Do I need hiking boots?

No. You do not need hiking boots to visit the Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola, especially if you're primarily riding the gondola, enjoying the viewpoints, visiting the restaurant, and taking short walks around the developed upper-mountain area.

For casual sightseeing, comfortable running shoes or walking shoes with good traction are usually sufficient. Closed-toe footwear is preferable because surfaces around the mountain can be gravelly, rocky, uneven, or occasionally muddy.

If you're planning to hike one of the longer trails on Whitehorn Mountain, hiking shoes or lightweight hiking boots are recommended. They provide better grip and ankle support on steeper sections, loose gravel, rocks, roots, and wet terrain. After rain, proper hiking footwear becomes particularly useful.

Heavy-duty backpacking boots aren't necessary for the typical sightseeing trails. A good pair of lightweight hiking shoes is more than adequate for most visitors.

Whatever footwear you choose, avoid flip-flops, smooth-soled sandals, or dress shoes if you intend to explore beyond the immediate gondola and lodge areas. Mountain conditions can change quickly, and even relatively easy trails can become slippery when wet.

For a typical visit involving the gondola, viewpoints, photography, wildlife watching, and a little walking, comfortable athletic shoes should be perfectly adequate. If hiking is going to be a significant part of your visit, choose hiking footwear instead. 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