Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Redearth Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-11-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Slippery sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Fresh snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; Slippery sections; Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 21-11-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snow covered sections; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
Thin snow cover on trails.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Mountain Lookout | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety - Winter Activities. Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. For more information: parks.canada.gc.ca/Banff-bulletins
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 02-11-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Creek | Snow covered with icy sections. | 10-11-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 07-11-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Cleats recommended; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Deadfall on trail; Unmaintained trail; | Trail details |
| Easy |
“Highline” trail to Paradise Creek | See comment section | 02-11-2024: Avalanche Risk rated as Simple Class 1 terrain - at km 1, the trail crosses the runout zone of an avalanche path which rarely runs; Unmaintained trail; Deadfall on trail; Snow covered; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mirror Lake, via Lake Agnes Trail | See comment section | 10-11-2024: Avalanche risk: Sections of this trail cross avalanche terrain. Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail is rated as Challenging Class 2 for avalanche exposure and travel requires appropriate avalanche training and equipment; Cleats recommended; Slippery sections; Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. For more information: parks.canada.gc.ca/Banff-bulletins Recent tracksetting: Nov 20 - Campground Loop. Nov 17 - Moraine Lake road; Upper Tramline; Lower Tramline.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Good. | 17-11-2024: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; When trailhead parking is full, access Moraine Lake Road via Upper Tramline trail and park at Lake Louise parking lot or Great Divide parking lot; No parking on roadways, or highways; Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Snow covered. | 17-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Tramline | See comment section | 17-11-2024: CAUTION! - There is a new connector trail constructed between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive. Skiing not recommended. Begin the Lower Tramline from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road (near The Station Restaurant); Single trackset classic; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 17-11-2024: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Louise Loop | Not recommended. | 17-11-2024: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Lake surface is not yet frozen; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Not yet maintained; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Upper Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Track-set | 21-11-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Double trackset classic and skate; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Packed. | 21-11-2024: Snowmobile packed; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Snow covered. | 14-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Dogs on leash permitted; Packed and graded; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Snow covered. | 17-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Dogs on leash permitted; Not yet maintained; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Snow covered. | 17-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Dogs on leash permitted; Not yet maintained; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Snow covered. | 17-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Dogs on leash permitted; Not yet maintained; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Snow covered. | 17-11-2024: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Dogs on leash permitted; Not yet maintained; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 17-11-2024: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Stay on trail; | Trail details |
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