Mountain park winter activities near Calgary
Don’t take Calgary’s close proximity to world-class mountain parks for granted. From daytrips to extended getaways, there’s vast acres of snowy fun and alpine adventure just a leisurely drive down the Trans Canada Highway. Below you’ll find just a handful of recreational opportunities in the Canmore, Banff, Kananaskis and Lake Louise areas that are not skiing or snowboarding.
Mad Dogs & Englishman Inc
A sled dogging tour operator, Mad Dogs also offers skijoring jaunts – skiing while pulled by a dog team. These canine cruises take to the trails on and around Spray Lakes near the mountain town of Canmore where expeditions depart from the Mad Dog Café & Market at Dead Man’s Flats.
Ski Banff At Norquay
Mount Norquay Rd, Banff, ABThe runs of Mount Norquay’s dedicated tube park are built for snowy family fun. A stylish take on the automotive inner tubes sometimes seen careening down Canadian toboggan hills, these downhill doughnuts feature handhold straps. Folks four years of age and up are welcome to slip, slide and bounce their way from top to bottom.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2Adjacent to the Sulfur Mountain Gondola facility, Banff Upper Hot Springs is a popular tourist attraction year round, and with good reason. From the comfort of its misty, outdoor hot pool, visitors are afforded a wide view of pine forest and snowy mountain peaks. Massages are available in the facility’s day spa.
Nature In Focus
329 Middle Springs Dr, Banff, AB T1L 1B5Conducting guided Rocky Mountain hikes in summer and snowshoeing expeditions in winter, Nature in Focus puts Banff National Park visitors in touch with the area’s wild beauty. Certified interpretive guides who speak five languages between them, Paul and Eva Sylvestre conduct customized snowshoe stomps for individuals and groups of any fitness level. Informative and loaded with photo-ops, Banff’s natural assets are indeed the focus.
Canmore Nordic Centre
Located in its own namesake provincial park (part of Kananskis Country), Canmore Nordic Centre is a snow-sport hub with cross-country skiing as its signature activity. Its 65 kilometres of lovingly groomed trails are accessible from the facility’s day lodge where passes can be purchased and all the necessary gear rented. Expect grand trailside views and relax fireside in the day lodge cafeteria afterward.
Banff Travel
104-112 Kananaskis Way, Banff, AB T1W 2X2Ice walk tours take wintertime hikers through some seriously scenic areas of Banff National Park. On wintery Banff Travel walks, the sights pass by at a much more leisurely pace than on the ski slopes. Take a nighttime foray along the snowy shore of Lake Minnewanka, complete with a campfire break. Also walk the frozen Grotto Canyon Creek with its ancient First Nations rock art or visit the Johnson Canyon catwalk for frozen waterfall views.
Fairmont Château Lake Louise
111 Lake Louise Drive, LAKE LOUISE, AB T0L 1E0Brewster Travel, which operates Brewster Lake Louise Stables, conducts private and shared sleigh rides seven days a week during the winter. These horse-drawn cutter rides feature soft seating complete with blankets and are available throughout the day and into the evening (daytime only on Sunday). Excursions run the length of the lake with its impressive mountainous backdrop.
Kingmik Dog Sled Tours
PO Box 3258, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0Banff National Park’s lone dogsledding outfitter, Kingmik Dog Sled Tours sends visitors cruising through the Rockies with experienced mushers and eager mutts. One-and-a-half-hour sled tours visit the continental divide located at the Kicking Horse Pass, while shorter pup-powered treks follow forest trails. Kingmik HQ is located between the Trans Canada Highway and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Banff Fishing Unlimited
306 Bow River Dr, Harvie Heights, AB T1W 2W2Heated huts and wintery Group-of-Seven scenery make ice fishing expeditions fantastic affairs with Banff Fishing Unlimited. Ice fishers can arrange to be picked up from their hotel or rendezvous with their guide in the town of Canmore, travelling a short distance to Spray Lake. Purchase a fishing license, and all other gear is supplied. Hot fish lunch and drinks are also included. This tour operator can accommodate individuals and groups of up to 10 as well as larger groups with notice.
Alpine Helicopters Inc
91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1N8This Rocky Mountain helicopter business offers year-round air tours in the Banff and Canmore areas. From the Alpine Helicopters Canmore Municipal Heli-port facility at the foot of the Three Sisters peaks, snow-capped sightseeing flights are available for two or more passengers. Alpine is also the chopper company of choice for CMH Heli Skiing.
