Ice walking and ice climbing, snowshoeing and sleigh riding, legendary slopes and a cave tour. These are nine unbeatable winter days in Alberta.
This itinerary is great for travellers eager to try adventurous winter activities but who appreciate some moments to relax and indulge, too.
At a glance
- 9 day itinerary
- 1382 km (859 mi) total distance
- 17 hrs 28 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Calgary
WinSport Canada Olympic Park
Channel your inner gold medalist at the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. This urban ski hill offers three runs, plus a halfpipe, terrain park, beginner areas and a tube park for non-skiers. Your dazzling views on your run include the Rockies and Calgary’s skyline.
Ascend the Calgary Tower
Get acquainted with Calgary from just above the heart of downtown. The iconic tower—which has a natural gas-fuelled flame on top to mimic an Olympic torch—gives sweeping views of the city from the observation deck. Be sure to walk the glass floor for dizzying sights of ant-sized people below.
Studio Bell - National Music Centre
Studio Bell holds an impressive collection of musical instruments, gear and memorabilia that tell the stories of legendary Canadian musicians. Explore hands-on exhibits, then head to the King Eddy across the street. It’s home to live music and happy hour in what was one of the oldest hotels in Calgary.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Minutes from Studio Bell, visit Inglewood for shops, craft breweries and great local restaurants.
Canmore Cave Tours
Crawl, squeeze and wiggle through caves beneath Grotto Mountain in this unforgettable guided tour. After a short hike, you’ll enter the cave where your guide will teach you about the geology and fossils inside. On your journey, you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites and pure darkness.
Grizzly Paw Brewery Tours
Just what goes into a beer brewed in the Rockies? Head behind the scenes at Grizzly Paw Brewery to find out how they make their Grumpy Bear Honey Wheat, Rutting Elk Red Ale and more. You’ll get to taste their wares and ask all your beer queries along the way.
Carter-Ryan Gallery
Vibrant primary colours and bold linework bring to life Jason Carter’s paintings of Alberta wildlife and scenery. The prodigious Indigenous artist is also a sculptor, working with soapstone and alabaster. Visit to shop art and prints, and check out special events happening at the gallery every week.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Stop at the “Big Head” sculpture for a quirky photo, then stroll the nearby trail along the creek.
Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Get close to a frozen waterfall when you crunch through a frosty canyon on this guided tour. The steel catwalks built right into the mountain give you a special view of the falls and rock layers. You’ll also get to hike through caves and stop to watch any brave ice climbers scaling the Upper Falls.
Banff Gondola
The fully enclosed Banff Gondola whisks you up Sulphur Mountain at three metres (10 ft) per second. At the top, take in the panoramic peaks from the warmth of the interpretive centre. Or bundle up and follow the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station then grab lunch at Sky Bistro.
Winter Walk to Bow Falls
A famous waterfall is your reward for this winter walk along the Bow River. Your path starts in town just south of the Banff Pedestrian Bridge and weaves through the forest, with lots of scenic lookouts along the way. Bow Falls was featured in the 1953 Marilyn Monroe film “River of No Return.”
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Hungry? For a fun dinner, try The Grizzly House for cheese fondue in a nostalgic ‘60s setting.
Ski Option 1: Mount Norquay
Minutes from town, find what you need on these super-friendly slopes. Norquay is home to 60 runs across 190 acres, with plenty of choice for all abilities. Don’t ski yet? Lessons are available! And so is the snow tubing park, which delivers mountainside thrills with no experience needed.
Ski Option 2: Sunshine Village Ski Resort
Want fun, short runs or a heart-stopping free ride? Maybe everything in between? Sunshine has that—plus killer views. Ride the heated chairlift to warm your tush between runs, or take the Great Divide Express into neighbouring British Columbia before picking from plenty of routes to ski down.
Ski Option 3: Lake Louise Ski Resort
Skiing through a postcard? Yes, please. This is one of the most beautiful and biggest ski resorts in North America, with more than 160 runs spread across 4,200 sprawling acres. Whether you’re making big lines or shaking off the dust after a few seasons away, you’ll leave Lake Louise in love.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Do these mineral waters really have near-magical healing properties? After a day on the slopes, it’s going to feel like it. Relax in the steaming hot springs as the stars begin to light up the night sky. People have been seeking out these waters for centuries—and you’ll soon truly understand why.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Learn these slopes like a local by booking a guided adventure with SkiBig3.
Lake Louise Snowshoe Tours
Stride through powdery snow along Ptarmigan Ridge on a scenic guided snowshoe tour at Lake Louise Ski Resort. After you strap on your snowshoes, take a 13-minute ride on the Grizzly Gondola to the start of your trek. These are the kinds of views usually exclusive to skiers. Now they’re all yours.
Skate on Lake Louise
Carve up the ice surrounded by Victoria Glacier, Fairmont Château Lake Louise and endless Rockies. Whether you’ve been skating as long as you can walk or you’re a bit like a baby elk on skates, this natural rink will leave you in awe. Rent skates at Château Ski & Snow Rentals in the hotel.
Kingmik Dog Sled Tours
Your adorable dogs and your skilled musher will pull you through a snowy meadow, into the forest and past mountains. Your guide will tell you all about how much their four-legged athletes love to run while you get a rarefied view of Banff National Park.
Brewster Adventure Sleigh Rides
Settle in for a cozy, horse-drawn sleigh ride around Lake Louise for an incredible way to experience an iconic winter moment. Snuggled under a blanket, you’ll see Victoria Glacier, a frozen waterfall and the snow-dusted forest.
Bow Lake Viewpoint
Treat yourself to a quick stop to take in an alpine lake, the sprawling Wapta Icefield and practically endless Rockies all in one spot. It’s a fantastic photo op worth the short detour. Watch for wildlife and hardy snowshoers, too.
Ice Bubbles on Abraham Lake
Bubbles of methane trapped in the ice are a stunning natural sight. Plus, the bubbles make for unforgettable skating or ice walking on “wild ice.” Book a tour with Canadian Rockies Escapes and your guide can lead you straight to the best spots for bubbles.
Helicopter, Ice Bubbles & Snowshoeing
Elevate your adventure with a helicopter tour over top of six glaciers and past mountain peaks. Then, enjoy snowshoeing and a tour of the unique ice bubbles trapped inside Abraham Lake.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Grab lunch for the road at Trailhead Café or Laggan’s in Lake Louise—highway dining options are sparse.
Rockaboo Mountain Adventures Ice Climbing
If you can climb a ladder, you can learn to ice climb! You’ll get the climbing gear and training you need to wield an axe and scale a frozen waterfall by the end of this full-day tour. Bonus: You’ll see parts of Jasper most visitors never experience.
Jasper Planetarium & Telescope Experience
The night sky in Jasper is incredible. Live it for yourself starting with a guided planetarium program featuring recent views of the northern lights, distant galaxies and a virtual trip to the edge of the universe. Then head outside to view the sky with the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Fuel up for the day with breakfast at cozy gem Coco’s Café.
West Edmonton Mall
If a big dose of retail therapy is in order, head to one of the largest malls in the world. West Edmonton Mall is packed with more than 800 shops, from unique retailers to luxury brands. It’s also home to a massive water park, an ice rink, an underground aquarium, and plenty more.
Edmonton Helicopter Tours / Air Taxi Charter
Gain a view of Alberta’s capital city that most locals never even see with this helicopter tour. Your passionate pilot and guide for the journey will tell you all about the city and each iconic landmark along the way.
Edmonton ICE District
No trip to Edmonton is truly complete without catching an Oilers hockey game. Before the game, grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in the ICE District and check out public art like the 950-pound bronze statue of Wayne Gretzky.
Métis Crossing
Experience what life was like for the Métis people who settled here in the late 1800s. Explore historical buildings and meet cultural interpreters who will share how this Indigenous community lived off the land. Plus, book an art workshop to try beading, leatherwork or other crafts.
Royal Alberta Museum
Wind down your Alberta adventure by uncovering the province’s human and natural history and present. Learn about the Edmontosaurus and other ancient creatures, delve into Indigenous history, explore a diverse gallery of bugs and plenty more.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Pop over to the Neon Sign Museum after sundown to view this installation of vibrant vintage signage.
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