Why the Banff Gondola is a Must Stop (My Experience & Honest Review)

Why The Banff Gondola is a Must Stop (My Experience & Honest Review)

5/13/2024

When people visit Banff National Park, they often think of epic, mountainous views and incredibly tall peaks. One of the best ways to experience the epic views that Banff has to offer is the Banff Gondola! Located near the Banff Upper Hot Springs, you can make an entire day trip out of the Gondola Ride, which has an amazing boardwalk, incredible views, and delicious restaurants at the top!

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies, but these are our favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Car rentals are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you!

We always use Expedia's easy to use platform for comparing hotels.

To keep cell service while traveling, we always use Airalo’s easy eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the America's and Europe, and Klook for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is what we use for travel insurance.

Lastly, our packing list for any international or domestic travels.

Getting to the Banff Gondola & What to Expect

The Banff Gondola is located right outside of the town of Banff, located directly next to the Banff Upper Hot Springs (another great things to do if you're in the area!). The gondola experience is part of the Pursuit Collection - a brand known around the world for offering epic experiences (like the Sky Lagoon in Iceland and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Jasper National Park). They have a few different ticket packages - and ticket prices vary each day averaging about $40-$60 Canadian Dollars. It’s also worth noting that one free child can accommodate each paying adult!

Because prices can change, we recommend checking online before going in person to book the cheapest day during your trip - this way you can also ensure they won't be sold out when you visit! The 8 minute ride takes you to the top of Mount Sulphur, and each gondola fits 4 people max. Once you arrive at the top there are a ton of amenities, and there’s no limit to how long you can stay! To begin, there is an “Above Banff Interpretive Centre” with interactive displays and a theater with a short film that shares more about the development of Canada’s first national park.

There are also a few places to grab a bite to eat - the Sky Bistro has great dining with a great atmosphere & incredible views, Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen has a buffet for a more laid back environment, and Castle Mountain Coffee Co. has all the drinks your local coffee shop would. Outside, you can enjoy the board walk and head towards the very top of Sanson’s Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station for epic 360 views of the area and town of Banff. If you want to spend some more time enjoying the views, they also have a large outdoor patio area with an igloo and outdoor heaters so you can enjoy the views even in colder weather! If you decide not to take the gondola down (or up) you can always hike the 3.4 mile trail one way to save on the gondola price!

Book The Gondola Here : Banff Gondola

Our Favorite Tours near Banff :
- Banff Gondola
- Columbia Icefield Glacier
- Lake Minnewanka Cruise

My Gondola Experience & Honest Review

To be 100%, completely honest - we absolutely loved this experience and made an entire day out of our little adventure here! Even though I personally hate gondolas and ski lifts (I can never seem to trust the cable 100%), there was so much to do at the top of the mountain and we had a blast! We enjoyed the Gondola views on the way up, grabbed lunch at the Sky Bistro, hiked the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station, and saw some of the best views in Banff while soaking up the sun on the patio!

If you're wondering whether the Banff Gondola is worth it, rest peacefully knowing that we would 100% recommend it if you’re looking for something fun to do. Not only were the views amazing, but we loved how we were able to enjoy the boardwalk and views without the many summer crowds that Banff - plus the ride is worth it just to enjoy the yummy food at the top!

Not only do we recommend the Banff Gondola, but if you're looking for more to do in the area, then we also recommend checking out the Columbia Icefield Skywalk for some adrenaline pumping views, and the Minnewanka Lake Cruise for some history and peaceful lake views!