Day 10 - Banff

 21 December 2025

A ride up the Banff Gondola late morning to Sulphur mountain, one of the many mountains that overlook the Banff town, but probably the closest and one of the tallest at 698m above Banff, and at times today, also above the clouds. No skiing here. This is for viewing and exploring purposes only. 

There was a feeling that we needed to fuel before we explored, so we opted for a quick lunch at one of the cafe's at the top, enjoying one of the most amazing views at the same time. 

Despite the very serious faces (it seems to be a thing at the moment), the kids were really having a 
good time. 

See - I told you they were having a good time. Belle trying to catch a snow 

flake in the light flurries that episodically occured.

Lunch with a view.

There is a board walk that takes you from Sulphur Peak to the neighbouring Sanson Peak. While this did not have the appearances of being a very long or difficult walk, the conditions certainly required for a bit more resilience than initially appears necessary. There was a little snow underfoot that made the steps a little slippery in spots, plus mounds of uncleared snow at higher points, that Isabelle particularly seemed to always find herself falling into. It could have been the full bellies or the additional altitude, but walking felt sluggish and effortful. It was however worth the hike for the almost 360 views at the top. 

In the very back, squeezed between mountains is a body of water called Lake Minnewanka. Five years ago when we had visited about a week later in the year, this Lake was almost fully frozen. 

With much of the day gone, it was time for a hot spa back at the hotel. Were not sure if the spa had been turned up or it was colder than previous trips, but tolerating the contrasting temperature for prolonged periods was a bit more challenging than any of us can recall. Still, there is nothing more amazing to be sitting in a hot tub, outside watching the scenery of the Rockies around us.