In the Rocky Mountains, winter is just as beautiful as summer. With a guaranteed covering of powder snow, winter doesn't get more iconic than this. Observe the landscape in a whole new light, from the blue hues of frozen rivers to the ghostly greens of the Northern Lights.
The winter in Banff and Jasper National Parks is filled with incredible activities, and skiing isn't the only thing you can do. So get out there on your next holiday to Canada and enjoy the great, snowy outdoors! You'll also find dozens of other magical activities on offer, from heli tours to sled rides. With these magical adventurous places, it is important to have travel insurance coverage to get you fully insured and safe. So, make sure to get insurance coverage before your trip.
The following are our top 8 winter wonderland activities in the Canadian Rockies:
- Snowshoeing in Jasper
There is no better way to enjoy the powder snow than to snowshoe. Take a tour of the white, silent woods of Jasper National Park. Make snowballs and you'll have hours of fun! If you manage to keep quiet, you'll find the silent snowshoes ideal for sneaking up on animals.
In Jasper, the Icefields Parkway ends at a stunning mountain town, and tours like Sundog offer snowshoeing excursions. For extra excitement, try heli-snowshoeing!
- Ice canyon walk in Banff
You can follow the metal walkways through Johnston Canyon with your crampons strapped on and feel the snow crunch. The snow-sprinkled rock towers on both sides, while a partially-frozen river sparkles below. At the end of the walk, the real reward is the fairy-tale frozen waterfall with icicles and otherworldly ice sculptures.
- Dog sledding in Kananaskis
Experience the thrill of hurtling behind a dog-sled across the frozen landscape! Meet the friendly huskies and settle into the warm, lined sled for a ride through stunning scenery, learning how to mush the team yourself!
The Kananaskis County and Canmore are ideal locations for husky tours.
- Heli-tours in Kananaskis
It is only from above that one can appreciate the scale of the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies. Climb aboard a helicopter for an experience like no other. A white wonderland of peaks, forests, and frozen lakes spreads out beneath you. Choose a tour where you land on a peak and walk or snowshoe for an extra dose of adventure.
Many Companies offer helicopter tours from Kananaskis, located between Calgary and Banff.
- Horse-drawn sleigh rides in Lake Louise
When it comes to the winter wonderland, nothing says it better than a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride. As you snuggle in the blankets on your sleigh, you will truly hear the bell jingling! Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful sleigh rides in the world when it freezes over. At the iconic Fairmont hotel overlooking the lake, enjoy a hot chocolate to end your ride.
- Northern Lights tours in Jasper
Its latitude and complete lack of night pollution make Jasper Dark Sky Preserve one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights from September through May.
Experience stars, nebulas, and the aurora up close with a Sundogs Planetarium and Telescope excursion.
- Ice skating on Lake Louise
As Canada freezes over for winter, thousands of natural skating rinks pop up on the solid lakes. Although every city has its own artificial rink, there's nothing quite like skating on a natural rink in the open. There is nothing better than skating on a natural rink overlooking the Victoria Glacier in Lake Louise.
- Hot springs in the snow in Banff
The steamy mineral waters of Banff Hot Springs bubble up naturally to an elevation of 1,585 meters, offering unbeatable views as you soak.
There is a spa at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, but hotels like Fairmont Banff Springs have their own spas as well.
