Banff Winter Tours, Sightseeing & Tourist Activities

There’s a lot to do in Banff, from hiking to skiing to eating, drinking and exploring. Booking Banff winter tours makes it easy to make the most of your trip. With a guide helping you out, you’ll be taken to the best destinations and learn a little about the history, community and life in Banff along the way.

There are lots of options for Banff winter tours, and choosing the one that’s right for you will come down to your interests and trip goals. 

Key Takeaways

• Banff winter tours help visitors maximize their time by removing the stress of planning and navigation.
• Winter tours in Banff cater to a wide range of interests, including sightseeing, hiking, history, food, and unique experiences.
• Guided winter tours provide safer access to icy trails and winter conditions with proper equipment and local expertise.
• Popular Banff winter tours include sightseeing, guided hikes, history tours, ghost tours, icefield excursions, and food tours.
• The Columbia Icefields can be visited on a winter day trip from Banff with guided tour operators.
• Staying in Canmore offers a quieter, more affordable alternative to Banff while maintaining easy access to winter tours and activities.

Why Book a Winter Tour in Banff?

There is so much to do in Banff, whether you’re visiting at the height of tourist season in the summer or in the middle of winter. You won’t have trouble filling your days, but booking Banff winter tours takes the stress out of planning your itinerary and ensures you won’t waste time figuring out where to go or what to see.

Whether you’re hoping to do as much Banff sightseeing as possible or want to learn a little more about the history or culture of the town and national park, there are plenty of winter tours that will hit the spot.

The Best Banff Winter Tours

Sightseeing Tours

Banff is one of the most stunning, breathtakingly beautiful places on the planet. That’s especially true in the winter months, when the snow-capped mountains seem just a little more majestic. Getting out and taking in the natural beauty should be a priority for any visitor, and there are plenty of great Banff winter tours for sightseeing. Consider:

• Snowshoeing tours that get you away from the crowds and into the backcountry.
• Guided tours of popular destinations like Moraine Lake for the best views and photo opportunities.
• Spectacular boat cruises that let you see the unparalleled beauty of Lake Minnewanka.

Guided Hiking Tours

Hiking is practically a way of life in the Canadian Rockies, but if you don’t know the trails or have never hiked in the snow, it can definitely be intimidating. Fortunately, there are some great Banff winter tours that get beginners or newcomers out onto the best trails in the National Park.

Mountain Park Transportation has great guided tours, including the always-popular Johnston Canyon, and you’ll get poles and cleats to safely navigate the icy terrain. You can also book guided hiking tours with Parks Canada, while Discover Banff Tours and Banff Adventures also have their own options. 

The Town of Banff is beautiful, and there’s lots to do, but it’s definitely worth getting out and seeing the wilderness of the National Park while getting away from the busier Banff tourist activities.

History Tours

The area around Banff has been inhabited by First Nations people for around 10,000 years, and the town itself was established in the 1800s. There’s a lot of history, in other words, and exploring it can give you a unique perspective on the area you wouldn’t otherwise get.

The Whyte Museum hosts tours that take you through two historical homes, or you can get a one-of-a-kind experience with Open Top Tours, where you’ll become immersed in Banff’s history. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism also offers a guided interpretive tour through the Cave & Basin National Historic Site, which should be on everyone’s must-do list.

Ghost Tours

If you’re looking for something a little different, and maybe spooky, too, consider a Ghost Walking Tour with Banff Tours. Truly one of the more unique Banff Winter Tours, you’ll get acquainted with some of Banff’s hidden history as you learn the story of haunted hotel, nearby ghost towns and all the paranormal strangeness you won’t hear about on any other Banff winter tour.

Food Tours

While Banff’s natural beauty is what brings most visitors to the area, the town itself is packed with great restaurants and bars. It can be tough to fit it all into one trip, so booking a food tour with Nibble Tours is a great way to sample the best of the Banff culinary scene.

As an added bonus, you’ll be indoors as much as you’re outside, which is always great when it gets really cold.

Why Stay in Canmore Even When Touring Banff

Banff is rightfully on many travellers’ bucket lists, and booking Banff winter tours is an amazing way to make sure you make the most of every minute you have in the Canadian Rockies. Many guests find that staying in Canmore offers a little peace and quiet after completing a tour.

Located just 20 minutes down the highway, Canmore provides a great alternative to the crowds and more expensive accommodations that you’ll find in Banff. The cozy mountain town has equally breathtaking mountain scenery, as well as great coffee shops, shopping and restaurants.

Plan Your Rocky Mountain Vacation

Banff winter tours make it easy to experience the best of the Canadian Rockies without the stress of planning. After a full day of sightseeing and adventure, unwind at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, your cozy, convenient home base just minutes from Banff.

Plan your winter getaway and book your stay at Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

FAQ

How cold does it get in the winter in Banff?

Temperatures can dip to -30 or lower in Banff, but it’s worth noting that they can vary wildly. Use our packing list so you’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

What to do around Banff in winter?

Banff is a year-round destination, and there’s just as much to do in the winter as there is in the summer. Skiers come from around the world to rip down Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay, but there’s hiking, tubing, sightseeing and more, as well.