Five Best Things to do in Banff National Park During the Winter

Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is (in my opinion) one of the most spectacular places on the planet. In fact, it is actually my favorite place of all time. By a long shot. That's because the mountains are dramatic, the lakes are turquoise and majestic, the wildlife is otherworldly, the cabin culture is on point, and the trees are ginormous - just to name a few reasons. And, to top it all off, Banff is incredible to visit no matter the season. One season in particular is extra magical, however, and that season is winter.

There's a certain magic to winter in Banff that is hard to rival anywhere in the world. That's because the snow-capped mountains become more covered in snow. It's also because all of the trees glisten beneath white powder, the cabin vibes grow stronger, and the already serene beauty of the place becomes just a little bit more serene. Sure, maybe you hate the cold. Who truly doesn't? But with the right layers, those epic Canadian rocky views will make you forget the cold even exists. Trust me. As soon as you experience a snowfall in the Rocky Mountains you'll wish for another one immediately after.

So, what are the best spots in Banff to visit during the winter? Well, I don't think you can really go wrong anywhere in Banff. Some famous lakes / trails are hard to access during the winter though (Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake, for instance), so some spots are better than others. To get you started, here's a list of some of the best spots in Banff that I've visited and made me fall in love with the place all over again:

Lake Louise

No list about the best spots in Banff (no matter the season) will ever be complete without Lake Louise. That's because it's the ultra famous, mountain-framed, turquoise lake that everyone canoes around during the summer time. Because of this, it is also one of the most (if not the most) photographed places in Canada.

In the winter, the view is just as epic. The only difference is that you can skate on the lake, hike around it and even snowboard / ski at Lake Louise Ski Resort just across the way. And, of course, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is situated at the foot of the lake, so you can pop in for a burger and a beer at the hotel's restaurant, stare out at the mountains and lake, and day dream about moving to Banff someday. Or, if you're feeling like dropping some serious cash, spend the night there!

Bow Lake

As mentioned above, some of the lakes are not easily accessible during the winter. Bow Lake, however, simply requires a quick pull off the highway, a thirty second trail walk, and you're there. And it's beautiful. Three massive peaks jut across the sky. A small wooden bridge leads toward the lake (which is perfect for Instagram photos). And, unlike Lake Louise, Bow Lake is not that packed with people, meaning you can snap as many photos as you like without having to Photoshop anyone out of the background.

The Big Three Resorts

Now, snowboarding / skiing in the Canadian Rockies is definitely one of the top things to do in Banff during the winter, but the question is - where should you go if you've never experienced it before? The answer is the big three ski resorts, which are Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay. I've never boarded on Norquay, and I've heard it's just "ok," so, if you're tight on time, definitely stick to the other two.

Sunshine is a great bet if you're really short on time, as it's only about a twenty minute drive from Banff, carries you on a gondola from the parking lot into a mountain valley, and then lets you board on several perfect peaks in (you better believe it) sunshine. Lake Louise is my all time favorite, however, so if you've got the time, take the 45 minute drive out there, shred the backbowls, and enjoy an apres ski beer on their heated patio after.

Downtown Banff

The town of Banff itself is magical, so it should come as no surprise that it is one of the best spots in Banff during the winter time. Walking down the street with a coffee in hand, popping into all of the shops, and staring at the snow-covered peaks is honestly something out of a fairy tale. And, when you're tired at night from all of your day hiking, you can pop into one of the wicked restaurants / bars on the strip, such as High Rollers, which is a craft beer bar with great pizza and a bowling alley. There's also a Christmas Market there during the holidays. It's not the worst place to pick up a last minute gift!

Yoho National Park - Emerald Lake

Though Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park isn't technically in Banff, I do think it's worth mentioning here, as it's only about an hour or so from Banff, allows you to see another epic Canadian National Park, and, in my opinion, feels a lot more like the wildnerness than Banff does. That's because Yoho isn't quite as touristy as Banff. The roads into Yoho also seem to dip more into the valleys and rise higher up the sides of the mountains, making for a more adrenaline-packed journey.

Emerald Lake itself offers views of massive, rocky and dramatic peaks. There's also a beautiful wood cabin that is perfect for photographing, and also offers a pretty wicked chilli lunch with a beer for when you're done hiking around. Plus, you're Instagram followers will appreciate a Rocky Mountain shot that isn't at Lake Louise - because we've all seen that place photographed ten thousand times.

So, if you're up for a cozy cabin trip this winter, definitely check out Banff. It is loaded with tons of great view points, hikes and photo opportunities that will leave you and all of your followers speechless. And the apres ski beers never hurt anyone either. Happy Rocky Mountain exploring.

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