Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain at Banff National Park

The Banff Gondola is a must do during your stay at Banff National Park. It will take you op to Sulphur Mountain, which is 2.292 m high. It has become such a famous place because of its spectacular view over the Town of Banff. Beside the amazing view over the Town of Banff, you’ll also see six Mountain Peaks at once. Unfortunately, the view was not that clear during our stay because of the bush fires and the smoke. If you are visiting Alberta in summer, be sure to check if there are bushfires in the surroundings.

Sulphur Mountain is also the home of two hot sulphurous springs. The lower one if the Cave and Basin National Historic Site an the higher one is the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Last one is very popular among visitors and often overcrowded! As both attractions, Banff Gondola and the Upper Hot Springs, are located close to each other, you can easily combine those two. Either way, the steamy hot mineral water is relaxing after every activity. The other warm water spring, which can be visited at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site was discovered by three railway workers in 1883. But those hot spring are no longer open to the public for taking a bath.

You have two possibilities to get to the top. You can opt for the Gondola Ride, which will take you up in only 8 minutes in a glass Gondola or you can hike up the whole way. It is a moderate hike of 5,5 km. Taking the Gondola will definitely give you a better view over the Bow Valley and Banff.

Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk & Rooftop Observation Deck

You can take a walk along Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, which will leave you all the way with impressive and stunning views in every direction. The Banff Skywalk will take you to Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Observatory. You can walk around the old building and have a look through the window. In the early 1900s, Normal Sanson climbed almost every week a trail op to the observatory.

Whenever you will walk along Sulphur Mountain, you are never alone on the path. You are always accompanied by squirrels or marmots. If you are lucky, you might even see Big Horn Mountain Sheep!

Inside at the complex is an Interpretive Centre, which explains Banff National Park in an interactive way which makes it a very fun and family friendly experience. They even have a theatre where you can see the Canadian Rockies from the perspective of a bald eagle. You can at least spend as much time inside the  Centre as outside on the Boardwalk and Observation Deck.

Lunch at Sky Bistro

Whenever you’re on Sulphur Mountain, be sure to stop at the Sky Bistro. This restaurant is located on the summit of Sulphur Mountain, which will give you an amazing view during your meal. You can either eat à la carte or you can opt for a signature Sky Experience package. All of their dishes include the unique flavours of Canada. They try to cook as regional as possible with local meat, produce and ingredients.

Banff Gondola is even accessible for people with limited mobility, which means that you can access Sulphur Mountain also with a wheelchair! Every gondola can take a wheelchair and its passenger to the summit.

Read next: Via Ferreta on Mount Norquay in Banff National Park Canada