A Week In Banff National Park
Your Itinerary to an Unforgettable Week in the Canadian Rockies this Spring
How long should you spend in Banff? What’s the right amount of time to plan for? These are tough questions to answer. We’re afraid our bias will show if we say something like forever, so we’ve created the perfect itineraries for 3 days & a week in Banff National Park. Let’s get down to business – here’s how to spend a week in Canada’s playground – the Canadian Rockies this spring.
An Introduction To Banff National Park
Located in the Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta, Banff National Park covers around 6 641km² of land. Filled with snow-covered peaks in every direction you look in, diverse wildlife, rushing rivers, and so much more, Banff National Park is a spectacular place to spend some vacation time! Below we’ve listed some things you should know ahead of your itinerary:
Location: Alberta, Canada
Nearest City & Airport: Calgary
Available Transportation to the Park: Car Rentals, Shuttle Buses
Available Transportation in the Park: Shuttle Buses, Car Rentals, Bikes, Public Transportation etc. Guests of the hotel can enjoy free local transportation throughout the Town of Banff.
Park Pass Costs: Can be found via the Parks Canada Website
A Week in Banff National Park – Spring
There’s a lot you can see and do in Banff in a week. From spring skiing to early-season hiking and everything in between, we’ve broken down the best things you can do in a week in Banff National Park this spring.
Day One
Morning: Tunnel Mountain Sunrise Hike & Breakfast In Town
Afternoon: Gondola with lunch at the top
Evening: Dinner & drinks at the Castle
Morning
Starting your day with an early hike in Banff is actually something that locals like to keep as their secret – the town is quiet, and the views are legendary! Gather a bottle of water and a granola bar, which you can find at STOCK Food & Drink and head to the Tunnel Mountain Trailhead. Fairmont Banff Springs also offers a guided Sunrise Hike to guests staying in-house – this option also provides a certified guide who can share some really incredible stories and facts about life in Banff National Park.
You’ve made it to the trailhead of Tunnel Mountain and are ready to get your heart pumping. Tunnel Mountain is a moderate 4km (there and back) hike, which gives you some really incredible views of the town of Banff & The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. Our tip – bring crampons as it can become a little icy this time of the year.
After your hike, which depending on fitness levels, shouldn’t take more than an hour, you have plenty of time to explore the town of Banff. You’ll find art galleries, museums, shops and some exciting restaurants and bars. After exploring the town, take the trail along the river back to the hotel to prepare for your afternoon adventure!
Afternoon
If you haven’t been to the Banff Gondola yet – this will be a big highlight for you! During the spring, hiking to the top and back can be a bit dicey, so we recommend taking the Gondola. Once at the top, the views will definitely not disappoint, mountain ranges in every direction, an interpretive centre and theatre, great restaurants and a boardwalk that will provide the perfect backdrop to pictures everywhere you look. More information & pricing can be found here.
Evening
You’ve earned a reward! After all, your first day in Banff has probably left you in awe and checking your camera roll for the best images. Now that you’ve made it back from the Gondola had a moment to decompress and freshen up in your room – dinner and drinks probably sound like the perfect way to close out the evening.
Canada’s Castle in the Rockies has a really robust and amazing culinary scene. Whether you’re in the mood for some homegrown Alberta beef – 1888 Chop House will leave your mouth-watering, French-Canadian cuisine found at The Vermillion Room or some homemade pasta so good your Nonna would be proud & proudly served at Castello Italiana, you won’t be left hungry after your dinner at the Castle.
Once your tummies are full, leisurely walk through the hotel and get a real sense of the hotel and its historical magnitude. Walkthrough our majestic Mt. Stephen Hall and through the Riverview Lounge archways and finally make your way to the best place to grab cocktails in Banff – Rundle Bar. Newly redesigned and with a reimagined cocktail and food menu, have a nightcap in an intimate setting while discussing what day 2 could have in store.
Hint – Try the Wildflower cocktail at Rundle Bar. This signature cocktail is made locally and is the perfect companion for an evening of cocktails.
Day Two
Morning: Morning Skate at Lake Minnewanka
Afternoon: Lake Louise
Evening: Dinner & drinks at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Morning
Once you’ve ordered some room service and gotten some coffee into your system, walk over to Chateau Mountain Sports, located in the hotel’s conference centre, to rent a pair of skates! Once that’s done, head over to Lake Minnewanka to enjoy a nice skate with some incredible mountain views!
Please check ice conditions before heading out and stay safe.
Afternoon
After you’ve gotten your fill of lake skating, hop into the car and drive west to another famous lake in the region – Lake Louise! Depending on the time of the year, the ice at Lake Louise could still be open to the public to skate on, which will once again provide you with an awesome backdrop for some photos.
If you’ve had your fill of skating, a nice stroll along the lakeshore of Lake Louise is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon – trail info can be found here.
Evening
Finally, after taking in the sights, head into Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for dinner in the Lakeview Lounge or the newly designed Fairview Bar & Restaurant.
Enjoy the ride back into the Town of Banff from Lake Louise, catching glimpses of the Bow River that runs parallel to it. Perhaps you’ll even see some early signs of wildlife emerging from hibernation on your drive back!
Day Three
Morning: Spring Skiing
Afternoon: R&R Back at the hotel
Evening: Dinner in the Town of Banff
Morning
Banff National Park famously has a long ski season. In fact, it’s the longest non-glacial ski season in North America! Skiing in spring in Banff National Park offers softer snow, fewer crowds and a fantastic après scene. Home to three of North America’s ski hills, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay – the choices are all within a short drive of the town of Banff. Never skied?! Not a problem, our friends at Ski Big 3 offer plenty of programming to get you out on the hill no matter what ski level you are!
Afternoon
Once you’re done at the hill and the ski rentals have been returned, head back to the hotel for some R&R. Grab a late lunch from STOCK Food & Drink and find a nice spot in the hotel to dine. Want a soak? Grab your bathing suit and hit up the heated outdoor pool, which will be sure to ease those muscles you used on the skill hill.
Evening
For dinner, take a walk into the Town of Banff (an easy 15 min walk one way) to find a great place to eat & people watch! On your stroll back to the hotel – hit up one of the chocolate stores along Banff Ave. for a tasty treat.
Day Four
Morning: Sleep In!
Afternoon: Fairmont Spa
Evening: 360 Dome
Morning
You’ve had a busy first few days in Banff National Park, and every vacation deserves some pampering time. So take the time to sleep in and order in-room dining. Sip that fresh coffee and watch the views from your room. It’s a great way to greet the day!
Afternoon
Keeping pampering and wellness in mind – this afternoon is the perfect time to hit Banff’s best spa – The Fairmont Spa is home to amazing spa treatments, a nail salon and mineral pools and hot tubs. Book a treatment here!
Evening
We’ve heard of saving the best for last, but we couldn’t keep it to ourselves any longer! Fairmont Banff Springs’s newest addition, the 360 Dome, is home to 3 outstanding culinary experiences and views. Still, if we had to recommend just one dining experience in the dome, it’s the dinner experience. This 5-course meal is a decadent example of amazing dining at the hotel – truly above and beyond the standard ‘hotel dining.’ Click here to reserve your dome experience.
Day Five
Full-Day: Private Experience Tour
Offered exclusively in-house our private experience tours offer the very best of Banff guided by our local experts. Take in some wellness practices by participating in Forest Bathing or take in the sites and sounds of the Canadian Rockies with an Exclusive Guided Adventure, regardless of what you choose Fairmont Banff Springs is proud to offer you this exclusive offering.
Day Six
Morning: Emerald Lake
Afternoon: Lunch & Marble Canyon
Evening: Stargazing & Dinner
Morning
Grab a coffee and breakfast and hit the road – direction west! With Banff National Park so close to the BC border – you’ll be able to brag to your friends back home that you visited two provinces during one trip. About 40 minutes past the Alberta/BC border lies Emerald Lake. Its turquoise blue waters may not be thawed yet, depending on the month in spring you are visiting but take a walk around the lake and soak in the Canadian Rockies in BC!
Afternoon
Once your Emerald Lake adventure closes out, head to the nearest town of Field and have lunch in the famed restaurant and lodge Truffle Pigs. You won’t regret this pit stop. This place is a must-do and can often be really busy during peak times, be prepared and make a reservation here!
On your drive back into Alberta, take a detour and hit up Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park – so not only can you say you visited 2 provinces during your time in Alberta, but you saw three national parks. Marble Canyon follows a well-defined trail that provides stunning views of mountains and a turquoise blue river cutting through the rocks. A series of bridges connect the canyon.
Evening
Welcome back to Fairmont Banff Springs – you sure have had a busy time in the Canadian Rockies, and it’s not over yet! After your day of canyons and lakes, have a casual dinner at Waldhaus Pub – this Bavarian Pub is home to its famous wings, pubchos & boots of beer. Once you’re full, head back up to the hotel (the Waldhaus is our cottage in the forest and located 5 minutes towards the Bow Falls) to meet your Resort Activities Guide for some stargazing!
Day Seven
Morning: Hotel History Tour
Evening: Dinner at Grapes
Morning
It’s your last day in Banff National Park and why not take it easy. Enjoy our aquatic centre which boasts both an indoor and heated outdoor pool. Once you’ve spent the morning leisurely join the Hotel History Tour to get a final look and feel of the Castle.
Afternoon
Our intimate hideaway Grapes is the best place for a cozy evening meal. Serving impeccable tapas and other Spanish style bites, Grapes will provide a quiet corner to riminess about your trip (or even plan a return trip back)!
