Banff Ski Holidays

Après-Ski in Banff

Banff has an awesome après scene, mostly centred around Banff Avenue and Bear Street right in the middle of the town. Expect everything from crazy Canuck style pubs to breweries and distilleries to elegant wine bars. Banff has it all in abundance. Ski to the base of Sunshine or Norquay and you’ll certainly find a place to have a quick beer, but the vast majority will jump on the free ski bus back to downtown Banff. Here’s a few suggestions to help start your après engines:

St James’ Gate Irish Pub

This is a traditional ski town Irish après bar offering great beer and food. The St James’ Gate was built and manufactured in Dublin and then imported and re-constructed in Banff. It has a genuine warm, friendly atmosphere and is a popular spot for locals as well as visitors.

Rose & Crown Pub

If you like live music, good beer and pub-grub, the Rose & Crown is one of Banff’s premier après hot spots. Expect daily drinks specials, great Canadian comfort food and a rowdy but friendly atmosphere.

Park Distillery

The spirit of Banff. This is a restaurant and working distillery in downtown Banff, offering campfire-inspired food and a range of spirits distilled on site. The gins and vodkas are exceptional – try the Park spirits tasting flight 6 x 3oz shots. As you’d expect, the cocktail choices are amazing, and they serve beer too. Book yourself a distillery tour to learn more.

Bear Street Tavern

Signature pizzas, sandwiches and cast iron specialities are the thing here. Enjoy a beer or a bear-sized cocktail and finish with a legendary pizza.

The Canadian Brewhouse

Banff’s top sports bar with an unfeasibly large amount of huge TVs showing an unfeasibly large amount of ice hockey. Expect great beer, daily specials, a Canadian classic food menu and a vibrant atmosphere.

Banff Avenue Brewing Co.

This is a multi-venue après spot with a vibrant pub serving great craft brews and pub-food favourites, a street-level tap-room serving flights of Banff’s best craft brews complemented by a solid appie menu, and a fabulous pizza & pasta restaurant. All your après, right in one location.

Rundle Bar (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

If you like your après a little more upscale, then the Rundle Bar in the Banff Springs is the perfect spot. Great views of the Bow Valley, nice comfortable seating with table service and a huge drinks menu offering pretty much everything alcoholic and more. Nice après food menu too.

Dining in Banff

Banff has a fantastic range of really good restaurants to choose from. You’ll find pretty much every world-wide cuisine or style here, and venues to match every budget from uber-fine dining to family-friendly cantina-style. Here are some of our recommended restaurants in Banff:

1888 Chop House (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

A modern take on a traditional chop house, enjoy prime cuts of Alberta beef and wild game, with a focus on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Executive chef JW Foster sums up the experience as "A Celebration of Alberta Farming and Fine Dining".

Brazen

Brazen is located inside the historic Mount Royal Hotel right in the very heart of downtown Banff. Expect contemporary takes on classic cocktails, seasonally-inspired Canadian fare and a state of old-world style.

Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant

Craft brewery and restaurant complete with stargazing retractable roof. With foliage décor and warm tones throughout, this is a casual spot for a relaxed meal, live après ski music and beer specials.

The Vermillion Room (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

This is the Banff Springs bustling Brasserie serving dishes with French elegance and Canadian charm. Expect a thoroughly good menu, an extensive wine list and a really nice relaxed ambience. Open for breakfast, brunch and dinner.

Block Kitchen and Bar

Block is marketed as a tapas and sandwich bar, but is so much more than this. Offering an intimate dining experience and Asian fusion and European inspired dishes, this locally-owned restaurant serves up healthy plates, a daily specials board and a wide selection of wines, beers and cocktails.

Coyotes Southwestern Gril

Locally owned, traditional Southwestern restaurant with wide choice of menu options. Laidback atmosphere and friendly service.

Castello Ristorante (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

This popular Italian restaurant has a genuine feel to it, offering guests wonderful elevated Italian favourites in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The authentic Italian food and wine here is exceptional.

Anejo

With the largest selection of tequila in Canada (over 200), Anejo combines the spirit of Mexico with truly authentic Mexican cuisine. The décor is vibrant and the hand-crafted margaritas are legendary. This is a fun place, and one to not be missed.

The Keg

A relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff and superior steaks await you at The Keg. Diners can choose to eat in the welcoming dining room, or opt for the more casual and lively bar.

Good Folk

Upscale restaurant in uptown Banff specialising in elevated Canadian cuisine, from Alberta Bison to West Coast Halibut. Located in the Otter Hotel.

Melissa’s Missteak

Melissa’s has a new location on Banff Avenue! Visit Mel’s sports bar for a quick drink before heading on in to Melissa’s for dinner. Expect Alberta Certified Angus Beef, lobster, seafood and a range of local Canadian classics.

Sky Bistro

Overlooking the town of Banff at the top of Sulphur Mountain, the Sky Bistro is a restaurant like no other. Ride the Banff Sightseeing Gondola from just above the Rimrock Resort Hotel to the top of the mountain. With a panoramic view of the Rockies, this is a special place. Enjoy a menu which is classically Canadian with an emphasis on local produce. There’s a full bar and a huge deck for that special picture.

Lupo

One of our very favourite ski town restaurants ever! A proper Italian delight in downtown Banff. Everything made in house - pasta, pizza, pesce. This is little Banff Italia. The quality of food and wine is truly exceptional.

Sudden Sally

The new Hotel Canoe & Suites at the end of Banff Avenue features one of Banff's newest restaurants: Sudden Sally. Elevated comfort food and great cocktails.

Bluebird Wood-Fired Steakhouse

Famed for it's wood-fired steaks, prime-rib and fondue - enjoy hearty mountain food with the warmth of fireside dining. Voted in the Top 100 Brunch & Lunch Restaurants 2025.

Farm & Fire

Contemporary restaurant located in the Elk & Avenue Hotel specialising in the freshest ingredients from local Canadian farmers. A real focus on slow-roasted and wood-fired dishes.

Activities in Banff

There are plenty of non-skiing activities in Banff should you choose to take the opportunity to explore this beautiful national park. Ice walks, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are all firm favourites. Anyone wishing to sample Canadian sporting culture can take a trip to Calgary to see the Calgary Flames in action – Calgary’s revered NHL ice hockey team – be warned though: it can get very noisy!

Activities available in Banff:

• Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
• Heliski Powder Adventures in the Purcells
• Sleigh Rides
• Snowshoeing
• Winter Sightseeing Tours

Heliski Powder Adventures in the Purcells                                                                      

Enjoy the exhilaration of skiing untracked powder high in the majestic Purcell Mountains Range with RK Heliski.

Heli-skiing in the Canadian Rockies is one of the most awesome skiing adventures you can have! Under a clear blue sky, on fresh untracked snow, with awe-inspiring scenery, challenging terrain and great company, this will be a day you’ll remember forever!

RK Heliski is based in Panorama, British Columbia; their heli-plex is situated on the periphery of the Panorama Mountain Village. A choice of packages is available, from days, to multi-day experiences, including private trips. For all experiences, guests must be able to confidently ski blue runs. Daily packages are available from Banff, with a transfer across to Panorama. Please check that your travel insurance covers you for heli-skiing before signing up.

Sleigh Rides                                                                      

What could be better than an exhilarating sleigh ride through the crisp winter air? Sit back and relax as you enjoy spectacular Rocky Mountain views and journey through the beauty of Bow River Valley to the less well-travelled areas of Banff.

NHL Ice Hockey                                                                      

Hockey is huge in Canada and an opportunity to catch a live game is not to be missed! Cheer on the Calgary Flames as you experience this fast-paced, all-action sport, fun with a difference for the entire family. Games are held at the famed Calgary Saddledome.

Snowshoeing                                                                      

The perfect activity for the non-skier and skier alike, snowshoeing is a wonderful opportunity to escape the bustle of the slops and head into the scenic wilderness of the Banff National Park. The Paint Pots tour introduces guests to the snowshoe experience and educates them in the history of Banff’s native peoples, explorers and fur traders, who lived and traveled through the Rockies. Some of these early adventurers’ clothes and equipment can be observed, as can the techniques, they used to survive and earn a living in this sometimes-hostile environment. Once you reach Paint Pots, you’ll enjoy the reward of a definitive Canadian treat, Hot Maple Taffy!