Some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies can be enjoyed from the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take the Banff Gondola to the summit. The eight-minute ride offers spectacular views from a glass-enclosed cabin. The Summit Complex at the end of the gondola ride has restaurants, a gift shop and multiple viewing platforms. Look out over six different mountain ranges, through valleys and down onto the town of Banff.
The gondola leaves from the base of the mountain about five minutes outside town. It runs throughout the year. Come in summer, when the sun shines and wildlife roams the mountain. The view is no less impressive in winter, when the landscape is covered in a blanket of pristine white snow. In winter, come prepared for sub-zero temperatures and strong winds, and it can still be cold and windy at the summit in summer.
Each glass-enclosed gondola seats four people and offers 360-degree views for the whole ride. The Summit Complex is 7,486 feet (2,281 meters) above sea level.
Go inside to warm up in one of two restaurants. Both have glass walls to make the most of the scenery.
Take a short walk along the ridge for more photo opportunities. A half-mile (800-meter) wooden walkway runs along the summit ridge to the Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station. Norman Sanson was a local who hiked the mountain once a week for 30 years to check the weather. There’s not much to see at the station itself, but the views across the mountains are spectacular. It’s often less crowded than the gondola Summit Complex.
A second trail runs south from the complex to the mountain’s true summit, but only experienced hikers should attempt the rocky climb.
The gondola runs every day of the year, except during scheduled maintenance. Buses and taxis run from Banff to the base of the gondola, and there’s ample parking.
Banff Gondola Tours
Visit Banff Gondola
Banff Gondola Travel Guide Video
Browse tours and tickets to explore Banff Gondola
Tours & day trips
See all 204 activities
Lake Louise Moraine Lake Emerald Lake Yoho Banff National Park
Private & custom tours
See all 42 activities
Banff Highlights: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and beyond
Wildlife & nature
See all 13 activities
Explore Banff National Park & Lake Louise Day Trip
Winter activities
See all 11 activities
Snowshoeing on Top of the World
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 6 activities
Lake Louise, Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka, Cave & Basin
Reviews of Banff Gondola
2/5 - Disappointing
It was closed for maintenance.
5/5 - Excellent
Dress very warmly on cool days and take a windbreaker and warm jacket
4/5 - Good
We walked up and down. It took us 1 hour 45 minutes to walk up. Gondola ride is expensive ($73!!).
4/5 - Good
This is not cheap and be prepared to walk quite a ways from where you park if going during holiday weekends. The views were definitely fantastic, but if you're in reasonable shape, you may as well save the $70 CAD and hike to the top.
5/5 - Excellent
Bring a selfie stick-- as much as I hate to admit, it was a life saver for photos. Get there really early or go later in the day. and TAKE. THE. SHUTTLE. Don't drive. The shuttle and public transit is SO much more convenient and relaxing.
4/5 - Good
Nice, but photographers be aware that the stunning panorama stretched out below you will be condensed into a distant line of tiny mountains by your wide angle lens or iphone and the resulting images left unimpressive. You need to get up close for a sense of scale, so put a 400mm tele in your bag for an epic shot of Lake Louise and the glacier above it (unlike from the lake, the glacier can be seen properly from up here).
Popular places to visit
Sulphur Mountain
Explore the great outdoors at Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the mountain views during your trip to Banff. Stroll along the lakeside or seek out the ski slopes.
Upper Hot Springs
Rejuvenate your body in the geothermal waters of these historic hot springs while admiring the exquisite views of Banff National Park.
Fairmont Banff Springs Bowling Centre
Enjoy a trip to Fairmont Banff Springs Bowling Centre and popular activities like skiing in Banff. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its hiking trails.
Bow Falls
Enjoy the mountain views and explore Bow Falls, a lovely green space in Banff. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the ski slopes.
Banff Cascades of Time Gardens
Explore the lovely green spaces of Banff Cascades of Time Gardens and enjoy the ski slopes in Banff. Stroll along the lakeside or discover the area's mountain views.
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Walk around the campus at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as part of your travels around Banff. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its ski slopes.
Best Lodging Options Near Banff Gondola
Check availability on hotels close to Banff Gondola
Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection
The Fox Hotel and Suites
Hotel Canoe and Suites
Brewster Mountain Lodge
Moose Hotel And Suites
Otter Hotel
Best time to go to Banff Gondola
The best time to visit Banff Gondola is dependent on what kind of holiday you are seeking. July is its hottest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. December is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly cloudy with no rain.
 Calendar Month |  Temperature |  Precipitation |  Cloudiness |  Occupancy |  Pricing |
| January | 13.5°F (-10.3°C) | No Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Moderately Low |
| February | 12.9°F (-10.6°C) | No Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
| March | 22.3°F (-5.4°C) | No Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
| April | 30.6°F (-0.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Moderately Low |
| May | 41.9°F (5.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly Low | Average |
| June | 50.9°F (10.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Moderately High |
| July | 57.7°F (14.3°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Moderately High |
| August | 56.7°F (13.7°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Moderately High |
| September | 46.9°F (8.3°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Average |
| October | 32.7°F (0.4°C) | No Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| November | 19.2°F (-7.1°C) | No Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Moderately Low |
| December | 10.2°F (-12.1°C) | No Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
- Harvie Heights Hotels
- Family Hotels in Banff
- Ski Hotels in Banff
- Hostels in Banff Station
- Town Houses in Banff
- B&B in Banff Station
- Lodges in Banff
- Hotels with a Pool in Banff Springs District
- Hotels with Bars in Banff Springs District
- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Family Hotels in Banff Springs District
- B&B in Banff
- Hotels with Bars in Banff Centre District
- Cheap Hotels in Banff
- Luxury Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Banff Springs District
- Hostels in Sunshine
- Hotels with a Pool in Banff Centre District
- Gay friendly Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Boutique Hotels in Downtown District
- Holiday Park Resorts in Banff
- Hotels with an Indoor Pool in Banff Springs District
- Adults Only Resorts & in Banff Centre District
- Beach Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Capsule Hotels in Banff
- Luxury Hotels in Canmore
- Historic Hotels in Banff
- Hotels near Mount Norquay Ski Resort
- Hotel with a Concierge Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Boutique Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Banff Centre District Hotels
- Hotels near Mt. Norquay
- Hotels near Banff Station
- Tunnel Mountain District Hotels
- All-Inclusive Hotel Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Farmstay in Banff
- Hotels with a Pool in Canmore
- Inns in Canmore
- Hotels with Early Check-in in Banff
- Guest Houses in Banff
- Vacation Homes in Banff
- Family Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Cabin Rentals in Banff
- Adults Only Resorts & in Sunshine
- Aparthotels in Canmore
- Downtown District Hotels
- Canmore Hotels
- Hotels near Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
- Luxury Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Hotels near Tunnel Mountain
- All-Inclusive Hotel Hotels in Canmore
- All-Inclusive Hotel Hotels in Downtown District
- Ski Hotels in Banff Centre District
- B&B in Sunshine
- Hotels near Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
- Hotels near Banff National Park Information Centre
- Beach Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Cheap Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Banff
- B&B in Canmore
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Banff Centre District
- Condo Rentals in Banff
- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Banff
- Hostels in Banff
- All-Inclusive Hotel Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Hotel with a Concierge Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Chalets in Banff
- Resorts in Banff
- Historic Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Hotels near Fairmont Banff Springs Bowling Centre
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Banff Centre District
- Hotels near Banff
- Shopping Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Banff Springs District
- Hotels near Bow Falls
- Hotels near Upper Hot Springs
- Cheap Hotels in Banff Centre District
- Luxury Hotels in Banff
- Banff Springs District Hotels
- Inns in Banff
- Romantic Hotels in Banff
- Ski Hotels in Banff Springs District
- Banff Hotels
- Ranches in Banff
- Hotels near Banff Springs Golf Club
- Aparthotels in Banff
- Business Hotels in Canmore
- Hotels near Banff Gondola
- Rv Parks in Banff
- Boutique Hotels in Banff