As a born and bred Prairie gal (Calgary is the warmest city I’ve ever lived in, to say the least), I know the importance of getting through winter with your sanity in check. Loath as I am to admit it, wellness professionals are on to something when they suggest braving the cold and enjoying some fresh air, and I’ve made it a goal of mine to do just that this winter. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to have the opportunity to check out Nightrise at the Banff Gondola for its final season.
Created by Moment Factory in collaboration with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, Nightrise features a series of special events celebrating the lunar cycles, combining Indigenous knowledge and storytelling with multimedia art in a truly unforgettable immersive experience.
First things first
I’ve been up the Banff Gondola a time or two, but this was my first Nightrise experience, and it was a completely different vibe than I was used to. For starters, the sun going down at 4:30 p.m. meant I got a glimpse of the sunset beyond the clouds as I rode up the mile-long gondola track.
From there, my group visited the Sky Bistro for some canapes and cocktails while it continued to get darker outside. Not a necessary step in the excursion, but definitely worth it if you have the time. The Sky Bistro is mountaintop dining at its finest, with ingredients that travel from farms and lakes, up the mountain, to your table, and trust me – you can taste the difference in dishes like the duck wings and beet salad.
Sulpher Mountain in a whole new light
When the sun went down, I went to explore the Four Wonders – a series of interactive art displays that reimagine the summit. The first display, Cosmic Rays, took me outside to the boardwalk terrace, which was lit up by cosmic rays and surrounded by “invisible” particles showering down from space.
The second display, Diamond Dust, took me back inside for a break from the cold, where I got to gaze out over the Vistarama and hear a voiceover telling the Stoney Nakoda perspective of snow. Between the soothing music and atmospheric lights, I almost felt like I was in a dream.
On the fourth outdoor level, I took in the third display, Frosted Waves. Six sonorous sounds echoed in the landscape, while a dome shelter played a story about the Big Dipper, and an interactive display allowed visitors to make their own mountain music. I also got to roast marshmallows, which was certainly a bonus.
Finally, I headed back inside for the fourth display, Alpenglow, an immersive show inspired by the words of Elder Una Wesley of the Stoney Nakoda Nation.
Special performances
My night wasn’t over quite yet. Because it was the weekend of a full moon, visitors were treated to a performance of traditional powwow dancing, drumming, and singing from Eya-Hey Nakoda. The performers – a duo of cousins – also shared stories about their lives, some background behind their songs, and details about the dancers’ regalia. My favourite memory was while the dancer performed, his infant daughter, seated stage-side in a stroller, kicked her little feet along to the music.
While that was the one and only Full Moon Fever Weekend, there are still other special Nightrise events on the horizon. You can watch the Ursids meteor shower mountainside on Dec. 21, ring in the new year with performances under the brilliant supermoon on Jan. 3, and watch the total lunar eclipse and full moon on March 3.
There will also be musical performances on Fridays and Saturdays, Family Day Long Weekend, and the closing weekend at the end of March.
Nightrise at the Banff Gondola was a unique experience that allowed me to appreciate winter for all that it is. While it was nice to warm up indoors, the most breathtaking elements were those that came from nature – the pitch-black skies, full moon, softly falling snow, and warm glow of the bonfires. So yes, maybe a little bit of cold weather is worth it in the end.
Nightrise is included with your gondola ticket, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience a winter night like never before.
When: Until March 29, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. onward
Where: Banff Gondola – 100 Mountain Ave., Banff
Cost: Included with gondola ticket
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