That's a big yes. Countless visitors say the Banff Gondola is worth the price for the panoramic views of six mountain ranges and the vibrant mountaintop boardwalk experience. With access to interpretive exhibits, restaurants and breathtaking photo opportunities, it’s more than just a ride — it’s a full mountain adventure.
Ticket prices vary depending on the time, day and season. Please see the ticket page to get the exact price for your desired visit date and time.
The best way to get a discount on the Banff Gondola is by purchasing a Pursuit Pass. The Pursuit Pass lets you bundle the Banff Gondola with other top attractions, offering savings of up to 40%. It’s a smart way to experience more of the Canadian Rockies for less.
No, but we strongly recommend advance bookings to avoid disappointment. The Banff Gondola is an extremely popular attraction and time slots fill up quickly during peak season. Availability is not guaranteed for walk-ins.
Yes, you should buy Banff Gondola tickets in advance, especially during weekends, holidays and the busy summer season. Buying ahead guarantees your preferred time slot and allows you to skip on-site ticket lines. Since the Banff Gondola is one of the most popular attractions in the Canadian Rockies, tickets often sell out during peak times.
Yes, but your desired time slot may be sold out. We recommend booking in advance to secure the best rate and the visit time you want. Attraction tickets are non-refundable; however, you can change your lift times using the link in your confirmation email at any time before your scheduled visit.
Yes, the Banff Gondola can sell out, especially during peak season. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment and to ensure you're able to experience this iconic attraction.
Banff Gondola tickets (including Pursuit Passes) are non-refundable. Changes can be made online up to 48 hours before your visit. If you need to make changes within 48 hours of your visit, give us a call at 1.866.756.1904 and we will do our best to help.
Yes! A one-way trip down on the Banff Gondola is available for half the regular price of admission (5 & under are free) during our Daily Operating Hours.
Please note: if you would like to take the Banff Gondola up and hike down, you must purchase a full-price ticket.
During the winter season, hikers must be aware that the trail will be covered in snow/ice. Appropriate hiking gear suitable for winter conditions is required.
Yes. All group bookings must be made 48 hours in advance through our reservations team to be eligible for a discount. A group consists of 15 people or more.
The Banff Gondola is the perfect venue for group functions. Please contact our corporate and event management team and let us custom-build the perfect group function for you. Call 1.800.661.1750 or click here for more information
No. Parks Canada requires all adult visitors to Canada’s national parks to buy a permit for the duration of their stay to support visitor services and facilities. Day Passes or a yearly Discovery Pass are available to buy in-person at Parks Canada's park gates and information centres in Banff and Jasper. Admission for youth 17 and under is free.
The Banff Gondola’s opening hours range from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. depending on the season. Check our hours and location page for up-to-date information ahead of your visit.
The Banff Gondola typically closes between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. depending on the season. Check our hours and location page for up-to-date information ahead of your visit.
The last ride up the mountain at the Banff Gondola happens 1.5 hours before closing. Check our hours and location page for up-to-date information ahead of your visit.
The summit is spectacular at any time, but we believe the best time of day for the Banff Gondola is either early morning for quiet trails and softer light or late afternoon for golden hour views and sunset magic. Not visiting during the midday rush also means fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience. Evening visits also often include live entertainment and special dining options at the summit.
The ride up the Banff Gondola is approximately 8-minutes long. The track is approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) long.
The hike will take between 1.5 and 3 hours to complete depending on fitness and trail conditions. The clear, well-marked switchback style trail is approximately 5.5 km in length, beginning in the the parking lot of the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Yes, the Banff Gondola is open year-round, except for a short maintenance period each November. You can see availability and pricing for the dates you desire on the tickets page.
Our gondola cars comfortably fit four adults. You may also be able to fit an additional small child or baby.
Yes. The Banff Gondola facilities are wheelchair accessible and easily accessed by guests who are elderly or less mobile, as well as families with children.
We provide handicapped parking within 30 meters of the entrance and ramp access into the building. All four levels within the summit complex are accessible by elevator. Seating can be found in all areas.
The gondola cabins come off the track to load and unload passengers, allowing our guests as much time as they require to board. The gondolas can accommodate most standard-sized manual and motorized wheelchairs, walking frames and mobility assistance devices with a size limit of 31" wide and 41" long and a total weight limit of 320 kg (705 lb.).
Please note: Though our facilities are wheelchair accessible, the summit boardwalk is not as it consists of 368 shallow stairs each way.
Due to the limited space in Banff Gondola cabins and the mountaintop facilities, we do not recommend strollers.
No, most visitors find it smooth, safe and relaxing. The cabins are fully enclosed, stable, and glide gently up the mountain without any sharp drops or sudden movements. Even travellers who are nervous about heights usually feel comfortable once they see how steady the ride is — and how amazing the views up the mountain are.
Pets are not permitted on the gondola or in our facilities, with the exception of service dogs*.
*Appropriate accreditation must be presented on-site. Emotional support animals are not permitted.
Stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk, where the views get better with every step, then warm up in our state-of-the-art upper terminal building. From mountaintop restaurants and interactive exhibits to a multi-sensory theatre and breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, there are endless things to do at the Banff Gondola.
The boardwalk now ends at a natural viewpoint between the Cosmic Ray Station and the historic Weather Observatory. This change helps protect the Observatory while still offering incredible views of the Rockies.
The weather can vary here in the Canadian Rockies, changing from warm summer sunshine to freezing rain and snow within an hour. At the top of the Banff Gondola, the temperature is several degrees lower than the bottom. So, no matter the season, it's wise to dress in quick-drying layers.
During winter, it's particularly important to bring proper attire. Our gondola cabins are not heated, and it can get cold and windy at the top. A winter jacket, hat, mitts, gloves and warm socks are strongly encouraged. In the event that a guest's attire is deemed unsuitable and potentially unsafe, we may need to respectfully decline their entry to the Banff Gondola.
For the safety of our guests and staff, and due to size constraints, sporting equipment such as mountain bikes, skis, snowboards, sleds are not permitted on the Banff Gondola.
Parks Canada has designated all Canadian national parks as “no drone zones” for recreational use. Fines apply — please leave your drone at home. (See Parks Canada for further details)
Very safe. The Banff Gondola has an extensive and exhaustive maintenance program, and all of our lift safety systems are tested every morning before we open. We also run tests and inspections on all of our equipment daily, monthly and yearly. Safety is our number one priority.
It is important to treat all animals with respect — keep your distance and never feed the wildlife. For more information, please visit Park Canada's website.
From Banff Avenue: Travel south to the end of the road and turn left after the Bow Bridge onto Spray Avenue. Stay right onto Mountain Avenue and follow that to the end, where you will find the Banff Gondola parking lot. Please note parking at the Banff Gondola is very limited.
The Banff Gondola is located 2.5 km from Banff town centre.
From Banff Avenue: Head south towards the Bow Bridge. Make a left turn after the Bow Bridge onto Spray Avenue. Keep to the right lane and turn onto Mountain Avenue. Follow Mountain Avenue to the end of the road, where you will find the Banff Gondola parking lot. Please note parking at the Banff Gondola is very limited.
Take advantage of the Banff ROAM Public Transit Route 1, which departs from downtown Banff to the Banff Gondola (one way cash fare: $2 per person).
During the summer, show your Banff Gondola ticket to the Route 1 bus driver and get a free return ride*.
*Valid only on Route 1 to and from the Banff Gondola on the day of your visit.
You can also ride the free Banff Gondola shuttle on Saturdays and Sundays from May 21 to June 12 and daily from June 13 to October 9 to and from Downtown Banff. View schedule
The cost of a taxi ride from the Banff Gondola to downtown Banff is approximately $10 to $15
For the most accurate Banff ROAM Public Transit arrival times, click here to view the Route 1 bus schedule. The cost of a one-way ticket is $2 per person, however, during the summer, show your Banff Gondola ticket to the bus driver and get a free return ride*.
*Valid only on Route 1 to and from the Banff Gondola on the day of your visit.
Lake Louise is 61 km from the Banff Gondola — around a 40-minute drive.
The Columbia Icefield is 187 km from the Banff Gondola — around a 2.25-hour drive.
Jasper is 292 km from the Banff Gondola — around a 3.5 hour drive.
Calgary is 133 km from the Banff Gondola — around a 1.75-hour drive.
Vancouver is 850 km from the Banff Gondola — around a 10.5-hour drive.
Yes, there are several incredible dining options at the top of the Banff Gondola.
Pick up a quick snack or cafe favourite at Starbucks at the base or Castle Mountain Coffee Co. on the summit.
Visit Sky Bistro for mountaintop fine dining, featuring regionally sourced ingredients and unbeatable views. (Reservations recommended.)
For a crowd-pleasing buffet, stop by Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen. And after a day of adventure (or right in the middle of it), there’s no better place to raise a glass than Peak Patio — Canada's highest outdoor patio.
Sky Bistro is located at the top of Sulphur Mountain, on level 3 of the Banff Gondola’s summit building. To reach the restaurant, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for the Banff Gondola. If you’ve booked our Sky Experience package during the winter, the gondola ride is included.
The Sky Experience is only available during the winter season.
Please book your Sky Experience package online by clicking here. Sky Experience is bookable 90 days in advance.
Walk-ins are accepted at Sky Bistro as capacity allows, though we highly recommend making a reservation. We have an intimate dining space with limited availability. You can easily make a reservation through OpenTable within 90 days of your visit. If you prefer to walk in, we’ll do our best to accommodate you based on availability.
The Lower Terminal is 1,583 metres (5,194 feet) above sea level, the Upper Terminal is 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) above sea level and Sanson's Peak is approximately 10 metres (33 feet) above the Upper Terminal's elevation.
No, there is no skiing on Sulphur Mountain. Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are all popular ski resorts located within Banff National Park.
The Banff Gondola is in the Spray Valley. The town of Banff is in the Bow Valley.
Lake Minnewanka. It is the largest lake in Banff National Park. Two Jack Lake can be seen in front of it.
Near Lake Minnewanka is Mount Aylmer, towering 10,375 feet (3,162 metres) above sea level.
The Bow River is fed from Bow Glacier, located along the Icefields Parkway. The Spray River is fed from Spray Lake near Canmore.
