All Ages
Riders
Dec-Mar
Season
Combo Package; cuddle up on a sleigh ride and soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Finish the day with a soak in the Banff Mineral Hot Springs.
Included: Sleigh Ride (various times available)
Ride through Banff’s mountain meadows, western style! Afterwards warmup by the fireside where you can enjoy a warm drink back at the stables (weather and snow conditions permitting). The sleigh rides take approximately 40 minutes including time by the campfire.
Included: Banff Gondola (various times available)
Ride up in a glass enclosed gondola up to 2,281m (7,486ft) above sea level for an unsurpassed view of Banff, the Bow Valley and a 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges. You will feel like you’re on top of the world when you are standing on the spacious main level observation deck.
Included: Banff Upper Hot Springs (open ticket)
Soak in the soothing, thermal hot springs where travellers have come to “take the waters” for more than a century while looking out at famous Mt Rundle. This is the highest operating hot springs in Canada!
Activities in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
The best parts of the Banff sleigh ride for most people include the following:
1
Sleigh ride through the mountain meadows
Enjoy spectacular views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
2
Hot drinks by the fire
Warm up by the fire after the ride with a hot drink back at the stables.
The best parts of the Banff Gondola for most people are:
1
Ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain
Take an eight-minute journey in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin over the treetops up to a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at 2,281 metres (7,486 feet).
2
Mountain top dining and facilities
The state-of-the-art summit facility has restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck.
The best parts of the Banff Upper Hot Springs for most people include the following:
1
Highest operating hot spring in Canada
Soak in the steamy hot mineral water at 1,585 meters of elevation (5,200 feet).
2
Amenities and views
The Banff Upper Hot Springs has all the amenities of a modern facility in a splendid historic spa and bath house – set against a backdrop of Banff National Park’s spectacular alpine scenery.
The tour runs for approximately 40 minutes, with optional time by the campfire after the ride.
The sleigh ride travels through Banff’s mountain meadows as you look for wildlife with your sleigh driver. Then, enjoy a fireside warmup stop after the ride where you can enjoy a hot drink back at the stables (weather permitting). Blankets and s’mores kits are not included, but can be purchased.
Please meet at Warner Stables, the big red stables located at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. When you arrive, please follow the sleigh ride signs to check in for your ride at the office in the west barn. There is plenty of free parking at the site.
We recommend that you get to the Warner Stables 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
The sleigh is “open top” so we recommend that everyone dresses warm with multiple layers, mitts, hats, a thick winter jacket and boots. Blankets will be available to purchase, or you may like to bring your own blanket for the ride.
The sleigh is a traditional wood construction style, with wooden bench seats. You do not sit on hay.
Typically there are two horses pulling the sleigh. The horses are a variety of heavy horse breeds, including Percheron horses. There are two different sleigh sizes, a 9 seater and 16 seater. The sleigh may or may not be full on your tour.
Unfortunately you cannot feed the horses but you certainly can pet them if you wish. They love a good scratch on the cheek. You cannot ride the horses as part of this tour but we do offer horse-riding tours in the summer.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
The Gondola Station is located at the end of Mountain Avenue in Banff, about a five minute drive from downtown. Detailed driving directions will be included with your booking confirmation.
Alternatively a free shuttle bus runs in the summer from downtown Banff, or guests can catch the Roam Transit bus.
Plan on arriving 20 minutes prior to your departure time, and please ensure you are in line 10 minutes prior to your departure.
The gondola ride is approximately eight minutes each way. The suggested total visit time is 1.5 – 2 hours.
Step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet) and stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step. Then warm up in the newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility with new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck.
Several scenic hiking trails lead away from the summit complex. One of the most popular is the self-guided interpretive Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak on which you can follow in the footsteps of Norman Sanson, who walked to the top of the mountain about every week for 30 years to check the weather.
The modern, fully-enclosed gondola cabins each comfortably fit four adults. A young child or baby may be possible to make five.
You may encounter some of the local wildlife including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, golden mantled ground squirrels, hoary marmots, Clark’s nutcracker and the Canada (Gray) jay.
The last ride up the gondola is one hour prior to close, and last ride down is 30 minutes prior to close. Operating hours vary throughout the year.
Gondola tickets have a 48 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 48 hours prior.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs are located on Sulphur Mountain, near the Banff Gondola, just a 5 minute drive from downtown Banff. There is limited parking onsite, or guests can take Roam, Banff’s bus service.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs features a hot soaking pool (39 °C) with a spectacular view of Rundle Mountain, change rooms with one-time use lockers, a gift shop and a cafe. Towels and swimsuits available for rent.
Please note that tickets are open dated and non-refundable.
- There are no age restrictions for the sleigh ride and children 3 years and under are free. However, children 3 years and under are not guaranteed a seat (they may have to sit on your lap).
- Sleigh rides are weather dependent, and may not operate in certain conditions (eg: -35C).
- All minors under 18 years old participating in a horse activity must have a parent or legal guardian on the ride with them.
- All adults must sign a waiver prior to the sleigh ride. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any child under the age of 18 (documentation may be required to confirm the signatory’s authority) for sleigh rides.
- Reservations are required to guarantee your timeslot for the Banff Gondola. Please show the bar-code voucher for entry, for the specified time reserved.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
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