A Guide to Winter Family Fun in Alberta

With so much to do and see, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Here are a few ideas to make the most of winter in Canada’s Wild Side.

Toboggan together

Alberta’s diverse landscapes boast many tobogganing spots sure to spur the winter spirit. Nobody can contain their smiles when flying down a hill on sleds—even adults will feel like kids again. Mount Engadine Lodge has an easy hill and offers sleds to guests spending the night. This backcountry accommodation is surrounded by stunning views of the Rockies, making family time outdoors all the more memorable.

Ski resorts deeper into the mountains have tube parks. Mt. Norquay's is the largest in the province with eight lanes, located only five minutes outside the town of Banff. Alberta’s cities also have numerous tobogganing opportunities. Locals adore the hill in Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth Park, where sledders have an amazing viewpoint of the River Valley. Further south, St. Andrew’s Heights in Calgary offers thrill-seekers of different levels plenty of space to let loose.

Get into the holiday spirit

Alberta seizes every opportunity to host festivities, where families can celebrate traditions and create new ones. Kick off the winter merriment with some of the province’s best holiday markets. The Banff Christmas Market has plenty to enjoy, from live music to delicious sweets to crackling fires. Hundreds of vendors sell unique gifts at Calgary’s Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market, and kids won’t be able to contain their excitement at the activity zone’s petting zoo.

New Year’s Eve celebrations encourage families to come together and reflect on the year. Stop by Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton for free skate rentals and a dazzling fireworks display at 9 p.m. And while the mountain town of Canmore is quaint, they certainly know how to ring in the new year. All ages are welcome to enjoy fireside music performances, food vendors, photo booths and more.

Embrace snow days

Winter in Alberta boasts endless ways to play. Families energized by fresh air can’t miss out on the iconic ski hills in the Canadian Rockies. Lake Louise Ski Resort has 164 runs of varying difficulty, meaning skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will never get bored. Sunshine Village Ski Resort holds Banff’s only ski-in, ski-out hotel and some of the biggest snowfalls for unbelievable powder days. And Mt. Norquay is the only resort in the Rockies that offers night skiing, lighting up select runs on Friday and Saturday evenings for riders who don’t want to stop after sundown.

Skating is another incredible option for getting outside under big blue skies. At Lake Louise, families glide across smooth ice in the company of towering peaks and an ancient glacier. Or, you can skate Abraham Lake to witness a remarkable natural phenomenon where thousands of bubbles rest below frozen waters. Alberta’s cities also have many skating options. Calgary’s Bowness Park has a 1.6 km (1.0 mi) ice track for gliding along the Bow River. If you prefer indoor skating, head to the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall—this NHL-sized rink lies below the natural light of a glass dome.

Explore the outdoors

Alberta is home to countless breathtaking sights for the entire family to take in. A journey up the Banff Gondola to the Sulphur Mountain summit reveals panoramic views of Banff National Park, but that’s not all—stick around after sunset for Nightrise, a captivating light show dedicated to the Canadian Rockies. Brewster Sleigh Rides offers another relaxing way to discover the province’s snow-covered terrain. Gentle horses carry families in a comfy sleigh around Lake Louise. With the soft crunch of snow under hooves and sparkling snow covering evergreens, this ride will be unforgettable.

Families looking to take on more action-forward tours can hike and cross-country ski. Banff’s Johnston Canyon is worth a winter visit. A two-hour, low-elevation trek will bring you close to walls of glittering icicles and two frozen waterfalls. You can also try snowshoeing, a transportation method once used by fur traders long ago. Indigenous-owned Métis Crossing has a multi-day package that combines cultural connection with adventure. Groups fuel up with traditional foods then set off on a snowshoe excursion across rolling hills, passing wood bison, elk and other animals along the way.

Share cozy accommodations

It’s easy to forget to breathe and bask in the moment with a packed schedule. Fortunately, Alberta has multiple comfortable stays for unwinding. In the heart of Canmore, The Malcolm Hotel’s rooftop provides the perfect place to rest. Families can soak up Rocky Mountain views while soaking in the heated pool or warmth of the firepit area. Looking to get closer to the Rockies? Why not stay on them? Buffalo Mountain Lodge has exquisite suites or an entire house for rent atop Tunnel Mountain. Epic valley views, a serene outdoor hot tub and elevated dining await.

Some lodgings are a little wilder. Elk Island Retreat in Central Alberta can give more adventurous groups a glamping escape into nature. They offer geodomes, yurts, cabins and RV spots to suit any accommodation preference. Charmed Resorts in Crowsnest Pass even offers a cabin in the shape of a pirate ship. From fairy treehouses to princess towers, their cottages will have you feeling as though you’re living in a storybook.