Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola offers a well-organized and memorable experience from start to finish. On the admin side, everything runs smoothly. Free on-site parking is a big plus, and while there are lineups to board, the process is efficient and well-managed. Each gondola car fits four people comfortably. Tickets are timed for both the ascent and descent, which helps manage crowd flow. However, the staff at the ticket office are friendly and flexible if changes are needed—great customer service. It's also worth checking online for better deals in advance. As for the experience itself—it’s breathtaking. The views during the ride up, at the summit, and on the way down are absolutely stunning. A true 360-degree panorama of the Rockies that’s hard to beat. The boardwalk at the top is fairly easy to walk and provides even more spectacular views without the intensity of a full hike—perfect for all fitness levels. An absolute must-do when visiting Banff!

The Banff Gondola offers a breathtaking ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, providing panoramic views of the Rockies. The experience is truly unforgettable, especially with the interactive exhibits and scenic boardwalk at the top. It’s best to visit on a sunny day to fully enjoy the stunning mountain vistas and capture crystal-clear photos. Although the ticket price is a bit expensive compared to the short ride time, the views and experience at the summit make it worthwhile.

Stopped here a part of our Rocky Mountaineer Rail tour. There were about 25 of us in this group. It was early in the morning and the place was already getting busy. Our guides got us tickets and we ended up waiting for about 30 minutes before we could go up. I took the opportunity to get a hot chocolate from the Starbucks located in the same building. The gondola ride is very nice. For those people who have height issues, it can be a little scary, but the entire structure is very sound, and the ride up is relatively smooth (with the exception of the occasional bump when the car goes over the support towers). The building on top is very nice. It has rest room, gift shop, signage and history, and an observation deck that lets you see for miles! Stunning views, all the way around. There is a well built walking deck that will take you a few hundred yards to the old weather station. It's worth the walk to go out. You'll learn about the local area, and the incredible history of the tower. You will be at the highest peak on Sulphur Mountain. A real highlight of the trip.

Among the gondola rides I had, this is one of the nicer ones for an overall experience. The gondola itself is vintage : it is quite a sight to see the staff still manually handling the gondola at the boarding point. The facility at the top is modern with shops and a couple of eateries. The restaurant which offers fine dining, can get booked out and reservations are recommended. There is also a cafeteria style dining area that serves buffets for dinner, the selection is limited but decent enough with salads to sweets. The salmon and pork are delicious. I find the cafeteria offers nicer mountain views than the restaurant as it is located along the perimeter of the top station while the restaurant is located slightly deeper inside with only a small area by the window. There is a exhibition area about the mountains and wildlife. At certain times of the year, there is a special display and lighting called the Night Rise which gives the place a different mood and atmosphere in the evening. You can also climb to the top of Sulphur Mountain from the top the station. The views are incredible, you can see the town of Banff surrounded by mountains. It is a popular tourist destination, it can get quite crowded at times but never too packed during my visit. Getting here is easy with a bus from Banff. It takes less than an hour. Do take note of the timings for the bus to and fro the gondola.

Had an amazing time at the Banff Gondola! The views on the way up and at the top were absolutely stunning; I recommend going late in the evening to catch a sunset and spend sometime up there. The whole experience was super smooth, and the staff were all really friendly and helpful. They also rescheduled our tickets as we reached there an hour before, ask at the counter and they would be more than happy to accommodate if possible. The boardwalk at the summit is a must — great photo spots and not too hard to walk. Also loved the little café and gift shop at the top. Overall, a great way to see Banff from above. Definitely recommend if you’re in town!

First time in Banff. It's a really beautiful place. The Gondola ride is really wonderful and just watching the specular views start to appear as the Gondola goes higher and higher is absolutely breathtaking. The Interactive Center (four story building per the elevator) at the top of the Gondola has absolutely breathtaking views of all the surrounding mountains especially from its rooftop outlook. The building provides access to a wooden walkway that goes out to one of the peaks of the mountain which also provides a wonderful outlook. The center also has a number of other attractions including restaurants, a gift shop, restrooms, trail head access to get up and down the mountain for those who would prefer to hike to the top, as well as other amenities. Note: we were not there during the peak season so wait times for activities were extremely short. It is my understanding that wait times during peak time are much longer.

The gondola holds 4 people, and the ride takes about 8 minutes each way to go from 4500 feet to 7468 feet in altitude. The view at the top is amazing!! We ate at the buffet, and it wasn't worth the money. Very average cuisine. There is a hike to the very top of Sulfur Mountain at 8000 feet. No one tells you that it entails climbing 368 stairs!! So be prepared, because the lack of oxygen at 8000 feet affects your breathing quite a lot, and I exercise 5-6 days a week!! It is a worthwhile effort, if you are in good shape. The view is indescribably spectacular!! Upon descending, be extra careful because it can be slippery!!

Must do activity! Need to repurchase tickets to ensure timed entrance. Parking is not plentiful so they only let you in around 30 mins prior to ticketed entrance. It is well organized place. Very efficient with lines moving quickly. Gondola fits max of 4. Once on top there is an outside platformed area to walk - can get to higher elevation for great pictures. Or if too cold there are good viewpoints and exhibits inside too. We were there at end of June and there was still snow on the grounds.