Highlights of the Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola is a gondola lift that takes you close to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
You can look out over the magnificent scenery of the Canadian Rockies. If you are lucky, you may also encounter a variety of wildlife.
Gondola and Base Station
This gondola was made by the Swiss company Garaventa. As it rises from the base toward the summit side of Sulphur Mountain, the town of Banff and the surrounding mountains spread out below you. A highlight is being able to enjoy the changing scenery during the ride.
The parking lot at the base station.
Summit trails and observation facilities
A well-maintained trail leads from the Upper Terminal to the observation deck.
The Upper Terminal is the mountain station. You can combine the indoor viewing areas with the outdoor trails and adjust how you spend your time at the summit according to the weather and your available time.
Views from the Summit
From the summit, you can look out over the town of Banff and the Canadian Rockies stretching beyond it. Fairmont Banff Springs is visible at the lower right of the town spread across the valley, helping you appreciate both the elevation gained by the gondola and the scale of the surrounding mountains. If you are lucky, you may also encounter wildlife during the ride or at the base.
Banff
Banff is a mountain town and a base for exploring the Canadian Rockies. Combining a stroll through town with mountain views from the Banff Gondola lets you enjoy two different perspectives of the landscape—from the ground and from the summit.
For information about Banff’s attractions, transportation, and suggested itineraries, please see the article about Banff.
Basic information about the Banff Gondola
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official Website
- This is the official website for Banff Gondola visitor information and reservations.
Banff Gondola Official Site | Amazing Views & Dining on Sulphur MountainExperience a stunning bird's eye view of six Canadian Rockies mountain ranges on the iconic Banff Gondola. Book dir...www.banffjaspercollection.com
- 📍 Location
- At the end of Mountain Avenue in Banff, Alberta, at the foot of Sulphur Mountain.
- 🕒 Hours of Operation
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- 2026 9 8–10 12: Daily from 9:00 to 21:00 (last ride up at 19:30)
- 2026 10 13–11 19: Daily from 10:00 to 21:00 (last ride up at 19:30)
- 2026 11 20–12 31: Daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (last ride up at 20:30).
- 🚫 Closures
- There are maintenance closure days in 11. Check the booking calendar for your planned visit date for the specific schedule.⚠️ Hours of operation are subject to change without notice.
- 💶 Admission
- Prices vary by date, time, and season. GST is not included. Children aged 5 and under ride free, and discounts are also offered to Alberta residents. The purchase price includes an Eco-Fee of CA$1 per 1 person.
- 🎫 Tickets and Reservations
- Advance purchase is strongly recommended, and same-day availability is not guaranteed. Purchased tickets are non-refundable. Tickets purchased online are non-transferable, and you must bring the credit card used for the purchase.
- ⏱️ Suggested Visit Duration
- Allow approximately 2–3 hours for the round-trip gondola ride and time at the summit observation deck and boardwalk.⚠️ The time required depends on how much time you spend at the summit observation deck, on the boardwalk, and in the restaurants. Plan to include time at the summit rather than allowing only enough time for the round-trip ride.
Access to the Banff Gondola
It takes about 12 minutes by car from the Banff Visitor Centre (Downtown Wolf West bus stop) to the Banff Gondola parking lot. Cross the Bow River and follow Mountain Avenue to the end.
Public bus service Roam Transit Route 1 (number 1) also operates year-round to the gondola.
Shuttle Buses and Regular Buses
From 2026 5 15 through 10 12, you can use the gondola shuttle from downtown Banff and Roam route 1 free of charge by showing a gondola ticket purchased in advance for use that day. The published autumn shuttle timetable is for 2026 9 8–10 12. Brewster may change the timetable due to operational circumstances.
Side trips from the Banff Gondola
This is a mule deer. It was named for its ears, which resemble those of a mule.
This is a bighorn sheep. Its horns will grow even larger.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Canadian Rockies: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transportation, and Suggested Itineraries”.
