Embrace the Winter Wonderland at Snow Days Festival

January 9, 2024

Embrace the Winter Wonderland at Snow Days Festival

Banff is transformed into a magical winter wonderland each January, culminating in the vibrant Snow Days Festival. From January 19 to February 4, 2024, join us in celebrating the joy and beauty of winter.

Snow Sculptures: A Trail of Winter Art Be mesmerized by the snow sculptures that adorn downtown Banff. These magnificent works of art are the result of talented artists from around the globe, who carve massive snow blocks into intricate and imaginative designs. Starting from the Whyte Museum, follow the trail of these sculptures through Bear Street to Banff Avenue Square, with a warm drink in hand.

Skijoring: A Spectacular Display of Skill and Thrill Experience the unique and thrilling sport of Skijoring. Witness as teams of athletes and horses from Skijor Canada create an exhilarating show of horse-riding, trick-riding, and ski stunts on the streets of Banff Avenue. This breathtaking event showcases the skill of Alberta cowboys, cowgirls, Skijorlings, and their horses, partnered with trick skiers.

Snow Days Play Zone and More The festival is not just about sculptures and sports; it’s a family-friendly event filled with joy and laughter. The Snow Days Play Zone and the exciting sport of Skijoring on Banff Avenue are must-see attractions.

Important Information: Road and Parking Lot Closures Please note that there will be some road and parking lot closures to accommodate the festival:

Jan 12: Beaver Street Fire Hall parking lot and nearby alleyways.
Jan 15 – Feb 5: 200 block of Bear Street, with access to parkades and surface parking with intermittent delays.
Jan 17: 100 block of Bear Street and underground parkades.
Jan 19 – 21: 100 block of Banff Ave and portions of Caribou St.
Feb 5: Closures on Bear and Beaver Streets and parking lots.

A Festival Not to Miss If you’re visiting Banff National Park during these winter months, the Snow Days Festival is an event you won’t want to miss. It’s the perfect time to don your warmest clothes and immerse yourself in the numerous outdoor activities. Discover how downtown Banff comes alive with the spirit of winter.

Come join us at the Bear and Bison Inn during Snow Days for an unforgettable celebration of winter’s beauty and excitement!

Skijoring Banff Snow Days Festival — Travel Alberta / Josh Segeleski

Banff Snow Days Snow Sculpture — Travel Alberta / Josh Segeleski

I relied heavily on reviews while planning for my micro destination wedding so I wanted to leave a detailed review for other brides looking. The Bear & Bison was perfect. Lonny & his team made the planning process stress free. We had a 20 person micro wedding & rented the entire Inn for the weekend (10 bedrooms). The place is exactly the vibe for the Rockies – log cabin style with a view of the mountains. Our guests could not stop talking about the food – they even made accommodations for our 10 year old cousin who loved her pancakes instead of the “adult” breakfasts.

I cannot speak enough about the staff. Brooke, Annette, and Barbara continuously checked on us to ensure we had everything we needed. We didn’t need to bring any decorations as they set up everything perfectly from their inventory. I was so stressed about the rain (it didn’t end up raining) but the girls were fully prepared with options for umbrellas or setting up inside which I cannot thank enough. Everyone loved the bartender Landon – he talked to all the guests and made everyone feel like his family. From our bonfire welcome night, to the wedding day itself, to the goodbye breakfast, the staff made sure every event went perfectly.

This was our dream wedding. I cannot thank the staff enough for making the weekend so special for us. We will definitely be back for an anniversary. A few notes for future brides -ask the staff which rooms don’t have separate showers when planning for elderly or disabled guests -Put bath salts as favors for your guests since all the rooms have beautiful tubs -do the bonfire package plus bar the night before the wedding – it was easier to organize than planning a trip to another bar, plus people can go to bed when they want.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast & Wedding Venue
in Canmore, Alberta