | Thirdly, along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka, the |
| place to go. There's plenty of cross-country skiing, | | | | sound of the frozen lake's crackling ice cap pervades |
| snowshoeing, helicopter skiing, authentic "Telemark" | | | | the air as you journey to Stewart Canyon Bridge and |
| skiing, and ice climbing. The resort also offers aerial | | | | warm up next to a campfire and roast marshmallows. |
| sight-seeing trips and "tubing" down the slopes at the | | | | Winter wildlife tour |
| base of the Catamount Chair. Kicking Horse is a | | | | During the winter deep snows at high elevations drive |
| definite must-see for the winter activity enthusiast. | | | | the animals to the valleys, providing excellent |
| Dog Sledding | | | | opportunities for viewing them in their natural |
| Not many places offer dog sledding but this can be | | | | environment. The Winter Wildlife Tour, offered in |
| taken advantage of in Banff. Howling Dog Tours is | | | | Banff National Park, boasts that wildlife is seen on |
| one such outfit that offers a hands-on dog sledding | | | | 95% of the tours and is the best wildlife tour |
| experience. You can travel either as a passenger or | | | | available. |
| learn to drive a dog sled team. Dog sledding offers a | | | | Outdoor Ice Skating |
| unique perspective on the Canadian Rockies during | | | | Locals and visitors alike enjoy skating on various |
| winter time. | | | | ponds, rivers, lakes, and artificial outdoor rinks. |
| Sulphur Mountain Gondola | | | | Skating spots include Forty Mile Creek, Johnston |
| Since 1959 the Banff Gondola, located 5 minutes | | | | Lake, Two Jack Lake, Lake Louise. However, it is |
| from Banff on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain, has | | | | very important to inquire with locals about the |
| offered 360 degree views from the mountain | | | | current conditions for skating on any of these spots |
| summit. Within the summit gondola terminal is a | | | | before venturing out yourself. |