Banff Gondola's Amazing Views

Take a ride aboard the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain with amazing views of Canada's Rockies.

*Purchasing Gondola Tickets in Advance is Recommended. Book the Banff Gondola

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Book Banff National Park Adventures and Attractions. Originally set aside to preserve sulphur hot springs for public use, Banff National Park's towering peaks and beautiful meadows make it among Canada's most incredible holiday areas.

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Gondola Ride up Sulphur Mountain

Maximize views of Banff with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

*Purchasing Gondola Tickets in Advance is Recommended. Banff Gondola Ride Admission

Banff Gondola Winter Nightrise Lower Patio Light Show

The Banff Gondola Winter Nightrise Lower Patio Light Show is an atmospheric evening installation that transforms the outdoor terrace at the summit into a softly illuminated space designed for winter nights. As the sun dips below the horizon, a series of carefully calibrated lights begin to awaken across the lower patio, casting gentle washes of colour on seating areas, walkways, and surrounding snowbanks. The lighting design is intentionally understated, using cool tones and muted transitions that complement rather than compete with the natural darkness of the mountains and the star-filled sky above.

Rather than presenting high-energy beams or rapid flashes, the light show here unfolds in a slow, rhythmic cadence, with subtle changes in tone and intensity that create a feeling of calm motion. Cool blues, soft lavenders, and deep indigos ebb and flow across the patio surfaces, evoking the stillness of a winter night. Snow underfoot acts like a natural reflector, diffusing the coloured light into a gentle glow that enhances visibility while maintaining a quiet, contemplative ambiance.

The Lower Patio Light Show is designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment instead of dominating it. Guests lingering on the terrace will find the lighting accentuates architectural details and natural textures-stone walls, wooden benches, and frost-tipped railings-without detracting from the panoramic mountain views. The effect is immersive yet restrained, encouraging visitors to slow down and absorb the interplay between light, shadow, and alpine silence.

Overall, this outdoor lighting installation enhances the winter summit experience by creating a space that feels both magical and grounded. It sets the tone for quiet reflection and social connection under the open sky, offering a memorable way to engage with the mountain environment after dark.
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Banff Gondola Ride Reviews

Truly a must, and highly recommend to visit around sunset time..

Yeyoung Chang, January 2026
It was a spectacular experience. Truly a must, and highly recommend to visit around sunset time so that you can still see the view while going up, and then see the night time view from the top to see the lights from the village. Also, the interactive experience to make music for the mountain with the other people on the top was amazing. I cried. Whoever created this, it's so good. You goated.

Amazing views from the ride up above the snow covered pines.

Tony Pruitt, January 2026
Definitely worth the ride up to the top. Amazing views from the ride up above the snow covered pines. We went up late afternoon and came back early evening. The hike out to Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site is also a must do at the top.
An absolute must if you are visiting Banff.

The Banff Gondola is absolutely worth the ride.

Vishaka, January 2026
The Banff Gondola is absolutely worth the ride. The views as you ascend Sulphur Mountain are breathtaking, and once at the top, the panorama of Banff, the Bow Valley, and surrounding peaks is unforgettable. The boardwalk along the ridge is easy and offers different vantage points-every few steps feels like a new postcard shot.
The visitor center at the summit is modern and well designed, with interactive exhibits, a rooftop observation deck, and a caf�/restaurant where you can sit and take in the scenery. It's family-friendly, and you can spend anywhere from an hour to half a day exploring, depending on how much walking you want to do.
If possible, go at sunset-the colors over the mountains are magical. The gondola is a bit pricey, but the experience and views make it worthwhile.

Views from the top were unreal-mist rolling through the peaks, everything blanketed in white.

Shane Perry, January 2026
It snowed during our visit, which made the whole experience feel straight out of a movie. I went with friends, and the views from the top were unreal-mist rolling through the peaks, everything blanketed in white. The boardwalk was still walkable, just a bit slick. Definitely dress warm and give yourself time to take it all in. Worth every minute.

The Banff Gondola is pure magic - an experience that makes you feel on top of the world.

Michelle Goes Global, January 2026
The Banff Gondola is pure magic - an experience that makes you feel on top of the world (literally).
From the moment the gondola lifts off, you're rising above the trees, watching the valleys and peaks open up below you. The ride is smooth and surprisingly quick, but the views unfold like a movie - every angle more breathtaking than the last.
At the top, you're standing at one of the highest accessible points in Canada, with panoramic views that truly make you feel small in the best way possible. Snow-capped peaks, endless forests, crisp mountain air - it's nature showing off.