After exploring the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk (Click to read this experience) in the morning, we hit the road toward our next destination, Banff. Our plan was to ride the Banff Gondola and enjoy the iconic panoramic views of Banff and the Canadian Rocky Mountains that so many travelers rave about. Thanks to Pursuit (banffjaspercollection.com), our tickets were ready with a scheduled gondola boarding time of 4:50 PM. With approximately 190 kilometers to drive, we had just enough time to make it before sunset.
Beautiful Landscapes on the Road to Banff
I had read and heard so much about how stunning the drive from Jasper to Banff is, and I can confidently say, it lives up to the hype. I knew the 190 km journey wouldn’t be dull, but I didn’t expect to be blown away so soon after hitting the road.
Almost immediately, the breathtaking landscapes greeted us and made us want to pull over every five minutes. Turquoise lakes, crystal-clear rivers, dramatic valleys, and the towering presence of the Rocky Mountains surrounded us at every turn. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for us. Each view topped the last, making this part of the Icefields Parkway one of Canada’s most stunning drives.
Reaching Banff, Surrounded by the Majestic Rockies
We arrived in Banff before we even realized how quickly the nearly two-hour drive had gone by; the stunning views along the way made time fly. By the time we passed through the charming town and reached the Banff Gondola station, it was exactly 4:45 PM.
At the entrance to the parking lot, an attendant asked if we had tickets. When we told her our time slot was for 4:50 PM, she immediately waved us through and pointed us toward the entrance. We parked quickly and made our way straight to the entrance. Thankfully, we reached the station just in time and joined the line for the ride up.
Banff Gondola and Heading Up to the Summit
The line was moving smoothly; one gondola cabin would arrive while another departed, all in a steady rhythm. The young staff members, cheerful and helpful, were guiding people into the cabins in small groups of two, three, or four. When it was our turn, they greeted us with the same friendly energy and sent us off to the summit with a smile.
The gondola cabins were small, but surprisingly cozy and comfortable. As we started our eight-minute journey up the mountain, Banff town slowly began to shrink beneath us, and with every meter we climbed, the view just kept getting more and more amazing. To one side, the jagged ridges of Mount Rundle stood tall and proud, while Tunnel Mountain rose up on the other. If you’re lucky enough to take this ride on a sunny day like we did, you’ll be rewarded with mountain ranges stretching as far as the eye can see.
Arrived at the Station
After about an eight-minute ride, we arrived at the station perched 2,281 meters above sea level. The building was modern, housing a gift shop, café, and restaurant. As soon as we stepped off the gondola, we headed straight outside, eager to take in the stunning views around us.
Thanks to the clear weather, the visibility was incredible. Below us lay the town of Banff, surrounded by layers of mountain ranges, lush green forests, and the sparkling Bow River. In the distance, the Two Jack and Minnewanka Lakes added an extra touch of magic to the panorama. From the summit, we could clearly see Cascade, Tunnel, Aylmer, Inglismaldie, Girouard, Peechee, Rundle, and of course, Sulphur Mountain itself. Naturally, I took plenty of photos to capture this breathtaking scenery.
But the experience wasn’t just about standing around and snapping pictures. A beautiful wooden boardwalk leads to the historic Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. The walk is about 1 km round trip. We grabbed our jackets and set off along the path. The trail wasn’t steep, and although the altitude left us a bit breathless, the views made every step worth it.
The station, built in 1956, was used for cosmic ray research for some years before closing in 1978.
A Few Notes About the Banff Gondola
- Solo, with a partner, or family, the gondola offers stunning Rocky Mountain views effortlessly from high above.
- If you happen to be in Banff on a sunny day, make sure to take a ride on the gondola.
- Be sure to purchase your Banff Gondola tickets in advance. You can do this easily at https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/.
- You can also reach the summit by hiking without taking the gondola, or hike down after riding up.
- If you take the gondola up and hike down, you pay the full fare; if you hike up and take the gondola down, you pay half the fare.