Are you looking to go and see skijoring in Banff? So were we!
Dressed in custom-made jackets that our moms made us, we had embraced our inner cowgirl and bundled up for this epic winter event. Huddled with my girlfriends along the temporary railing, we were determined to secure the best seats in the house so we could be in the centre of all of the equine and athlete action that is skijoring.
Let me be the first to tell you, this was an incredible experience and one of the best girls’ trips we have ever taken. The skijoring Banff event was full of big energy and cowboy mountain vibes, so that in itself it was worth planning the trip for. However, Banff is such a dynamic destination with a plethora of adventures, a vibrant food scene, and world-renowned scenery, making it the perfect place to not only take in skijoring in Banff but also all the other experiences Banff has to offer.
So, after our trip, I had to put together this article to showcase the highlights from the event and help you plan your trip to see Skijoring in 2026!
What is Skijoring?
Skijoring is a sport where there are three athletes on each team: a “Rider”, a horse, and a “Slider”. The Rider is responsible for riding the horse and controlling a tow rope, which will pull a Slider. The Slider is an athlete who is pulled on skis or a snowboard behind the rider. Together, the three of them navigate a snowy-filled course that has flags and jumps, with the rider often performing aerial feats! The word Skijoring comes from the Norwegian word “skikjøring,” which means “ski driving”.
In short… It’s an athletic display that is entertaining and a ton of fun to watch.
Skijoring Banff – Everything You Need To Know To Plan Your 2026 Visit
Skijoring in Banff is one of the many events that take place during Banff and Lake Louise’s annual SnowDays Festival. In 2025, skijoring took place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, but the actual SnowDays Festival lasts for over a week. We chose to plan our trip around seeing the skijoring event and being able to take part in other events and activities around the main attraction – The cowboys and cowgirls and their skijor magic!
Where does Skijoring Take Place?
One of the things that makes this event so spectacular is that they close down the main street in downtown Banff, bring in truckloads and truckloads of snow, and transform the downtown core into a skijoring track. Complete with a center stage, large jumps, big outdoor screens streaming instant replays, and surrounded by a huge crowd and people watching from balconies, it is a takeover of the town in all the right ways.
Planning Tip: The main intersection for the event is Banff Ave & Wolf Street, so you can plan transport and navigation around that marker.
What to Expect
This event is in partnership with Skijor Canada, and team members of riders, sliders, and their horses come to Banff to showcase their athleticism, aerial tricks, and ski and snowboard stunts. With booming upbeat music, the MC gets the crowd pumped up while you watch aerobatics, tricks, and flips, many happening overhead. Expect the unexpected and keep your eyes on the horizon when a team is coming down the track!
Planning Tip: We positioned ourselves in front of the big screen, which offered awesome replays of the jumps and tricks, allowing us to see it again and front multiple angles.
Where To Watch Skijoring In Banff
If you’re looking for front row views, be sure to head down to the event at least 1.5 hours early, as those prime spots fill up. Dress warm (I’ll get into that more below), but expect to stay in your spot and not be able to move, as similar to floor seats at a concert, you’ve got to be there to hold your spot.
However, I will say this is a smaller event than a concert, and even if you’re not in the front row, there are no bad places to watch from. The event is in the air and well showcased on the large screens so that everyone can see what’s happening and can be a part of the action. There are bleachers to sit in as well, but most spectators watch while standing.
If you’d rather watch from a warm and cozy indoor viewing spot, these bars and restaurants offer live streaming during skijoring:
- Banff Social
- Bear Street Tavern
- Canadian Brewhouse
- The Eddie Burger + Bar
- Elk & Oarsman Restaurant & Sports Bar
- Maclab Bistro
- Melissa’s Restaurant & Bar
- Mount Royal Hotel – Apres Lounge
- Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar
- Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant
Skijour Fashion – What To Wear
Other than the incredible athletes, the second-best thing about skijoring is the fashion. It’s a whole culture within itself, and seeing all of the outfits that people wear is a huge part of the skijoring experience.
Simply defined, skijor fashion is an unexpected combination of Western cowboy clothing with fur, fringe, and colour. Think the best thrift store find with a cowboy hat, some great winter boots, and bright colours all mixed, and you’d have the perfect outfit.
We found amazing blankets at London Drugs, and our moms crafted the most beautiful jackets for us, which made us eligible to walk the skijour fashion show and win prizes for our outfits! It was next-level fun.
How To Stay Warm At A Skijoring Event
While fashion is always a fun enhancement to any event, skijoring Banff can be cold. It was -20°C during our visit, and the fact that we were standing still meant we had to be bundled up.
Here’s what we wore to stay warm:
- Base layers – high-quality base layers
- Heated Socks
- Fleece Layer
- Heated Vests
- Puffy Jacket
- Winter Pants
- Winter Jacket
- Heated gloves
- Ear covers
- Hat
- External Jacket
What to Bring
As it is a standing-only event, you won’t want to bring a big backpack, so plan on bringing a small bag with essentials. We packed:
- Hand warmers
- Hot drinks (apple cider for me and tea for my friends)
- Camera
- Batteries (keep those in your pockets so they stay warm and don’t drain)
- Phone
Skijoring Photos from Banff 2025 Event
Picture-perfect stunts, incredible outfits, and friendly local hosts, this Canadian event was so much fun to capture and be a part of. Here are some of my favourite photos from the 2025 event:
Skijoring After Party
Once the final closing walk is complete, head down to the after party where you can meet the horses, the athletes, walk the skijor fashion red carpet, and keep the celebrations from the event going on into the night.
Special Notes of Consideration:
- The event takes place in a cold climate. Dress in layers and warmer than you think you should, and bundle up the kids extra warm!
- To prioritize the health and safety of the athletes, horses, and spectators, the event may be cancelled if the weather is not safe to proceed with the event. Be sure to check with Tourism Banff Lake Louise for updates in case of extreme cold, rain, or adverse weather.
Take Your Trip To the Next Level – Where to Eat, Stay, and Adventures To Seek In Banff
Where To Eat in Banff
Banff has a lot of incredible restaurants and bars, so allocate time to sip and savour food while visiting Banff. Here are my four favourite “must-visit” restaurants that I go to every time I’m in town.
Brazen
Located on Banff Ave, adjacent to the lobby of the Mount Royal Hotel, Brazen is an elevated dining experience offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Known as “a homage to the mavericks that built this town,” Brazen offers a “contemporary take on old-world classics.” I love starting my morning there with their hearty breakfast (their avocado toast is the perfect fuel for an adventure day). In the evening, their dinners are art for the eyes and a dance of inspiration on the palate. Their beef tartar was unlike anything I had ever experienced and was a show to unveil in itself.
Hello Sunshine
Sushi AND private karaoke rooms? Does it get any more fun than this?
As soon as you walk through the doors of Hello Sunshine, you know you’re somewhere truly unique. With elevated decor, this modern sushi restaurant meets at the intersection of good food and fun. We ordered plates to share, allowing us to explore as much of their menu as possible. I have yet to personally take a group into the back karaoke room, but have heard the giggles and fun coming from there and can assure you it’s on my bucket list! (So I hope this inspires you to take your crew!)
Three Bears Brewery
If there were a popularity contest for restaurants in Banff, I feel like Three Bears Brewery would win. Every time I walk by, they are lined up for all the right reasons (Hot tip: book ahead and make reservations so you don’t have to wait.) With beautiful decor, downtown Banff vibes, a patio looking out over the street, and food, oh the food… this is a place you have to visit while you’re in town. My kids still talk about their burgers, and we “have” to visit whenever we are in Banff. However, it’s not their burgers that they are famous for; it’s their fire-roasted pizzas! As one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, I can see why there’s a long line to get in, so make those reservations and be sure to add this to your Banff foodie adventure list!
Wild Flour Bakery
When we’re looking for a quick grab-and-go in the mornings, we always head to Wild Flour Bakery. I love the fact that they have gluten-free items, and my friends actually snuck out and bought me 4 muffins to bring home as they know how much I love them! From quality hand-crafted, made fresh items, they are your go-to source for great breakfasts and hearty lunches.
Where to Stay
Mount Royal Hotel
If you’re looking for the best place to stay while going to see skijoring Banff, hands down it’s the Mount Royal Hotel. Located at the intersection of the action, you can be steps away from the skijoring event and the streets of downtown Banff. Recently renovated, this hotel showcases beautiful design, modern amenities, and a location that can’t be beat. Be sure to stop by their micro museum, which showcases stories from the past and the history of this Banff hotel.
Book your stay at the Mount Royal Hotel here!
Other Activities To Explore In Banff
While you are visiting Banff to experience the skijoring event, there are so many other amazing winter activities that you need to explore during your stay. When we were up the Banff Gondola for Nightrise, we met a few different visitors who had flown in for the event, and it was so fun to see their fashion and share in their excitement for the next day’s event. They loved the warm “typical Canadian” welcome they received, and we even took some photos together.
Here’s my personally curated list of favourite things I love to do while visiting Banff, Alberta in the winter, and I hope they help ensure you have the best trip as well:
Nightrise at Banff Gondola
We’ve all heard of sunrise, but have you heard of Nightrise? Head up the Banff gondola before the sun has set and you’ll get to see the most beautiful sunset from the best view in Banff, and take in the rising of the moon, known as Nightrise. The mountains sparkle under the rays of the moon, and the town dazzles with its lights for you to see from above.
Nightrise is a multimedia experience that showcases storytelling, interactive lights, sounds, and music while you navigate through three stories of exhibits. Fun for all ages, it is a unique way to experience Banff. One of my favourite things was that we had clear skies during our visits, and they had brought in a guest astronomer who had a huge telescope… I looked through and guess what I got to see, JUPITER! I was able to see the planet and two moons, something I had never seen before.
Saving Tip: If you’re planning on visiting other regions in the area, including Golden and Jasper, then look at getting the Pursuit Pass. This can save you up to 40% if you’re visiting multiple attractions owned by the Pursuit Collection (they own the gondola and many local attractions, hotels, and restaurants).
Lake Louise
A visit to Banff isn’t complete without a trip to Lake Louise (in my professional and very biased experience). Lake Louise is one of the most photographed lakes in all of Canada, and that’s for good reason. In the summer, the Tiffany teal water pops off the gigantic glacier and is surrounded by beautiful forests and meandering trails. If you’re there for skijoring, then you’ll get to see her covered in ice, with snowy trees surrounding her like a beautiful picture frame. Depending on when you go, you may be able to see the ice castle being constructed, which makes you feel like you’re standing in a scene from Frozen (the ice castle is built annually for the Ice Magic Festival, which happens at the end of January, so it may or may not be there during your visit)
Johnston Canyon
Speaking of Elsa-inspired destinations, the Johnston Canyon is one worth visiting as well. As the groundwater of the canyon walls freezes, it expands out of the rocks and flows down in frozen waterfalls, some many stories tall. There are two frozen waterfalls for you to walk to, which are incredible sights to see. You may come across more adventurous explorers who will be ice climbing as well! (another unique sport).
Fat Biking
I always love going on a bike tour wherever I visit, as it allows me to cover more ground and soak in as much of the sights as possible, and electric fat biking in Banff is the perfect way to explore Banff during the winter. The fat tires will have you gliding over the snow and the electric motor will allow you to go far with minimal effort. Gear up and either rent bikes or take a guided experience to learn about banff from a local guide.
Photography Tip: If you’re a photographer or want to be able to capture the most scenic shots in Banff, I recommend taking a tour and telling them that this is what you want to capture. Local guides know where to take you to get those photos, and this was a great investment in not only an adventure but also my photography.
Stroll Downtown Banff
On our trip, I made one mistake… I packed our itinerary so busy that we didn’t have time to stroll downtown Banff! With so many shops and eateries, we left feeling like we didn’t get enough downtime to explore, so don’t make that mistake and be sure to leave time for downtime and exploring all of the magic of this little mountain town!
Getting To And From Banff (and around town)
I highly recommend you ditch the car rental and opt for bus transfers while visiting Banff. This will save you money, time, and allow you to sit back and soak in the scenery during your stay. We opted to use Brewster Express, which took us from Calgary Airport to our hotel lobby and back. While in town, I either use the local ROAM bus, which is an affordable and easy system to use to navigate around town and to places like Lake Louise and Banff Gondola, or I lace up my boots and walk through this easy and accessible town.
Not only does taking the bus cause you less stress and save money, but it also is way better for the environment and will allow more people to enjoy the beauty that is Banff National Park.
In Conclusion…
Overall, if you’re thinking about going to watch skijoring Banff, I have two words: Book it!
Hands down, it was so much fun to take part in this newer Canadian event, and the vibes, the fashion, the athletes, and the fun were a memory that I’ll never forget!
Have any questions or want to know more? I’m always happy to answer questions! Send me a note on social media or email me at [email protected]
Sponsor Note: Some of our experiences were hosted, but we went to watch skijoring on our dime. This article is a true reflection of our experience and a collection of our advice based on having visited Banff several times. We hope it inspires you to book a trip to this area.
