Can you see marmots?

Yes. Hoary marmots can be seen around the Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola and Whitehorn Mountain, particularly in rocky areas at higher elevations. They are one of the more characteristic mountain animals to watch for once you reach the upper gondola area.

Marmots prefer rocky slopes, boulder fields, alpine meadows, and open areas near rocks where they can quickly retreat if threatened. If you're hiking from the upper mountain, watch carefully around rocks and along the edges of open grassy areas.

You may actually hear a marmot before seeing one. Hoary marmots produce a loud, sharp whistle when alarmed, which is why they're sometimes called "whistlers." If you hear a whistle while hiking, stop and scan nearby rocks - you may find a marmot sitting upright and watching its surroundings.

Summer is the best season to see them because marmots are highly active during the relatively short alpine growing season. They spend much of this period feeding and building fat reserves before their long winter hibernation.

Marmots are substantially larger than pikas and ground squirrels, making them easier to identify. Adults have a heavy, stocky body, grizzled grey-brown fur, and a distinctive pale or silvery appearance around the shoulders and back.

The gondola ride itself can occasionally provide wildlife sightings, but your chances of noticing marmots generally improve if you spend some time walking or hiking around the upper mountain rather than immediately riding back down.

As with all wildlife on Whitehorn Mountain, don't approach or feed them. Even if a marmot appears accustomed to people, it should remain a wild animal. Binoculars or a zoom lens are ideal for getting a closer look without disturbing it. Book the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish ChairliftBooking the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish Chairlift Admission includes All taxes, fees and handling charges. Banff Gondola Home