Categories: Things To Do

Experience Alberta in a whole new light at this skygazing summit near Calgary

Photo via Nightrise/Moment Factory

Alberta is one of the best places in the world to stargaze, and there’s no better place to do it than at the Banff Gondola this winter.

To mark the beauty of the night sky, a whole new experience will begin after hours at Sulphur Mountain’s summit beneath the moon.

Access to the immersive interactive exhibit is included with your gondola ticket from Nov. 22, 2025, to March 29, 2026 — so you really don’t have an excuse not to see it in action!

At Nightrise, you’ll explore the mountaintop in a whole new light, bathed in a moonlit sky.

It’s equal parts awe-inspiring and captivating — the perfect thing to celebrate the beauty of Canada’s northern climate.

Photo via Nightrise/Moment Factory

What to expect

This Banff Gondola experience will take place all winter into March 2026, and was created in collaboration with the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

It invites you to connect with Sulphur Mountain through the Four Wonders — a series of immersive, interactive art displays.

The exhibit is entering its final season this winter, so it will be your last opportunity to celebrate the lunar cycle with Nightrise.

The art displays reimagine the summit through the Four Wonders — light and sound projections that include the Cosmic Rays (Apenene Garharhagach), Diamond Dust (Wiyapta Ptach), Alpenglow (Aîthîya Eya), and Frosted Waves (Yowatha).

These engaging pieces will spark your senses while you soar sky high in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Inspired by the lunar cycle

Nightrise will kick off on Nov. 22 with an evening of live traditional Stoney Nakoda performances that explore the summit after dark.

There will also be celebratory events centered around the full moon and meteor showers set to appear in the Alberta night sky this December.

You can ring in the new year with the Full (Super)Moon Fever Event on Jan. 3, 2026, with brilliant entertainment from the Bow Valley performers under an awesome supermoon.

Pairing the experience with a dinner at Sky Bistro offers elevated Canadian cuisine before or after you marvel at the Nightrise displays.

Start your evening off right by experiencing the breathtaking sunset, supermoon, and meteor showers coming to our province’s skies this winter.

The Banff Gondola is an idyllic place to do it. Let Nightrise be your guide!