Banff Gondola: Tickets and Tours

The Banff Gondola offers some of the most spectacular views over the snow-capped mountains, thick woodlands and shimmering lakes that make up Banff National Park.

This cable car ride will take you on a hair-raising 2,200-meter journey up to the top of Sulphur Mountain where you can immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Alberta.

By purchasing Banff Gondola tickets, you’ll be guaranteed an exciting and fascinating few hours of discovering Banff from above, on your Canadian vacation.

Here's all you need to know about Banff Gondola, one of the most exciting attractions in Banff.

How much do Banff Gondola tickets cost?

Banff Gondola tickets fluctuate in price and are determined by the projected visitation of the site on the day of your planned visit.

This dynamic pricing allows the operators to stay in control of crowds, enabling all visitors to have the most pleasant experience. You’ll typically secure the best price by booking as far in advance as possible.

However, this does mean you’ll have no idea what the weather will be on your chosen day.

The prices listed below are approximate ranges and depend on when you visit.

• Adults: CA$55 (US$40) - CA$70 (US$51)
• Children ages 6-15: CA$25 (US$18) - CA$39 (US$29)
• Children under 5: Free

While children under the age of 5 can travel for free, they still need to hold a Banff Gondola ticket, which can be purchased through the official site.

They will also be expected to sit on the lap of another member of the party for the duration of the ride.

The Banff Gondola pricing is not inclusive of taxes, which mark up the tickets by an additional 5%.

If you choose to hike up to the top of Banff Gondola, you can take the cable car back to the ground for half the price of a full ticket. However, if you choose to take the gondola up and hike down, you’ll pay the full admission rate.

Who is eligible for discounts?

Local residents of Alberta can save between CA$10 (US$7) and CA$12 (US$9) on their Banff Gondola entry fee, depending on the date and time of their visit.

They can also save between CA$5 (US$4) and CA$7 (US$5) on children's passes.

What are the best Banff Gondola tours?

There are a couple of different options to choose from when it comes to deciding on your Banff Gondola tour. These experiences are family-friendly and bound to be a highlight of your trip.

Banff Gondola tour

By purchasing Banff Gondola tickets, you can take yourself on a self-guided tour from the base of Sulphur Mountain to its lofty peak.

You’ll step into a gondola carriage and ascend over 2,000 meters, gaining an enchanting view of the landscape as you soar high above the town of Banff.

This is one of the most unique sights in Banff National Park and is a must-see on most visitors’ bucket lists.

Reaching the summit, you can explore each of the building’s attractions at your own leisure. Wander along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, which is the ideal place to snap a selfie surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains.

You can also visit the Interpretive Center and discover many remarkable facts about this corner of Alberta.

Without any time restraints, you can relax and enjoy a mouthwatering meal or a simple drink as you admire the dramatic landscape that surrounds you, and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Sunshine Village sightseeing gondola tour in Banff

An alternative way to explore Banff from above is to head to the base of the Sunshine Village Gondola, located to the southwest of Banff town.

Boarding an eight-person gondola, you’ll embark on a mesmerizing 20-minute journey up to the ski village, which straddles three peaks and boasts some of the best skiing around.

Here, you can take time to amble around the village or continue up Mount Standish. Those pressed for time can take the chairlift, which transports visitors to an elevation of over 2,400 meters. Alternatively, keen hikers can trek up the slopes to reach the panoramic viewpoint, which reaches as far as Lake Louise. The viewing deck is the highest in the vicinity, treating visitors to an unparalleled bird’s eye view over the national park.

The other two mountains that surround Sunshine Village are Lookout Mountain and Eagle Mountain — also known as Goat’s Eye Mountain.

Should you book Banff Gondola tickets in advance?

Although you can purchase your Banff Gondola tickets onsite on the day of your planned visit, it’s advisable to book your passes online in advance. By doing so, you’ll be able to compare prices for different dates and secure the best rates.

You’ll also have the ability to choose your time slot and can see how busy the attraction is projected to be.

If you know that you want to take a Banff Gondola tour while on your Alberta vacation, consider purchasing your tickets before your trip so that you can spend your time in Canada sightseeing rather than organizing activities.

All tickets are fully refundable up until 48 hours before your booking. This enables you to book your Banff Gondola tickets with confidence, knowing you can easily rearrange your experience if your itinerary suddenly changes.

What will you see from the Banff Gondola?

Banff Gondola transports nature enthusiasts and thrill seekers up Sulphur Mountain, which is named after its thermal hot springs.

This peak dominates the landscape at over 2,450 meters high. You can ascend to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in approximately 8 minutes on the Banff Gondola.

As you travel seamlessly above the slopes, you’ll be blessed with panoramic views over the Banff National Park, which include the Rocky Mountains. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll find there are four different levels for you to discover at your leisure.

Level one is home to the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk — the most popular attraction. This scenic walk stretches for a kilometer along a wooden boardwalk at an elevation of over 2,280 meters.

You’ll feel like an intrepid adventurer as you stroll among the mountains and pine trees that form the dramatic landscape in this corner of Banff National Park.

On level two, you’ll find an interpretive center, which educates visitors on the history and geology of Banff, including its resident wildlife in a fun, and interactive way.

Moving on up to level three, visitors can discover the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, while level four is home to a rooftop observation deck, which offers the best views of the mountain range.

From this vantage point, you’ll be able to see as far as both Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise. Lake Minnewanka is the largest body of water within Banff National Park and is famous for its sunken village that exists under the surface of the water.

Lake Louise is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Alberta, known for the fairytale hotel that lines its shores.

Both of these lakes are glacier-fed and rock flour deposits in the water cause them both to appear a vibrant turquoise shade during the winter months. From this observation deck, the lakes appear even more impressive against a backdrop of dark green forests and imposing grey mountains.

During the winter months, you can be awed by the Nightrise experience on the Banff Gondola.

After dark, you’ll be treated to a vibrant display of four art installations, which range from colorful lights to video projections and powerful music.

The purpose of this display is to pay respect to the mountains, as the Stoney Nakoda people — the original indigenous tribe that settled in the mountain range — did.

How to get to the Banff Gondola?

The Banff Gondola is located approximately 2.5 kilometers outside of the town center and can be found along Mountain Avenue. Those with access to a car can drive south of downtown Banff and reach the site in around 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of Banff’s public shuttle bus service, which transports visitors to some of the best sites around the town and in the national park.

Board the Roam Transit Route 1, which leaves from Marmot Crescent and takes just under 20 minutes to reach the gondola. Rides on this service are budget-friendly and tickets cost approximately CA$2 (US$1.50) per adult.

It’s worth noting that parking can be extremely limited in the Banff Gondola car park, so you may wish to consider using public transportation even if you have access to a car.

When is the best time to visit the Banff Gondola?

The best time for your Banff Gondola tour depends on the type of experience you’d like to have.

If you want to see Banff National transformed into a magical wonderland with a thick frosting of snow, you should consider visiting during the winter season.

Alternatively, if you’d like to gain a clearer view of the dense pine forests and sky-scraping peaks that form the national park, you may wish to book your Banff Gondola tickets for the summer months.

The Banff Gondola operates 7 days a week. However, the opening times change throughout the year, as you can see in the timetable below:

• Apr 1.- Apr. 30: 10 AM- 9 PM
• May 1- June 11: 8 AM- 9 PM
• June 28- Sept. 4: 8 AM - 10 PM
• Sept. 5- Oct. 9: 9 AM- 9 PM

The Banff Gondola also runs from Jan. 9 to March 31, although its opening times change depending on the day.

From Sunday to Thursday, you can access the gondola between 10 AM and 9 PM, while the service runs for an additional hour on Fridays, and Saturdays, closing at 10 PM.

It’s worth noting that, regardless of the time of year, the final ride of the day usually takes place 1.5 hours before closing time.

Whichever time of year you book your excursion for, you’ll find that visiting before 12 PM or after 5 PM will enable you to avoid the vast majority of crowds and enjoy a peaceful experience.

Travel tips

• Because of the high altitude at the top of the Banff Gondola, you’ll find the temperature to be a few degrees lower than at ground level. Wrap up in several layers and pack additional clothing with you for your excursion.
• You should allow approximately 2 hours for your entire Banff Gondola experience.
• If you choose to hike up Sulphur Mountain and take the gondola back to the ground, you can expect the trail to take between 1.5, and 3 hours, depending on your overall level of fitness. The trail is approximately 5.5 kilometers in length and is easy to follow.
• There are several dining options to choose from at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. For a memorable experience, consider toasting your loved ones over a glass of bubbly and a meal at one of the onsite restaurants.