Banff Day 2 Banff Gondola

This afternoon, we took the Banff Gondola for an 8-minute cable car ride up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, reaching an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet). On a clear day, you get sweeping, panoramic views across Banff, the Bow Valley, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side today—the clouds rolled in, and so did the rain! To be fair, the weather moved quickly, granting us occasional, dramatic glimpses of the valley below between the mist.
Undeterred by the elements, we zipped up our waterproofs and tackled the boardwalk trail to Sanson’s Peak. The girls made it about two-thirds of the way before turning back, while the boys pushed on to the very top. Their perseverance paid off—just as they summited, the clouds lifted slightly to reveal a beautiful mountain rainbow! Once reunited, we gathered around the summit fire pits to toast marshmallows and take in whatever views the weather would allow.
After our 8-minute descent, we headed back to the hotel. The girls braved the downpour for a wander into town to visit the local Banff Christmas shop, eventually retreating back to the hotel with hot drinks for a cozy natter. The boys wisely chose to stay warm and dry inside.
Finding a dinner table in a bustling Banff can be a challenge, but we ended up back at Melissa's Missteaks—and it was a fantastic choice. The food was fabulous, the servers were friendly, and we were even asked if we were over 18... easily the highlight of the tour for some of us! 😂
Our server was a total character: originally from Liverpool, he moved to New Zealand in his 20s, then came to Banff 24 years ago for a single ski season and never left. He shared a brilliant story about playing golf locally, hitting a shot, and looking back only to realize a bear was standing right behind him on the course! 😳Read more