Frequently Asked Questions

In Banff and Jasper, we have introduced stringent cleaning and safety protocols to safely operate for all travelers who visit Banff and Jasper. International travel to Canada is currently restricted. Please see our complete information page for more information on our Safety Promise.

No, masks are not required.

The ride up the Banff Gondola is approximately 8-minutes long in each direction. The track is about 1 mile long.

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

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.

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).

During winter, show your Banff Gondola ticket to the Route 1 bus driver and get a free return ride*.

*Offer valid from December 2 to March 31, 2022. Only on route 1 to and from the Banff Gondola, and on the day of your visit.

Our gondola cars comfortably fit four adults. A young child or baby may be possible to make five.

Yes. The Banff Gondola facilities are wheelchair accessible and easily accessed by those who are elderly, families with children, or less mobile.

We gladly provide handicapped parking within 30 meters of the entrance and ramp access into the building. All 4 levels within the summit complex are accessible by elevator. Seating can be found in all areas.

The gondola cabins come off the track to load and unload passengers, allowing our guests as much time as they require to board. The gondolas can accommodate most standard-sized manual and motorized wheelchairs, walking frames, and assistance devices with a limit size of 31" wide and 41" long and a total weight limit of 320 kg.

Please note: Though our facilities are wheelchair accessible, the summit boardwalk is not as it consists of 368 shallow stairs each way.

Due to the limited space in the gondola and in the mountaintop facilities, we do not recommend strollers.

Pets are not permitted on the gondola or in our facilities, with the exception of service dogs*, for the safety and comfort of our guests.

*Appropriate accreditation must be presented on site. Emotional support animals are not permitted.

Stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step, then warm up in our newly transformed, state-of-the-art upper terminal building. From new restaurants and interactive exhibits to a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, there are endless things to do at the Banff Gondola. Learn more here.

The best times to avoid crowds are anytime is before 12 PM or after 5 PM.

The weather can be very variable here in the Canadian Rockies, changing from warm summer sunshine to freezing rain and snow within an hour. At the top of the Banff Gondola, the temperature is several degrees lower than the bottom. So, no matter the season, it's wise to bring clothes that you can layer and that are quick-drying.

During winter, it's particularly important to bring proper winter attire. Our gondola cabins are not heated and it can get cold and windy at the top. A winter jacket, hat, mitts, gloves and warm socks are strongly encouraged.

We understand that life happens. Changes can be made online up to 48 hours before your visit. If you need to make changes within 48 hours of your visit, give us a call at 1.866.756.1904 and we will do our best to help.

Yes! A one-way trip down on the Banff Gondola is available for half the regular price of admission* (5 & under are free) during our Daily Operating Hours. All hikers must check in before entering the building for a quick screening.

Please note: if you would like the take the Banff Gondola up and hike down, you must purchase a full-price ticket.

During the winter season, hikers must be aware that the trail will be covered in snow/ice and need to have appropriate hiking gear suitable for winter conditions.

*One way tickets are subject to availability. Bow Valley residents can receive a complimentary one way ticket at the summit, proof of residency required.

The hike will take between 1.5 to 3 hours to complete depending on fitness and trail conditions. The trail is approximately 5.5 km and is on a clear, well-marked switchback style trail, beginning in the the parking lot of the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

The Lower Terminal is 5,194 feet (1,583 metres) above sea level, the Upper Terminal is 7,486 feet (2,281 metres) above sea level and Sanson's Peak is approximately 10 meters above the Upper Terminal's altitude.

Yes. All group bookings must be made 48 hours in advance through our reservations team to be eligible for a discount. A group consists of 15 people or more.

The Banff Gondola is the perfect venue for group functions. Please contact our corporate and event management team and let us custom-build the perfect group function for you. Call 1.800.661.1750 or click here for more information

No. Parks Canada requires all adult visitors to Canada’s national parks to buy a permit for the duration of their stay to support visitor services and facilities. Day Passes or a yearly Discovery Pass are available to buy in-person at Parks Canada's park gates and information centres in Banff and Jasper. Admission for youth 17 and under is free.

No, there is no skiing on Sulphur Mountain. Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are all popular ski resorts located inside the national park.

For the safety of our guests and staff, and due to size constraints, sporting equipment such as mountain bikes, skis, snowboards, sleds are not permitted on the Banff Gondola. If you are unsure, please contact the Banff Gondola. 

Parks Canada has designated all National Parks in Canada as “no drone zones” for recreational use. Fines apply — please leave your drone at home. (See Parks Canada for further details)

The cost of a taxi ride from the Banff Gondola to downtown Banff is approximately $10 to $15.

The local bus arrives at the Banff Gondola every 40 minutes. The cost is $2.00 per person and passengers will need to provide the correct change as no change will be given on the buses.

We have an extensive and exhaustive maintenance program and all of our lift safety systems are tested every morning before we open. We also run tests and inspections on all of our equipment daily, monthly and yearly. Safety is our number one priority.

We are in the Spray Valley. The town of Banff is in the Bow Valley.

Lake Louise is 57 km or an approximate 40 minute drive.
The Columbia Icefield is 180 km or an approximate 2.5 hour drive.
Jasper is 227 km or an approximate 3.5 hour drive.
Calgary is 110 km or an approximate 1 hour drive.
Vancouver is 856 km or an approximate 12 hour drive.