Table of Contents
The Ride
The ride up is a pleasant 8 minutes on a chair for two. Sit back and relax while taking in the scenery that has made Banff world famous.
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| World famous Mount Rundle dominates the landscape. |
But first… a little info on how to get on the chairlift.Β Boarding is a breeze as the chairlift slows down in the loading area. My kids (aged 5 & 7) had no trouble getting on and off the chair on their own as they’ve skied since they were 2. If you’re a chairlift virgin, simply stand on the big red footprints (see photo below) and sit down when the chair is behind you. In the event you have trouble boarding or getting off the chair, the staff can stop the lift at the push of a button.
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| Boarding the Chairlift |
Once you’re seated comfortably, lower the safety bar. At the top, staff will advise you when it is safe to raise it. The chair lift runs quite smoothly and the chairs don’t rock much (unless you wiggle a lot, so stop that!), but if you ever feel nervous, look ahead of you instead of straight down. We enjoyed the chairlift and got excited about the coming ski season when we can ride it many times a day!
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| And we’re off! |
Disembarking is simple. Raise the safety bar when instructed, stand up, and clear the area.
At the top, get a family photo at the panoramic lookout, then make your way down the walkway to a second lovely viewpoint (2 minute walk). There are a few interpretive signs and benches, lots of curious ground squirrels, and sometimes mountain sheep! The short walkway is suitable for all ages. Afterwards, head into the Cliffhouse Bistro for a gourmet lunch and local craft beer.
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| Top of the Chairlift! Elevation: 2090 m |
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| Family Selfie From the Viewpoint |
The descent is another 8 minutes of beautiful sightseeing. It was fun pointing out landmarks to the kids like Tunnel Mountain, where we were camping.
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| Descending |
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| Heading down |
What We Loved
Our favorite things about the sightseeing chairlift include the following:
- Views: The panoramic views from the top of the chairlift are hard to beat! You’d have to hike all day for similar vistas. To see conditions before you head over,Β check out theΒ live webcamΒ from the top of the chairlift!
- Lunch at the Cliffhouse Bistro:Β More info below.Β
- No lines: We arrived on a Friday around noon and didn’t have to line up! I imagine weekends would be busier, but the lift can accommodate a lot of people, so the wait would never be too long.
- Proximity to Banff: Mount Norquay is accessed via a beautiful, short drive (or free shuttle bus ride) approximately 7 km from the heart of Banff.
- Note that the road has several switchbacks, so trailers should be left at camp. Alternately, you could take the free shuttle bus from Banff.
- Cost:Β The Mount Norquay Chairlift is the most reasonably priced sightseeing lift in Banff National Park. For the same price as a gondola ride elsewhere, you can ride AND dine at MountΒ Norquay.
- Parking: Mount Norquay has tons of free parking!
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| Panoramic View from the Lookout |
Dining at Mount Norquay
Complete your Mount Norquay experience with a sumptuous meal at the Cliffhouse Bistro. Set into the mountainside, this unique structure built in the 50s is newly renovated, and has the best views in Banff! Service is excellent too!!
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| Cliffhouse Bistro, Mount Norquay |
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| View from the Cliffhouse Bistro |
We enjoyed the charcuterie platter as a starter, shaved prime rib sandwich with beet chips, game and fig flatbread, and grilled cheese kids’ meals. Creme brulee and ice cream were the perfect desserts accompanied by Grizzly Paw sodas and cappuccinos. Everything was amazing, but our favorite was the charcuterie platter. I would return for that and a glass of wine anytime! It was much larger than anticipated – would be a good starter for 4 adults or light lunch for 2 – and moderately priced given that the meats were locally sourced and only the best ingredients were used.
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| Cliffhouse Bistro Charcuterie Platter (The bread on the adjacent plate is included! Kids’ meal in background.) |
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| Shaved prime rib sandwich with beet chips |
Being a beef lover, I had to go with the shaved prime rib sandwich. The beef was tender and juicy and dressed with arugula, horseradish and beet chips.
We quickly fell in love with the fig and game flatbread. The sweetness of the figs and grapes balanced the saltiness of the smoked meats perfectly. A dollop of pesto enhanced the flavors even more.
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| Fig and game flatbread |
The girls’ grilled cheese sandwiches (kids’ meals) came with juice, fruit, and ice cream. They liked them, but were too full to finish them as they had been picking off our plates – something that doesn’t usually happen, but they liked everything!
Mini pineapple, coffee, and pistachio creme brulees (creme brulee trio) were the icing on the cake and paired perfectly with cappuccinos.
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| Creme Brulee Trio |
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| Delectable dessert!! |
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| The bistro overlooks the lookout! |
We loved lunch at the Cliffhouse Bistro and will be back!
To view the menu, click here: Mount Norquay Cliffhouse Bistro. Reservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more.
Summer Activities on Mount Norquay
Follow Mount Norquay’s Facebook page for special events such as live music on the mountain!
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| Mount Norquay Via Ferrata |
When to Go
Mid-June until mid-October. See the schedule and rates at Mount Norquay – Via Ferrata.
What You Need To Know
- Purchase tickets at the North American Lodge (next to the main parking lot).
- Age 4 & up; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The weather changes rapidly in the mountains and the chair lift is not covered, so bring an extra layer and rain jacket just in case.
- If you purchase a Mount Norquay Season’s Pass for 2016/2017, you will have complimentary sightseeing rides all summer long!
- Need a ride?Β Mount Norquay operates aΒ free shuttleΒ to/from various locations in Banff.
For More Information
Contact Mount Norquay – Sightseeing Chairlift.
Disclosure
Mount Norquay generously hosted us, but all words and opinions are my own.
