Other Winter Activities
Think skiing is the only thing going on in Alberta in the winter? Think again. There are many other activities that will astonish and delight. All you need is the desire – no experience necessary. Learn how to ice fish, build an igloo, travel by dog sled, or trek into a frozen canyon to experience glowing green waterfalls and iridescent river ice. Join us—we have adventure operators standing by to introduce you to a whole new world of winter.
Alternative Winter Adventures
Winter in Alberta is an opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of the great outdoors. Elevate your winter experience with an aerial tour of our vast and beautiful winter holiday destinations, a luxury train trip through the Rockies, an invigorating canyon ice climb, a family ice skating outing or a horse-drawn sleigh ride under a bearskin rug.Finish off your evening strolling under a night sky alive with the Northern Lights.To connect to all the exciting winter adventure opportunities in Alberta, use the Search feature on the top right corner of this page. Click on Advanced and choose the Category tab. Select Activities & Adventures and choose from a large selection of Outdoor Winter Activities. Here's a few ideas to get you warmed up.
Aerial Sightseeing
By fixed wing aircraft or helicopter, a sightseeing flight over our winter wonderlands is not to be missed. Want to a get a bird’s eye view of an area you’d like to visit? Looking to find a mountaintop to ski down untouched slopes? We’ve got plenty of tour operators standing by.Canyon Ice Walks & Ice Climbing
Canyons that are inaccessible in the summer are transformed in winter into wonderlands of ice. The eerie beauty and irresistible challenge of iridescent canyon walls and chambers lure winter enthusiasts from all countries and corners. Guided walks in Banff’s Johnson Canyon and Jasper’s Maligne Canyon can be organized though most hotels and outdoor hubs.For the vertically inclined adventurer, ice climbing is a thrill and a challenge. Visit Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for guided ice climbing, with half, full and multi day trips available. Check out their legendary ice climbing school, which offers weekend and five day training courses at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Dog Sledding
Operators run services out of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Rocky Mountain House and points north. Visitors can’t get over the thrill of sledding through the frozen wilderness. Learn how to harness, hook-up and drive the team, or relax on the sled with camera in hand. Trips range from two hours to full days, and there are even moonlight runs. Gourmet snacks and meals are provided on the trails. Check out Snowy Owl Tours or Howling Dog Tours in Canmore for details. In Rocky Mountain House Ice Haven Expeditions really knows the ropes, and can offer you a hands-on wilderness adventure where you learn to run your own dog team.Ice Fishing
If you can’t get enough of fishing in the summer, don’t stop. Ice fishing—also known as vertical jigging—is for novices and experts alike. Due to lower natural food production and increased fish interest in bait, ice fishing yields more whitefish and perch than in any other season. Also up for the challenge are pike, walleye, trout and burbot (ling).Ice fishing can be done on most lakes and streams around the province. Depending on ice conditions, the season generally runs from December through April. Local anglers build temporary sheds or simply drill holes and drop in a line. Just be sure to check local regulations before you head out.
One of the most popular spots is Spray Lake in Kananaskis Country, 45 minutes from Banff. Outfits such as Banff Fishing Unlimited offer guided trips that provide everything from gear to heated huts. Back on shore, they’ll even cook your catch for lunch. Reel Angling also offers guided ice fishing expeditions.
Ice fishing derbies are serious business in Alberta. Some of the best competitions happen in Slave Lake and Lac La Biche. Contestants actually build fires on the lakes to keep warm while they wait for the big one.
If you’re in Calgary, you can fish on stretches of the Bow River that remain open year-round. No drilling is necessary—just warm gear.
Northern Lights
Although we can’t claim the aurora borealis as our own, Alberta’s north is blessed with prime viewing spots. Optimal sites include Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Slave Lake, Peace River, Grande Prairie and Athabasca. If you're lucky enough to catch the light show, you will marvel at the constantly changing colourful swirls, curtains and ribbons of light dancing in the night sky.
Skating
You can’t talk about winter activities without mentioning ice skating—fun for the whole family. Most urban centres and small towns have indoor and outdoor rinks and arenas. While peewee to junior hockey practice takes up a lot of ice time, there’s plenty of room for pleasure skating. Check municipal recreation websites in Calgary, Edmonton or wherever you're visiting to find out locations and schedules.Our gateway cities feature natural outdoor skating areas that are still within sight of city lights. Try the frozen lagoon in Calgary’s Bowness Park. Don't miss the Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park in Edmonton.
Off the rink and into the great outdoors? If you’re visiting any of our parks and recreation areas, most visitor information centres can direct you to popular destinations such as Banff’s Lake Minnewanka, the Vermillion Lakes or the Spray River right behind the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Other alpine favourites include Patricia and Pyramid lakes near Jasper and Power Pond near Grande Cache. For more places to ice skate, visit Alberta Community Development and search parks by activity. Another good resource is Where Canadian Rockies—search in Tours, Activities and Adventures.
Remember to use caution when skating on any of our lakes, rivers or ponds. Most locations post current ice conditions, but if in doubt, drop out.
Sleigh Rides
What western winter holiday would be complete without a sleigh ride? Whether it’s for family and friends or just the two of you, Warner’s in Banff has lots of day and evening options. Book the two-seat cutter for a romantic private ride: snuggle up under a genuine buffalo robe and enjoy the chocolates and liqueurs. Brewster in Lake Lousie offers day and evening outings as well, but the popular sleigh ride to dinner package is a true western experience: traditional horse drawn sleighs provide the transportation to and from a cowboy barbeque and barn dance, complete with a country and western band and line dance instruction.Winter Railway Tours
A winter trip through the mountains by rail is a journey like no other. Whether it’s a half-day rail excursion from Jasper to Hinton or a deluxe multi-day tour aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer—available only in December and January—it is the ultimate way to experience what our Canadian Rockies are all about. Take advantage of this carefree opportunity to sit back, relax and take in the views of our majestic mountains and the canyons, frozen waterfalls, snow filled valleys and wildlife that you’ll never see from the highway. Ride in the upper glass dome car and keep the camera close by—you’ll need to prove to your friends this winter wonderland is real.Environmentally Friendly
Take care of the environment while you enjoy all it has to offer: check out White Mountain Adventures in Canmore. The outfit is recognized for its commitment to sustainable tourism. Focusing on nature and ecology, they operate year round.Related Holiday Ideas
