In summer or winter you can summit a peak near Banff thanks to the Banff Gondola, whose four-person enclosed cars glide up to the top of Sulphur Mountain in less than 10 minutes. Named for the thermal springs that emanate from its base, this peak is a perfect viewing point and a tick-box Banff attraction.
There are a couple of restaurants on top, plus an extended hike on boardwalks to Sanson Peak, an old weather station. Some people hike all the way up the mountain on a zigzagging 5.6km (3.5-mile) trail. You can travel back down on the gondola for half price and recover in the hot springs.
The gondola is 4km south of central Banff. The easiest way to get there is to catch Route 1 on the Roam bus; alternatively, you can hunt for a spot in the enormous car park.
