The Best Banff Tours For A Short Winter Getaway
Only have a weekend in Banff? Discover time efficient adventures like helicopter tours, sleigh rides, the Banff Gondola, snow tubing, and icewalks.
When you only have a weekend (or less) in Banff, every hour counts. You want big mountain views, cozy moments, and a true taste of the Rockies—without spending your whole trip in transit or planning mode.
Enter: Banff Adventures. We offer tons of curated experiences for visitors of all ages, interests, and experience levels. Looking to make the most of your short getaway? Here are our top 5 recommendations for quick, high-impact activities.
Banff Helicopter Tour
If you do just one “wow” experience on a short trip, make it a Banff helicopter tour. This high-flying activity gives you a front-row seat to peaks, glaciers, and hidden valleys that would take days to reach on foot. In other words, in just one short flight, you can see more of the Rockies than most people manage in an entire vacation!
Here’s what time-efficient travellers need to know: our shortest helicopter ride (Three Sisters Helicopter Flight) is only 25 mins long, leaving you with tons of time to grab a bite or get started on your next adventure. Plus, all helicopter flights depart from the Canmore Heliport, meaning you can easily tack on some nearby activities like the Grotto Canyon Icewalk! Read more on our blog: Fun Things to Do While Visiting Canmore, Alberta.
Sleigh Rides
Short on time but still want that “storybook Banff” moment? A sleigh ride is one of the easiest ways to add real winter magic to your itinerary without eating up half your day. In under an hour, you can wrap up in a cozy blanket, glide across snowy meadows, and take in mountain views that look straight out of a holiday postcard—no special gear or training required.
Sleigh rides are especially perfect if you’re trying to fit a lot into a weekend. Departure times are short and set, so you can easily slot a ride before dinner, after a day on the slopes, or between other activities like the Banff Gondola or the Johnston Canyon Icewalk.
Best of all, everything is taken care of for you: the horses, the route, the blankets, and even time for photos. All you have to do is show up, step into the sleigh, and enjoy all the beauty that Banff has to offer!
Banff Gondola
Want that signature mountaintop experience but don’t have time for a lengthy, multi-hour hike to get there? You’re in luck: in just one eight-minute gondola ride, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Bow Valley from the top of Sulphur Mountain. From up here, you’ll see the town of Banff, surrounding peaks, and the curve of the river all laid out below you—no crampons, trail maps, or early morning start required.
An added advantage of this activity: Banff Gondola passes are flexible. Choose from either a daytime or nighttime option, then simply ride any time during your chosen time period and date. This means you can easily squeeze in a quick summit visit between other activities, or linger at the top with a coffee and take your time exploring the boardwalk and interpretive centre—either way, you’re not locked into a specific hour.
Snow Tubing
When your Banff plans are packed, but you still want one winter activity, snow tubing is the best choice. Unlike skiing, which is often a full-day affair, snow tubing can be booked for a 3-hour session and easily slots before or after other activities. Plus, snow tubing at Mt. Norquay is just minutes from the Banff townsite, making it an easy and fast commute when you’re crunched for time. Finally, here’s the best part: this activity has almost no learning curve, which means less time getting started and more time actually experiencing the mountains and having fun!
Evening Johnston Canyon Icewalk
While the daytime Johnston Canyon Icewalk is a favourite, this 4-hour tour might be more than you have time for. Luckily for you, we have the perfect solution: enjoy an ice walk in the evening! This option is shorter than the daytime tour, lasting only 1.5—2 hours total. Enjoy all the natural beauty of Johnston Canyon lit up by your headlamp, and be back in Banff in time for a late drink or an early night—no full‑day commitment required.
Make the Most of Your Trip with Banff Adventures
Even if you only have a day or two in Banff, you can still see it all. Ready to make the most of your trip? Book your Banff Adventures activities online, explore our itineraries, or contact us today for more information.
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