Banff and Lake Louise from Phoenix, Dec 3–7: $750 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- Nonstop from Phoenix: leave 6:00 PM, land in Calgary 10:15 PM
- $177 per person, $30 below the highest fare we saw
- Hostel rated 8.5 from 1,846 reviews, with free cancellation
The catch: The $750 gets you a quad room with a shared bathroom in a hostel, and checked bags, about $140 for two, aren't included.
Worth it if you want snow, ski lifts and a low-cost bed for two; skip it if a private bathroom matters to you.
Worth it if the two of you are fine with a hostel room and real cold. The total for two is $750: flights at $353, plus 4 nights at HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel at $355 and $42 paid at the property, with taxes and fees included. It runs Dec 3–7, 2026, nonstop on WS from Phoenix to Calgary, at the prices we found when we checked.
The total, before you go
$750 for two · 4 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $353 |
| HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel, 4 nights, two guests, taxes in | $355 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | $42 |
| The total, before you go | $750 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $140 |
$30 per person below the highest fare we saw for these dates.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $35 each way per bag on WestJet, $140 for two round trip); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$177 per person, round trip
$353 for two, taxes and fees included · WestJet · nonstop · 6h 30m
Out Thu, Dec 3, 6:00 PM – Thu, Dec 3, 10:15 PM · back Mon, Dec 7, 2:55 PM – Mon, Dec 7, 5:10 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| WestJet | $177 | nonstop | 6h 30m |
| Air Canada | $207 | 1 stop | 13h 17m |
| WestJet | $177 | nonstop | 6h 30m |
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, 8:20 PM MST. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
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Why now
The fare is $177 per person, which is $30 below the highest fare we saw for these dates. That's a 14% gap across the 12 offers we checked. With the hostel, the whole trip comes to $750 for two, including taxes, fees and the $42 the hostel collects at the property. Bags and spending money are extra. Early December is ski season. Sunshine and Lake Louise often stay open into May, so the lifts should be running. The normals for these dates show highs of 22–28°F and lows near 11°F, with snow typical on Dec 4, 5 and 6. Coming from Phoenix, that's a real change of air. The flights work for a long weekend: you fly out Thursday evening and get home Monday at 5:10 PM. Prices change, and this is what we found when we checked.
The kind of trip this is
This is a snowy mountain getaway in a national park for two people who like to be outside. Plan on ski days, a gondola ride, a canyon ice walk and a frozen-lake morning, then warm up in town at night. The pace is active by day and easy after dark. It suits couples or two friends who'd rather spend on lift passes than on the room.
Weather in Banff and Lake Louise, Dec 3–7
Typical highs 22–28°F, lows near 11°F this time of year
| Day | Typical high | Typical low | Typical weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 3 | 22 °F | 6 °F | Overcast |
| Fri, Dec 4 | 27 °F | 8 °F | Snow |
| Sat, Dec 5 | 28 °F | 13 °F | Snow |
| Sun, Dec 6 | 26 °F | 13 °F | Snow |
| Mon, Dec 7 | 27 °F | 13 °F | Overcast |
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · averages, not a forecast
Where to stay in Banff and Lake Louise
All three hotels list Banff as their area. Banff townsite is the walkable base, with the most restaurants and the Bow River trails. Canmore, just outside the park gates, has better-value hotels and condos. HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel is the best-value pick and the one in our total: $355 for the 4 nights ($89 a night) in a quad room with a shared bathroom, plus $42 at the property, rated 8.5 from 1,846 reviews. Bow View Lodge is the budget hotel option: 3 stars, $481 for the stay ($120 a night) plus $56 at the property, rated 7.8 from 1,224 reviews. Hotel Canoe and Suites is the top rated: 4 stars, $1,170 for the stay ($293 a night) plus $137 at the property, rated 9 from 2,880 reviews. All three offer free cancellation.
HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel
$355 for 4 nights, two guests · $89 a night
See roomsHotel Canoe and Suites
$1,170 for 4 nights, two guests · $293 a night
See roomsBow View Lodge
$481 for 4 nights, two guests · $120 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Banff and Lake Louise for these dates
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Where in Banff and Lake Louise
- Banff townsite: Walkable base with the most hotels, restaurants and the Bow River trails.
- Tunnel Mountain: Lodges and condos on the hill above town, a short bus ride to Banff Avenue.
- Lake Louise: The Château on the lake and the village below it, closest to Moraine Lake and the ski hill.
- Canmore: Mountain town just outside the park gates with better-value hotels and condos.
- Kananaskis: Nordic spa and lodges in the quieter valley between Calgary and Banff.
What to do in Banff and Lake Louise
- Ski Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay on one lift pass
- Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for the view over the valley
- Do the winter ice walk through Johnston Canyon
- Drive the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield on a clear day
- Spend a quiet day in Kananaskis, with its Nordic spa and lodges
Also worth it
- Shuttle to Moraine Lake for sunrise
- Canoe on Lake Louise in front of the Château
Tours and tickets in Banff and Lake Louise
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Phoenix | Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Banff and Lake Louise | Calgary International (YYC) |
| Flight time | 6h 30m nonstop |
| Distance | 1,238 miles each way |
| Time difference | +1 hour |
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
What 4 nights in Banff and Lake Louise costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $354 |
| Hotel, 4 nights (HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel) | $355 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 4 days for two | $1,040 |
| Total for two | $1,749 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Phoenix to Banff and Lake Louise
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $177 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $177 (Oct 16, 2026) |
| Price checks | 2 |
Good to know
- Passport: passport needed: travelers from the United States need a valid passport for Banff and Lake Louise; check the expiry rule of the country before you book.
- Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD).
- Ski season; Sunshine and Lake Louise often run into May.
- You need a passport for this trip to Canada.
- The local currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
- The flight lands at Calgary International (YYC), and Banff is 90 minutes from the airport.
- Checked bags aren't in the total and run about $140 for two.
- All three hotels listed offer free cancellation and are room only, so meals aren't included.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you're fine with a hostel quad room and a shared bathroom. You get a nonstop fare of $177 per person, $30 below the highest fare we saw, a hostel rated 8.5 and ski season on the calendar. If you want a private room, look at Bow View Lodge or Hotel Canoe and Suites.
How much is the whole trip for two?
$750 all in: $353 for the flights, $355 for 4 nights at HI Banff Alpine Centre - Hostel and $42 paid at the property. That covers taxes and fees, but checked bags (about $140 for two) and spending money are extra. Our budget sets $130 per person a day, which is $1,040 for two.
What are the flight times?
On the way out, the WS nonstop leaves Phoenix at 6:00 PM on Thursday, Dec 3 and lands in Calgary at 10:15 PM. On the way home, it leaves Calgary at 2:55 PM on Monday, Dec 7 and lands in Phoenix at 5:10 PM.
What is the weather like?
It's cold. The normals for these dates show highs of 22–28°F and lows near 11°F, with snow typical on Dec 4, 5 and 6 and overcast skies on the travel days. Pack real winter layers.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. Banff is in Canada, so both of you need a passport. You'll pay in Canadian dollars once you're there.
Is 4 nights enough?
For two, 4 nights covers a couple of ski days, the Banff Gondola, the Johnston Canyon ice walk and a sunrise trip to Moraine Lake. With more time you could add the Icefields Parkway or a day in Canmore.
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Banff and Lake Louise in pictures
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