Lake Louise Winter Gondola: 14-Min Banff Peak Views
Fourteen Minutes to the Top of Lake Louise
You ride an enclosed gondola 2,088 meters up in fourteen minutes to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Louise and the Banff peaks. The top has no facilities, so dress warmly and bring a camera. Hotel pickup from Lake Louise properties is included, and the gondola runs daily 9am to 3:30pm in all weather.
1h–6h
Step-by-step itinerary
Lake Louise Winter Gondola Ride
- Take complimentary shuttle to gondola
- Ride enclosed gondola to 2088m summit
- Enjoy winter scenery and take photos
- Dress warmly for cold weather
- Return via gondola and shuttle
The Experience
You step into the gondola cabin and the ground drops away. The fully enclosed car climbs steadily for fourteen minutes, and with each meter of altitude the valley spreads wider below you. At 2,088 meters—6,850 feet—the cabin levels out and you're standing in front of the kind of view that makes you understand why people come back to Banff in winter. Soaring peaks ring the horizon. Glaciers catch the light. The lake itself sits far below, frozen and still.
The Lake Louise winter gondola runs daily from 9am to 3:30pm, and the timing matters because the light changes fast in the mountains. There's no lodge at the top, no washrooms, no shelter—it's just you, the peaks, and whatever weather is moving through. That's why the itinerary tells you to dress for it: winter jacket, gloves, hat, boots. People who show up underdressed regret it within minutes. The cold is real, but the visibility on a clear day makes the climb worth it.
If you're staying at a Lake Louise hotel, pickup and drop-off are included, which saves the logistics of getting to the ski resort base station yourself. A complimentary shuttle also runs between the resort, Lake Louise Inn, and Samson Mall if you need it. The gondola operates in all weather—rain, snow, wind—so you're not waiting around hoping conditions improve. You go when you're ready, and the view is what it is that day.
Exchange your voucher for sightseeing tickets at the Group Sales team desk in the lower level of the Whiskyjack Lodge. Bring a camera. The peaks don't move, but the light does, and you'll want to hold onto what you see.
What’s included
Your day includes the fourteen-minute gondola ride to the viewpoint, hotel pickup and drop-off from Lake Louise accommodations, and access to the peak views from 9am to 3:30pm. Dress warmly and bring a camera; no food, water, or shelter is available at the top during winter.
Operated by Lake Louise Ski Resort
Is this one for you?Right for anyone staying in Lake Louise who wants the main peak views without hiking or arranging transport to the base station—the gondola gets you there in fourteen minutes, and the included pickup means you don't have to drive.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How long is the gondola ride?
Fourteen minutes to the top.
What's at the top of the Lake Louise gondola?
A viewpoint at 2,088 meters with views of the peaks, glaciers, and the lake below. No lodge, washrooms, or shelter during winter.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, for Lake Louise hotels only. Ask your hotel concierge to arrange it.
What time does the gondola run?
Daily from 9am to 3:30pm.
What should I wear?
Winter jacket, gloves, hat, and winter boots. Temperatures are cold at altitude.
Does it operate in bad weather?
Yes, it runs in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for whatever conditions are present.
Is there food or water at the top?
No facilities at the top during winter months.
Can I bring a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed.
Lake Louise Winter Gondola: 14-Min Banff Peak Views
1h–6h
from CA$ 67 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.205 reviews
