SnowDays Ice & Snow Itinerary in Banff and Lake Louise
- 5 Days
- 15 Experiences
Experience the best of winter in Banff and Lake Louise with a five-day SnowDays itinerary made for sharing with your favourite people. Spend your days surrounded by ice, snow, and spectacular mountain scenery, with a mix of outdoor adventures, SnowDays events, scenic winter experiences, and plenty of opportunities to warm up over great food and drinks.
From ice sculptures and winter activities to cozy dining and memorable evenings, this itinerary brings together the magic of SnowDays with everything that makes winter in the Canadian Rockies so special. Plan your trip for February 5–9, 2027, to make the most of the festival.
We recommend booking accommodation for 2 nights in Lake Louise and 2 nights in Banff.
Who's it For?
- Snow Seekers
- Adventure Couples
- Winter Crews
When to Go
- Feb. 5–9, 2027
Trip Itinerary
Getting to Banff and Lake Louise
With plenty of transportation options to get you to and from the Banff and Lake Louise area, you can rest easy knowing you'll be able to plan a seamless journey from start to finish.
Learn about getting here.Day 01
Arrive in Lake Louise and kick off your SnowDays getaway with an afternoon of skating on the frozen lake. Then head inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a cozy fondue dinner at The Walliser Stube, the perfect way to warm up and end your first day in the mountains.
Day 02
Hit the slopes at Lake Louise Ski Resort for a morning of skiing or snowboarding, then warm up over a bowl of ramen at Kuma Yama. Afterwards, head back to Lake Louise to experience Ice Magic and see incredible ice carvings take shape against the wintery backdrop. Ice Magic is exclusively available to guests staying at participating Lake Louise hotels.
Day 03
Grab coffee and a bite from Laggan’s Bakery in Lake Louise before taking the scenic route to Banff along the Bow Valley Parkway. Spend the afternoon taking in the Art of Ice: Carving Competition, then experience SnowDays after dark with a SnowNights activity from a local business.
Day 04
Start the day with coffee and breakfast at Whitebark Cafe before setting out on a guided Johnston Canyon Ice Walk. When you return to Banff, warm up with a stop on the Hot Chocolate Trail and explore the snow sculptures around downtown. End the day with a cozy meal at Banff Social.
Shuttle
Distance: 25km
Your activity provider will pick you up from your hotel
Walk
Distance: 0.2km
When back in town, walk to one of the many participating Hot Chocolate Trail restaurants or cafes
Day 05
Finish your SnowDays getaway with a leisurely brunch at Sudden Sally before saying goodbye to Banff and making your way home.
Reservations & Booking
Some of the activities require reservations or bookings upfront. Here is an overview of all providers:
Ice Skating on Lake Louise
Ski & Snowboard at The Lake Louise Ski Resort
Ice Magic in Lake Louise
Art of Ice: Carving Competition
SnowNights
Guided Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
Hot Chocolate Trail in Banff and Lake Louise
Snow Sculptures
Restaurants & Dining
Good to Know
Maximise your trip enjoyment with a little pre-planning. Here's our pro tips:
Book your airport shuttle in advance
Get a Park Pass
Make a reservation for gear/ activities in advance
Plan to use public transit and shuttles
Check the weather forecast