10 Photos from My Amazing Winter Adventure in Banff

With only a weekend to spare, you can barely scratch the surface of all the wonderful places to see and photograph in Banff.

By: Kenton Steryous + Save to a List

Below are a variety of shots, some of which are easily accessible with pullout parking, and some that require a little more effort by hiking in the snow or snowshoeing. If you're heading to Banff in winter, just make sure you're prepared. When I boarded my plane from Virginia it was 55° F, when I landed in Calgary, it was 10 below! Plenty of layers, down, and movement. When you stop for a photo, make sure you understand your gear well enough to move efficiently. Your body will begin to cool down immediately, and you need to take enough time to get a good shot, but not waste time to the point that your body (particularly your hands as a photographer) gets too cold and you lose motivation.

First stop, Lake Minnewanka (easily accessible):


The following three are from Johnson Lake, easily accessible but you'll need to hike a little bit to get that perfect shot:




The next four are from Boom Lake, this is a gorgeous backcountry hike/snowshoe. It's a fairly easy hike in the summer, but the difficulty is slightly higher in the winter. Still very doable, just allow a little extra time as your pace in winter will be a little slower:





Lake Louise, easily accessible:


Vermillion Lakes, with a view of Mt. Rundle (easily accessible, but sometimes crowded):


We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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