After the sun sets, Nightrise brings the Banff Gondola’s summit building to life in unexpected ways. Explore four multi-sensory art installations and discover your own connection to the mountaintop.
Nightrise honours the magic of sacred mountains — a place of gathering since time immemorial for many, including for the Stoney Nakoda People (Îyârhe Îethka).
Connect with the summit of Sulphur Mountain (Mînî Rhuwîn) through the Four Wonders. Interact with Cosmic Ray projections on the lower terrace. Bask in shimmering light at the second floor’s Diamond Dust station. Explore Alpenglow — a digital art tribute to the mountains on the fourth floor. Then continue to the top floor patio and listen to the view with Frosted Waves.
What will you discover at the top?
Your adventure begins as the sun sets. Make your way to Sulphur Mountain, located south of the Banff townsite. You have several options for getting here, including Banff ROAM Public Transit.
The gondola’s ascent up Sulphur Mountain sets Nightrise into motion. Music, narration and original soundscapes fill the gondola cabin as you soar more than 2,000 feet in the air. Look out at the mountain views on the way to the top and watch as daylight dims and night rises.
Step onto the summit, where wonder awaits. Cosmic Rays (Apenene Garharhagach), Diamond Dust (Wiyapta Ptach), Alpenglow (Aîthîya Eya) and Frosted Waves (Yowatha) make up the Four Wonders — immersive stations of light, sound and projections spread throughout the summit building.
Complete your evening with an unforgettable mountaintop meal before or after experiencing Nightrise. Reserve a table at Sky Bistro for elevated Canadian cuisine. Or, save a spot at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, the Banff Gondola’s buffet-style restaurant. For an extra delight, visit the Belvedere Rooftop Bar for a Nightrise-themed nightcap.
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 and inspiring take on a familiar location. Complementing the existing offer of food and drinks, Nightrise invites visitors to look, listen, lounge and connect with the mountain in a different way.
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.
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).
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.
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)
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-Wesley First Nations; 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, Region III within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland, and many others whose histories, language, and cultures have existed here since time immemorial.
