Your Guide to Fat Biking in Banff National Park

term: Feb 6, 2024|
term: Active Travel

With snow covering many of the trails in Banff National Park, it's easy to assume that cycling season is long gone. Thankfully, that's not true, thanks to big tires, warm gear, and a sense of adventure.

Fat biking in Banff and Lake Louise is the ultimate winter adventure and is accessible to anyone who can ride a regular bike. Experience the park in a brand-new way, explore a new area, or travel through the Banff Townsite by bike. It's the perfect activity for your next trip to the Canadian Rockies.

A wooden backcountry lodge on a sunny winter day

Fat bikes were initially developed for desert travel and are equipped with two wide tires, making them ideal for movement in unstable terrain - including snow. Many of the local fat bike trails in the Banff area are groomed and maintained, and the wide tires give additional traction and stability throughout the ride.

Where to Rent a Fat Bike in Banff and Lake Louise

First time on a fat bike? Not to worry - with plenty of local shops offering rentals and even guided experiences, discovering the area in winter couldn’t be easier.

In the Banff townsite, visit Snowtips-Bactrax on Bear Street, Banff Cycle + Sport on Wolf Street, Black Diamond Rentals in Banff Park Lodge, or stop by Chateau Mountain Sports at the Banff Springs Hotel to rent a fat bike for the day. Looking to explore further west? Wilson Mountain Sports in the Lake Louise Village will happily gear you up for your two-wheeled adventure.

Fat Bike Rental Shops in Banff and Lake Louise

Guided Fat Biking Tour in Banff and Lake Louise

Joining a guided fat biking tour in Banff and Lake Louise with Bikescape's Winter Fat Biking Tours is one of the best ways to explore Banff National Park's fabulous fat bike trails.

The Bikescape team has options for riders of all skill levels - from beginners to experienced bikers. This is a particularly great option for beginning fat biking in Banff, as their guides can get you riding and comfortable. Best of all, you can use an e-fat bike to make this a low-strenuous activity.

These guided tours can take you through snowy tree-lined paths, over bridges, and even to a backcountry lodge.

Two cyclists on fat bikes traveling across a snow covered bridge

Trails to Explore

Many summer trails within Banff National Park are available for year-round use, and a few of our favorite bike trails were recently added to the list. Explore as many as possible in a day, or stay awhile and discover them all!

Tunnel Mountain Bench Loop

This ride starts with a stunning view of Rundle from the Hoodoo’s lookout. Don’t miss out on riding the Spine and Coastline and take a minute to admire the unique views you’ll get of Cascade.

Distance: 9.7 km loop (6.03 miles)

Elevation Gain: 60 meters (196 feet)

Starting Point: Hoodoos Viewpoint parking area

Difficulty: Moderate

A fat biker looks out over a ridge on the Tunnel Mountain trails in winter in Banff National Park.

A fat biker rides in the snow through trees in Banff National Park.

Sundance Trail

Start your journey from behind the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and float down an easy trail that winds along the edge of the Bow River, offering many photo opportunities and beautiful viewpoints. This is the perfect trail for beginner fat bikers to explore and get used to their bike before tackling more difficult paths.

You'll end your journey at Sundance Canyon, where you can go for a short winter hike - provided you've brought micro spikes or other shoe grips, which you can rent in town.

Distance: 7.4km round trip (4.6 miles)

Elevation Gain: 75 meters (246 feet)

Starting Point: Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the trail begins west of the building.

Difficulty: Easy

Two friends stop to chat on a clear winter day while preparing for fat biking

Spray River Trail

A perfect ride if you’re renting from Chateau Mountain Sports. Starting behind the Banff Springs Hotel, this ride takes you through the forest, and will drop you down to the Spray River if you’re brave enough! In the summer, this route can take you all the way to Canmore, but in the winter, there is a turn-around point for cyclists.

Distance: 11.4km round trip (7.1 miles)

Elevation Gain: 135 meters (443 feet)

Starting Point: Parking Lot is located past the parking for the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Difficulty: Easy

Two people bike over a bridge on the Spray River Trail in Banff National Park in winter.

Lake Minnewanka Trail

Running alongside the edge of Lake Minnewanka, this trail is scenic, and at times, demanding. Don't let the easy opening fool you; this track gets challenging quickly and requires excellent fitness and bike-handling skills. There are exposed sidehill climbs, and the track can get quite icy. Ride to the Alymer Pass junction before heading back the way you came.

The bike trail is shared with cross-country skiers, so avoid cycling in the track-set areas and watch for skiers as you ride.

Distance: 7.8km one-way to Alymer Pass junction (4.5 miles)

Elevation Gain: 45 meters (148 feet)

Starting Point: Lake Minnewanka Day-use Area, heading towards Stewart Canyon

Difficulty: Difficult

Two people bike across a bridge on the Spray River Trail in Banff National Park.

Moraine Lake Road

For those keen to explore closer to Lake Louise village, the Moraine Lake Road is a great winter ride option. The road closes in the winter, giving cross-country skiers and fat bikers full reign. There is a constant gain on the way in, making for a quick, downhill ride out. Some sections can be demanding, but the sights from the viewpoint are worth the trip.

There is an avalanche hazard beyond the viewpoint, and travel beyond the viewpoint requires avalanche training and equipment.

Distance: 15.6km round trip (9.7 miles)

Elevation Gain: 250 meters (820 feet)

Starting Point: Moraine Lake Road entrance

Difficulty: Difficult

Two people cross country ski on the Moraine Lake Road in Banff National Park.

Great Divide Trail, aka Old 1A

The original Banff highway, the Great Divide Trail, aka the Old 1A, is located close to Lake Louise. You'll ride to the Alberta-B.C. border, where the Great Divide is. This gently rolling trail trends slightly downward, so watch out for the slight uphill on the way back. There are also dog sledders, cross-country skiers, and skate skiers on this route, so make sure to say hi to the other winter explorers that you'll see.

Distance: 20km round trip (12.4 miles)

Elevation Gain: 60 meters (197 feet)

Starting Point: Great Divide Parking Lot (before Lake Louise)

Difficulty: Easy

A view of Mount Fairview from the Great Divide Trail in Banff National Park.

Trail Etiquette

When riding a fat bike, it's important to be considerate of other trail users who may be sharing the trail with you. By being mindful of others, we can create a positive experience for everyone on Banff and Lake Louise's lovely winter trails. Here are some helpful tips for being a responsible trail user.

Cross-country ski trails are track-set and allow skiers to move easily. Please do not cross or ride on top of the track setting.
Please give way to downhill cross-country skiers, as it is more difficult for skiers to stop going downhill.
Practice leave-no-trace principles and pack in what you pack out during your ride.

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