Ice Rinks Open, Hot Springs Shut

Hi Everyone! Merry Christmas!

Before we start

We hope you are enjoying a calm and happy holiday, whether you are spending it at home, outdoors, or visiting the mountains. We are taking a short break, so there will be no editions on Wednesday or Thursday this week. We will be back in your inbox on the 26th with the next issue of What’s On Banff.

OK lets go

Winter has well and truly settled into Banff, and this week feels like a perfect snapshot of life in the mountains right now. Cold air, busy weekends, glowing lights, and a few reminders that winter here comes with trade-offs.

Up top, the Banff Gondola is having a strong moment. Fewer crowds, crisp views, and the final year of Nightrise are turning an already solid ride into something that feels a bit more special after dark. If you have been looking for a winter experience that does not require skis or spikes, this is an easy one to slot into your plans.

Down in town, the contrast could not be clearer. Outdoor rinks are open, and winter is officially on, with skating back at Sundance and Rotary and more ice coming together as conditions allow. At the same time, the Upper Hot Springs remain firmly closed, with no soak on the horizon anytime soon. It is one of those classic Banff winters where you can lace up skates but still cannot steam your way through the cold.

Add in the ongoing debate around Banff parking and how visitors and locals move through town as 2026 gets closer, and there is plenty happening beyond the weather forecast.

There is plenty more happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

• Banff in January: Is it the Best Month to Visit?

• Banff in December: What to Expect in the Heart of Winter!

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🌤️ Today’s Weather

Banff: Mostly cloudy with light snow, high -3 °C and low -8 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high -1 °C and low -7 °C.
Jasper: Mostly cloudy with snow, high -9 °C and low -22 °C.

👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.

🏔️ Plan Your Trip

Ride the Banff Gondola in Winter for Big Views Without the Hike

If you want mountain views in winter without committing to a full hike or ski day, the Banff Gondola is an easy win. The ride takes you up Sulphur Mountain in about eight minutes, trading Banff Avenue for snowy peaks, wide-open valleys, and crisp alpine air. Winter brings fewer crowds than summer and a quieter, more dramatic feel at the top.

At the summit, you can warm up inside, explore exhibits, and step out onto viewing platforms for photos when conditions allow. The boardwalk toward Sanson Peak stays open in winter and offers big views with minimal effort, though it can be icy. In the evenings, winter events like Nightrise add an extra layer to the experience, turning the summit into something more atmospheric than a simple viewpoint.

If you’re planning winter sightseeing and want something memorable that doesn’t depend on perfect weather or fitness levels, the gondola fits neatly into a Banff itinerary.

Easy Walks the Whole Family Can Enjoy in Canmore

If you’re visiting Canmore with kids, mixed abilities, or just want something relaxed, there are plenty of walks that offer great scenery without feeling like a proper hike. These are the kinds of outings where you can slow down, let everyone set the pace, and still come away with classic mountain views.

Gentle favourites like the Bow River Loop and Policeman's Creek are perfect for easy riverside strolls close to town. Quarry Lake adds wide-open views and space to linger, while Larch Island is a short, quiet loop with a bit of wildlife spotting along the way. For something iconic without much effort, the Three Sisters Viewpoint delivers one of Canmore's most photographed scenes in just over a kilometre. All of these walks are short, mostly flat, and easy to fit into a family-friendly day.

If you’re looking for simple ways to get outside together without overplanning, these walks are a great place to start.

🏕️ Quiz

Yesterday’s Question

✅Answer: 3) Bow Falls - 76% Correct

Bow Falls often partially freezes in winter, creating a striking scene just minutes from town. Learn more about the walk in our Bow Falls Trail guide.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

🚦 Banff’s parking future is still stuck in neutral. As 2026 approaches, there is still no final call on whether downtown gets more underground parking or if cars are meant to stop at the edges. Everyone agrees traffic is bad - solutions are another story.

❄️ Banff’s outdoor rinks are open, and winter is on. Lace up for skating at Sundance and Rotary Parks while crews fine-tune the Fenlands Meadow rink. Holiday skating plans are starting to look very real right about now.

🚧 Banff Upper Hot Springs will stay closed into early 2026. Hoping for a steamy soak sooner? Parks Canada says essential upgrades uncovered extra structural issues, meaning the entire facility remains shut while crews finish the job properly.

☕ Banff’s Hot Chocolate Trail is back and sweeter than ever. Sip your way through 30+ cafes and restaurants serving festive, limited-time cocoa creations all winter long. Cozy mugs, creative flavours, and major FOMO included - 👉 map out your cocoa crawl here

🥾 A new ACC hut near Twin Falls is on the way. Renovations are underway to add solar power, modern systems, and space for 20 sleepers. Hut-to-hut dreams in Yoho just levelled up, even if patience is required first.

🏟️ Canmore wants the MD of Bighorn to pay a lot more for rec access. A proposed deal would see Bighorn’s payment jump to $219,338 in 2026, nearly double last year, reopening a debate over who pays what for Elevation Place and the rec centre.

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

Planning a visit to Lake Louise? Getting there isn’t always straightforward. Parking limits, shuttle options, and winter access rules can be confusing. See our clear breakdown of how to get there without the usual hassle.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

Due to space limitations, we couldn’t fit in all events happening between 21 & 25 December. The good news? You can find the full list of Banff and Canmore events from 22 December onwards right here: Christmas Week Events - Banff & Canmore

Sunday, December 21

9:00 | Photos with Santa | Malcolm Hotel | Canmore

10:00 | Big Christmas Concert | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Banff

10:00 | Queer Market: Festive | | Banff

13:00 | Santa on the Mountain | Sunshine Village Ski Resort | Banff

14:00 | A Christmas Carol | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

15:00 | Open Mic Night | Core Values Cider | Canmore

15:00 | Cabaret: Joy to the World | Carter-Ryan Gallery and Theatre | Canmore

16:30 | Pop-Up Choir: Xmas Sing-a-Long | Canmore Brewing | Canmore

17:00 | Industry Night | Sunday Supper | The Fat Ox | Banff

18:30 | Winter Solstice Community Lantern Skate | Sundance Park | Banff

19:00 | A Stoney Christmas | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:30 | ABBA-SOLUTELY Fabulous Show | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

21:00 | Sunday Funday (Party) | Melissa's Missteak | Banff

21:00 | Sunday Funday: Party | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | Brent Lee: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

📅 Got An Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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