Q: Is it worth the price to take the gondala ride to the top?
A: Assuming you mean the "Sulpher Mountain Gondala" (there are several others hanging around), then absolutely yes! It's only money, and you'll remember the ride for ever. Banff is just an amazing place. Be sure to eat some sushi while you are there (if you like sushi!), so many young Japanese come to stay at the Banff Springs Hotel they have the highest quality sushi & sashimi locally. Also be sure to go "ice-hiking", very cool! Shame you aren't going in the winter, you can dog-sled on the lakes! Be sure to take a good English-Canadian/Canadian-English phrase-book with you, and smoke some Cuban cigars while you are there. Have a great trip, eh?