This video takes you through some of the most Instagrammable spots in Banff, from the well-known iconic locations to the unexpected hidden gems that many visitors overlook. I spent a night staying at the Banff Boutique Inn, one of the only inn-style accommodations found right in the heart of town, and used it as my base to explore Banff National Park in the middle of winter. The experience gave me a unique perspective on how to capture the beauty of this world-famous destination while enjoying the comforts of extended-stay accommodations.
Banff is known worldwide for its stunning mountain landscapes and photogenic locations, making it a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about outdoor photography or simply wanting to experience the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. Winter adds an entirely different dimension to the town and surrounding wilderness, with snow-covered peaks, frozen waterways, and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. Staying centrally located allowed me to maximize my time exploring while having a comfortable retreat to return to at the end of each adventure.
In my video below, I walk through the experience exactly as shown and explained:
Staying at Banff Boutique Inn
This adventure was part of my cabin series, where I explore unique accommodations throughout the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Boutique Inn offers extended-stay accommodations that feature the comforts of home, which makes it ideal for travelers planning to spend several days exploring the area rather than just passing through. Each room features a bar fridge, a private ensuite, and ample storage for your extended stay, which means you can truly settle in and make it your home base for Banff adventures.
The inn is only a five-minute walk from downtown Banff, putting you right in the heart of everything while still maintaining a peaceful retreat atmosphere. Each room was recently renovated, offering a modern luxurious experience that exceeded my expectations for this type of accommodation. The attention to detail in the renovations is evident, with contemporary finishes and thoughtful amenities that make your stay comfortable and convenient.
What makes the Banff Boutique Inn truly unique is its setup, which resembles hostels in that you have the option to prepare your own meals in the kitchen. Everything you need is located in the kitchen, and all you need to do is bring your own food. But here’s the best part: the guest staff will keep it tidy and do your dishes for you so you can spend more time exploring Banff National Park instead of worrying about cleanup. This is a game-changer for anyone who wants the independence and cost savings of cooking their own meals without the usual hassle of cleaning up afterward.
Location and Surroundings
The inn is located on the quiet part of town south of the Bow River and towards the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. This location offers several advantages beyond just being peaceful. There’s a lot of trails and exploration that can be done directly from the inn, meaning you can literally step out the door and begin your adventure without needing to drive or take transportation elsewhere.
I spent a night in the executive king suites that has the most amount of space I’ve ever seen for rooms, especially considering the location. In a town like Banff where space comes at a premium and accommodations can be notoriously cramped, having this much room to spread out was genuinely impressive. The executive suite gave me plenty of space to organize my camera gear, winter clothing, and other equipment without feeling cluttered or confined.
Exploring Banff in Winter
I got to explore Banff in the middle of winter, which offers a completely different experience compared to the busy summer season. The winter landscape transforms the area into a pristine wonderland, with snow-covered mountains creating dramatic backdrops for photography and fewer crowds allowing for more intimate experiences with nature.
To make the most of my time and cover more ground than I could on foot, I even used some e-bikes to travel the trails faster than expected. The e-bikes proved to be an excellent way to explore during winter, providing enough power assistance to handle snowy conditions while still allowing me to experience the outdoors actively rather than being confined to a vehicle.
Discovering Instagrammable Locations
The focus of this trip was to showcase both the well-known Instagrammable places in Banff as well as the unexpected spots that don’t always make it into the typical tourist itinerary. Banff is filled with iconic locations that have been photographed millions of times, but there are also hidden corners and lesser-known perspectives that can yield equally stunning images.
Being based south of the Bow River near the Cave and Basin National Historic Site gave me access to areas that many visitors overlook because they focus exclusively on the town center or the more famous attractions like Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, or Moraine Lake. While those locations are absolutely worth visiting, there’s something special about discovering quieter spots that offer unique photographic opportunities without the crowds.
The winter setting added an extra layer of beauty to every location I visited. The quality of light during winter in the mountains is exceptional, with low-angle sun creating long shadows and warm tones that contrast beautifully with the cool blues of snow and ice. The crisp, clear air also means exceptional visibility for mountain photography, allowing distant peaks to appear sharp and dramatic in photos.
Getting Around with E-Bikes
Using e-bikes for winter exploration was something I hadn’t tried before this trip, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the experience. Thank you to E Outdoors for letting us use their amazing e-bikes over the weekend. The bikes provided the perfect balance between covering significant distance and still being able to stop frequently to capture photos or simply take in the scenery.
E-bikes are particularly well-suited for winter exploration in Banff because they help you overcome the challenges of riding in snow and cold temperatures. The electric assistance means you don’t have to work as hard, which helps you stay warm and conserve energy for other activities. They also allow you to travel trails faster than expected, as I mentioned, making it possible to see more locations in a single day than would be feasible on foot or even with a regular bicycle in winter conditions.
Special Thanks
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the support of several generous partners. Huge thank you as well to our sponsors at Rival Trade Brewing Company for supplying us and our generous guests at the Banff Boutique Inn with some beverages for our trip. Having quality local beverages to enjoy at the end of a day of winter exploration added to the overall experience and helped create a welcoming atmosphere at the inn.
Big thank you to Lee and Becky from the Banff Boutique Inn. Their hospitality and the quality of their accommodations made this experience particularly memorable, and their insights about the local area helped me discover some of the unexpected Instagrammable locations that I might have otherwise missed.
Why This Experience Matters
Showcasing both well-known and unexpected Instagrammable places in Banff serves an important purpose beyond just creating beautiful content. While the iconic locations are famous for good reason and absolutely deserve their reputation, the unexpected spots often provide equally rewarding experiences without the pressure of crowds or the challenge of trying to capture a unique angle of an over-photographed location.
Staying at an inn rather than a traditional hotel also offers a different type of experience that many travelers don’t consider. The extended-stay format with kitchen access and extra space creates a more residential feel, allowing you to live in Banff rather than just visit it. This is especially valuable for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend multiple days exploring and need a comfortable base that doesn’t break the budget with restaurant meals for every sitting.
The combination of comfortable accommodations, efficient transportation via e-bikes, and focus on both famous and hidden locations creates a model for how to experience Banff that balances the must-see attractions with the kind of authentic, less-crowded experiences that often become the most memorable parts of any trip.
Planning Your Own Visit
If you’re looking for things to do in Banff National Park, the options are nearly endless. Beyond the famous spots like Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, there are countless trails, viewpoints, and natural features waiting to be explored. Searching for hikes in Banff National Park will reveal options ranging from easy walks like Tunnel Mountain to challenging adventures like Sentinel Pass or Bow Glacier Falls.
When it comes to where to stay in Banff National Park, you have options including campgrounds, cabins, or hotels, each offering different experiences and price points. The Banff Boutique Inn represents an excellent middle ground, providing more space and amenities than a typical hotel room while maintaining the convenience of being in town rather than at a campground.
Winter visits require different preparation compared to summer trips, but they offer unique rewards. The trails are less crowded, the scenery takes on a completely different character, and you can enjoy activities that aren’t possible during warmer months. Whether you’re interested in snowshoeing, winter photography, or simply experiencing the quiet beauty of snow-covered landscapes, Banff in winter is an experience worth planning for.
Beyond Banff
While this trip focused on Banff, the Canadian Rockies offer incredible experiences throughout the region. If you’re looking for things to do in Jasper National Park, highlights include Maligne Lake, Spirit Island, and Athabasca Falls. Searching for hikes in Jasper National Park reveals options like Valley of the Five Lakes, routes along the Icefields Parkway, and the challenging Skyline Trail.
For those interested in other national parks, Yoho National Park offers attractions like Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake. Hikes in Yoho National Park include the famous Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, Iceline Trail, and Hamilton Lake Trail. Understanding where to stay in Yoho National Park, whether at campgrounds, cabins, or hotels, helps you plan multi-park itineraries that maximize your time in the Rockies.
I’ve been exploring the Canadian Rockies since 2020, documenting my adventures and sharing detailed information about road trips, travel guides, campground reviews, and itinerary information invaluable to your trip planning in Alberta or British Columbia. Each experience builds on the last, creating a comprehensive resource for anyone planning their own Rocky Mountain adventure.
Making the Most of Your Banff Experience
The key to a successful Banff trip, especially in winter, is balancing ambition with flexibility. Having a comfortable base like the Banff Boutique Inn means you can plan ambitious day hikes or exploration sessions while knowing you have a warm, spacious retreat waiting for you. The ability to prepare your own meals gives you control over your schedule and budget, while the central location means you’re never far from additional amenities if you need them.
Using alternative transportation like e-bikes opens up possibilities that might not occur to traditional visitors. Many people assume that winter exploration means either driving everywhere or limiting yourself to short walks from parking areas. E-bikes prove that there’s a middle ground offering both range and the kind of intimate connection with the landscape that you can only get when you’re moving under your own power, even if that power is electrically assisted.
Most importantly, seeking out both the well-known and unexpected Instagrammable places creates a richer, more complete experience. The famous locations earn their reputation and shouldn’t be skipped, but the unexpected spots often provide the moments of discovery and connection that make travel truly meaningful. When you’re not fighting crowds or trying to recreate someone else’s iconic shot, you have the freedom to develop your own relationship with the landscape and create images that are uniquely yours.