Is the Banff Gondola Worth It? My Honest Review + Full Guide

Imagine yourself gazing out upon endless emerald waves. Jagged rock faces ascend formidably into the sky. Unexplored frontiers sing like sirens from beyond the populated towns. This near ethereal fantasy becomes reality at the top of Sulphur Mountain, where the Banff Gondola summits. 

With scenic 360° views of the monumental Canadian Rockies, the Banff Gondola is one of the most popular things to do in Banff. You’ll climb Sulphur Mountain in a comfortable cable car, gaining nearly 700 meters in elevation (almost 2,300 feet!), while the pine-covered mountains manifest in every direction. 

This detailed guide to the Banff Gondola will help you decide whether or not to add this excursion to your Banff itinerary. With its expensive pricing and highly sought-after tickets, you’re probably wondering is the Banff Gondola worth it? I’ll dive into the Banff Gondola experience, sharing important tips about how to make the most of this incredible Banff National Park experience!

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Where is the Banff Gondola?

The Banff Gondola is located right outside the town of Banff, about five kilometers from the center of town. This sightseeing gondola in Banff is situated on Sulphur Mountain, a pine-covered peak with incredible views of Mt. Rundle, Mt. Norquay and Cascade Mountain. Banff Gondola base station sits at ~1,500 meters and climbs to ~2,000 meters (summit station), a total of 700 meters of elevation gain. 

How to Get to Banff Gondola from Banff Town

To get to Banff Gondola from the town of Banff you can either drive and park your vehicle at the base station lot or catch the Banff Gondola shuttle or Roam bus from the town of Banff to the gondola. 

Parking at the Banff Gondola is expensive, around $17.50 CAD per vehicle, and can often be challenging to find open spaces, especially during peak season. However, it is a convenient option for travelers needing accessibility accommodations. Banff Gondola Parking is located at the base station on Sulphur Mountain. There are two parking lots at the Banff Gondola, one directly adjacent to the base station, and an Upper Hot Springs lot. 

My recommendation is to park at the Banff Train Station, a free parking lot in Banff, and catch the Banff Gondola shuttle. From mid-May to mid-October, these shuttles are included with your ticket! You can also catch the Roam Bus 1 from Banff to Sulphur Mountain. Normally $2 CAD for bus rides, the Roam Bus is free for Banff Gondola ticket holders. Public transport in Banff is highly efficient, the most sustainable way to explore Banff!

Banff Gondola Tickets and What’s Included

Banff Gondola tickets generally range from $88 to $95 CAD for adults and around $55 CAD for children ages 6-15, however prices are dynamic – they fluctuate with demand and season – so the exact cost varies. Residents local to Alberta can purchase tickets for a discounted rate. 

The basic Banff Gondola ticket includes the round-trip ride to the summit station, access to the Above Banff Interpretive Centre (summit station) and its outdoor observation deck, access to all the local restaurants (dining prices vary), and access to Sanson’s Peak boardwalk. If you prefer to hike up and ride down, the Banff Gondola offers discounted one-way rides down for hikers. Note: if you want to ride up and hike down, you still need to purchase the round-trip ticket. 

In addition to your gondola experience, you can also book ticket packages which include dining at one of the Banff Gondola restaurants. There is a Summit Brunch package, which includes the gondola ticket and brunch at the Northern Lights Kitchen, an Alpine Buffet package, which includes the gondola ticket and a buffet meal at the Northern Lights Kitchen, and a Four Course Feast Package, which includes the gondola ticket and a multi-course meal at Sky Bistro. If you’re looking to elevate your experience, I definitely recommend booking one of the dining add-ons!

If your Banff itinerary will take you all across Alberta and British Columbia, exploring multiple Canadian National Parks, you might want to consider purchasing a Pursuit Pass. The Pursuit Pass is a multi-excursion adventure pass that includes the Banff Gondola and other major activities in and around Alberta and British Columbia. With the Pursuit Pass, you can save up to 40% on the included activities, compared to ticket prices if you were to buy them individually. I’m a MAJOR proponent in these experience passes because they allow you to see more for less!

Is the Banff Gondola Accessible?

The Banff Gondola is wheelchair accessible for mobility devices up to 31 inches. Gondola staff can temporarily slow the cable cars so limited mobility travelers can safely enter the gondola at both the base station and at the Sulphur Mountain summit. The summit station and the Above Banff Interpretive Centre are also accessible providing elevators, accessible seating at the restaurants, and a multi-sensory theater experience for visitors who need them. 

The wooden boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak is not accessible for wheelchair users and might be challenging for less-mobile travelers. This boardwalk, which leads to a historic research observatory, features several stairs (nearly 370 of them!). For the beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and the town of Banff nestled in the valley, travelers with limited mobility should enjoy the observation deck at the summit station, which provides similar views of the landscape. 

If you have additional questions about accessibility accommodations at the Banff Gondola, I recommend calling or emailing before your visit.

How much time should you spend at the Banff Gondola?

Once you reach the Banff Gondola summit station, there is no time limit for how long you can spend at the top of Sulphur Mountain. There are lots of things to do at the summit: you can explore the Above Banff Interpretive Centre, walk along the boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak, or enjoy a scenic meal at one of the summit station restaurants. In total, I spent about two hours at the Banff Gondola, gazing out upon the beautiful landscapes and exploring the summit amenities. 

Travelers who just want to experience the observation deck and walk along the boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak should allot two hours for the Banff Gondola. Hikers planning on ascending the Sulphur Mountain trail and exploring the summit station after, along with travelers who want to stay and enjoy one of the restaurants should allot three to four hours at the Banff Gondola. Overall, this Banff activity can be experienced in a half day or less and it fits perfectly into the beginning of your Banff National Park Itinerary!

Banff Gondola Experience: What to Expect

The Ride

Once you reach the Banff Gondola base station for your timed entry, either by parking at the lot or catching a shuttle from the town of Banff, you’ll want to get in line for the ride. I arrived around 11am when large crowds tend to gather. The line to the gondola moves fast because the cable cars continuously ascend and descend Sulphur Mountain. While in line for the gondola, you’ll have the option to take a professional photo that can be purchased after your experience. There are a handful of times where I’ve purchased these cheesy, photoshopped-background souvenir photos, but I didn’t purchase one at the Banff Gondola.

As you step into the cable car and find your seat, the Canadian Rockies become visible from every angle. Floating over pine trees, passing the zig-zagged Sulphur Mountain trail below, you won’t know where to look! It’s best to keep your head on a swivel – beautiful scenery manifests in every direction. The Banff Gondola climbs nearly 700 meters, so you might feel a bit of pressure in your ears, typical of a rapid elevation gain.

Eight minutes and the ascent is over. When you arrive at the summit complex, panoramic views of the mountains will take your breath away!

The Summit Complex

The Banff Gondola summit complex features a 360° panoramic observation deck, all of Sulphur Mountain’s restaurants, a souvenir shop and a small exhibition (the Above Banff Interpretive Centre).

When you walk out of the complex to the outdoor observation deck mountains ascend into the sky from every direction. Mt. Rundle stands formidably across from Sulphur Mountain as if in a standoff, Mt. Norquay quietly towers over the town, and Cascade Mountain peeks through the clouds in the distance. I’ve visited many observation decks around the world and the Banff Gondola observation deck is one of the most incredible!

Sanson’s Peak Boardwalk

Let the adventure continue on Sulphur Mountain by walking along the Sanson’s Peak boardwalk! This wooden pathway crosses through the pines, beginning at the summit station and traversing 500 meters to a historic ranger research station (~1km round trip, total). The Cosmic Ray Station at the top of Sanson’s Peak is a historic research station with beautiful views of Banff. I really enjoyed the stroll through the trees, surrounded on all sides by prominent peaks!

Banff Gondola Hiking Trails

If you want to make a day out of your Banff Gondola experience, you can hike up to Sulphur Mountain and ride the gondola down. The Sulphur Mountain trail is nearly 5.5 kilometers and sits just beneath the pathway of the Banff Gondola. This is a great experience for active travelers who want to immerse themselves in nature and also experience the exhilarating Banff Gondola ride. 

Banff Gondola Restaurants

There are several options for dining at the summit complex. The Northern Lights Bistro offers brunch in the mornings and a buffet after lunch, along with many of the gondola’s seasonal festivities. The Sky Bistro provides a scenic dining experience where travelers can opt for a multi-course meal above the town of Banff. The Peak Patio, open during the warmer months, is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy small bites or cocktails.

The Banff Gondola also has a few cafes, a Starbucks and Castle Mountain Coffee Co. I really enjoyed drinking the “iced chocolate” , a summer equivalent to winter’s decadent hot chocolate, from the Castle Mountain Coffee Co (chocolate milk never tasted better!). 

When you purchase your Banff Gondola ticket, you’ll have the option to include a dining experience (brunch/buffet at Northern Lights Kitchen or the multi-course meal at Sky Bistro)! This is a great way to pair a scenic dining experience with your gondola adventure!

Other Experiences to Pair with Banff Gondola

The fun doesn’t have to end at the Banff Gondola! There are so many other great things to do in the town of Banff to pair with your gondola excursion. 

If you plan to take the free Banff Gondola shuttle or catch Roam Bus 1 to the base station from the Banff Train Station, you’ll end up right back where you started, about ten minutes outside of Banff. Keep your parking spot and walk to the town center, discovering Banff Avenue and stopping to get that perfect postcard picture with Cascade mountain in the background. 

While in the town of Banff, I recommend strolling along the Bow River to the Bow Falls Viewpoint, enjoying one of the local restaurants, and devouring a BeaverTail (Canada’s flaky, flat donut-like pastry). If you want to explore Banff’s most luxurious hotels, the Fairmont Banff Springs is a beautiful place to explore. If you start your Banff Gondola excursion early enough, you can make it down to this five-star hotel for afternoon tea (11:30am to 2:30pm).

The Banff Gondola is best paired with a day exploring the town! 

Banff Tour with Gondola (My Recommendation!)

If you’d rather let someone else do the planning and driving, there are a variety of Banff full day tours. Day trips are great for travelers with limited time in Banff who want easy access to major landscapes and attractions without sorting out all the details. 

The full day tour of Banff offers multiple pickup locations including locations in Calgary, Canmore and Banff. The itinerary includes the Banff Gondola or Upper Hot Springs (separate ticket purchase required), Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (Moraine Lake only June through October), and other scenic stops in and around the town of Banff. Note: the exact itinerary depends on season and travel group!

Seasonal Events at the Banff Gondola

Banff Gondola in Spring

Spring at the Banff Gondola is a beautiful season where endless green pine trees are revealed at lower elevations and snow capped peaks decorate the horizon. During the spring season, the Banff Gondola hosts Bloom and Brunch, a celebration of the yearly floral renaissance with live entertainment, floral decorations and a special spring brunch buffet. Spring is a great time to visit the gondola, a season just on the edge of the busy peak season!

Banff Gondola in Summer

Summer at the Banff Gondola is this popular attraction’s busiest season, but it is absolutely worth it and incredibly beautiful during the summer! From mid-June through early September, evening is a perfect time to visit the Banff Gondola when the Sunset Festival takes place. Every night in summer, live folk music emanates from the summit station and interactive activities captivate travelers of all ages! Traveling to Banff in peak season? Consider booking your Banff Gondola tickets in the evening to experience the nightly Sunset Festival!

Banff Gondola in Fall

Fall is a beautiful season of golden metamorphosis. Fall at the Banff Gondola offers more live music (on Sundays), special art workshops (Saturdays), and the arrival of seasonal drinks like warm ciders and hot chocolate! Autumn is a great time of year to visit the Banff Gondola!

Banff Gondola in Winter

The winter season is one of the most magical times to ride the Banff Gondola and summit Sulphur Mountain, especially during the holidays. From late November through December, the Banff Gondola hosts a mountaintop Christmas event with holiday activities, seasonal treats, and appearances from Santa Claus! If you plan to visit the Banff Gondola after the holidays, it is just as magical because the landscape is painted white with snow!

The Verdict: Is the Banff Gondola worth it?

The Banff Gondola is one of the best activities in Banff National Park, for many great reasons. The panoramic views are spectacular and there are so many great seasonal events to experience! In my opinion, the Banff Gondola should be on every first-timer’s itinerary! It’s SO worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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