Skip to content

Banff Gondola Alpenglow Festival celebrates beauty of winter sunsets

“It’s a great experience and a great opportunity for people to come up and see what the sunset looks like from the top of a mountain,” MacLaggan said. “It’s certainly a lot different on the top of Sulfur Mountain as it is down in the valley. We’re privileged to have people come up there and celebrate it with us.”
IMG_1872-1
A guest looks down at the Bow Valley from the top of the Banff Gondola. DAN SHIR-KING PHOTO

BANFF— Celebrating the richly vibrant purple, violet and pink hues of the Rocky Mountain’s winter sunsets, the Banff Gondola is hosting its second annual Alpenglow Festival.

“It’s a celebration of the magic of the Rockies and the natural colours of the sunset in winter,” said Banff Gondola director of hospitality Tristan MacLaggan, explaining how the top of Sulfur Mountain will be alive with unique activities designed to make lifelong memories for visitors.

It is an unbelievable experience to be in the middle of a national park standing at the peak of a 2,300-metre tall mountain watching the magic sunset, he said.

 “It’s fantastic,” MacLaggan said. “The whole gondola, all four floors, are super special— we have all the floors lit up with pink and purples and other colours and lighting creating a full experience.”

There are activities for all ages and interests that range from roasting s’mores over a fire pit, enjoying live music, stargazing with the Canadian Astronomy Society to visiting the illuminated bar that features Alpenglow inspired cocktails.

All activities are included complimentary with the purchase of a Banff Gondola ticket.

One of the most important aspects of the festival, MacLaggan added, is the gondola is able to offer a platform for local musicians from Western Canada to showcase their music.

“I think it’s a big draw to celebrate and bring in the best local talent,” MacLaggan said. “They’re excited to be up there playing and enjoying the Alpenglow and the sunset as we are to have them there. I think it’s fun.”

This year marks the second year of the festival, MacLaggan said, explaining that this year's Alpenglow will be bigger and better.

“It’s a great experience and a great opportunity for people to come up and see what the sunset looks like from the top of a mountain,” MacLaggan said. “It’s certainly a lot different on the top of Sulfur Mountain as it is down in the valley. We’re privileged to have people come up there and celebrate it with us.”

MacLaggan added that he is especially proud to have the LED Bar on the roof and two featured musicians from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night of the festival. Delicious treats celebrating the magical sunsets have also been added to this year's festivities.

MacLaggan said there are tips he gives first-time visitors to the Alpenglow to ensure they have a great time and make the most of the experience. It is important to dress for the weather, he said, because the festivities are on the top of a mountain in the middle of a national park — because of this temperatures can be a bit colder them some visitors expect.

MacLaggan recommends people check the Banff Gondola website and its live webcam to ensure they dress warmly.

“Come up have fun,” MacLaggan said. “Bring your energy, have a positive attitude and relax and enjoy.”

The Alpenglow Festival is part of the gondola’s efforts to continually host and create fun activities for visitors and locals in the Bow Valley.

“We want to continuously have activities and have things going on for all ages,” MacLaggan said. “It’s always exciting, we’re always building new things.”

The Alpenglow is one of many festivals it hosts each year including the summer Sunset Festival entering its third year, and the planned Sunrise Festival taking place from Labour Day to Thanksgiving on the weekend and the fourth annual Mountain Top Christmas that took place over November and December.

“Our hope is to create lifelong memories for people, knowing that a large percentage of guests who come out it’s their first time in the Rockies,” MacLaggan said. “it’s a once in a lifetime trip for them and we want to do those extra special things— It’s a great experience.”

He added that it is a fun experience for locals as well who can find a merry place to unwind with friends or family on Friday or Saturday evening.

The Alpenglow Festival runs every Friday and Saturday from Feb. 15 to April 13.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks