I visited Banff for the second time recently, and I finally made it to the gondola for their Christmas event. My entire family had a blast-this was the highlight of our trip to Canada this year. Everything was so well organized and thoughtfully arranged. My kids got to complete so many creative activities: cookie decorating, meeting Santa, crafting a gondola themed ornament, roasting marshmallows, etc. as a plus, everyone was very friendly and cheerful. The views are stunning, and while I didn't get to walk through boardwalk (not stroller friendly and I have a child in a stroller), I hope to next time! read more

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I recently visited Banff with my running group and they planned a whole week of activities for us. We had a free day to pick our own activity on our last day here. Out of the options that they presented to us, I chose the Banff Gondola. We spent the whole week running and hiking and I wanted something relaxing to do. The Banff Gondola takes you 2,292 feet up a steep mountainside to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The ride itself is eight minutes long. After buying my ticket, I chilled at the Starbucks that is at ground level and watched the gondola take people up the mountain. There is also a gift shop next to it. Each gondola cabin is designed to hold up to four people and offers a 360-degree view as you ascend up the mountain. Once you arrive at the Banff Gondola Upper Terminal on Sulphur Mountain, you have four levels to explore. The fourth level is the rooftop observation deck where you get amazing panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. You can see the entire town of Banff from up here. There is also an outdoor boardwalk that leads to Sanson Peak. I spent a few hours up here exploring the different levels. There is a coffee shop and a couple of restaurants at the top. I did the walk from the observation deck to Sanson Peak and back. The views are just stunning. The observation deck can get crowded and it can get a little windy at times. I spent my time taking photographs and relaxing on the benches. I then grabbed a coffee before heading back down. The Banff Gondola is a little pricey, but I am glad I picked this activity. It was a nice way to close out my trip to Banff. read more

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If you go to Banff, and you can handle heights, you MUST do the Gondola! I'm afraid of heights and ngl, I was a bit scared going up the gondola. Especially because one of my friends is a toddler who thought it would be fun to scare me and her husband by shaking it a bit. Ugh! haha However, I survived the 2,292 feet glide up to the Sulphur Mountain that took about 8 minutes to get up. We rode up while the sun was out, did some exploring up top, watched the sunset from the peak of the mountain then went down after nightfall. I'd highly recommend seeing sunset there - it was just awe inspiring. Riding the gondola ain't cheap at around $70-80 depending on the time of year & date, but goodness it was so well worth it. It's absolutely a must do while in Banff! read more

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A must when visiting Banff! Amazing views from atop Sulphur Mountain. Parking area is pretty large but fills up fast. There are kiosks to get parking passes. You buy tickets for the gondola ride from one of the ticket windows outside, off the parking area. Once you have your tickets, you can go inside and peruse the gift shop until your boarding time listed on your ticket. The operation runs very smoothly. We didn't have to wait in line long for anything during our visit. The gondola ride was pretty smooth and very scenic. We really enjoyed it. Once you get to the observation deck on Sulphur Mountain, there are information kiosks to view, and restrooms available, before heading out to the boardwalk. The boardwalk has amazing views as well. There are plenty of benches along the way to rest. We thoroughly enjoyed this stop. One of our favorite adventures this trip. Highly recommend! read more

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We came to the Banff Gondola as part of our Rocky Mountaineer Rail tour. Especially convenient as the was just a three minute ride from the Rimrock Hotel. We came in a motor coach and we (my wife and I) were raveling with another couple, our very good friends. We came fairly early and you could see the place getting busy quickly. Our tour guide obtained the tickets for us and we had virtually no wait to get onto the gondola for the ride up the mountain. It's a plus that there was Starbucks in the waiting area. The four of us all got into one gondola and took a wonderful ride is to the top of the mountain. It was an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride to the top and I spent most of my time taking pictures. This was a perfect place for me as I am a photographer. We made it to the top and just enjoyed the view at all spots. This was a great spot and, I hadn't even started taking pictures yet. This place had there own rest rooms, gift shop, plenty of signage of where you are and what you're looking at. The observation deck, a few floors up was amazing. You literally see for miles and miles. Nothing but incredible views from any spot. They even had a frame that you can have someone take your picture in. It helped that the weather was perfect!!! There is a walkway that take you a few hundred yards to the old weather station. We were on a tour and did not have the tine needed to take that walk which is about 45 minutes there and back. We had about one hour which was ample time to see and experience our time at the top of the mountain. KUDOs to the team at Banff Gondola read more

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Came here for an event during a ski trip. it's an amazing place. The view is fantastic especially during sunset. They had fire places and a big bubble and also furry blankets for you to keep warm with. The panoramic views from inside the dining rooms are good too if you don't want to be outside. Apparently in winter you can also see the northern lights even in early evening although faint. Food at the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen is excellent as well, the brisket is the best I've ever had and the rosemary chicken delicious as well. Even if you don't see the northern lights on a clear night you can also see tons of stars especially on the gondola ride down over the mountains where there is no artificial light. Pretty pricy however at $75/pp (Canadian) but definitely worth it for special occasions. read more

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I heard the crowds here were insane, which seemed to be the theme of our trip in Banff. Yes, there were long times, but they moved fast. We arrived in time for our 1:40pm reservation and was on the gondola within minutes. Gorgeous views awaited us and a delicious meal (and even better view) at The Sky Bistro. We wanted to go across all the stairs to take in all the views, but I figured it would take us awhile. Fortunately, our waitress told us it looked further than it was and took about 10 minutes...and she was right. And we got some beautiful pics on the other side. We had a 4:30pm return gondola, but were ready to head down by 3:30pm. They were flexible and traded in our ticket. The line for the ride down was a little longer, but moved fast. Five minutes after getting in line we were headed down with 2 gondola staff members. They were super interesting to chat with and loved learning about their life living in Banff. The hardest part was finding our way home to the Fairmont since the direct bus wasn't scheduled to come until 4:45pm. We hopped on a bus to town and enjoyed some ice cream at Cows...and then took the town bus back to the hotel. Definitely a one and done experience, but thought it was a gorgeous way to see more of beautiful Banff! read more

Banff Gondola - All these stairs take about 10 min total - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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It was really worth it as a touristy attraction! I came to banff for the first time and it did not disappoint. It's on the colder side on the first week of October but the views on a sunny day is breathtaking. I also recommend dining at the sky view restaurant here. Their food is really good and the quality is worth the price! read more

Banff Gondola - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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This is a must see when in Banff. The 360 degree views are stunning. Get in line no more than 10 minutes before your departure time. They will turn you away if you are early. The gondola seats 4 people so you may get paired with another couple. The best seats are facing away from the mountain, either up or down. It takes 8 minutes to get to the top. Once on top, take the boardwalk to the weather station. There are many stops along the way. My fav was the stop that listed all the mountain names. We had a 1:30pm board time and 3pm exit time and it was about right. I could have easily added another 30 minutes just to sit and enjoy the views. Definitely a must see activity. read more

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We purchased the combo tickets for the Banff Gondola and Hot Springs. After booking lunch at Sky Bistro, I was able to easily adjust our gondola time by calling their customer service, very helpful! We visited in early July, and it was quite busy, so I recommend arriving 30-45 minutes before your scheduled entrance and adjusting your bus shuttle plans accordingly. The gondola fits four people, so if you're a party of two like us, expect to share the 8-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain with others. The ride itself is smooth, but it might be a little nerve-wracking for those afraid of heights. At the top, the boardwalk leading to the summit viewpoint is absolutely worth the climb. Not that even if you're in decent shape, the 7,500 ft elevation can leave you a bit winded! We had a lovely lunch at Sky Bistro (highly recommend making a reservation), then tackled the boardwalk and took in the stunning panoramic views. It was truly breathtaking. We noticed lots of families picnicking on the benches along the boardwalk, which is a great idea if you're not dining at the summit. As for the Hot Springs included with our ticket, it was underwhelming. There's just one small pool and it felt more like a crowded hot tub than a relaxing thermal experience. I'd absolutely ride the Banff Gondola again for the views alone! read more

Banff Gondola - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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Gone to several gondolas in different state/countries. What's unique about this one? It has a walk/hike to several different destinations. It has indoor wide variety of things to do. The restaurants were still closed when we visited early. It was so cold! But there's an area where you could hang out indoors---you don't have to freeze! Table on the side had an artificial fire place. Gorgeous views!!! read more

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The Banff Gondola is honestly so worth it. The ride up is smooth and scenic, and once you get to the very top, the views are unreal. It was very cold up there, but completely worth braving it -- being able to see Banff and the surrounding mountains from that height is an unforgettable experience. Definitely something I'd recommend doing at least once while you're in Banff. read more

Stopped here a part of our Rocky Mountaineer Rail tour. There were about 25 of us in this group. It was early in the morning and the place was already getting busy. Our guides got us tickets and we ended up waiting for about 30 minutes before we could go up. I took the opportunity to get a hot chocolate from the Starbucks located in the same building. The gondola ride is very nice. For those people who have height issues, it can be a little scary, but the entire structure is very sound, and the ride up is relatively smooth (with the exception of the occasional bump when the car goes over the support towers). The building on top is very nice. It has rest room, gift shop, signage and history, and an observation deck that lets you see for miles! Stunning views, all the way around. There is a well built walking deck that will take you a few hundred yards to the old weather station. It's worth the walk to go out. You'll learn about the local area, and the incredible history of the tower. You will be at the highest peak on Sulphur Mountain. I real highlight of the trip. read more

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The Banff gondola is pricey but well worth it! It's a great option if you're unable to hike up the mountain or don't have the time. The real highlight of the gondola is the 360 views from the top, but there is also a nice interactive exhibit which is great for families and a small cafe. We stayed at the top for an hour and it was plenty of time for us (we didn't stay to eat or walk the whole boardwalk). In the lines for the gondola going up and down, they take a few photos, mostly in front of a green screen. It would be nice if these were included in the ticket price. Or, if they're going to charge for photos it would be nice if they had a photographer outside at the summit. When we arrived we parked in the upper lot as the lower lot was full. We found out later that they were holding spots in the lower lot for people who were cutting it close to their ticket time, which could be useful to know. read more

The gondola holds 4 people, and the ride takes about 8 minutes each way to go from 4500 feet to 7486 feet in altitude. The view at the top is amazing!! We ate at the buffet, and it wasn't worth the money. Very average cuisine. From 7486 feet, there is a hike to the very top of Sulfur Mountain at 8000 feet. No one tells you that it entails climbing 368 stairs!! So be prepared, because the lack of oxygen at 8000 feet affects your breathing quite a lot, and I exercise 5-6 days a week!! It is a worthwhile effort, if you are in good shape. The view is indescribably spectacular!! Upon descending, be extra careful because it can be slippery!! read more

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The views are amazing at the top of the Gondola. To be able to see all the mountain peaks, the green trees, the glaciers and the various lakes is very impressive. A must if you want to be able to capture that view. read more

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A worth while attraction in Banff. If the weather is good and you have the time, would recommend. The staff here were so helpful and welcoming. Tickets are easy to get online or at the box office on site. Getting up to it is hit or miss, if theres crowds the shuttle is best as they don't have too much parking. The gondola ride up and down are beautiful, amazing views! Once you get up top there is well established hike to the top of sulphur mountain which is also cool. At the top there are a couple restaurants and spots for drinks and food. Its a tourist spot but it was worth it imo. I enjoyed the ride and the views and would recommend if your visiting. read more

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We came here in as a large group and yes it is expensive, but great for the family and for those who aren't skiing to be able to take in amazing views! You can search around for discounts and we were able to get kids for free with a paying adult if we went in the first 2 hours of the day. The booking is online with time slots that do sell out, so we grabbed some tickets the night before for time slots with the free kids discount. The free blue bus in town goes here and drops you off at the front. There is a gift shop and Starbucks at the base before you get in line for the gondola to head up. The ride up and very smooth and scenic. Once at the top, there are museum-like exhibits and displays and tons of photo ops on their many decks and patios. There is a restaurant here that is high end and requires reservations way in advance and more of a cafe style food place. There is also a gift shop at the top and a space that can be used for events. My favorite was the hike out to the viewpoint, going across the snow and giving you undistracted views. We debated doing it because it was so cold and windy, but are so glad we did. the kids all did great! read more

Very cool experience, not only the ride up and down but the views from the top are remarkable. Very cool wooden bridge on top of the mountain to walk along and take in the views. All of the gondola staff were friendly and helpful also. read more

Ok so this experience was amazing BUT I'm afraid of heights . They did tell me which side to sit on in the gondola on the way up to ease my anxiety ... and it was still nerve wracking but amazing . The views from the ride up top are spectacular. Take a walk up top (stay on the boardwalk ) and you get to see some pretty Amazon stuff . There are two restaurants up top , a buffet for $45 and a fancier restaurant that was no longer serving lunch so we didn't go in . I'll add some pics to show you just how amazing it was. So glad to have experienced this . read more

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The Banff Gondola swooped me & 3 others up above the treetops 7,4886 ft up, for 8 minutes. It glided steadily upwards over what felt like an impossibly steep mountainside. A half a mile later I was at the summit of Sulphur Mountain high above the town of Banff. My ears were popping from the high altitude, I swallowed a few times. The air was cool and we had a vantage points of 6 different mountain ranges stretching into the horizon. We spent an hour at the top before taking the gondola down. Down was a Starbucks, gift shop, restrooms & photo op. At the top is the Northern Lights & Sky Bistro. WiFi was available. There was an outdoor observation deck at the top and we were above the snow peaks. There were informational videos, photos & hands on exhibits. There was even a boardwalk to take us to the Lighthouse. It was about 20° cooler and breezy up at the top. read more

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Do you want to see some killer views of Banff, the mountains, lakes, and Sulfur Mountain? Then you have to go on the gondola. Be sure to use the free shuttle because parking gets packed very quickly. There is a Starbucks and gift shop at the welcome center. There is also a coffee shop at the top. The trails were safe and there was more than one photo opportunities on the trail. This is a must do when in Banff. read more

There is a reason why this is the number one thing to do on most popular attraction in Banff Canada! Get tickets in advance so that you can also reserve a restaurant time at the sky bistro which is 100% worth it! Just don't come to Banff without doing this! Even if there's a lot of people in the parking lot and below once you get up there, there's a huge boardwalk that everyone spreads out and you can hike the boardwalk for a few hours and then go back down. They say it's small but it takes a while. Especially because you stopped to enjoy the views as they are incredible! I definitely recommend walking the boardwalk So give yourself enough time at the top as they give you time slotted selections. We were up there for 3 1/2 hours including the restaurant and we could've stayed longer. There is some information in the main building too and some mini activities for kids. The gondola ride itself is pretty quick, so take pictures and videos when you can. It's so beautiful out there. This is definitely a must! read more

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The Banff Gondola ride offers an incredible experience, providing stunning panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies and the surrounding wilderness. The ride is smooth and comfortable, gradually ascending Sulphur Mountain where visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas of Banff townsite, Bow Valley, and the majestic mountain ranges. At the summit, there are well-maintained trails, observation decks, and a cozy cafe, making it a perfect spot for sightseeing, photography, and relaxation. The gondola is an excellent choice for all ages and fitness levels, allowing everyone to access spectacular alpine scenery without a strenuous hike. Overall, the Banff Gondola is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to the area, offering a memorable and scenic adventure in the heart of the Rockies. read more

My family and I had a great experience at Banff Gondola. I read online that parking is kind of tough to find there, so we took the complimentary Roam bus from the Town of Banff to get there. The first bus that came around was packed, but they sent a smaller bus like 2 minutes later. It's a tourist attraction so it's bound to be expensive, but I thought it was worth the price. The gondola ride was actually longer than I thought it was going to be. Once you get to the top, you can walk down the boardwalk and enjoy the mountain views. They also have a cafe, restaurant, and 2 gift shops (I thought the one on the lower level is better). read more

Banff Gondola - Gondola - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

Pros: Great views of Banff Easy parking Restaurant and snacks available Gift shop Cons: Too pricey, but you can find a 20% coupon at some gift shops in town Only seats 4 per gondala and it isn't temperature controlled Short ride Pro tip: If you are doing any above the treeline hikes, you can skip. We only stayed about 15 min at the top and if it is a cloudy/hazy day you may not be able to see much. read more

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A must for great views of Banff town. Go before sunset to do do all the hikes and then get to watch darkness loom over Banff town and the lights glimmer. Banff gondola is run by a private company called pursuits. They do a good job of hosting different types of events yearround. I've been on the gondola in all 4 seasons. But my favourite is during fall with the leaves changing color. It is very windy on top so dress accordingly as you will be on the summit of one of the tallest mountains overlooking Banff town. They do have a gift shop selling sweaters and jackets for the naive tourists who actually dress up to get photos...then realize it's way too cold to even wear shorts here in the summertime when it's plus 30 out. There is one hike to the the stars station that has a nice long pedway for really great photos. It sometimes gets crowded but that's just how it is in a beautiful tourist town like Banff. It takes about 30 min to do the upper decks of the 4 floors of the gondola building and probably 45 min to 1 hour to do the long walk to the station. It is worth it since the views there are beautiful. There are alot of stairs but it's very easy to do. Not wheelchair or stroller friendly. It's usually around $65 to go up and down the gondola. And for the great views. It is spectacular to see. I wouldn't miss it. They do have great deals for lunch or dinner at the sky bistro and I would highly recommend eating there! It's canadian style dishes and known for bison pr salmon dishes. Enjoy your trip! read more

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+ Amazing view, nice little trail on top. Nice place just to sit relax & enjoy the view from the top. - a bit expensive for a family but it's ok just for one time. read more

i'm not one to be afraid of heights but the gondolas go up and swing so quickly lol it's not a problem tho it's pretty quaint and has a good system read more

Banff Gondola - gondolas - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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banff gondola was a great experience! The views up there are spectacular and the gondola ride was smooth. Take a jacket just in case it's cold up there and don't forget to watch the history video on the top floor!! There were a few mountain goats at the top too!! Lines moved swiftly to get in and bathrooms were clean. There are 2 coffee shops as well - overall nice and organized experience. read more

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The Banff Gondola is a must-see attraction in Banff. While it is very much a only need to go once kinda place, it's totally worth it. During peak season it's BUSY! So make sure you're making your reservation ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Especially if you want to eat at one of their restaurants. I should note that the restaurant hours may vary, so make sure to check out the website if that's part of your itinerary. At the top the view is incredible. And you'll likely spend more time up there than expected, so plan accordingly. read more

Banff Gondola - Parks Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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If you visit Banff, this gondola ride is another must-do.  The gondolas are small, holding only 4 people, so the ride up or down is a semi-private experience also.  From atop Sulphur Mountain, and with decent weather, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the town of Banff and the mountain ranges in Banff National Park. Do come dressed for colder and windier conditions than at ground level.  At the top level, upon exiting the gondola, there is also a nice long boardwalk stretching out maybe 1/2 mile along the mountain's ridgeline where you can continue on enjoying various gorgeous vistas along the way.  The boardwalk ends at a historic and no longer used meteorological observatory building that still stands today. read more

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For my 800th review, I chose this experience to share. This was a great way to spend our last day in Banff National Park celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. I surprised my husband with tickets and lunch at the top. It is the best idea to purchase your tickets in advance as we did. I believe they were $55 or $60 for a round trip ride. Once your tickets are purchased you will receive a ride time. We took the shuttle from the town of Banff up to the gondola. We got in line right away as our time to ride was near. We rode up with another couple who was traveling like us. It was a quick 8 minute ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. On the way down we got to ride alone. Once at the top, there is plenty to do. There are several observation decks to view the beauty all around you. Our day was overcast and cold. We checked out all the views which included the town of Banff, the Bow River, the Canadian Rockies and the historical Fairmont Banff Springs. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch with some Canadian flair. More on that in another review. There are two restaurants to choose from and reservations are advised. A gift shop is nearby along with a small interactive museum. This was such an extraordinary experience and we really enjoyed our time up top. Be sure to add the gondola to your Banff trip. No read more

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Phenomenal views at the top. Highly recommended this adventure for all ages. Dress warmly because it's a bit chilly and windy at the Summit. They have fire pits up top for warmth and a free toasted marshmallow! read more

Why 5 stars? Because this is an absolute must-do experience in Banff. --- --- --- Yes, it's not cheap. But yes, it's absolutely worth doing. And bonus, if you have Ultimate Rewards points, you can use those to book your Gondola right if your heart desires! We arrived about 10 minutes before our departure time and were probably in our gondola about 15 minutes later. The ride up is about 10 minutes people say? I have no idea because it's very easy to lose all sense of time while you're on this ride. Every second is breath taking, and slightly nerve wracking. You get up to the top and, much like the rest of Banff, you can take about 4,000 photos a minute because every way you look, the view looks more like a movie than real life. We had reservations at Sky Bistro and then after that, we walked around a lot more and took thousands more photos. There are all kinds of walking paths you can take to other lookout spots, all of which are worth your time. You're over 7,000 feet above sea level up here, so just be warned that you might find yourself short of breath from time to time. Other reviewers mentioned that they are not strict about what time down you choose. We ended up booking a 10:30a ride up and a 1:30p ride down, and almost nailed it perfectly, as we organically arrived back at the gondola at 1:20p. Bottom line: don't come to Banff without doing this. Yes, it's touristy, but it's popular for a reason. read more

We had a good time at the Banff Gondola. I wasn't expecting to spend 40 min on the boardwalk but it had spectacular views. We also had lunch at the Northern Lights and it was great. We spent more time up there than expected and I think it was a great value overall. I'm glad they offered an earlier group option for families at a discounted rate (2 paid adults, 2 kids free). We came around 9am and parking was not an issue. Must see for first time visitors. read more

Very cool experience. Nice views of Banff. Lots of stuff to do, such as hike to Sulphur mountain, gift store, museum, dining, and chilling around. Good for families. read more

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We had a blast doing the gondola in Banff. If you're trying to decide between the Lake Louise Gondola or Banff...do Banff for sure!! Amazing views of the whole valley from the top. There's a nice boardwalk they've built across the top, and a great coffee shop and a couple restaurants as well (reservations recommended). We enjoyed some gelato out on the deck, the day we were there one of the restaurants was closed for a wedding (wow, amazing venue choice has me thinking!! ) We also enjoyed browsing the little museum where we learned about the area and about the blue color the lakes have here. read more

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I purchased the ticket online choosing the upload time is 8:30am. As I arrived early, I asked if it's ok to get in the group of 8:20am. No problem at all. After the passenger got inside, the young clerks will push your box to the specific spot. Such a hard physical job! Gondola ride was very smooth. You will find lots of trails and real PEOPLE! Underneath your gondola. That was amazing. The Gondola station on the summit has four stories which contains a gift shop, restaurant, coffee shop, theatre, and museum. Outside observatory deck has free binoculars. The board walk will take you more spectacular views. Lots of photoshooting corner on the walk and information board on the way to the summit. read more

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Not for the faint of heart, but a good way to overcome a fear of heights. You need to get yourself about a mile or so up the mountain to begin the experience, but you can easily jump on a shuttle from downtown Banff or take a taxi from your hotel if you don't want to worry about bus schedules. We took a taxi from the hotel to the gondola (we were staying just outside of town on Tunnel mountain) and then the shuttle back to town. Both were quick and easy. The gondola itself was really cool. You load up in a (very small) clear shell attached to a set of wire, they close the door, and it carries you all the way up Sulphuric mountain. The views are spectacular and you are safe inside (despite not feeling so). I had a bit of an issue with the Wobblies's sod it bc it was super windy the day we went, but they close it off the winds are too high so it really was perfectly safe (see previous "get over not liking heights" comment lol). Once at the top there are a couple of restaurants and a coffee bar as well s several observation decks and many beautiful photography shots. There is even a trail to the mountain top next door. I highly recommend the experience! read more

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