Moraine Lake
The most photographed lake in the Rockies — glacier-fed blue water under the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Closed to private cars year-round; reachable only by Parks Canada shuttle or licensed operators from June to mid-October.
Alberta (Canada)
Banff & Lake Louise
Banff is the mountain town inside Canada's first national park: a single walkable main street ringed by Cascade Mountain, Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, with Lake Louise forty-five minutes up the Bow Valley and the Icefields Parkway running north toward Jasper past glaciers that hang over the road.
This guide books it properly — the Parks Canada pass and shuttle rules that now decide how you see Moraine Lake, the Banff Gondola to the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk, a soak in the Upper Hot Springs, the Johnston Canyon catwalks in summer and the frozen-waterfall icewalk in winter, a ski day at Sunshine or Lake Louise, the Cave and Basin where the park was born, and the Columbia Icefield on its short summer season. Then it matches you to the right base, from the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Chateau on the shore of Lake Louise to a downtown hot-pool hotel, a Canmore rooftop and a hostel bunk, because in a park this big and this seasonal, where you sleep decides what you can actually reach.
Don't miss
Moraine Lake
The most photographed lake in the Rockies — glacier-fed blue water under the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Closed to private cars year-round; reachable only by Parks Canada shuttle or licensed operators from June to mid-October.
Lake Louise
The emerald lake beneath Victoria Glacier, with the Fairmont Chateau on its shore — canoes and teahouse hikes in summer, a skating rink and ice sculptures in winter. Free to walk; parking and shuttles are the puzzle.
Banff Gondola
An eight-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain to a summit building, rooftop deck and ridgeline boardwalk with six mountain ranges in view. Open year-round, into the evening — the easiest big view in the park.
Banff Sunshine Village
High-altitude skiing on the Continental Divide, reached by a gondola from the valley — three mountains, famously dry snow and one of the longest seasons in Canada. The 2026-27 season was set to open November 6.
Things to do in Banff & Lake Louise
Lake Louise
The emerald lake beneath Victoria Glacier, with the Fairmont Chateau on its shore — canoes and teahouse hikes in summer, a skating rink and ice sculptures in winter. Free to walk; parking and shuttles are the puzzle.
2-5 hoursDetails →
Banff Gondola
An eight-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain to a summit building, rooftop deck and ridgeline boardwalk with six mountain ranges in view. Open year-round, into the evening — the easiest big view in the park.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
A steaming outdoor mineral pool high on Sulphur Mountain, run by Parks Canada in a heritage bathhouse — open late, walk-in only, and at its best with snow falling. Closed for maintenance into early November.
Johnston Canyon
Steel catwalks bolted to limestone walls lead to the Lower and Upper Falls — a free summer hike and, once the canyon freezes, Banff's best guided icewalk past frozen waterfalls. Stay on the trail: it protects endangered black swifts.
Columbia Icefield Adventure & Skywalk
Ride a giant Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier, then step onto a glass-floored walkway 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley. The highlight of the Icefields Parkway — but summer-only: the 2027 season runs May 1 to October 11.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
A one-hour narrated boat cruise on the largest lake in Banff National Park, toward the narrows of Devils Gap, with stories of the town drowned beneath it. Summer-only: the 2027 season runs May 7 to October 11.
Banff Sunshine Village
High-altitude skiing on the Continental Divide, reached by a gondola from the valley — three mountains, famously dry snow and one of the longest seasons in Canada. The 2026-27 season was set to open November 6.
Lake Louise Ski Resort
One of North America's largest ski areas, with views straight across the valley to Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier — and new terrain at Richardson's Ridge. Season pass access runs November 6, 2026 to May 2, 2027.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The warm cave and spring where Canada's national parks began in 1883 — a restored 1914 bathing pavilion, a candid internment exhibit, steaming boardwalks and daily tours. Open Thursday to Monday in winter.
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Banff's museum, gallery and archive on Bear Street — mountain art, guiding and climbing history, Indigenous and settler stories, and the heritage homes of the artists who founded it. Open daily; under-17s free.
Vermilion Lakes
A string of wetland lakes just west of town with Mount Rundle reflected in still water — a free 4.3-kilometre scenic road, docks for sunrise, wildlife, and part of the Legacy Trail. Open year-round.
1-2 hoursDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff Springs / Spray River
The Castle in the Rockies — a baronial railway hotel above the confluence of the Bow and Spray rivers, with 724 rooms, a celebrated spa, championship golf and winter ski packages for all three Banff resorts.
Check rates →Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise lakeshore
The grand hotel on the shore of Lake Louise — 539 rooms, Victoria Glacier out the window, afternoon tea at Fairview, a winter skating rink at the front door and the new BASIN Glacial Waters thermal experience.
Check rates →Post Hotel and Spa
Lake Louise village
A Relais and Chateaux mountain-lodge retreat in Lake Louise village, founded in 1942 — famous for its dining room, a wine cellar of more than 25,000 bottles, the Temple Mountain Spa and riverside cabins.
Check rates →Moose Hotel and Suites
Downtown Banff / Banff Avenue
A modern mountain lodge on Banff Avenue with two rooftop hot pools, the Meadow Spa and its private outdoor pool, Pacini Italian on site, kitchen-nook suites and free parking — the best all-round downtown base.
Check rates →Mount Royal Hotel
Downtown Banff / Banff Avenue
A historic hotel at the heart of Banff Avenue, updated with modern rooms, Brazen restaurant and the Cascade Lounge — the most central address in town, at a moderate price. Kids stay free.
Check rates →The Malcolm Hotel
Canmore / Spring Creek
Canmore's upscale base — a newer hotel in the Spring Creek area with a heated rooftop pool and hot tubs facing the Three Sisters, the Stirling Grill and underground parking, twenty minutes from Banff.
Check rates →HI Banff Alpine Centre
Banff townsite (Hidden Ridge)
Banff's best budget bed — shared dorms and private rooms, a full guest kitchen, Cougar Pete's restaurant, free parking and a free local transit pass, all within the Banff townsite.
Check rates →Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Tunnel Mountain, Banff
A rustic timber lodge in the trees on Tunnel Mountain, fifteen minutes on foot from Banff Avenue, with wood-burning stone fireplaces stocked daily, a year-round outdoor hot tub and The Prow restaurant.
Check rates →Elk and Avenue Hotel
Upper Banff Avenue, Banff
A contemporary, good-value hotel on upper Banff Avenue from the Pursuit collection, with loft and junior suite options, a jacuzzi and dry sauna, Farm and Fire dining and kids staying free.
Check rates →Banff Ptarmigan Inn
Upper Banff Avenue, Banff
A friendly, mid-priced inn on Banff Avenue with two indoor hot tubs, a steam room and sauna, free heated underground parking, complimentary Roam bus passes and The Meatball for breakfast and dinner.
Check rates →Banff Aspen Lodge
Banff Avenue, Banff
A mid-priced Banff Avenue hotel where every stay includes a hot buffet breakfast, with two outdoor hot tubs, a steam room, an outdoor Nordic sauna by the fire and ski storage with a tuning bench.
Check rates →Lake Louise Inn
Lake Louise Village
The family-friendly, mid-priced base in Lake Louise village, with an indoor pool and three hot tubs, free parking, rooms with kitchens and a winter apres bonfire at the Great Canadian Gazebo.
Check rates →HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre
Lake Louise Village
A timber-built hostel in Lake Louise village with dorms and private ensuite rooms, Bill Peyto's Cafe, a guest kitchen, a sauna, a fireplace lounge and free parking. The most affordable bed near the lake.
Check rates →Coast Canmore Hotel and Conference Centre
Bow Valley Trail, Canmore
A dependable mid-priced Canmore hotel on Bow Valley Trail with an indoor pool and hot tub, a modern gym, Table Food and Drink, pet-friendly rooms and direct Banff Airporter shuttles to Calgary airport.
Check rates →Canmore Downtown Hostel
Shops of Canmore, Canmore
A modern, budget-friendly hostel at the Shops of Canmore with curtained dorm beds, private rooms, a full kitchen, mountain views from every room and airport and Banff shuttles stopping next door.
Check rates →Banff & Lake Louise guides
Banff for First-Timers: Park Passes, Shuttles, Seasons & the Rules Nobody Tells You
Everything a first visit to Banff and Lake Louise needs before you go — the Parks Canada pass, the Moraine Lake shuttle reality, how the seasons change what is open, getting around without a car, and how to plan around the crowds.
Banff in Three Days: Gondola, Hot Springs, Lake Louise & the Canyons — Summer and Winter Plans
A three-day Banff and Lake Louise itinerary that sequences the icons in the right order — with a summer version built around the lake shuttles and Icefields Parkway, and a winter version built around ski days, icewalks and skating.
Where to Stay in Banff: Banff Town vs Lake Louise vs Canmore
How to choose your base in the Canadian Rockies — the pros and cons of downtown Banff, the Banff Springs area, Lake Louise village and lakeshore, and Canmore, with hotel picks from castles to hostels.
Banff in Winter: Ski Season, Icewalks, Hot Springs & What Is Open (2026-27)
A practical guide to Banff from November to March — the three ski resorts and their 2026-27 openings, frozen-waterfall icewalks, skating on Lake Louise, winter festivals, what closes for the season and how to drive safely.
Where to Eat in Banff & Lake Louise: Mountain Dining, Budget Eats & Après
A practical food guide to Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore — summit dining, Canadian tasting menus, wood-fired grills, bakeries, budget burgers, afternoon tea and fondue, with tips on reservations and saving money.
The Icefields Parkway & Jasper: Glaciers, Winter Driving and the Post-Wildfire Town
How to drive the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper — the stops that matter, the Columbia Icefield season, winter tire rules and no-services reality, and what to expect in Jasper as it recovers from the 2024 wildfire.
