Colder than I expected this weekend in Banff. The trail was quite icy and slick, we had crampons on the whole time from the parking lot. Great to see that it was quite busy this weekend in Banff. It was the first time this Winter that we saw a packed lineup at the top of the gondola and they were filling the cars to capacity (4) where they could.

We actually made it to the top of Sulphur Mountain twice that day. We hiked up and took a free ride down in the afternoon. But this time, I had booked us reservations for the 5PM seating for the "Banff Gondola Alpine Lights" dinner at the Panorama Restaurant atop Sulphur Mountain. It includes an excellent 3 course meal and tickets up and down the gondola.

After we hiked up, we decided to take the free ride down to drop off our hiking gear and then headed right back up using the included gondola tickets (first time riding it up). :) Banff is a very different sight at night and the gondola ride feels a lot scarier too haha. I like how you can still figure out what parts of town is what at night. I can clearly see the Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Avenue, Banff Centre, the two Highway 1 exits and where the TransCanada Highway runs. I'd imagine this is what Banff would look like if you were to look from space at night and zoomed in quite a bit.

We were quite saddened to hear about the lentils and ash train derailment near Banff. I saw a sign on the highway that said the Norquay exit access to Banff was closed and was wondering what was happening. I found out later on the news that there was a major train derailment. In this picture, you can make out a crane and bright lights South of the West exit of Banff where the tracks run, I presume that's currently a work site for recovery and repair.

1. of free gondola rides down this Winter: 7