Christmas in Banff, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, was a childhood dream come true – a magical wilderness of mountain peaks and frozen lakes, of special wildlife encounters and fairytale forests. Banff National Park, covered in a blanket of snow and twinkling lights, captured our hearts and gave us memories that will stay with us forever.
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Christmas in Banff
A magical white Christmas in the heart of Banff National Park would have to be one of the best ways to spend Christmas. I say one of the best because Christmas in the Swiss Alps is definitely up there on par. To be surrounded by majestic mountains, snow-crusted pine trees and snuggled in a cosy log cabin, has to make for a very special white Christmas.
Christmas Day in Banff National Park
Our trip began in Vancouver, where we had spent about four days getting into the Christmas spirit, visiting the sights and Christmas Markets. We then flew to Calgary, hired a car and drove 130 kilometres for our Christmas in Banff. My mum and grandmother were both Canadian, so for me, having never visited Canada before, this was a wish I’d held close to my heart for a long time.
Summary: What to do in Banff at Christmas
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Explore Banff Town
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Sip your way through Hot Chocolate Trail
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Take a snowy sleigh ride through Banff
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Indulge in a fabulous fondue at the Grizzly House
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Visit the Fairmont Banff Springs
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Be enthralled by the ‘Search of Christmas Spirit’
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Visit the Banff Christmas Markets
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Soothe yourself in the Banff Hot Springs
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Visit the Lake of the Spirits, Banff’s Lake Minnewanka
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Take a Banff Wildlife Tour
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Escape to the Hoodoos
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Visit Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
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Explore Lake Louise by horse and sleigh
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Have High Tea at the Fairmont Chateau
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Hike Tunnel Mountain
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Soar the heights on a Banff Gondola ride
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Spend Christmas in a log cabin in Banff National Park
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Snow-shoe through the forest
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers over 6000 square kilometres and is home to glaciers, mountain peaks and valleys, stunning glacial-fed lakes and abundant wildlife such as wolves, buffalo, elk, moose, deer and bears. A wonderful natural wilderness to wander and explore.
Map – Christmas in Banff
Things to do at Christmas in Banff
Beautiful in all seasons, but in winter, and especially at Christmas, Banff National Park transforms into a pristine magical winter wonderland.
In this post, I highlight the best places, experiences and sights to see both in the town of Banff and the beautiful Banff National Park at Christmas time.
1. Explore Banff Town
The main street in Banff
Banff, within Banff National Park, is a popular resort town in winter where you’ll find many ski and winter sports enthusiasts indulging in the infectious Christmas in Banff spirit.
The streets are lined with tempting boutiques and the tantalising smells from the restaurants compete to draw you inside. Come evening, the street snow glistens reflecting the Christmas fairy lights sparkling with festive spirit and the bars come alive with the aprés-ski crowd.
We began our stay at the Fox Hotel and Suites, as it was right in town, had underground parking and a great buffet breakfast.
Wandering around the twinkling streets of this winter wonderland, you can spot deer foraging for food, which adds just that extra special little Christmassy touch.
Deer on Banff Street
2. Sip Your Way Through a Festive Hot Chocolate Trail
What better way to warm up and start your Christmas in Banff than on a Hot Chocolate Trail.
Twenty-four of the cafes and restaurants in Banff and Lake Louise offer a festive-themed hot chocolate. Why not try ‘Santa’s Hot Chocolate’, a ‘Black Forest’ or a ‘Snow Angel’. The tantalising flavours, toppings and ‘cocktailish’ names are all enough to entice you out for a comforting Christmas tipple – with many having warming ingredients that come with the ‘Adults Only’ label too.
DATES: This year’s Hot Chocolate Trail runs from November 20, 2021 – January 2, 2022
3. Experience a quintessential cosy Snowy Sleigh Ride through the Banff National Park
This tour leaves from Banff and takes you on a winter wonderland wander through the Banff National Park. You can cosy up under winter blankets and enjoy toasting marshmallows as the finale.
You can also book for just a family of four and as a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride for two.
4. Enjoy a Fondue at the Famous Grizzly House Fondue Restaurant
Our visit wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the famous fondue restaurant, Grizzly House in the centre of Banff. Operating since 1967, this eclectic and rustic restaurant is renowned for its fondue and sizzling hot plates.
The menu includes meats that aren’t your everyday fares, such as caribou, elk, buffalo, alligator and rattlesnake. Enjoy a cheese fondue to start, a selection of exotic meats on a hot plate and finish off with a fruit dipped in chocolate fondue.
An indulgent meal – but that’s just what cozy winter food is all about.
5. Visit Fairmont Banff Springs
Fairmont Banff Springs
Nestled in the mountains overlooking the town sits the Fairmont Banff Springs luxury hotel. The original hotel was built in 1888 as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway hotel network.
The hotel gets its name due to it being near to the famous Cave and Basin Hot Springs. These were discovered back in 1883 by three Canadian Pacific Railway workers at the foot of Sulphur Mountain. The discovery captured the attention of the nation and thus led to the creation of Banff National Park.
6. Be enthralled by the ‘Search of Christmas Spirit’
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is presenting, ‘Search of Christmas Spirit’, a FREE sensory extravaganza of light and sound.
The experience celebrates the incredible animals who live in Banff National Park, reflecting the cherished healing and restorative powers of this land, and tells an inspiring story of hope and unity.
DATES: The trail runs from November 20, 2021 – January 2, 2022
7. Make Merry at the Banff Christmas Markets
The Banff Christmas Market and the Santa Claus Parade in Banff are sure to be a winner.
8. Rejuvenate in Banff Hot Springs
You can also take a trip to the rejuvenating, Banff Hot Springs, Upper Hot Springs, especially if you have been skiing on the many slopes in the area – something to soothe the aching muscles.
NOTE: As of FEB 2021, Banff Hot Springs closed due to Covid 19. Check this website for any opening dates.
Banff Hot Springs
9. Visit Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park
Five kilometres from Banff is Lake Minnewanka, a large, glacial lake, where the stark mountains stand like sentinels guarding this precious resource. The indigenous people called it Minn-waki (Lake of the Spirits) and early European settlers later named it Devil’s Lake.
It now conceals a ghost town, deep in its depths – a hidden, buried village, that only scuba divers get to visit. In winter, with the lake frozen, an eerie stillness wraps around you.
We crunched our way over ice and snow to the very edge of the frozen lake. With the cold nipping fiercely at our exposed skin, we looked out across the vast expanse of mystical Lake Minnewanke. The immense beauty of this austere Banff winter landscape will take your breath away. Standing on its shores, knowing that for hundreds of centuries people have stood here before you, is very humbling.
10. Take a Banff Wildlife Tour
Banff has an abundance of wildlife, including mule deers, elk, moose, white-tailed deer, coyotes, wolves, big-horn sheep and bears. You will see some of the deer in the streets of Banff but to search for more of its wildlife, we’d recommend taking a tour around the area.
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour we took, which included the main landmarks around Banff and an interesting commentary about the wildlife and their habits.
If you are interested in the wildlife then we’d also recommend a visit to the Banff Park Museum in the town. It is itself a National Historic site and is the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada.
11. Visit Banff Hoodoos – Chiminées de fées
The Banff Hoodoos, centre-front of the photo
Christmas in Banff can be a little hectic but an escape awaits you closeby. The Hoodoos. A fascinating name for these pillars of rock formed from years of erosion.
What really sets them apart is the spectacular scenery around them. With the snow-covered Mount Rundle as the backdrop and the swirly Bow River below, this winter scene is pretty much picture perfect.
12. Visit Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
About an hours drive east of Banff you’ll find the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Winter is one of the best times to visit as this is when the wolves are at their most active, enjoying the cold snowy conditions.
We decided to do the interactive tour which cost about $54 each and required prior booking. It was well worth it though, as you are able to get up close and personal with the wolfdogs and can even hand feed them. Being so close with these amazing animals was a privilege and an absolute wonder.
For more details check out their website.
Hand feeding a wolfdog at Yamnuska
Yamnuska wolfdogs
13. Explore Lake Louise in Banff National Park
Lake Louise Banff National Park
Within Banff National Park, about 40-minutes drive from the town of Banff, you arrive at the fairytale village of Lake Louise. Here you’ll find the luxury mountain resort, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
The main attraction, however, has to be Lake Louise itself, a bewilderingly beautiful glacial Lake. Its summer splendour is often seen adorning magazines and Instagram, but its winter wonder is just as captivating. It’s free to ice skate on the lake and what better way to remember your Christmas in Banff than by grabbing a ride with a horse and sleigh.
What can be more magical than taking a horse-driven sleigh ride around Lake Louise?
14. Indulge in a Christmas High Tea at Fairmont Chateau – Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise
If a winter stay at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Hotel doesn’t fit into your budget, why not treat yourself to a decadent high tea? We did and it was truly scrumptious, a perfect afternoon Christmas treat. Make sure to pre-book. Lake Louise tourism, in general, is busy, but around Christmas time it is a super popular spot.
High Tea overlooking Lake Louise, Banff National Park
We could see Lake Louise through the window and, as we devoured these delicacies, we watched a winter wedding down by the lake. The bride must have been freezing as she had a short sleeve wedding dress. Guests were sat with blankets in this unforgettable setting, but I imagine they were pretty chilly – I think it was about minus 15 degrees C at that time!
15. Hike Tunnel Mountain, Banff
View from Tunnel Mountain, Banff
Set amidst the majestic Canadian Rockies, in Banff National Park, is Tunnel Mountain, one of Banff’s most popular mountains. The hike up is an easy 4.3 kilometre round trip, starting from downtown Banff. The trail takes you through pine and fir trees and rewards you with amazing views across to Mount Rundle.
Deer happily munching away on the street in Banff
16. Take a Banff Gondola Trip
Banff has its own gondola that takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain. From here, you have an incredible view back down to the town and across the mountain ranges.
Stroll along the ridge-top boardwalk and take in the spectacular breath-taking vista. It can get pretty cold up there though – so make sure to wrap up warm. Both our iPhones shut down just after this photo. You can understand why – it was minus 25 degrees C.
Boardwalk at the top of Sulphur Mountain, Banff
17. Spend Christmas in a Banff National Park Log Cabin
We planned the perfect romantic retreat for Christmas Eve. A snow-covered log cabin in the middle of the forest. You can’t get much more enchanting than that.
We chose Storm Mountain Lodge, halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, and it was delightful. We snuggled down in our cozy log cabin with a crackling fire and hot mulled wine.
Here, below the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, in the pristine wilderness of Banff National Park, surrounded by glistening snow and hundreds of white-tipped pine trees – we were in heaven.
18. Snow Shoe in Banff National Park
We woke on Christmas morning to find that Santa had brought clear blue skies and sunshine to Banff National Park. The perfect day to have a snowshoe trip through the forest.
The restaurant and reception area of the Snow Mountain Lodge
Snow-shoeing through Banff National Park
The lodge provides snowshoes for free and there is a return trail that takes you through the forest. Afterwards, we settled ourselves in front of the roaring fire in the restaurant lobby to warm up, followed by a sumptuous Christmas dinner. We might have had a couple of hot toddies too… just a couple;)
The perfect end to a wondrous winter trip in Banff National Park. Our Christmas in Banff National Park, with its incredible nature and wildlife, had us thinking about a return to explore the area in the summer sometime in the future.
Good to Know for Christmas in Banff
Banff Accommodation
Looking for accommodation in Banff? We stayed at Fox Hotel and Suites and at Storm Mountain Lodge Cabins and would recommend both.
For many more options, check out the best hotels in Banff here.
Other Banff Winter Activities
You can read about other activities available in and around Banff here.
As you can see there are plenty of things to do during Christmas in Banff. If you have any other good suggestions let us know and enjoy your white magical Banff Christmas.
Leave us a message in the comments.
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Hi Gord, thanks for your comment. We agree Banff is a magical Christmas setting. We didn’t take the Rocky Mountaineer Train but thanks for the extra information for our readers.
Lars and Shelley, thanks for the nice post. You’ve been to some interesting place. It’s hard to beat Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise for a magical Xmas setting. Banff is amazing and for a week’s vacation, it’s very satisfying. Your readers should know they can take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff for the best vacation of a lifetime.
Hi Anne, glad you enjoyed the post. The wolfdog sanctuary is a lovely experience and would be great any time of year, as would visiting Canada I guess! We’d really like to go back and see it all in the spring or summertime. The Vancouver marathon sounds like a great reason to visit for you. Are you planning for this year or next?
Thank you for a great post, beautiful photos! Even though I am not a winter person, this really made me want to go there during winter. I was most curious about the wolfdog sanctuary since I love wild animals, especially wolves. Apart from a one-day trip to Niagara Falls, I’ve never been to Canada and I’ve always wanted to go to Vancouver. So maybe I could make a trip combining both (the Vancouver Marathon is in the month of May though, so maybe I’ll go during that time a year anyway…) Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Sarah – we want to do the opposite and go in the summer 🙂 We just loved it here and had a fabulous experience.
I have been to Banff in the summer, but never in the winter, but now I kind of want to go during the colder months. There are so many great places and things to do there at any time of the year.
Thanks Marnie – we really had a fantastic time in Banff National Park and would love to see it in Summer. That afternoon tea was really scrummy:)
Definitely a magical place to spend the holidays! The snow resting on the wolf’s fur makes them seem other-worldly somehow, but that may just be because I’ve been in Florida too long. 🙂
And oh my gosh, if I’m ever up that way, I will be spending tea time the same way you guys did.
Hi Sabena, thanks for stopping by. You’re right – it was amazing. So much so that we are planning a return visit. Hope you have the chance to experience Banff too!
You make me want to travel here! Looks amazing!! 💕
Oh we’d love to go in summer – it must be so different! Glad you enjoyed the post – thanks guys x
Great post about an awesome place. We visited in late summer years ago. Winter looks enticing!