Banff Jasper Collection

When the sun sets, a whole new adventure begins at the Banff Gondola. This winter, explore the “Wonders of the Sky” and rediscover Sulphur Mountain’s summit beneath the moon.

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The summit in a whole new light

Explore the mountaintop beneath the moonlit sky during Nightrise, a Banff Gondola experience created alongside the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

Connect with Sulphur Mountain through the Four Wonders — a series of immersive, interactive art displays that reimagine the summit. Throughout the winter, join us for special events exploring the lunar cycle and the stories of each full moon, from the December Cold Moon to the January Wolf Moon, February’s Snow Moon and March’s Worm Moon.

Let the magic of the night ignite your senses. What will you discover at the top? 

Featured Events

Full Moon Fever Weekend

December 14 – 15, 5 – 10 p.m.
Join us at the top for two evenings exploring the full moon, its cultural significance and the captivating stories it inspires. Plus, live performances, stargazing and more fun beneath the moonlit sky.

Winter Solstice Celebration

December 21, 5 – 10 p.m.
Experience this year’s winter solstice at the summit and immerse yourself in the magic of the night. Plus, live performances, stargazing and more.

New Year’s Eve

December 31, 5 – 10 p.m.
Why wait for the countdown to start celebrating? Head to the summit after sunset and enjoy live performances, marshmallow roasting and more.

Full Moon Fever Weekend

January 10 – 11, 6 – 10 p.m.
Join us for two enchanting lunar-focused evenings. Discover the moon’s cultural significance, catch live performances and explore more beneath the night sky.

SnowNights

January 17 – February 1, 6 – 10 p.m.
Embrace the season during SnowNights — the after-dark counterpart to Banff’s SnowDays Festival — featuring live performances and stargazing at the summit.

Valentine's Day & Family Day Weekend

February 14 – 16, 6 – 10 p.m.
Love is in the air. Bring your special someone or the whole family for a weekend filled with stargazing, captivating stories, live entertainment and more.

Alpenglow Evenings

February 21 – March 30, 7 – 10 p.m.
Witness the enchanting beauty of alpenglow as the mountains blush under the fading light. Complete your evening with live performances, stargazing and more on the mountaintop.

Closing Night

March 30, 7 – 10 p.m.
Help us close out Nightrise’s fourth season with a sky-high celebration. Don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty of the summit beneath the moonlit sky one last time!

Astronomical Events

Various Dates | 5 PM – 10 PM

Join us at the summit for celestial celebrations throughout the season, with stargazing, marshmallow roasting and cocktails at our rooftop Nightrise Bar.*

November 17 – 18: Leonids Meteor Shower
December 7: Jupiter at Opposition
December 13 – 14: Geminid Meteor Shower
December 21 – 22: Ursids Meteor Shower
January 3 – 4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower
January 13: Full Moon
January 16: Mars at Opposition
February 12: Full Moon
March 14: Total Lunar Eclipse

*Weather dependent

The night sky, filled with stars high above snowcapped mountains.

Illuminating Indigenous Storytelling

Created by Moment Factory in participation with the Stoney Nakoda Nation and presented by Banff Gondola, this unique winter gathering merges immersive multimedia and nature for a new take on a familiar location. Nightrise was the recipient of the Indigenous Tourism Alberta Allyship Award in 2022 and earned top honours in the Industry Innovators category at the 2023 Skift IDEA Awards.

Created by Moment Factory

With the Participation of Stoney Nakoda

Presented by Banff Gondola

Frequently Asked Questions

There's no right or wrong way to discover Nightrise — the four stations can be explored in any order and at any pace. Many of the elements of Nightrise, however, are best experienced after the sun has completely set.

If you are dining on the summit before 8:30 p.m., we recommend exploring Nightrise after your meal. If your reservation is after 8:30 p.m., we recommend arriving 45 to 60 minutes early to fully experience Nightrise ahead of dinner.

Yes, the boardwalk remains open for guests to explore. However, please note that the Nigthrise’s lights and sounds are only displayed inside the building and on the area immediately surrounding the building (1st and 4th floor terraces). As stewards of our National Parks, our aim is to reduce our impact on the dark sky and local wildlife population.

Anticipate cold weather: During the evenings, it's particularly important to dress in proper winter attire. Our gondola cabins are not heated, and it can get cold and windy at the top. For your safety, a winter jacket, warm socks and winter footwear are required.

The Banff Gondola is located 2.5 km from Banff town centre.

ROAM Transit Local Route 1

Take advantage of the Banff ROAM Public Transit Route 1 which departs from downtown Banff to the Banff Gondola (one way cash fare: $2 per person).

Driving

From Banff Ave, head south towards the Bow Bridge. Make a left turn after the Bow Bridge onto Mountain Ave and keep to the right lane. Follow Mountain Ave to the very end where you will arrive at the Banff Gondola parking lot on your left.

Nightrise features moving and coloured lights that could trigger individuals with photosensitive epilepsy. It also includes fog/smoke machines.

Yes, Sky Bistro and Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen are both open on the summit during Nightrise. We offer packages to combine your experience with a meal at either restaurant.  

Nightrise will be returning to the Banff Gondola from November 18, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Please check online for the current sunset time before your visit here Sunrise and sunset times in Banff (timeanddate.com)

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation and gratitude, we honour and acknowledge that Banff is located on traditional Treaty 7 territory. These sacred lands are a gathering place for the Îyârhe Eyithkabi of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nation; the Niitsitapi from the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani First Nations; the Tsuut’ina First Nation; the Ktunaxa First Nation; the Secwepmc First Nation; the Métis Nation of Alberta, Metis District 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland, and many others whose histories, language, and cultures have existed here since time immemorial.

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