Today I want to bring you my guide to 3 days in Banff. This itinerary will show you all the great things to do in Banff in winter, from skiing in the Rocky Mountains to dog sledding through the trees.
3 Days in Banff
I’m having a hard time believing that winter isn’t high season in Banff. It’s in the Rocky Mountains, after all, and winter travel is synonymous with snowy peaks.
But even though everyone keeps telling me that summer is the main tourism season in this part of Alberta, I’m convinced it shouldn’t be.
There’s so much going for winter travel in Banff that I’m starting a movement to reverse the trend.
I’m in Canada with Travel Alberta, the tourism board for the province and the sponsor of my trip. They’ve sent me off on a great adventure to experience the best of winter during a week-long trip to Banff and Lake Louise.
After a non-stop Air Canada flight from London to Calgary, I arrive in Banff National Park ready to see what winter in the Canadian Rockies has to offer. With 3 days in Banff, I’m sure I’ll get a good overview.
Skiing in Banff
My first activity in Banff is a pretty obvious one: skiing. I’ve been a skier my whole life, and I’ve wanted to ski in Banff since my childhood best friend went with her family and came back raving about it.
Now that I’m here, I have the chance to ski at all three of the resorts in Banff National Park, including the two in Banff. Given they’re some of the best places to ski around the world, I’m excited to get on the slopes.
Sunshine Village
On the first of my 3 days in Banff, I go skiing at Sunshine Village. Big and beautiful, it offers a great variety of slopes and terrain for all ability levels.
I go out with a guide for the day, skiing in snow and sun on everything from easy warm-up runs to more advanced pistes. It’s a great experience, not least for my first day skiing in a year.
It’s uncrowded, too, which means no lift lines and lots of time on the slopes. I even get to try out the new heated chairlift.
While I’m here, I learn that Sunshine Village is open until late May every year, and that some of the best skiing is in March and April when the weather warms up and snowfall can be plentiful.
As soon as I hear it, I wonder if it would be too soon to come back in a couple months for some good powder days.
Mount Norquay
But first I’m off to Mount Norquay for another day of skiing in Banff. This resort is smaller and more intimate than Sunshine Village, and is best known for its family-friendly atmosphere and local vibe.
There are great runs for all skill levels here, and some good expert runs from the top of the mountain. I love that my guide and I have nearly the whole resort to ourselves, too.
Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that winter travel in Banff is less popular than its summer counterpart. 3 days in Banff will give me plenty of time to ski a lot of the mountains.
Sleigh Rides in Banff
But skiing isn’t the only highlight of winter travel in Banff. Sleigh rides are another popular activity, and I soon understand why.
I head out to Warner Stables on the second of my 3 days in Banff. I’m excited to go on a sleigh ride with Banff Trail Riders.
The 45-minute ride goes through snow-frosted trees and around a wide open area with gorgeous views of the surrounding peaks.
As I enjoy sparkling wine and chocolates, my guide tells me that she’s witnessed many a marriage proposal on her sleigh rides. I can see why!
Dog Sledding in Banff
Just outside Banff National Park, I get to experience another animal-drawn ride. But this time instead of a horse-drawn sleigh it’s a dog-drawn sled.
Dog sledding has been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember, and as I pull up to Howling Dog Tours in Canmore I can barely contain my enthusiasm.
A half-hour drive later, the company’s shuttle drops me off by a mountain lake. As soon as I open the door, I can hear the happy barking of the dogs as they get ready to run through the snow.
I thought I was excited about dog sledding, but the dogs make me look like I’m not even trying.
I help my guide harness the team, then we set off in a line of sleds through the trees. It’s a freeing feeling gliding through the pristine snowy wilderness.
Standing on the back of the sled makes me feel like I’m actually driving the team, too (thankfully my guide actually is, because I have no idea what I’m doing).
By the time the ride is over, I’ve fallen in love with all of the dogs and want to take them home with me.
But there’s more of Banff to explore, and while trying to sled down the main street of downtown Banff with a team of dogs might be the cutest, cuddliest idea I’ve ever had, it’s probably not the wisest.
Exploring Downtown Banff
This becomes even more apparent when I reach downtown Banff, where car is the preferred mode of transport on the roads.
I happily explore on foot, doing a bit of eating and shopping. It’s a great way to spend some time during my 3 days in Banff.
I’m impressed by the range of restaurants and cafes downtown, and also by the number of candy stores. Sweet shops seem to be Alberta’s answer to London’s pubs, with one tempting me on seemingly every corner.
But my favorite place to eat in Banff is at my hotel, the beautiful Buffalo Mountain Lodge. A short drive from the downtown, the hotel’s restaurant serves excellent food and meat from its own ranch.
I have rich, tender buffalo one night and dream about it in my seriously comfortable bed every night after (although admittedly it takes a while to fall asleep given the walls are thin and the neighbors not exactly quiet).
3 Days in Banff, Canada
At the end of my stay in Alberta, I’m convinced that winter travel in Banff should be the main event of the year.
With such a great range of things to do and spectacular mountain scenery (I feel like I’m in Narnia, only without all the crazy witches and talking lions), I’m surprised it doesn’t get more visitors in the winter.
Then again, I haven’t visited Banff in the summer. Maybe I should come back here in six months and spend 3 days in Banff in summer see what all the fuss is about. In the meantime, I’m off to Lake Louise for a little more winter indulgence…
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