January 7, 2025 (BANFF & LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA) – Banff and Lake Louise are set to sparkle and shine as the annual SnowDays festival returns to Banff and Lake Louise from Jan. 17 – Feb. 2. Visitors and locals can enjoy winter artistry, mountain culture and Canadian sports. With returning events and new experiences on offer, winter enthusiasts of all ages and interests have more reasons to attend.

SnowDays will kick off with one of the most thrilling experiences on the program; two heart-pounding skijoring shows on the iconic Banff Avenue. This hugely popular event has been extended from one day to two, taking place on Jan. 18 and 19. Spectators can look forward to cowgirls and cowboys towing skiers and snowboarders over jumps and rails in a breathtaking exhibition of horse riding, trick riding, and ski stunts.

Visit Banff during select hours Thursdays through Sundays during the festival to enjoy live entertainment from local artists at the Bear Street Hub. This year, the Hub will host the new 'Weekend of Wonder' on Jan. 24-26, an all-ages extravaganza packed with fun and creativity, including hands-on crafts, wild workshops and performers. A short stroll away in Central Park, our enhanced Play Zone will offer fat biking, hockey shot, curling and more classic Canadian games. This thoughtfully designed winter playground encourages snowy fun and offers the chance to try a new winter sport.

To round out the day, take advantage of evening activities, including pre and post-skijoring parties, and exclusive dining as part of SnowNights. Among the highlights of this year's SnowDays festival is Ice Magic, which is returning to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the second time since 2020. The theme for this year's carving is Nature's Whisper, promising a display that captures the essence of the stunning natural surroundings. In Banff, snow carvers will create sculptures that represent Hidden Treasures. The snow sculptures will be exhibited along the corridor from Central Park to Bear Street from Jan. 17-23 and will remain on display until Feb. 2.

Kristina Macdonald, Director, Experience Development & Events at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism said, "SnowDays is the perfect time to book an overnight stay in our winter wonderland. With so many free activities available, it offers great value. Gather the family and enjoy a wide range of winter experiences along with this year's exciting festival lineup."

This year, guests of participating hotels and guided tours can book tickets for Ice Magic. Tickets are exclusively available to guests of more than 30 participating hotels in Banff and Lake Louise, including the new Moxy Banff and Hotel Canoe & Suites, as well as guests of Radventures' Winter Wonderland Tour.

SnowDays highlights:

SKIJORING
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of downtown Banff along Banff Avenue, Skijor Canada teams – each consisting of a horse, rider, and slider - will race down a 160m track, showcasing their skill, speed and style at thrilling speeds of up to 50 km/hr. Spectators can anticipate a dynamic spectacle featuring Roman riding, trick riding, and stunt skiing/boarding. Skijoring, which originates from the Norwegian term for “ski driving,” first debuted in Banff in 1917 during the inaugural Banff Winter Carnival. Arriving early is recommended as seating and standing areas are limited.

Where: Banff Avenue between Caribou and Wolf Street for the main show. Live feeds streaming the action will be available in several bars and restaurants. Signs onsite will advise on this. Limited free parking is available at the Banff Train Station.
When: Jan. 18 and 19 - 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Price: Complimentary
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SNOW SCULPTURES
A signature component of the festival, snow sculptures are an exhibition of mastery. World-class artists transform seven massive blocks of snow into intricate and imaginative creations. Grab a hot drink, bundle up and follow the trail of snow sculptures from Bear Street to Central Park. The sculptures will have staggered completion dates in the first week, giving visitors the chance to witness both the artists at work and the completed sculptures.

Where: Seven snow carvings in downtown Banff: Central Park x 3, Bear Street x 4
When: Jan. 17–20 and 21-23: Live snow sculpture carving | Jan. 24 – Feb. 2: Completed snow sculpture outdoor gallery | See the snow sculptures anytime during the SnowDays festival. They are lit up in the evenings.
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PLAY ZONE AT CENTRAL PARK
This year, Play Zone has moved from the Banff High School field to Central Park. Offering enhanced programming, this specifically designed all-ages-activity area encourages winter fun with fat biking, hockey shot, curling and more classic Canadian games. Round up friends and family for a memorable day in the snow and try a winter sport or activity you have never experienced.
Where: Central Park
When: Thurs. 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 12 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Price: Complimentary
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WEEKEND OF WONDER
New to this year's festival, Weekend of Wonder is an all-ages three-day event on Bear Street. Enjoy hands-on crafts, wild science workshops, and captivating performers. Marvel at live ice carving and snow sculptures, or let the kids try their hand at ice carving with Little Chippers. Meet sled dogs, snap pictures at the photo booth, and experience exciting games and activities.

Where: Bear Street
When: Jan. 24-26, Fri. & Sat. 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: Complimentary
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SNOWNIGHTS
SnowDays doesn't end when the sun sets. For those eager to make the most of their time exploring the outdoors and dining at a variety of restaurants, there is a range of accommodations to suit every traveller. Stay overnight and enjoy after-dark experiences, including Nightrise at the Banff Gondola, evening ice walks, and more.

Where: Throughout Banff and Lake Louise
When: Jan. 17 – Feb. 2
Price: Varies
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ICE MAGIC
Lake Louise comes alive during the highly anticipated return of Ice Magic at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. For five days, visitors can witness the skill of four pairs of world-class ice carvers as they bring frozen masterpieces to life right before your eyes. Noteworthy carvers include award-winning Canadian with 35 years of experience, Larry MacFarlane.

Guests staying in participating Banff hotels can access Ice Magic via a complimentary shuttle service (and parking) provided from Lake Louise Ski Resort, where they will be given a wristband to enter the Ice Magic grounds. Alternatively, ticketholders can access the event site using Roam Transit service Route 8X. This must be booked in advance and is separate from your Ice Magic ticket. Ice Magic can also be enjoyed as part of the Radventures Winter Wonderland Tour.

Lake Louise is an incredibly special place within Banff National Park and we work closely with Parks Canada to ensure that any event within the destination prioritizes protecting the landscape and wildlife. Demand for Ice Magic has consistently exceeded what Lake Louise can manage sustainably. To continue hosting the event while respecting capacity limits, we have adjusted the format. This year, it's exclusively available to guests of participating hotels and guided tours.

Where: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
When: Jan. 29-Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. for sculpture viewings and live carving demonstrations throughout the day
Price: Tickets are available to guests of participating Banff and Lake Louise hotels and tour guests. There are more than 30 participating hotels. Hotel packages start at $183/night + tax.

PLAN AHEAD
Discover your perfect mountain getaway. Stay overnight to take advantage of the many winter activities on offer, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, downhill skiing at three resorts, and more. It is recommended to plan ahead before leaving home by purchasing your National Park Pass in advance, knowing where parking is available, and having a plan in place to take advantage of public transportation and shuttles. Begin planning your dream vacation using our Trip Builder tool.

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High-resolution SnowDays images can be downloaded here
Watch Travel Alberta's skijoring video featuring Skijor Canada here
Learn more about upcoming events in our Event Calendar

ABOUT BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE
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Banff and Lake Louise offer incredible experiences that reconnect people to the natural world. Situated in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible year-round adventure and wellness are cultivated every day of the year by visitors from across the globe. Home to three ski resorts, countless glacier-fed lakes, two vibrant townsites, and authentic Canadian culture and cuisine, this place is unforgettable.

For more information contact:
Kim Logan
Senior Manager, Media and Influencer Relations
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
403 434 0101 klogan@banfflakelouise.com