Banff: Standish Mountain Snowshoe Tour & Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (102 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent qualityLikely to sell out

1/14

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 11

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Snowshoe through Rockies powder, cross into BC, sip cocoa up high

You’ll ride a gondola up Standish Mountain near Banff, strap on snowshoes for a real backcountry trek across deep powder, cross into British Columbia with your local guide, pause for hot chocolate and cookies at altitude, and catch wild views over Mt. Assiniboine — all with hotel pickup included. It’s not just about snow; it’s how alive you feel on that ridge.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Snowshoeing in the Rockies backcountry

Put on snowshoes
Ride gondola and chairlift up Standish Mountain
Snowshoe through deep powder wilderness
Enjoy views of Mt. Assiniboine and Rockies
Cross Continental Divide into British Columbia
Have hot chocolate and cookies

The Experience

“You ever walked on clouds?” our guide Mark grinned as he handed me my snowshoes at the top of the Standish chairlift. I just laughed — honestly, I was more worried about not face-planting in front of everyone. The air up there hits different: sharp and cold but somehow clean, almost sweet. We’d come from Banff that morning (hotel pickup was a lifesaver since I can’t navigate mountain roads before coffee), and suddenly we were way above tree line, nothing but white rolling out in every direction.

The first few steps felt weird — like walking on pillows that might swallow your foot if you got cocky. Mark kept us moving steady, pointing out how the snow here is deeper than most places in the Rockies because of the wind patterns. He told us stories about crossing the Continental Divide right under our feet; apparently, one boot in Alberta, one in British Columbia is a real thing up here. There was this moment when everything went quiet except for the squeak of our snowshoes and someone’s laugh echoing off the slope. My nose stung from the cold but it felt sort of good — like you’re really awake.

We stopped for hot chocolate and cookies (I dropped mine in the snow, classic), and Mark showed us Mt. Assiniboine way off in the distance — it looked almost fake against that flat blue sky. I tried to pronounce “Assiniboine” right; Mark didn’t correct me but I’m sure I butchered it. Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so small up there or so… happy? Maybe it was just sugar and altitude but something about sharing cookies with strangers at what feels like the edge of Canada sticks with you.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Banff, all your gear—snowshoes and poles—plus a professional local guide leading you across Standish Mountain’s backcountry powder. You’ll also get snacks (hot chocolate and cookies) along the way before heading back down after your trek.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by White Mountain Adventures