Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas is an annual event that takes place at the summit of Sulphur Mountain just outside the town of Banff. It is happening every day from 10 am to 3 pm until December 30th, giving you plenty of time to come and take part in a host of fun, family-oriented activities among the mountain peaks.

To reach the celebrations, all you have to do is ride the Banff Gondola up the eastern slope of Sulphur Mountain to the upper terminal on the summit ridge. Here, you’ll find that Santa’s Workshop has taken over the multi-story venue, with Santa and his elves busy preparing for the holidays. A host of activities will be taking place on the weekends throughout the season and then every day from Thursday, December 26th to Monday, December 30th.

If you come on activity days, you can check out the cookie decorating station, watch a short Christmas film in the Above Banff Theatre, have the kids write a letter to Santa, and maybe even catch Santa on one of his visits to the mountain. There are also craft sessions where kids will be given a picture frame to decorate, a sparkling tattoo station, giant board games, and mulled wine for parents to enjoy.

If you get hungry while you’re up at the top, there’s no need to go back down the mountain. There are two restaurants located inside of the upper terminal: the casual and market-style Northern Lights where you’ll find salad, pizza, burger, and dessert stations, and the more upscale Sky Bistro, which offers a la carte dining.

Before heading back down for the day, make sure you also take a minute to enjoy the fantastic views. From the top of Sulphur Mountain, you can see both west and east down the Bow Valley, as well as all the way from Banff town sprawled out directly below to Lake Minnewanka in the distance. Spot the Bow River as it snakes its way through the mountains and look out for the cars travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway. As the last gondola ride down is well after sunset, you may even be able to do some stargazing.

One of the best things about Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas is that kids get to ride the gondola for free before noon every day. The cost of an adult gondola ticket will vary depending on the day you go, ranging from $53 on less busy weekdays to $60 on Christmas Eve. Consider buying your tickets online in advance to save a few dollars. Once you are up at the summit terminal, all activities are completely free.

Take your holiday celebrations to new heights and begin a family tradition at the top of Sulphur Mountain this year. From the exhilarating ride up to the activities waiting at the summit, Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas is a fun-filled event where you are sure to make lasting memories with your loved ones.