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Ski In Ski Out Accommodations in Banff

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ski in ski out lodging, sunshine mountain lodge
One of the best ways to maximize your time on a ski trip is to stay in accommodation as close as possible to the slopes. Ski in ski out hotels are as good as it gets in terms of convenience and proximity to the ski lifts, which is why they are so popular throughout the Alps and in many of North America’s most popular ski resorts. In the Banff area there is only one ski in ski out hotel, namely Sunshine Mountain Lodge. In fact no other hotel is within walking distance of the ski lifts, making this property the only one in Banff National Park that does not require driving your own vehicle or hopping on a ski bus to take you to the slopes.
Located at the top of the gondola at Sunshine Village, one of Banff National Park’s three ski resorts, guests of Sunshine Mountain Lodge can clip into their skis or snowboards right outside the Lodge entrance and within seconds glide to the Standish, Strawberry, Angel or Wawa chairlifts without worrying about road conditions, parking, or lift lines at the base of the gondola. If part of the family wants to be on the first lift, while others enjoy a more leisurely start to the day, no problem, just swing by the Lodge and pick up the late starters whenever they’ve finished their morning latte and pastry at the Java Lift Coffee Bar! Likewise at the end of the day, for some apres ski may start earlier than for others – easy – just head to the historic and characterful Mad Trappers Smokehouse at whatever time suits and sip on a hot chocolate or something stronger while waiting for the die-hards to finish their last run. Is the afternoon a bit warmer than you expected? Just ski back to the hotel and peel off some layers in the privacy of your own room. Powder Day? What could be better then getting straight out for fresh tracks while others are still brushing snow off their cars? You get the picture… the convenience of lodging on mountain is hard to beat!

Accommodations at Sunshine Mountain Lodge

sunshine mountain lodge at nightThere are several room options at Sunshine Mountain Lodge; guests looking for the ultimate in luxury ski in ski out Banff hotel rooms will appreciate the West Wing Loft Rooms which feature huge windows with spectacular views of the slopes and ski lifts of Lookout Mountain, as well as in floor heating and 42 inch flat screen HD TVs. The main floor has 2 queen size beds plus a bathroom with jetted tub, while the loft features a king bed with its own private bathroom. The West Wing Premiere Rooms are similar but without the loft, so are suitable for smaller groups.
The Main lodge Suites are also blessed with beautiful mountain views and offer a king bed plus a double sofa bed, with space to unwind. There are two types of smaller Deluxe View Rooms, one with open mountain views plus a slope-side balcony and the other to the rear of the Lodge with closer views of the Waterfall Run. Each of these rooms features a queen size bed and a single ‘trundle’ bed.

Dining Options

Just because you are staying on-mountain above 2000m in altitude, doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on your food choices. On the contrary, there are multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and any snacks or treats you need in between!
The Chimney Corner, located in Sunshine Mountain Lodge, is a casual family restaurant with fireplace seating and fantastic slopeside views, and an outdoor terrace for the warmer spring days. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is an excellent spot to refuel at any time of day.
For a more casual breakfast, panini for lunch, or a hot chocolate and a treat at any time of day, Java Lift Coffee Bar fits the bill nicely, located just off the Lodge’s main entrance.
Eagle’s Nest is Sunshine Mountain Lodge’s upscale restaurant, and is open for dinner only, while Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse is located just a few steps outside of the Lodge and has a pub-style atmosphere where you can enjoy lunch and apres ski in the historic Old Sunshine Lodge. Perfect for a ‘night out’!
During the day, at the neighbouring Lookout Lodge there are further dining options including The Alpine Grill self-serve cafeteria open for breakfast and lunch, and the Sunshine Burger Company and Lookout Kitchen & Bar each open for lunch.

Lodge Amenities & Activities

outdoor pool at sunshine mountain lodge As a guest of this on-mountain Banff hotel, you can be on your skis or board one minute, and then unwinding in their outdoor hot pool or dry sauna the next. For the next level of relaxation, why not try a massage or treatment at Verde Day Spa?
If a day of skiing isn’t taxing enough, you could always workout in the gym, or spend your time more leisurely with the video games and pool table in the activity room.
For outdoor fun, snowshoeing and tobogganing are available at Sunshine Village on select days after the lifts close, and on Friday nights you can take a shuttle bus into Banff and come back to the Lodge on the last gondola at 10pm.

Sunshine Mountain Lodge offers more than just ski in ski out accommodation. This property gives guests a truly unique opportunity to spend the night in a stunning mountainside location surrounded by the winter wonderland of the Canadian Rockies.
For more information, visit www.sunshinemountainlodge.com.

New Year Hotel Packages in Banff

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new years eve 2019 banffBanff is a superb destination for celebrating New Years, where sophisticated New Year’s Eve parties, mouth watering New Year menus, and fun family activities, all combine to make 2019/20 New Years in Banff Alberta very difficult to beat.

Find a Room

For hotels in Banff, New Years is a much busier time than Christmas in Banff and early reservations are strongly recommended. Although many Banff accommodations do not offer specific packages for New Years, you can be sure that they are all open for business, and those with restaurants will generally have special dinners or festive menus available.
*Note that at this busy time you will generally find better availability for a 2 night stay or longer.
To check availability and rates at Banff hotels for New Years or other dates, click here.

NYE Party in Downtown Banff

To mark the start of 2020 there will be an outdoor family friendly party in downtown Banff between Caribou Street and Elk Street from 7pm to midnight on Dec 31 featuring an ice skating party, fire show, Indigenous stories and dance, live music, fat bike course, hot chocolate, and marshmallow roasting. The party will culminate with a countdown to 2020 and a Pyrotechnic Show at the Banff High School Field.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a special New Years hotel package or festive menu, we have featured some interesting options below.

New Years at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

For years the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has been renowned for hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve party in Banff, and December 31st 2019 will be no different. If you are thinking of visiting the Banff Springs for New Years, you should take a look at what they have planned for their New Years Gala, and indeed throughout the holiday period there is a whole host of exciting festive activities and events taking place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, as well as several ways to spend New Years Eve itself:

New Year’s Gala – Dec 31 2019
This is Banff’s big New Years celebration – in the Van Horne Ballroom a wonderful 4 course dinner is served including wine service and a host bar, with live band, Barry Shaw and The Fairmont Banff Springs Orchestra, playing in the background. Following dinner the music becomes livelier and dancing begins for a fully fledged New Year’s Eve party until 1am, with a midnight snack buffet included. Children aged 3-12 yrs are invited to attend the New Year’s Kids Party.
6pm-1am
Cost for the whole evening $350 adults, $190 teenagers (13-17 yrs), $185 children (12 yrs and under)
Cost for dance only $185 adults, $105 teenagers (13-17 yrs)
Cost for kids party only $95 – 6pm-12.30am (3-12 yrs)

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet at the Vermillion Room – Dec 31
A worthy feast to celebrate the last day of the year featuring local cuisine.
5-10pm in the Vermillion Room
Adults $105, Children 6-12 yrs $48

New Year’s Day Brunch – Jan 1 2020
What better way to start off 2020 than to enjoy the New Year’s day brunch buffet in the Vermillion Room? A veritable feast and, for many, a New Years institution.
11am-3pm, Adults $75, Children 6-12 yrs $38

To check room rates and availability at the Banff Springs Hotel for the holiday period click here.
For further details of all the festive activities and dining events taking place over New Years, take at look at the Banff Springs Hotel’s Christmas at the Castle Guide which you will receive when you check in.

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Rimrock Hotel has several dining options for New Year’s Eve, including a 7 course gourmet dinner in the 5 Diamond Eden Restaurant, a five course New Years Eve menu in the Primrose Dining Room, and a family friendly Alice in Wonderland Gala including buffet dinner plus fabulous music from Duelling Pianos, sure to get you in the party spirit.

Banff Park Lodge

The Banff Park Lodge has a tradition of celebrating the Holiday Season in style, and the last day of the year will be no different:

New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet – Dec 31 2019
Your last meal of 2019, so make it a good one! Gourmet buffet in Crave Mountain Grill which the whole family will enjoy, including salads, smoked salmon, seafood platter, jumbo shrimp, charcuterie, assorted Canadian cheeses, grilled pork tenderloin medallions with wild mushroom sauce, seared chicken breast supreme filled with prosciutto & goats cheese, pan seared gnocchi with grilled vegetable ratatouille, carving station with Alberta prime rib and roast veal shoulder, plus a flambé dessert station and a chocolate fountain!
6pm-9.30pm, Adults $75, Children 6-12 yrs $45

*The above rates are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, and hotel room rates are generally based on double occupancy. For current information, please contact the Banff accommodations directly using the links provided.
If you are spending Xmas in Banff, you may be interested in reading our article about accommodation packages in Banff at Christmas.
If you are looking at various options in the Rockies for New Years, you may also wish to consider New Year’s Eve in Lake Louise.
If you cannot find a vacancy at a hotel in Banff for December 31, you may wish to consider spending New Year’s Eve in Canmore, just 20 minutes drive east of Banff, where room availability can often be better.

Banff Film Festival Hotel Deals

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If you are coming to the 2019 Banff Mountain Festival and are planning to book a hotel in Banff, you could save money by taking advantage of one of the special Film Festival rates offered by several Banff hotels:

For absolute convenience and the shortest possible walk from your hotel room to Festival events, you can’t beat staying at the Banff Centre itself. Their newly renovated rooms are being offered at the Mountain Festival rate from $146 per night which includes access to the impressive fitness and recreation facilites, including climbing gym.

On your visit to the Mountain Film & Book Festival, why not stay in the heart of downtown Banff at the Mount Royal Hotel, with its contemporary mountain inspired design. Midweek rates start at $139 per night for stays from October 26th to November 4th 2019 and breakfast is included.

A rate of $99 midweek and $129 at weekends can be found at Brewster’s Mountain Lodge. The special rate includes a continental breakfast and is valid from October 14 to November 30 2019, using Promo Code: FILM.

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets is offering festival guests a discount of 15% off selected rooms for stays from October 25 to November 3. Use Promo Code FFB19.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is offering 15% off the regular rate for Sunday-Thursday stays throughout the 2019 film festival.

At the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs Albertans can treat themselves to a luxury hotel experience by taking advantage of the special Alberta Residents Rate. Valid during the festival, this locals’ special gets you a discount of up to 30% off the best available rate.

Located close to the river in downtown Banff, the Banff Park Lodge is offering 15% off the best available rate, subject to availability, from October 25 to November 3. Use Promo Code: BMFF2019.

Charltons Banff is featuring a special rate of $134 per night from Sun-Thurs and $154 per night for Fri & Sat, which includes a continental breakfast, free parking and WiFi. Valid Oct 25 to Nov 3. Use Promo Code: FILM.

Banff Lodging Company properties the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, Fox Hotel & Suites and the Moose Hotel & Suites are offering a 20% discount to festival goers using the Promo Code: MTNFILMFEST.

* The above rates are generally based on double or single occupancy and are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability, and subject to change without notice. For current information and for reservations, please contact the Banff hotels directly.

Visit Banff for Easter Weekend

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Easter is a excellent opportunity for a springtime visit to the Canadian Rockies. With Easter Sunday 2019 falling relatively late on April 21, there is a good chance that the weather in the town of Banff will be spring-like, while the ski and snowboard season will still be in full swing at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay. Easter is also a great time to go sightseeing in Banff National Park as the views of the snow-capped peaks are stunning at this time of year, and the roads are very quiet compared to the summer months. Alternatively, strolling through the streets of downtown Banff discovering the excellent restaurants and shopping can be a fun and relaxing way to spend the Easter holiday weekend.

Banff Lodging for Easter 2019

Easter weekend is usually a busy one for hotels in Banff, and most Banff accommodations do not offer specific Easter packages or special deals. That being said, at the time of writing, availability is quite good for Easter weekend and it is recommended that you make your reservations as early as possible while there is still a wide selection of hotels to choose from. As the holiday weekend approaches, vacancies for the night of Saturday April 20 are likely to become limited, while Friday April 19 and Sunday April 21 will probably have more openings.
To check rates and availability for several Banff hotels, click here.

Skiing and Snowboarding

The Banff area is blessed with a long winter which means that by Easter the ski resorts often have some of their best snow of the whole season. Both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort are open until May and Mount Norquay will also still be open for Easter weekend skiing.

Easter Sunday Brunch in Banff

One of the best things to do on Easter Sunday in Banff is to treat yourself to one of the amazing brunches offered by several hotels in town, and we have listed some of the most popular options below. These events are extremely popular and are likely to sell out, which means early reservations are strongly recommended.

Easter Sunday Brunch at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Sunday Brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel is legendary, and their Easter Brunch is no exception. In addition to the impressive breakfast and lunch specialties, there are often extra Easter themed treats which make the Easter Brunch buffet even more special. Also, the Brunch for Easter 2019 will take place in the Alberta and New Brunswick Rooms, and the Cascade Ballroom, with the buffet being located in the Riverview Lounge, which is a rare opportunity to experience these venues which are reserved for special occasions.
When: April 21 2019, 10.00-14.30
Where: Alberta & New Brunswick Rooms, Cascade Ballroom
Cost: Adults $89, Children 6-12yrs $52, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 6860

Rimrock Resort Hotel Easter Brunch
Sunday Brunch will be offered in the Ballroom at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, and will feature a buffet with breakfast and lunch items and chef attended carving stations.
When: April 21 2019, 10.00-13.00
Where: Ballroom
Cost: Adults $49, Children 6-12yrs $21, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 3356

Easter Sunday Brunch at the Banff Park Lodge
The Banff Park Lodge will be serving Easter Sunday Brunch in the Crave Mountain Grill from 10am to 2.30pm. The buffet includes a wide selection of breakfast and hot & cold lunch items, including omelet station, waffles, carving station & salads. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the excellent desserts and chocolate fountain!
When: April 21 2019, 10.00-14.30
Where: Crave Mountain Grill
Cost: Adults $45, Children 6-12yrs $23, 5yrs + under free
Reservations: 403 762 4433

Easter Brunch at Buffalo Mountain Lodge
On Tunnel Mountain, the sophisticated yet rustic Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant at Buffalo Mountain Lodge will be offering a delectable Easter breakfast buffet including carved bone-in ham, omelet station, French toast with apple compote, savoury bread pudding, breakfast pastries, and other tasty breakfast items.
When: April 21 2019, 08.00-12.00
Where: Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant
Cost: Adults $29
Reservations: 403 760 4484

*The above rates for Easter Sunday Brunch do not include tax and service charge.

Family Day Weekend in Banff

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For anyone living in Alberta, Monday February 18 2019 will be the annual Family Day holiday, meaning that Family Day Weekend from Feb 15 to 18 2019 is a great opportunity for 2 or 3 days of skiing or snowboarding, or simply visiting Banff National Park for a long weekend. If you have previously had the pleasure of spending Family Day Weekend in Banff, you will know that it’s one of the busiest weekends of the winter for Banff hotels, which means that it’s highly recommended that you make your hotel reservations as early as possible, while there are still rooms available.
At the time of writing there are still rooms available at Banff hotels throughout the weekend however availability for a one night stay on the night of Saturday February 16 is becoming limited, and there may be more options open if you select a stay of 2 or more nights.
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Banff

No Vacancy?
If you are unable to find suitable accommodation in Banff, you could consider staying at a hotel in Canmore, which is an easy 20 minute drive away from Banff and well located for skiing at Banff’s three ski resorts as well as at Nakiska. On holiday weekends it is generally easier to find availability at hotels in Canmore, possibly at a lower rate!
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Canmore

Another option would be to try hotels in Lake Louise which lies 60km west of Banff, and is of course ideally located for skiing at Lake Louise Mountain Resort.
Click here to check current rates and availability for hotels in Lake Louise

Because it is such a busy weekend for hotels in Banff, most accommodations do not offer any Family Day weekend packages or special deals, with the busiest night for lodging likely to be Saturday February 16, however accommodation for Friday February 15, and Sunday February 17 is also sure to eventually fill up.
Once you have booked your Banff hotel, you should consider making your other arrangements for the holiday weekend, such as booking tours or making restaurant reservations, and if you are planning to ski, it is strongly recommended that you arrive at the ski resorts as early as possible so that you can park your car, purchase your ski pass and head up the lifts before the crowds arrive.
Banff is a wonderful place to spend the Family Day holiday, and if you plan ahead you will find the ideal hotel in Banff to experience a truly memorable weekend.

Banff Backpackers & Hostels

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When we say you can find suitable Banff lodging on any budget, we really mean it, and here we’re going to highlight some of the most economical ways to spend the night in Banff National Park:

The HI-Banff Alpine Centre, perched on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain offers shared accommodation from $33/night per person for HI-Canada members and private rooms from $84/night for members. While it’s true that a lower price can be found at some B&Bs, the rate for one person in a shared dorm is hard to beat.

The Samesun Banff Hostel offers dorm style accommodation, starting at $38/night per person, and has a good location within walking distance from town and is popular with international travellers.

The YWCA Banff Hotel offers a good standard of accommodation close to downtown and the scenic river walk, starting at $40/night per person in a shared dormitory room, with single private rooms with shared bath starting at $59/night.

Banff International Hostel is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Banff. Their dorm rooms, starting at just under $30, are available as female-only, male-only or mixed dorms. They also offer 4 or 6 bunkbed private rooms, which are suitable for groups or families travelling on a budget.

If you already own the gear, camping can be a great way to save some money while bringing you closer to the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies than most hotels in Banff National Park. There are several campgrounds around Banff which range between $20-$30 per night for a site.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Banff

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banff hotels pet friendlyIf you are bringing your pet to the Canadian Rockies and you need to find a pet friendly hotel in Banff, you have plenty of options to choose from as there are several Banff hotels which are pet friendly where your dog or cat will be made to feel welcome. Most Banff pet friendly hotels have allocated a limited number of rooms to be used for pets, and it is important that you inform your hotel at the time of booking to make sure one of the pet friendly rooms is available for you. All pet friendly hotels in Banff will charge you a daily fee for your pet ranging from $10-$35 per pet per day, and we have provided links to the hotels’ pet policies where available. It is advisable to contact the individual Banff accommodations directly to find out details of any rules or restrictions regarding pets staying at the property.

Showing 1-15 of 15 pet friendly accommodations in Banff

The Juniper Hotel
The Juniper Hotel & Bistro

The Juniper Hotel & Bistro

1 Juniper Way, Mount Norquay Rd,
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Website: www.thejuniper.com
Phone Number: 1 866 551 2281

Located at the base of Mount Norquay, the Juniper Hotel is just a short drive from downtown Banff while enjoying a unique setting with some of the most impressive views of any Banff hotel. Extensively renovated in 2003/4 with strong consideration for the environment, guest rooms boast a contemporary design influenced by natural materials, and include free local calls, free internet access, mini fridge, and organic bath amenities. The Juniper Bistro is one of Banff’s favorite dining establishments, and the views from the patio are nothing short of magnificent.
The hotel prides itself on pampering any pets that come to stay and provides a plush pet bed, water bowl, treats and clean up baggies.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

405 Spray Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $50 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.fairmont.com
Phone Number: 403 762 2211

One of the most famous hotels in Canada, the Fairmont Banff Springs was the first hotel to be built in Banff, and has been attracting visitors to the area for more than 100 years. Sometimes known as the Castle in the Rockies, the Banff Springs offers luxury accommodation in an impressive setting, with a variety of excellent restaurants, a world class spa, and outstanding views of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Springs is a pet friendly hotel and a maximum of 2 pets are permitted which must be supervised at all times.
Best Western Siding 29 Lodge
Best Western Siding 29 Lodge

Best Western Siding 29 Lodge

453 Marten St
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $10 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.bestwesternsiding29.com
Phone Number: 1 800 937 8376

Situated a short 5 minute walk from downtown, the Best Western Siding 29 Lodge offers Banff pet friendly accommodations to suit all budgets at a standard you would expect from a Best Western hotel. At the economy end, their Single Rooms have either one queen or one king bed and would suit one or two people, while the Standard Rooms are good for up to four people in two queen beds. Standard Plus Rooms are larger with a small fridge and pull-out sofa, and there is also a selection of suites some of which offer a Jacuzzi, full kitchen and fireplace. Hotel amenities include a free hot breakfast, heated indoor pool and hot tub.
Rimrock Resort Hotel
Rimrock Resort Hotel

Rimrock Resort Hotel

300 Mountain Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $40 charge per pet per day (additional pet costs $20 per day)
Website: www.rimrockresort.com
Phone Number: 403 762 3356

Often compared with the Banff Springs, the Rimrock is Banff’s alternative luxury hotel, and its location above the town of Banff at the foot of Sulphur Mountain provides it with arguably even better mountain views than it’s rival. Rooms are exquisitely appointed, are of a good size, and are well positioned to benefit from the amazing views. The lounge bar with walk-around fireplace is very welcoming, and the Eden restaurant is one of the best in western Canada. This is one of the most luxurious Banff dog friendly hotels and provides your pet with a pet bed, food and water bowl, a fresh dog biscuit and doodoo bags.
Homestead Inn
Homestead Inn

Homestead Inn

217 Lynx St
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per night
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.homesteadinnbanff.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 1021

This affordable downtown motel is a popular choice among visitors from Alberta, who enjoy its convenient location within easy walking distance of the restaurants and shopping of downtown Banff, as well as being close to the river walking trails. All rooms have 2 double beds, en suite bathroom, TV, coffee maker, and mini fridge. The hotel is cat friendly and dog friendly, with a maximum of 2 pets per room allowed at the additional charge of $25 per pet per night. Also the pet fees are capped at $100 per pet, which could add up to big savings on a long stay.
Banff Voyager Inn
Banff Voyager Inn

Banff Voyager Inn

555 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $20 charge per day – max 1 pet per room
Website: www.banffvoyagerinn.com
Phone Number: 1 800 879 1991

This simple and comfortable pet friendly accommodation is located a 15 min walk from downtown Banff, and offers an affordable option for visitors and travellers on a budget. Guest rooms have a balcony, en suite bathroom, cable TV and coffee maker, and most rooms have two queen beds. The Voyageur Lounge bar is popular with long time Banff locals and is a good place for a beer and some casual pub food.
This pet friendly hotel wants “pet guests to have the same experience as our human guests” and provides ground floor rooms with easy outside access, plus food and water bowls.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets

Tunnel Mountain Rd
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per dog per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.douglasfir.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 9267

Located above the town on the quiet slopes of Tunnel Mountain, the Douglas Fir offers dog friendly accommodations around 5 mins drive from the centre of Banff, with a food dish and water bowl, cookies, trail maps and baggies provided for your dog. The resort offers variety of condos, A-frame chalets, and specialty suites to suit all group sizes. Each unit has a well equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and most units have a wood burning fireplace. The family facilities are excellent and include two large waterslides, swimming pool, kids’ pool, indoor & outdoor playgrounds, and the adults will enjoy the jacuzzis, steam room, saunas, fitness room and outdoor tennis.
For your groceries, there is a small grocery store and liquor store conveniently located on site, and there are two large supermarkets in downtown Banff.

Hidden Ridge Resort
Hidden Ridge Resort

Hidden Ridge Resort

901 Hidden Ridge Way
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.banffhiddenridge.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 1372

The Hidden Ridge enjoys a quiet and secluded location, hidden away from the other properties on Tunnel Mountain. The mountain views are spectacular and you get a true feeling of being in nature, yet you are just a 5 min drive from downtown Banff. All condos have a balcony or patio, wood burning fireplace, full kitchen, and have between 1 and 4 queen size beds, depending on the size of the condo. There are several hiking trails close by, and two hot pools.
These pet friendly condos allow dogs and cats and provide each pet with a pet bed, bowls, and special treats on arrival.
Banff Ptarmigan Inn
Banff Ptarmigan Inn

Banff Ptarmigan Inn

337 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.banffptarmiganinn.com
Phone Number: 1-800-661-8310

With a convenient location just one block from the downtown core, the Banff Ptarmigan Inn offers comfortable lodging in standard, superior or premium rooms, with the premium rooms offering a fireplace. Free tickets for the Banff transit bus are included for all guests, and other amenities include two whirlpools, steamroom, sauna, plus an Italian style restaurant.
Red Carpet Inn
Red Carpet Inn

Red Carpet Inn

425 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $20 charge per pet per day
Website: www.banffredcarpet.com
Phone Number: 1 800 563 4609

Located just 3 blocks from downtown Banff, the Banff Red Carpet is a good choice for budget minded visitors, with several room types ranging from 1 to 3 beds, plus some Jacuzzi rooms. All rooms have en suite bathroom, mini fridge, cable TV, free wireless internet and air conditioning. Also offers free continental breakfast and hot tub.
Inns of Banff
Inns of Banff

Inns of Banff

600 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.innsofbanff.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 1272

Located on the edge of town, the Inns of Banff offers spacious hotel rooms for a variety of budget levels, including some with impressive mountain views and large private balcony. Larger groups or families will appreciate the newly renovated three or four bedroom condos, each with a modern full kitchen with stainless steel and granite. Hotel facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, selection of restaurants including the Japanese Restaurant Miki and the Bear’s Den Pub.
Bumper's Inn
Bumper’s Inn

Bumper’s Inn

603 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.banffbumpersinn.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 1272

Very economical accommodation, located 20 mins walk from the centre of Banff. Rooms are simply furnished with 1 or 2 queen beds, en suite bathroom, TV, and wireless internet.
Irwin's Mountain Inn
Irwin’s Mountain Inn

Irwin’s Mountain Inn

429 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $20 charge per pet per day
Website: www.irwinsmountaininn.com
Phone Number: 1 800 661 1721

With a good location just out of the downtown core, Irwin’s Mountain Inn offers comfortable pet friendly Banff motel style lodging in several different room types, including some one bedroom suites, with some units offering fridges, microwaves and jetted tubs. Facilities include a jetted tub, sauna, fitness centre and free wireless internet. The on-site El Toro restaurant is a long time favorite among Banff locals and serves good food at reasonable prices.
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

1029 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Pet Policy: Click here
Website: www.rockymountainresort.com
Phone Number: 1 800 563 8764

Located on the outskirts of Banff, a 10 min drive or complimentary shuttle ride from downtown, the Rocky Mountain Resort offers accommodation spread throughout 8 acres of grounds, surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and loft suites are available, all with kitchen, living/dining area, full bathroom and fireplace. Standard suites are also available without kitchen.
For dining, Alpha Bistro is located just off the lobby serving Canadian favorites. The sports facilities are impressive with a well equipped gym, sauna, indoor swimming pool, indoor whirlpool, squash courts, outdoor hot tub, and outdoor tennis courts.
Mount Royal Hotel
Mount Royal Hotel

Mount Royal Hotel – *Currently Closed for Renovations*

138 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Pet Friendly: Yes. $25 charge per pet per day
Website: www.mountroyalhotel.com
Phone Number: 1 877 442 2623

With a convenient location in the centre of town, the Mount Royal is one of the most historic Banff hotels, which offers guests a high standard of accommodation in keeping with the heritage of the building. Choose between standard and superior rooms, or one or two bedroom suites.
For dining, the Tony Roma’s restaurant is very popular, while the Paddock Bar is good place for pub food and to watch live sport. Other amenities include hot tub and guest laundry.

*The above rates for pet fees are subject to applicable taxes and subject to change without notice. Several hotels allow a maximum of 2 pets per room, some restrict the type of pet they will accept, and some hotels may not allow pets to be left unattended in the room. For current information regarding fees and pet policies, please contact the hotels directly. When booking Banff hotels pet friendly rooms need to be requested at the time of reservation in order to guarantee that your dog or cat will be accepted.

Subaru Banff Triathlon – Sept 12 2015

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Against the spectacular back drop of the Canadian Rockies, athletes from across North America will be competing in the sixth annual Subaru Banff Triathlon on Saturday September 12 2015. The setting for the race could not be more scenic, with the swim taking place in Two Jack Lake, the bike race around the stunning Minnewanka Loop and then into the town of Banff, followed by the run along the banks of the Bow River, with the finish on Banff Avenue in the heart of downtown Banff.

Course Distances

The race will include three distances, with the Olympic distance starting with a 1.5km swim, followed by a 38km bike ride and finishing with a 10km run, and the shorter Sprint distance including a 750m swim, 25km bike ride and 5km run. There will also be a Super Sprint distance which includes a 400m swim, 12km bike ride and 5km run. There will also be relay teams competing in all distances.

Course Map

Our interactive Banff Triathlon Map shows an overview of the full course, as well as all start and transition zones and allows you to zoom in to view detailed close ups of any section of the course. To view the Banff triathlon course map, click here.

Start Times

The race starts with the swim at Two Jack Lake with the Sprint Waves starting at 10.00am and 10.03am, the Super Sprint Waves at 10.10am and 10.13am and the Olympic Waves at 10.30am and 10.34am. With the 2012 winner of the Super Sprint completing the course in just over 56 minutes, you can expect the first racers to cross the finish line not long after 10.50am.
Previous winning times for the Olympic distance have been in the 1hr 50mins to 2hr range.

For further information about the race, visit the official race website.

Banff Bike Fest June 12-15 2014

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Cycling enthusiasts will be flocking to Banff National Park from June 12-15 for the 2014 Bike Fest road bike racing event. Taking place over 4 exciting days, Bike Fest 2014 will comprise 5 races, 4 of which will be in and around the town of Banff, with one race starting further west in Lake Louise.
Each race course route can be seen on the Banff Bike Fest map, an interactive Google map showing all the courses as well as the start and finish areas for each event.

Cascade Shops Prologue – June 12

This is a 1.5 km steep climb with approx 100m of elevation gain starting from the corner of Buffalo Street and Otter Street, heading up Buffalo Street past Surprise Corner onto Tunnel Mountain Drive and ending at the corner of Tunnel Mountain Drive and St Julien Way, behind the Banff Centre. The race starts at 6pm and riders will start individually every 30 seconds.

Lake Louise Road Race – June 13

Starting and finishing in Lake Louise, the majority of this 64 km race takes place on the Bow Valley Parkway, Highway 1A, heading east from Lake Louise past Castle Junction as far as Johnson Canyon Campground area where racers will turn around and head west back along the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise. The race starts at the Lake Louise Recreation Centre on Village Road at 9.30am for Cat 1/2 Men, 9.45am for Cat 3/4, and 10am for the Open Women category. The race finish is 1km east of the 1A Exit to Lake Louise.

Individual Time Trial (ITT) – June 14

Taking an out and back route along the scenic Vermilion Lakes Road, the Time Trial sees cyclists racing against the clock on an 8 km course starting and ending at the start of Vermilion Lakes Road off Mt Norquay Road on the edge of the town of Banff. The race starts at 8am with riders leaving every 30 seconds.

Criterium – June 14

One of the most exciting races of Bike Fest, and also one of the most popular for spectators, the Criterium involves racing multiple loops of a short 1 km circuit with tight turns and fast moving action in downtown Banff, counterclockwise along Banff Avenue, Wolf St, Beaver St and Moose St. The races kick off with the Cat 5 riders at 4.00pm who will be riding 25 laps of the course, followed at approx 4.45pm by Cat 4 racers riding 26 laps, 5.30pm Cat 3 racers riding 30 laps, 6.15pm the Open Women category riding 30 laps, and culminating in the fastest and longest race of the evening with Cat 1/2 Men racing 50 laps of the course, starting at approx 7.10pm.*
*Start times are estimated.

Little Crits & Cruiser Crit
Preceding the Criterium on June 14 are two fun bike races for anyone to join in. Starting at 2.30pm the Balkan Restaurant Little Crits gives kids up to 11 yrs the chance to race on the Criterium course while raising funds for Banff Elementary School. With the styles of bike as varied as the costumes of the riders, the Cruise for a Cause is a fund raising event which is as comical for the spectators as for the participants, starting at 3.00pm.

Tunnel Mountain Road Race – June 15

The last race of Banff National Park Bike Fest 2014, Tunnel Mountain Road Race starts from the corner of Beaver Street and Wolf Street and takes racers onto Banff Ave as far as Rocky Mountain Resort where a right turn leads uphill onto Tunnel Mountain Road which loops past the Hoodoos Lookout and Tunnel Mountain Campground, left at Buffalo Mountain Lodge onto Tunnel Mountain Drive around the back of the Banff Centre, with an exciting descent past Surprise Corner and back into town. The race is split into 3 different categories with Cat 3/4 starting at 7am, Open Women starting at 7.02am, and Cat 1/2 Men starting at 10.10am. The first 2 groups will be racing 78 km (6 laps) while the race distance for Cat 1/2 Men will be 130 km (10 laps).

To view the start and finish points for the above races as well as the routes the races will take, see the Bike Fest course map.

Banff SnowDays Festival

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From January 14 to February 12 2012 Banff SnowDays winter festival will bring a whole host of exciting winter activities and events to the town of Banff and other venues in Banff National Park. Like Jasper in January, a popular annual event in Jasper Alberta, SnowDays is a chance to celebrate everything that is wonderful about winter in the Canadian Rockies. While skiing and snowboarding are already extremely popular activities for winter visitors to Banff, SnowDays introduces some new ways to enjoy and appreciate the winter months, with story telling, outdoor skating, curling, mountain films, wildlife walks, live entertainment and street hockey joining existing events and festivals such as Celebrity Ski and the Ice Magic Festival.

Banff SnowDays Events & Activities

Banff Snow Days kicks off with the Fairmont Banff Springs Celebrity Sports Invitational, otherwise known as Celebrity Ski on Thursday January 12 2012. Taking place until January 15, Celebrity Ski brings together Hollywood stars such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Alec Baldwin at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel with skiing, snowboarding and other fun events at Sunshine Village in aid of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
The same weekend, the Mountain Adventure Festival will take place on January 14 and 15 with ice climbing in downtown Banff, outdoor skating, snow carving, and mountain adventure stories.
January 20-22 sees the first weekend of the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise where masterpieces will be carved from huge blocks of ice, while on Jan 21 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel there’s a chance to join a free guided hike with Parks Canada to learn how to identify wildlife tracks. Kids will love meeting sled dogs on the evening of Jan 21, and on Sunday January 22 the famous Lake Louise to Banff Loppet cross country ski race will take place.
On the evening of Friday January 27 the hilarious Cardboard Sled Derby takes place at Mount Norquay and on Janury 28 and 29 the second weekend of the Ice Magic Festival takes place with an emphasis on family fun for the Little Chippers. Also on Jan 28 is a talk about bear safety courtesy of Parks Canada, and that night you’ll have the opportunity to join the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for an evening of star gazing.
Saturday February 4 sees the Dave Irwin Dash for Cash at Sunshine Village, free snowshoeing lessons at the Fairmont Banff Springs golf course, and fireside stories about Norman Sanson at the Banff Park Museum. On Sunday February 5 visit the Mary Schaffer Story Tent to hear historical stories about early explorations in Banff National Park.
For something completely different, on the final weekend of Banff SnowDays, why not go and see the Victorian Soldier Drumming and Firing Demonstration on the evening of Friday February 10. One of the highlights of Banff Snow Days 2012 has to be the street ball hockey tournament taking place on Banff Avenue throughout the day on February 11 and 12, and for a historical perspective on Canada’s national game there’s also the opportunity to see a Victorian Hockey Demonstration on Feb 11 at the Banff Community High School Outdoor Rink.

The above SnowDays activities are just a small selection of what’s on offer throughout this exciting winter festival, and you will find a full schedule of events by visiting www.banfflakelouise.com.

Find a Banff Hotel

In general, Banff hotels do not offer special packages or deals specifically for SnowDays, however if you need accommodations during this winter festival you can simply click here and enter your dates to see rates and availability for a selection of hotels in Banff.