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 | Poor. | 22-12-2024: No dogs allowed; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Skier tracked; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Skier tracked; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Snowmobile packed; Skier tracked; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Snowmobile packed; Skier tracked; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Skier tracked; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; Snow covered; Icy sections; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 22-12-2024: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Slippery sections; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Slippery sections; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Slippery sections; Icy sections; Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Slippery sections; Icy sections; Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Slippery sections; Thin snow cover. Early winter conditions; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Slippery sections; Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Snow covered; Sections of deep snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Icy sections; Slippery sections; Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Packed. | 22-12-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Snowmobile packed; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Compact snow; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Check the important bulletins for more information; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 22-12-2024: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Compact snow; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | 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 | Thin snow cover. | 22-12-2024: Not yet maintained; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Thin snow cover. | 22-12-2024: Not yet maintained; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Thin snow cover. | 22-12-2024: Not yet maintained; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Thin snow cover. | 22-12-2024: Not yet maintained; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Thin snow cover. | 22-12-2024: Not yet maintained; Tracksetting has not yet begun; Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | 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. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered. | 22-12-2024: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered. | 22-12-2024: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Creek | Snow covered. | 22-12-2024: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 22-12-2024: Dogs on leash permitted; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Deadfall on trail; Unmaintained trail; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
“Highline” trail to Paradise Creek | See comment section | 22-12-2024: 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; Snow covered; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | See comment section | 22-12-2024: 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. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information. Recent tracksetting: Dec 21 - Pipestone; Hector; Merlin; Drummond; Bow River Loop; Campground Loop; Upper Tramline; Lower Tramline; Moraine Lake road; Townsite; Fairview Loop. Dec 15 - Lake Louise lake surface. Dec 10 - Lake Louise Shoreline.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Good. | 21-12-2024: 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; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Double trackset classic and skate; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Good. | 21-12-2024: Double trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lower Tramline | See comment section | 21-12-2024: Begin the Lower Tramline from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road (near The Station Restaurant). You can use the old or the new route. CAUTION! - The new route between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive is not track set, is steep, narrow and has sharp turns.; No dogs allowed; Old route: Single trackset classic; no dogs allowed;; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Loop | See comment section | 15-12-2024: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Lake Louise shoreline - good; Lake Louise surface is fair due to icy and slushy conditions; Trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | 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 | Good. | 21-12-2024: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Good. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Good. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set not on tracks; Access across CP railway tracks only via Lake Louise Drive sidewalk underpass.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Early season conditions. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Early season conditions. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Early season conditions. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Early season conditions. | 21-12-2024: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | 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. | 22-12-2024: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Stay on trail; | Trail details |
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