What are the best photo locations?

The Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift offers outstanding photo opportunities from the moment you leave the base until you return. Because the ride is open to the air and the summit is surrounded by panoramic viewpoints, you'll have excellent photography locations throughout your visit.

The Chairlift Ride is one of the most unique places to take photos. Unlike an enclosed gondola, there are no windows or reflections to interfere with your shots. As you climb the mountainside, you can photograph the forest below, the chairlift stretching into the distance, dramatic cliffs, and expanding views of the Bow Valley. Looking both uphill and downhill creates completely different perspectives.

The Summit Viewpoints provide the most iconic landscape photographs. From here, you can capture sweeping views of Banff, the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle, Cascade Mountain, and the surrounding peaks. The elevated perspective makes these some of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the area.

The Cliffhouse Bistro Patio is one of the most scenic dining locations in Banff National Park. Whether you're photographing your meal, the historic stone building, or the mountain scenery beyond, the patio provides a beautiful combination of architecture and wilderness.

Around the Historic Cliffhouse you'll find excellent opportunities for creative photography. The restored 1956 building, natural rock formations, and surrounding alpine landscape create a unique setting that blends mountain history with spectacular scenery.

Wildlife Viewing Areas near the summit are excellent for nature photography. Bighorn sheep are often found grazing on nearby slopes, while marmots and pikas are commonly seen among the rocks. A telephoto lens can help you capture wildlife without disturbing the animals.

The Alpine Trails offer fresh viewpoints beyond the main sightseeing area. Even a short walk from the chairlift reveals new angles of the surrounding mountains, quieter landscapes, and opportunities to frame peaks with wildflowers, alpine meadows, or rocky ridges.

Looking Toward Banff is one of the classic compositions. From the summit, you can photograph the Town of Banff nestled within the Bow Valley, surrounded by towering mountains that emphasize the scale of the Canadian Rockies.

The Chairlift from the Summit also makes an excellent subject. Looking down the lift line as chairs disappear into the forest creates a striking image that captures the journey back to the valley.

The best time for photography is usually early morning or late afternoon. Morning often brings calm air, crisp visibility, and fewer visitors, while late afternoon and early evening produce warm, golden light that adds depth and colour to the mountains. After a passing rain shower, low clouds and mist drifting through the valleys can create some of the most dramatic images of the day.

Whether you're photographing sweeping landscapes, mountain wildlife, the historic Cliffhouse Bistro, or the chairlift itself, Mt. Norquay offers a wide variety of scenes that make it one of the Canadian Rockies' most rewarding destinations for photographers. Book the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing ChairliftBooking the Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift includes All taxes, fees and handling charges. Banff Gondola Home