Grizzly Express Gondola in Banff National Park

Sight · Banff National Park

Grizzly Express Gondola

Scenic ride with real odds of spotting grizzlies

Type
Sight
Nearest trail
0.7 km
Audio stories
7 nearby
  • Trailhead
  • Restrooms
  • Parking
  • Food
  • #59 of 170 sights

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Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola

Overview

About Grizzly Express Gondola

Lake Louise’s Grizzly Express Gondola is the resort’s signature lift and a scenic shortcut to big-mountain views. In about 11 minutes, it carries you high above one of the park’s busiest wildlife corridors to a summit around 2,088 m, with sweeping looks at the surrounding peaks and a peek at Lake Louise from above.

Why stop

  • High chance of grizzly bear sightings in summer
  • Panoramic views, including Lake Louise from the top
  • Choose open chair or enclosed cabin

Heads up

  • Bear sightings aren’t guaranteed
  • Clouds and fog can hide the views
Wildlife: This line is famous for summer grizzly bear viewing from a safe distance. Coyotes and other alpine critters sometimes appear too.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhat makes it special

Map

Where it is

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SightGrizzly Express Gondola51.44192, -116.16218
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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Grizzly Express Gondola

  1. Check the resort webcam before you go; clear days are worth it.

  2. Ride in the morning for better light toward Lake Louise and calmer winds.

  3. Choose the open chair for fresh air or the cabin for comfort.

  4. If you plan to hike, go in a group of four or more due to bears.

  5. Pack layers, binoculars, and a zoom lens—the weather and wildlife are unpredictable.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

  • Season: Excellent in summer for wildlife and alpine views; in winter it’s a primary skier lift.
  • Day and crowds: Aim for early morning, especially on weekends, to beat lines and score the best photography light.
  • Photography: Morning is best for Lake Louise views across the valley; clearer days are worth waiting for.

8 active Banff alerts

  • ClosureLake Louise area trails and access areas closed for wildlifeMentions Lake Louise, referenced in this guideThe Bow River Trail, Louise Creek Trail, lower Tramline Trail, and Great Divide Trail parking area in the Lake Louise area are closed because the closure prevents wildlife from being displaced from…Official details
  • ClosureBaker Lake Campground closed to campingBaker Lake Campground is closed to camping because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear. - Trail access to Baker Lake remains open. Do not camp in the closed campground.Official details
See all 8 alerts
A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone
Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Banff Tour Guide

Your drive to Grizzly Express Gondola, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this place

Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola
Listen
“You're nearing the Lake Louise Ski Resort, which is a major hub for both winter skiing and summer sightseeing. In summer, the main attraction is the gondola ride up Mount Whitehorn.”

Plays as you drive up to Grizzly Express Gondola in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

More stories near here in the app

  • Grizzly Buffet on the Ski Slopes
  • Lake Louise Village: Your Base for Adventure
  • Lake Louise Petro-Canada: A Key Fuel Stop
  • The Station Restaurant and Bow River Loop Trail
  • 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
  • Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
  • Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
  • CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
★★★★★
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
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4.7 from 8,600+ ratings

Guide

More about Grizzly Express Gondola

The ride & statsBuilt in 2004, this Poma 6-person gondola rises roughly 736 m over a 2,918 m line at up to 5…

Built in 2004, this Poma 6-person gondola rises roughly 736 m over a 2,918 m line at up to 5 m/s, moving about 1,670 people per hour. Translation: it’s quick, smooth, and designed to keep lines moving even on busy days.

Wildlife notesGrizzlies are most commonly spotted in spring and early summer when they’re foraging in the…

Grizzlies are most commonly spotted in spring and early summer when they’re foraging in the meadows below the line. It’s still wild country—sightings are a thrill, not a promise.

On-mountain experienceFrom the upper station, take in glaciers and rugged peaks, then wander the short paths or join…

From the upper station, take in glaciers and rugged peaks, then wander the short paths or join an interpretive program to get context on the landscape and its residents. If you’re hiking, the resort recommends traveling in groups of four or more due to bear activity.

Tips for the best visitCheck the resort webcam and forecast—clear days pay off with big views.
  • Check the resort webcam and forecast—clear days pay off with big views.
  • Morning light flatters the valley and Lake Louise; afternoons can be harshly backlit for photos.
  • Dress in layers; weather turns quickly at altitude. Bring binoculars and a camera.
What makes it specialChoice of ride: Go enclosed for comfort or opt for the breezier open chair for that classic…
  • Choice of ride: Go enclosed for comfort or opt for the breezier open chair for that classic alpine feel.
  • More than a ride: At the top you’ll find short walks, interpretive programs, and access to hiking routes (including toward Mount Whitehorn). In-season, Whitehorn Bistro adds a proper mountain-dining backdrop to those views.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Keep exploring

Near Grizzly Express Gondola

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Parkwolf’s Banff ranking

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Take Parkwolf to Banff.

The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.

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