Winter activities for everyone in Banff National Park
Winter in Banff and Lake Louise is full of adventures waiting to happen. From gliding across snow or ice to stomping your way through the snow and making trails, it's an exciting time to experience Banff National Park.
Winter in Banff and Lake Louise is full of adventures waiting to happen. From gliding across snow or ice to stomping your way through the snow and making trails, it's an exciting time to experience Banff National Park.
Every layer in a winter snowpack has a story to tell. From the first snowfall to each sparkling frost or fresh white coating, all the happenings of a winter season are carefully recorded by Mother Nature.
Each of these snowy cycles brings new opportunities to discover the winter playground of Banff National Park. Falling snowflakes and gently swirling winds reset the snowy canvas nearly every day, clearing away the tracks left by snowshoes, skates and horse-drawn sleighs.
How you choose to explore this snowglobe is entirely up to you. Activities abound, and the shops of Banff and Lake Louise offer all the accessories and rental equipment you might need. Get your gear – along with tips on the best ski runs or recent sightings of snowshoe hares – at Snowtips-Bactrax, Banff Adventures, Chateau Mountain Sports, and Ultimate Sports in Banff, or Alpine Social Rentals and Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise.
Slide on snow
There are few settings as pure as snowy landscapes, and there’s nothing like old-fashioned fun in the snow to bring out the adventurer in all of us.
Start with a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff or Lake Louise to settle into the charm of the snowy mountains. Then for a quintessential winter experience, join the ice skaters under sparkling lights at the downtown Banff outdoor rink or glide across the smooth wonder of frozen Lake Louise.
If you’re after more of a buzz, snow tubing is a must-try activity for adrenaline-seekers of every level. Visit the tube park at Mount Norquay or Lake Louise Ski Resort for a thrilling ride (or several) down the manicured snow runs.
Relax in the cozy sleigh while a team of huskies pull you across the snow with your musher guiding the way. Travel to areas by dog-sled you might not have visited had it not been for these energetic four-legged friends.
Clip, snap or buckle in
With nearly 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, it’s no wonder that skiers and snowboarders around the world hold the resorts of Banff and Lake Louise in such high regard. The diversity in the terrain here is enthralling to everyone, from first-timers to lifelong skiers. And of course, it’s not just about the powder snow – the stunning winter views don’t hurt either.
From downtown Banff, look up across the valley and you’ll see the inviting runs of nearby Mt. Norquay. A short driver further west takes you to Banff Sunshine, where certain runs offer a brief foray into British Columbia and incredible views of Mount Assiniboine, the “Matterhorn of the Rockies.” Nestled even more deeply into the Bow Valley is Lake Louise Ski Resort, with some of the longest ski runs in western Canada.
If you’re new to skiing and snowboarding, consider signing up for a group or private lesson at any of the SkiBig3 resorts. The feeling of carving smoothly across soft snow is invigorating in a way unlike any other.
Make snow tracks
Hiking in Banff National Park doesn’t end when the snow flies. Two feet and a heartbeat is all that’s needed to explore the trails on foot, and there’s good reason why this is such a beloved activity.
All you need for winter hiking are warm layers, a sturdy pair of boots and optional crampons that strap onto your boots for extra grip. Trails wind right through the communities of Banff and Lake Louise, skirting the edge of the wilderness along the Bow River or even upwards to viewpoints like Tunnel Mountain.
To explore further afield, strap on a pair of snowshoes. Local outfitters rent modern versions as well as the traditional style of snowshoes that have been used for centuries by mountain-dwellers in the Rockies.
Try a winter workout
If you’re looking to work up an appetite and stretch your legs, there’s a whole other menu of winter activities available. Locals love to spend an afternoon on the “skinny skis” on well-groomed cross-country ski trails.
For a different kind of adventure, fat tire biking is quickly becoming a favourite activity. Extra wide bicycle tires have made trails accessible in a totally new way. Fat tire biking aficionados will tell you that this activity is a perfect blend of summer fun and winter excitement.
Wherever the snowy paths of Banff National Park lead you, be sure to finish in front of a crackling fire. This cozy conclusion is the best part of any winter adventure – and it’s even better when you’ve earned it.