Ski the local hills
Which hill fits your day, how to get there, and Joe's recommended runs for your level once you are on it.
Est. 1885
Canada's first national park
Getting here
About 1.5 hours west of Calgary
Before you go
A Parks Canada pass is required
In the app
Joe's recommended runsTours that tell the story
Three ski areas and hundreds of runs. A ski patroller who has worked all three picks the ones worth your day, for every skill level.E-bike tours and hikes drawn by a local guide. Follow the line on the map and each stop tells its story as you arrive.
The app is free. A single one-time unlock, about the price of a coffee, opens every e-bike tour, every hike and all of Joe's recommended runs.
- Runs for every skill level, from a first day on snow to the steepsE-bike tours, from a ride around the golf course to Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon
- Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise, and which one suits your dayWalks and hikes, from a stroll through town to the top of Tunnel Mountain
- Ski and board rentals, food, washrooms and parking, nearest firstBike rentals, food, washrooms and parking, nearest first
Things to do
A winter in BanffA summer in Banff
Ski touring
Where to start, and the avalanche-safety basics you need before you go.
Hut trips
Backcountry huts worth the trip, and how to book them.
Guided days
When to hire a guide, and how to find a good one.
Paddle
Calm-water paddles close to town, and where to rent a canoe.
Hike and scramble
Trails sorted by time and effort, from an easy hour to a full day.
Climb
Crags for every level, and local guides if you want to learn.
Camp
Front-country and backcountry camping, and how permits work.
Local tip
Look for the cloud seaGo early
On some winter mornings the valley fills with cloud while the peaks sit in full sun. Ride a chair up on a grey day and you might come out on top of it.The best light, the calmest water and the emptiest trails all happen before most visitors are out of bed.
About the town
Getting your bearings
Getting around
Banff is a small, walkable town and parking downtown fills early. Leave the car where you are staying and walk, ride, or take Roam Transit, the local bus that links the town, the ski hills and the main sights.
Wildlife
Elk, deer and bears live in and around town. Give every animal plenty of room, never feed them, keep dogs on a leash, and carry bear spray on the trails and know how to use it. Parks Canada posts current warnings and closures.
Check conditions
Mountain weather changes quickly, in any month. Pack an extra layer, tell someone your plan, and look at the forecast before you leave. In winter, read the avalanche forecast at avalanche.ca before heading into the backcountry. In an emergency, call 911.
