Banff has become one of the most desired destinations for instagram-inspired summertime travel. I have seen endless posts in front of the mountain-cradled Lake Louise, which is a gorgeous turquoise color. But, along with the natural beauty, crowds and prices soar in the summer.

A less popular, but still stunning weekend trip is Banff in the winter! I visited in February.

Here are a few things to do in snowy weather when you visit Banff (the town and the National Park) and Lake Louise.

Arrival and Accommodations in Banff

In January 2020, I popped up to Banff for a long weekend. I flew into the Calgary airport which, like most Canadian airports I have visited, was clean and easily navigated. Getting to Banff itself takes about 1.5 hours in good weather. I booked with On-It Transit which was professional, clean, and most importantly- had excellent heat! The roads were clear and there was little snowfall; the ride to Banff was hassle-free.

I stayed at the Banff Aspen Lodge which I would describe as a renovated motel with the charm of a wintery ski lodge. Rooms were accessed through an exterior balcony which surrounded two large hot tubs with a fireplace and seating. Robes and towels were provided for public use. My hotel room was on the third floor and had a vaulted, wood clad ceiling, seating area, and charming décor.

If you choose another hotel, I recommend staying on or close to the main street. The Banff Aspen Lodge was a few minutes walk from the shops, restaurants, and bars of downtown; but far enough away that I slept peacefully.

The town hosts ice carving competitions, skijoring, and other festivals throughout the winter season, so it's convenient to be located near the action! Look at a local calendar before you visit. I missed the skijoring competition because I didn't look at an events calendar. Oops. In terms of restaurants, I ate at the Maple Leaf Grille and Lounge and Banff Brewing- both were delicious!

Fun in Banff: Dog Sledding and Ice Skating at Lake Louise

There are a ton of winter wonderland-y activities to do in Banff. Through Banff Tours, I scheduled dog sledding with Kingmik Dogsled Tours near Lake Louise. The tour picked us up in Banff and allotted some time for sightseeing along the way; free time at Lake Louise for lunch, ice skating, snow shoeing, and touring; and hot chocolate and cookies!

Dog sledding was incredible. I was able to pet the pups before I was bundled into the sled. It was interesting to see how yappy the dogs were before the ride, but they became totally focused on running once we started. Two of the dogs on our team participated in the Iditarod!

Bring a pair of sunglasses or ski goggles because that whipping wind is cold! My guide did a great job directing the team through the countryside and let me stand and drive for a short portion as well. The team took us to the Continental Divide halfway point on a wide open path, but returned through a narrow route through the snow-covered forest.

On day 3, I attempted to ski and did some sightseeing and then headed to the airport! What do you think of dog sledding!? Have you ever tried it? I had a great time and recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

I'd also like to mention that you can adopt one of Kingmik's retired sled dogs. See their adoption page here.

Enjoy your trip!