Banff Gondola
Banff Gondola
4.5
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
Sulphur Mountain summit is easily accessible via the Banff Gondola. The ride takes just 8 minutes—you’ll get to enjoy the amazing views of six mountain ranges as you coast over the treetops. Once you’re at the 7,486-foot-high mountaintop, take a stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk before spending the afternoon at the multi-sensory theater, rooftop observation deck, restaurant and interactive exhibits.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Admission tickets
from
£33.61
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Banff Gondola
The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Kim H
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oh, the views!
    We ordered tickets on line so we avoided the crowds at the ticket purchase windows. It was definitely worth the price. The views at the top are phenomenal! You also pick your departure time when you pick your ticket time. I gave us 1.5 hours which was good for taking in the views, walking the boardwalk to the higher elevation and a quick stop in the gift shop. They have a nice restaurant at the top and if I were to go again I would plan to have dinner too!
    Hello! We are so happy to hear that you had phenomenal views, and that you got to skip the line! Its great advice to buy tickets in advance, saves alot of time! We hope to see you back soon, and hope that you get to enjoy the fantastic restaurant as well! Kind Regards, Adam Macleod GE Supervisor
    Written 4 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Written 3 October 2023
  • Marc W
    Weymouth, United Kingdom1,949 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing views
    We used the public transport from Banff to the gondola, which costs just $2 per person amd it literally drops you off at the door! We hadn't booked in advance, but we walked straight in, purchased tickets with no queues, bought a Starbucks and then walked straight into a gondola. This is a must do purely for the scenery both up and down sulphur mountain.
    Hello Marcwez Thank you for kind words regarding your experience with us ! We hope to welcome you again in the future. Warmest regards and have a wonderful day. Jake Coe Guest Experience Supervisor
    Written 12 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 October 2023
  • lyza
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    GREAT EXPERIENCE
    A must try when you are in Banff. Could do this again on our next visit. The view was breathtaking. The Gondola ride is very relaxing and enjoyable. We are travelling with our toddler and he enjoyed the ride too. The smiling and very friendly staffs adds on this amazing experience. Kudos to Banff Gondola staffs!
    Hello! Thanks for leaving us such a great review, we really appreciate it! We are so happy to hear that you had amazing views while you were here! And is especially nice to heat that our staff were friendly, and that it added to you great experience here! We really hope to see you back on your next visit, if you didn't, definitely try one of our amazing restaurants we have to offer as well! Kind Regards, Adam Macleod Guest Experience Supervisor
    Written 4 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 October 2023
  • PoohLiu
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rocky Mt. is wonderful
    We stay in Canmore for the first night, Banff YWCA for two nights, then Jasper for another two nights. The most important thing for Rocky Mt. is everything we see, it’s so beautiful and unbelievable. You can see what God give us, Human cannot make these by ourselves. It’s a wonderful experience in the whole trip.
    Visited October 2023
    Written 4 October 2023
  • Issac-Cal
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best day ever
    It was a wonderful experience of spending a day at Banff Gondola tower building. Four levels of building that covers all demands and needs of tourist family specially with little kids. Gift shop, different restaurants, snack shop, theatre, kids activity zone, open space and closed spaces available according to weather and the most you can also have experience of hiking and walk in the open. We enjoyed every bit of our time. Had wonderful food, bought souvenirs, walked around and spent more than 6 hours which were not even enough timer us.
    Thank you for your great review! It looks like you had a fantastic time taking in everything up here at the Banff Gondola! We are so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed not only the views but also the delicious food on offer too! We hope to see you again soon in the near future!
    Written 13 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 October 2023
  • Leslee O
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    October in Banff
    Efficient pick up and drop, no wait for gondola, safe riding experience, beautiful building and good restaurant. Fair amount of fall color. Speechless on the views. It's a must when in Banff.
    Hey, Leslee, Thank you for the amazing review. We are so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience at the Baff Gondola! The Fall colors are stunning you picked a beautiful season to visit, we hope to see you again soon. Have a great day. Kind Regards, Gandi
    Written 12 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Written 11 October 2023
  • Amy H
    Oviedo, Florida18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don’t miss it!
    Don’t skip the Banff gondola! The ride up and down is perfect and the views from the top of Sulphur Mountain are incredible. We ended up going back down earlier than our scheduled return time. We weren’t hiking or dining so 45 minutes was plenty of time for us to enjoy the views and check out the gift shop. Staff was friendly.
    Thank you for your review! We agree, the views at the top of Sulphur Mountain are incredible! We're happy to hear our team made your experience all the more enjoyable. We hope to see you again in the near future!
    Written 13 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 October 2023
  • ChristmasJames
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do experience for anyone visiting Banff!
    Everything we hoped for - exceedingly good views of the mountains around Banff national park. We could see all the way out to Lake Miniwanke, well worth the money. Great facilities on the top of the mountain, never felt like you were stranded that’s for sure!
    Thank you for your review! We're thrilled to hear we exceeded your expectations and that you had a fantastic time taking in the stunning views from the top of Sulphur Mountain. We're happy to hear you felt safe and in comfort during your time up here. We hope to see you again in the near future!
    Written 13 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Written 13 October 2023
  • Michael C
    Windsor, Colorado36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Birthday Getaway
    We came for my wife’s birthday. She hadn’t been to Banff in 33 years. I had never been. The tram operators were pleasant; we ate at the buffet which had good vegetarian options. If Alberta were part of the USA, I would move there in a heartbeat.
    Hello Michael, We are so happy to hear your first experience of Banff was a good one! And its great you chose to come a have your wifes birthday with us! Fantastic that the operators were nice as well! We really hope you had an amazing time with us! And look forward to seeing you again, hopefully it wont be 22 years before you come again! Warm Regards, Adam Macleod Guest Experience Supervisor
    Written 15 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 October 2023
  • lillik932
    Tennessee176 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Expensive but worth it
    Obviously it’s expensive. So, of course we were concerned that it would be just a crummy tourist attraction. Actually, we just loved it. Check the prices, we got a family deal where the kids were free if you went before noon, which saves so much money!!! We got some hot chocolates which were good and reasonably priced, and carried them with us down the boardwalk on a cold, windy day - the hot drinks helped, so pick up a chocolate or coffee before you start the walk! The small interpretive center was enjoyable. Even the gift shop was good, it was typical stuff but different patterns than we saw anywhere else. We were about this-close to doing it again another day, we enjoyed it so much.
    Hello! We are so glad you loved the visit to the gondola with the family, the family experience package is great for the family to get some savings! Sounds like a great family day out with hot chocolates and a walk down our beautiful boardwalk! Thanks for taking the time out of your day to leave such a nice review, we really do appreciate it! Kind Regards, Adam Macleod GE supervisor
    Written 17 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles13,751 reviews
Excellent
9,488
Very good
3,142
Average
731
Poor
216
Terrible
176

tomli980411
Bellevue, WA1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
The view and experience is nice actually. But for a large group which want to go up and down together, the ticketing and appointment system is terrible. When you buy tickets, it is extremely unfriendly for large groups. When you choose your down-load time, it usually requires you stay at the peak for 3-4 hours. Also, if you want to leave earlier, you have to contact ticketing to seek for the number of tickets which allows you go down earlier. That says, it is difficult that there are sufficient number of tickets for a large group to go down earlier. Therefore, the down-load time for large groups is almost fixed, and you also had a few options when you buy the tickets. Thus, I have to say that Banff Gondola provides great experiences, but it is inefficient on ticketing, especially for large groups.
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KJDC19
Overland Park, KS176 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
Spectacular 360 views from atop the mountain overlooking Banff town and glimpse into Banff NP. Truly incredible to see the hands of the glaciers who carved the amazing scenery eons ago. A quick (10 mins or so) ride up gets you access to the museum, observation towers and gift shop etc. We had dinner at the buffet restaurant which was also a good value for the high quality of the food and by far the jaw-dropping views from the table. Highly recommend whilst visiting Banff.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi KJDC19, Thank you for your review of the Banff Gondola. The views from the top really are incredible, we are glad you got to experience it. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again. Matt
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

C M
Regina, Canada2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
Absolutely breathtaking and the kids loved it. We purchased the tickets online and decided to stop as we were travelling through Banff. Totally worth it. Gondola prices were reasonable and the enclosed gondola meant we felt safe taking the kids (3 and 5 years) up. The facilities at the top of the mountain were well maintained and nicer than anticipated. The boardwalk to the top of the mountain was a great way to spend our time up there with the kids and get some fantastic photos. Would definitely recommend it to family and friends. Would definitely return to Banff Gondola again!
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello CBMuir, Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to the Banff Gondola. We are glad to hear you and your family felt safe and had a great time during your visit. There is something for the entire family to enjoy here at the summit. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you again in the future. Kind Regards, Morgan
Written 5 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bigshow1974
St. Catharines, Canada1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
I have never left a review of any business in my life.

Firstly, the gondola ride and views were amazing.

However, my wife and I are very mindful of the rules and policies set forth. I saw countless customers not wearing masks or face coverings on the observation decks, inside and waiting in line. It made my wife and I feel very uncomfortable as we had to dodge the ignorant tourists who think the rules do not apply to them. No one was observing social distance rules either. You would think if they were not wearing a mask they would at least want to social distance. My wife and I decided to leave and cut our visit short as we did not feel safe.

Upon leaving, I spoke to 4 different staff members and expressed my displeasure and uneasiness. Some said they would pass it to management. I dont want to get anyone in trouble, but at least 2 employees said they were instructed not to address the customers were not following the rules, but they are to address people wearing masks and to thank them for following the rules. I am sorry, but I dont want to be thanked for following the rules. I want the people to wear damn masks. I was also informed that it was the by law enforcement officers responsibility to enforce.

This is very disappointing and if you and all people want business to keep operating and for all of us not to get sick, at least make it a requirement to wear a mask and enforce it. It should not be that hard.

Hoping that I did not get sick today.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There bigshow1974, I appreciate you taking the time to review the Banff Gondola. It is disappointing to hear that your time with us did not fully meet your expectations. It is now mandatory for all of our guests to wear masks. We do provide masks to anyone who does not have their own. If a guest is not wearing a mask they are reminded to put it on. Unfortunately even though we do have team members strategically positioned through out both buildings we may have missed some guests. We do hope that our guests also take some responsibility for their safety and safety of others. Alberta Health Services has visited on a number of occasions since we have reopened in June. They have done inspections of the gondola facilities and are very happy with the measures we have put in place. I do understand your concerns though and we will continue to work on improving procedures to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests. If you would like to discuss your concerns further please reach out anytime, bhumby@banffgondola.com. Thank you Beverly Beverly Humby Assistant Manager, Guest Experience bhumby@banffgondola.com
Written 9 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Meagan H
Winnipeg, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We've been on the Banff Gondola a few times but this time really exceeded our expectations. We booked a family rate for pre-10am boarding (we booked a 9:50am time slot). This meant our children's admissions were free, saving us over $100! When we arrived, we were allowed to join the boarding line immediately and the kids were given chocolate chip cookies. It took 10 minutes in line to board the gondola. We bought hot drinks from Castle Mountain Coffee when we reached the top and took our time walking all the different walkways and levels. It was a great experience!
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey there Meagan, Great you made use of our Family Experience package to get the kids for free early in the morning! Castle Mountain Coffee Co does easily one of the best hot chocolates around so hope you got to try one of them! Kind regards, Brody.
Written 14 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Evan M
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
From the start the price is quite high, and there were no options for discounts through CAA or the hotel we stayed at which would have been appreciated when purchasing tickets.
When up the gondola there was not a lot of people so we were able to take our time and look around at all the exhibits. The exhibit outside allowed us to play with the lights which was fun, but we walked down the boardwalk and then it got dark but no signs on if there was anything else to see, so we kept walking a bit of a ways but couldn't seen anything so turned around. The exhibits inside about the history were to dark to see and read, and the Nightrise exhibits were not interactive. We spent time walking and listening to the stories on repeat.
We were able to watch a video in the Theatre but there was no listed schedule (even though a sign said it would be on a screen), so we were unsure how long to wait and if we would get any different shows. They had a long add for Soaring over Canada, but they could have done a version for Banff and/or the national parks which could be done well.
The ride down in the Gondola the audio for the narrative story did not work so we had to listen to loud static for the whole ride down.
Overall each area felt disconnected from the other and there was no clear story that you could follow through the various floors and most of the exhibits were not interactive except the lights outside or the noise maker on the roof.
Overall, for the price of $120 for two adult people, I would not recommend. Had a better time at the Vallea Lumina in Whistler last year for about 1/2 the price.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Day, Thank you for sending us your feedback of your Banff Gondola experince. We do appreciate all feedback. For the best price for the Banff Gondola we do always recommend booking in advance on our website, as there are discounts available for booking in advance. Unfortunatley with the Nightrise experience we are only able to light the Boardwalk until the end of our lease hold. We do place signage each evening advising that the boardwalk is not lit past this point. I am sorry that you missed this signage. As for the audio in the Gondola I do apolozie for that. To try and make up for your experience, I would like welcome you back. Please reach out directly to me at lrankin@banffgondola.com I look forward to hearing from you
Written 30 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ndgirl
Chicago, IL10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
While expensive this is a great way to see gorgeous views as far as the eye can see. There is a walkway at the top up to sulphur mountain cosmic Ray station that is gorgeous. The building at the top has a huge interpretive exhibit to explore and several places to eat. We had a cocktail at the top to enjoy the views and it was perfect! Definitely a must while in Banff on a clear day!!
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi erinz707, Thank you for taking the time to leave your review, we really appreciate it. We definitely recommend the walkway to the Cosmic Ray station if you are able to. It is a great way to see more of the surrounding mountains. We are so glad you consider the Banff Gondola a must when in Banff and we hope to see you again soon. Matt
Written 15 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rose A
Vancouver, Canada241 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
It’s pricey but worth it. Alternatively you can hike up Sulphur mountain.
They encourage purchasing on line. There is some cost savings by purchasing a booking before 11 am. Children are free. Purchasing day before also has a 10$ cost saving.

Or you can book on site.

They are trying to control numbers going up and coming down by assigning times. Don’t freak out if you’re off by 10 or 15 minutes.

There was a bit of a car line up leading to the parking lot but they have attendants controlling directing you to the available spots.

There’s a Starbucks on the bottom if you’re too early. There are two pricey joints up top and coffee bar. Unless you have dining reservation up top or plan to have lunch, you only really need an 1 hr or less on top.

Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Rose A, Thank you for your detailed review, it is always great to know that our guests are aware of how to get the best experience at the best price suitable for them. Also, thank you for bringing it to the attention of others that in quieter times such as winter or summer without international visitors we refer to our times as suggested times and we certainly will make sure that guests are able to ride the Gondola despite being early or late. We're delighted you had such a positive experience here and shared your thoughts with everyone, we hope to see you back here in the future!
Written 9 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mariejoseesirois
Ottawa, Canada1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Long wait time even when booking a time slot in advance. Clients should not have to be admitted to the line 10 minutes prior to their booking time to then wait 45 minutes to an hour. Poor management/organization. You can tell that the priority is to sell as many tickets as possible at the expense of good client service.
Written 30 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

3GandD
Regina, Canada78 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
I appreciate that it costs money to build a huge centre at the top of a mountain and a company needs to make money but the value when you come with your adult children has been lost. I also hate demand based pricing but that really didn't' affect our trip as the prices didn't really fluctuate. We have been up to the top about 10 times over the years and the view, even in forest fire season, winter, summer, snow is always great. However, the value for money is declining rapidly recently. As well, the blaring music at the top is a distraction. Lastly, much of the things at the top were closed when we came.
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello 3GandD, I appreciate you taking the time to review the Banff Gondola. We are regretful that you did not fully enjoy your Gondola experience. Please feel free to reach out to me at bhumby@pursuitcollection.com to discuss your visit further. Thank you, Beverly Beverly Humby (she/her) Guest Experience Manager
Written 13 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Showing results 1-10 of 12,713
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

BANFF GONDOLA (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

All things to do in Banff
Day Trips in BanffAmusement Parks in Banff
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire