Skijor Canada - Banff SnowDays Festival 2026

What Is Skijoring? Besides being the fastest growing winter sport

Skijoring combines skiing and horse riding, with a skier being pulled down a snow-covered course by a horse and rider. In Banff, the course runs straight down Banff Avenue, with teams racing, jumping, and putting on a high-energy show right through the centre of town.

It’s fast, loud, and draws a big crowd, whether you know the sport well or you’re seeing it for the first time.

Dates, Times & Location

Event: Skijor Canada – Banff SnowDays Exhibition

Dates: January 17 & 18, 2026

Time: Mid-afternoon — 2:00pm to 3:30pm both days

Location: Banff Avenue (200–300 block), Banff, Alberta

Cost: Free — no ticket needed, just show up ready to watch!

For all updates and current information follow @skijorcanada or visit their website www.skijorcanada.com

The event is part of the SnowDays Festival — Banff’s big annual winter celebration with activities running throughout January and into February.

Timing & Tips

Arrive early: People typically start gathering on the fence 45–60 minutes ahead of the event start time so they can get a good view. Best spots are where the big camera cranes as they have the best view otherwise find yourself the biggest jump to see the best air.

New to this year: It's a bigger course! New viewing stands set up at Banff Community High School, located on the corner of Wolf Street and Banff Avenue. These stands offer a clear view of the course and are a great option if you want a more structured viewing area.

Dress warm: January in Banff is cold. Very cold. A couple years ago we had -30 and you'll be standing on snow for the most part.

Indoor viewing: Many nearby bars and restaurants livestream the skijoring action — perfect if you want to stay warm and still see it all.

Parking: Free parking is available at the Banff Train Station (327 Railway Avenue) for up to 9 hours — a good option if you’re driving in. You might be able to find some parking closer but usually it's permit or 2 hour parking and you'll have to avoid the team, the trucks and horse floats we have!

It's a must!

It's free, in one of the most scenic locations in the world with what I genuinely believe to be the best backdrop I'll probably ever film. I'll be there running around on the course trying to capture the craziness that is a Skijor Canada so if you see me come say hi or hopefully I see you after when I'm warming back up at the bar with the team.