Your Guide to Skijoring in Banff: Events, Après and Lodging
Banff’s most popular winter weekend festival is upon us. This January 17-18 Banff Avenue will transform into an action-packed weekend full of fashion, flips, and furs for the Snowdays Festival and coveted Banff Skijor event. As the opening event for the festival, skijoring in Banff combines winter western attire (the more fur, the better!) with trick riding and freestyle skiing. You’ll want to dig deep in Grandma’s closet for those vintage furs to pair perfectly with your lined Levis and favourite cowboy boots. The more eclectic glam, the better!
All of the action happens Saturday and Sunday afternoons, leaving room for skiing, exploring, dining, and shopping—all the things Banff National Park does best. The best way to experience it all? Stay longer so you can experience everything the weekend has to offer! The best part? You’ll save on lodging, making that fur coat you’ve been eyeing essentially free (girl math). Let’s dive into our guide for all things skijor, from what is skijoring to where to stay and how to make the most of your winter weekend in Banff.
What is Skijoring?
The main event of the SnowDays Festival is no doubt skijoring, a thrilling winter sport where a skier is pulled by a cowboy (or cowgirl!) and their trusty equine steed. Skijoring is essentially a sport that combines rodeo and ski racing: it is a highly competitive event where horses and their riders tow a skier through an obstacle course while being judged on speed and style. The races are timed, with penalties for missing jumps, rings, and gates; points are awarded for smooth runs and ring grabs.
Banff Skijoring has deep historical roots in the town’s winter carnivals and has since spread to neighbouring communities, such as Calgary, where skijoring events continue to grow in popularity.
The other highlight of the event? The outfits. Alberta skijoring fashion is where Western heritage meets retro ski. Bold, cozy, and unapologetically wild, the looks feature cowboy hats, fringe, furs, cowboy boots, ski goggles, and vibrant vintage ski suits. Nothing says alpine rodeo quite like this fearless blend of history and high-performance style. Think your ‘fit is it? Jump on stage at the lively SnowDays Fashion Show and strut your stuff for a chance to win multiple prizes.
Top Banff Hotels for Skijor Weekend
Amenities: Rooftop hot pools with mountain views, sauna, and a gym.
Removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the Otter Hotel is Uptown Banff’s newest four-star retreat, redefining modern mountain luxury. Soak in rooftop hot pools with sweeping mountain views, or unwind fireside beneath the alpine sky. On the main floor, Good Folk offers refined contemporary Canadian cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate and modern setting ideal for après without the party scene. And for a true western indulgence, nothing says “cowboy” quite like the coppa-bone ribeye for two.
Insider Tip: Head up to the rooftop hot pools just before sunset to see the alpenglow on Cascade.
The amenities: Hot tubs, sauna, steam room.
The experience: Stay close to the action at the Ptarmigan Inn! Just steps from the Skijor main event, it’s the ideal spot for festival-goers who want great value and front-row access to the fun. Grab a bite at Meatball Pizza & Pasta for the perfect pre-game or après meal.
Tip: Book early and request an upper-floor unit for a birds-eye view of all the action.
The amenities: Two rooftop hot pools with mountain views, an indoor pool, a sauna, and the Meadow Spa on-site.
The experience: Stay in the heart of the Skijor excitement and indulge in a well-earned escape. After two days on your feet, let Meadow Spa melt the tension away with a therapeutic massage, then relax in the private hot pool overlooking the mountains. Onsite, dine at Pacini, offering upscale Italian fare as the perfect accompanyment to the weekend’s festivities.
Tip: Pair an evening treatment with a rooftop soak for the perfect après.
The amenities: Two outdoor hot pools overlooking the valley and the mountains, plus a sauna.
The experience: Tucked up on Tunnel Mountain, the Hidden Ridge Resort is well away from the hustle and bustle of the festival and offers spacious condo accommodations perfect for your entire group. The outdoor hot pools feel rustic and relaxed, ideal if you prefer a quieter scene. From Hidden Ridge, festival-goers can take the complimentary ROAM transit into town directly to transit hub adjacent to the Banff skijor site.
Insider Tip: Add-on the “breakfast in your fridge” amenity so you can wake up with a hearty breakfast after and evening enjoying the apres scene.
Which Hotel Is Best For You?
| Property | Relaxation Amenities | On-site dining | On-site spa | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Hotel | Rooftop hot pools Firepits + Lounge |
Good Folk | No – but Red Earth Spa is just across the road at the Caribou Lodge. | Couples Foodies Luxury escapes Mountain views |
| Ptarmigan Inn | Budget Friendly Pools, sauna, hot tub Underground parking |
Meatball Pizza & Pasta | No – but Meadow Spa is next door at the Moose Hotel | Groups Couples |
| Moose Hotel & Suites | Rooftop hot pools Firepits + Lounge Sauna Indoor Pool |
Pacini | Meadow Spa + Pools | Spa-goers Groups Mountain views |
| Hidden Ridge Resort | Outdoor mountain view hot pools, sauna, firepits | Full kitchens onsite | No | Groups Nature-lovers Quiet getaways Mountain views |
Tips for Enjoying Your Banff Skijoring Experience
Time it right. Arrive early so you can get front row seats to all of the action.
Dress in layers. You never know what father winter (Ullr) will throw our way! Dress in layers to add to your outfit’s vibe while staying warm and cozy all day long. Cowboy boots are great for fashion, but not great in the cold so be sure you take care of those tootsies with heated socks or hot packs so you don’t miss any of the action.
Use the setting. Plan a full weekend experience complete with SnowDays and Skijor moments, skiing, skating, dining and more! There is so much to see and do during winter in Banff, so plan your perfect itinerary with Banff Lake Louise Tourism to make sure you don’t miss any key experiences.
Stay Longer and Save in Banff
Forget about the winter blues and extend your festival getaway an extra day! Book now and save up to 25% on Winter 2025/26 getaways between October 26th 2025 – April 30th, 2026. Find out more about our Banff winter vacation deals here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called skijoring?
The name “skijoring” comes from Norway where they used the word “skikjøring,” which means “ski pulling” or “ski driving”. Originally, it referred to a winter practice where a person on skis was pulled by a horse, dog, or even a snowmobile across snowy terrain. Over time, the word evolved and became associated with the sport known as “skijoring”, where a skier is towed behind a horse and rider through an obstacle course.
Which hotel has Banff skijoring views?
Moose Hotel and Suites and the Banff Ptarmigan Inn have the best views of the Banff skijoring event. To ensure you can view the event from your hotel, be sure to book ahead of time and request a top-floor room facing toward the Banff High School.
Where is the best Banff skijor apres?
It depends on what vibe you’re going for! There are plenty of parties happening on Banff Avenue that you can attend post-skijor. For quick and tasty carb loading, we recommend the Meatball Pizza and Pasta for their happy hour offerings or Pacini Banff for upscale Italian. If you’re looking to be removed from the excitement of the downtown core, Good Folk or Sudden Sally are located uptown in Banff and are easily accessed with your complimentary ROAM local bus pass provided at check-in. Good Folk features an elevated “cowboys and caviar” vibe, while Sudden Sally offers comfort foods perfect for sharing with a happy hour that is not to be missed!
Which hotel is best for groups attending SnowDays?
Hidden Ridge Resort is our premiere condo property with enough space for your group to get ready for the day’s events and kick back after the festival is long over. For a more centrally located condo-style accommodation, the Moose Hotel has large, spacious suites close to all of the festival action.