Travel Like an Influencer: Angela Liguori's 6-Day Itinerary in Banff and Lake Louise
Winter in the Canadian Rocky Mountains isn’t just beautiful and picturesque, it’s also full of awe-inspiring experiences and thrilling adventure. If you’re craving an unforgettable winter getaway that has already been tested, loved and carefully planned, this 6 Day Banff Itinerary is just what you need.
From tips for every ski resort, local food spots, unique winter experiences and jaw-dropping photo ops, every detail is planned out, pesky logistics included. You just need to show up, enjoy and soak up the winter magic.
I'm Angela Liguori, a BC born adventure-loving photographer and creator who has just spent six glorious days experiencing the magic of winter in Banff and Lake Louise.
Whether you're looking for tried-and-true Banff winter activities, curious about what to pack, trip ideas, or wondering how to explore beyond ski resorts, this post covers it all. Let’s dive into six snow-filled days of jaw-dropping peaks, endless ski runs, delicious food, and unforgettable Banff winter activities.
Day 1: Arriving in Banff
After arriving at Calgary International Airport, we hopped on the Banff Airporter shuttle, a convenient service that brings you right to the heart of Banff! Our home for the week was Hotel Canoe & Suites, located right on Banff Avenue.
There are two bus stops right out front, and all guests get local Banff Roam Transit passes to use throughout their trip, so getting around without a rental car is incredibly easy.
From the moment you walk in, this hotel feels so cozy, Scandinavian-style fireplaces, wooden accents, and cabin-like comfort.
The best part, though? The rooftop hot pools.
Picture this: crisp winter air on your face, hot water on your sore muscles and clouds of warm steam swirling around you as you gaze at beautiful snow-covered Rocky Mountains towering above.
The view is jaw-dropping. It is the perfect way to unwind after each day of adventure, especially with temperatures dropping below to -20C.
We used our Roam Transit passes to get to the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub where we got our ski and snowboard rentals fitted for the upcoming week.
Pro Tip: Renting from SkiBig3 was incredibly easy, so it's worth leaving your own ski/snowboard gear at home because you can:
- Skip the airline baggage fees.
- Save yourself from stressing over damaged or lost gear.
- Avoid lugging your baggage around.
For dinner, we went to Good Folk, which was conveniently next door to our hotel. Every meal, cocktail, and service was incredible. The kind of dinner that sets the tone for an upcoming epic week of adventure.
Pro Tip: Skipping the rental car and taking the Banff Airporter shuttle and using the bus system with the Banff Roam Transit passes makes your trip way easier. You don't need to stress about driving in winter conditions, and you can save money on the car rental and gas.
Day 2: Ski Day at Banff Sunshine Village and Nightrise Experience
We started the day with breakfast at Sudden Sally, the restaurant in the hotel, then we took the (free!) SkiBig3 shuttle to Sunshine Village, just 15 minutes away.
No winter trip in Banff and Lake Louise is complete without spending at least one day here. Don't be thrown off by the buzz of energy at the base of the mountain; once you get up to the mountain, you’ll have plenty of wide-open terrain to explore.
With over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, the number of runs seemed endless, from wide, cruisey runs to steeper, adventurous ones.
Chimney Corner is a great place to take a break for lunch.
Pro Tip: If you need to warm up a bit while at Banff Sunshine Village, head to the heated chairlifts!
Then, when you're all skied out, head back into town for an evening at the Banff Gondola’s Sky Bistro and Nightrise experience.
We dined almost 3,000ft above Banff at Sky Bistro, surrounded by too many peaks to count.
Then, we headed to Nightrise, an immersive light and sound installation that was created alongside the Stoney Nakoda Nation. Their music, language, and stories all bring this experience to life, offering a beautiful introduction to the deep Indigenous roots of this land and territory.
Pro Tip: Wear layers! Start with wool base layers, then add an insulated layer (fleece or puffy), then finish it off with an outer layer. Add a neck warmer, toque (beanie), gloves, and wool socks for good measure.
Day 3: Ski Day at Lake Louise Ski Resort
We fueled up at Sudden Sally (our new routine, I ordered the Classic Veggie Breakfast and a latte!) before hopping on the shuttle to Lake Louise Ski Resort, which is known for its incredible, scenic views (which completely lived up to expectations).
Every run felt like I was cruising through a postcard. I found myself almost always staring at huge peaks and glaciers while navigating the various terrain, long, wide cruisy runs to tree runs and wide-open bowls.
I usually like to ski all day with just snacks, but it was really nice to have lunch at the base of the mountain, warm up, and have some food and hot chocolate.
Before leaving, we had a drink at the outdoor ice bar at the base of the mountain, which was a super fun après!
We took the shuttle back to Banff and had dinner at The Balkan Mediterranean Restaurant, followed by a nice walk around charming downtown Banff to end another amazing day.
Pro Tip: These days are really packed, so use the bus ride to and from Lake Louise Ski Resort to either take a nap, catch up with family/friends, read a book, etc. it's about a 45-minute ride each way.
Day 4: Ski Day at Mt. Norquay and Fat Biking
Day four was for exploring Banff like a local!
We started the day at, you guessed it, Sudden Sally, then took the shuttle to Mt. Norquay.
While it's the smallest of the Big 3 resorts, it's the locals’ gem, has awesome character, and beautiful views of Mount Rundle.
There's great beginner terrain but also some steep blacks if you want some spice. They also have night skiing and a really fun tube park!
We had lunch at Lone Pine, in the cozy lodge at the base of the resort, and the food was so good.
After our final run at Mt. Norquay, we officially completed the SkiBig3 Trifecta Challenge, so we headed to the SkiBig3 Adventure Hub where we got a free drink coupon as a reward.
Before getting that well-earned drink, we joined the Taste of the Trails fat biking tour with Bikescape. If you’ve never biked in the winter before, these pedal assist fat tire bikes make it really easy to tackle trails and hills (thank you, electric boost!) and get off the beaten path.
We explored snowy trails along the Bow River to places I’ve never seen before.
To end the night, we went to Saint James's Gate, a super cozy Irish pub, for a bite and a drink.
Local Tip: I heard that if there's a big powder day, Mt. Norquay is the place to be because everyone usually heads to the other two resorts!
Day 5: Helicopter Tour and Skijoring
On our last full day of this 6 Day Banff Itinerary, we had our usual breakfast at the Hotel Canoe & Suites and used the Roam Transit Pass (and a quick cab ride) to get to Alpine Helicopters for a scenic helicopter tour of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
We went on the Three Sisters Peaks Tour and... wow. Flying above the sea of mountains with fresh snow and morning light made this one of those experiences I won't be forgetting any time soon.
Pro Tip: Book a morning helicopter flight for gorgeous morning light!
Next, we headed back to the town of Banff to check out one of the most unique Banff winter activities: Skijoring. It's a winter event where people are on skis and snowboards are pulled by horses while doing tricks.
Half the fun is that everyone dresses up, so make sure to wear an old fur coat, fringe, cowboy hats, and really anything that is wild west-meets-ski glam. There's a SkijorStyle half-time show where you can show off your outfit and potentially win!
For dinner, we went to Bluebird, a retro-modern steakhouse with an awesome vibe, food, and drinks.
Pro Tip: Skijoring is a 2-day event in mid-January that is part of Banff and Lake Louise's annual SnowDays festival.
Day 6: Heading home
We packed up and had one last breakfast at Sudden Sally and a hot pool soak at Hotel Canoe & Suites. Then we spent the rest of the morning wandering Banff’s downtown shops.
The Banff Airporter shuttle picked us up and dropped us back at Calgary International Airport, making the end of the trip as seamless as the start.
And that's the Perfect 6 Day Banff Itinerary for Outdoor Lovers!
I knew winter in Banff and Lake Louise was going to be beautiful... but I didn't know it would be this good. I love that you can relax, have fun, get cozy, and have incredible adventures all under some of the most stunning mountains in the world.
With this 6 Day Banff Itinerary, you can skip all the planning and jump right into a winter escape, filled with authentic experiences, well-thought-out logistics, trip ideas, local gems, and off-the-beaten-track experiences.
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