Are there interactive exhibits?

Yes. The Above Banff Interpretive Centre features a wide range of interactive exhibits that transform a visit to the Banff Gondola into much more than a scenic ride. Rather than simply displaying information on walls, the centre encourages visitors to interact with digital displays, multimedia presentations, touchscreens, and hands-on exhibits that explain the natural and cultural history of Banff National Park. The exhibits are designed to be engaging for both adults and children, allowing visitors to explore topics at their own pace.

One of the most popular themes is the formation of the Canadian Rockies. Interactive displays explain how ancient oceans, tectonic forces, glaciers, and millions of years of erosion created the dramatic mountain landscape visible from the summit. Animated graphics and visual models help visitors connect the mountain peaks they see through the windows with the geological processes that shaped them over hundreds of millions of years.

The centre also includes exhibits focused on wildlife and alpine ecosystems. Through interactive displays, visitors can learn about iconic animals such as grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, pikas, and numerous bird species. The exhibits explain how these animals adapt to changing seasons, survive harsh winters, and coexist within one of Canada's most protected natural environments. Visitors also learn why respecting wildlife and staying on designated trails is essential for conservation.

Another section explores the plants and ecological zones of Banff National Park. Interactive displays explain how vegetation changes with elevation, from dense montane forests near the valley floor to the windswept alpine tundra found at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Visitors can discover how short growing seasons, deep snow, strong winds, and rocky soils create one of Canada's most unique mountain habitats.

The history exhibits use multimedia storytelling to introduce visitors to the people who have shaped Banff over thousands of years. They highlight the deep connections Indigenous Peoples have with the land, the arrival of early explorers and mountaineers, the establishment of Canada's first national park, and the development of tourism in the Canadian Rockies. Historic photographs, videos, and interpretive displays help bring these stories to life.

One of the most fascinating interactive areas focuses on the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. Before walking the boardwalk to the restored historic building, visitors can explore exhibits explaining how scientists studied cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere from the summit. Interactive displays describe the groundbreaking research that took place here and why Sulphur Mountain became an internationally significant scientific site.

Many exhibits encourage visitors to compare what they are learning with the scenery outside. Large windows and nearby observation decks allow you to identify surrounding mountain ranges, valleys, forests, and landmarks while learning about their geological history, wildlife, and ecological importance. This connection between the exhibits and the real landscape makes the learning experience especially memorable.

Families with children will appreciate that many displays are designed to be hands-on and easy to understand. Interactive activities, engaging visuals, and multimedia presentations encourage younger visitors to explore, ask questions, and discover how the mountain environment works. Rather than feeling like a traditional museum, the Interpretive Centre offers an immersive experience that combines education with exploration.

Because the centre is self-guided, you can spend anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour exploring the exhibits. Whether you're interested in geology, wildlife, history, conservation, or scientific discovery, the interactive displays provide valuable insight into the landscape surrounding the Banff Gondola and help visitors leave with a much deeper appreciation of Banff National Park. Book Banff Gondola Ride AdmissionBooking the Banff Gondola Ride Admission includes All taxes, fees and handling charges. Banff Gondola Home