Winter Activities

Banff is a great place to enjoy just about any winter outdoor activity you can imagine. We enjoy a relatively long winter recreation season, and although temperatures are often below freezing, we have regular warming trends called chinooks that relieve the cold and bring more snow.

Enjoy these amazing winter activities in Banff:

Skiing and Snowboarding: This is one of the main reasons people flock to Banff in the winter. Banff National Park boasts three ski hills all within driving distance from the Town of Banff. Depending on the weather, you can ski in Banff from November until May.

Ice Skating: From public skating at the state-of-the-art Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre to man-made outdoor rinks and frozen lakes, Banff is a skating paradise. Enjoy a leisurely skate or grab some friends for a game of hockey.

Cross-Country Skiing: What better way for a bit of exploration and exercise is there than cross-country skiing? Banff National Park has plenty of trails ideally suited to the sport, and many trails are trackset so you know you won't have to struggle to break trail. Cross-country skiing also lets you experience the great outdoors in some spectacular scenery.

Snowshoeing: Want to experience Banff's famous hikes but you're visiting in the winter? Don't worry. Just step into a pair of snowshoes and the landscape is yours to explore. Deep snow is no match for snowshoes, and you'll be able to see how different the area looks in the winter.

Curling: Curling is a favourite sport in Banff in the winter. If you're only coming for a visit, there are opportunities to book curling time at The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre.

Looking for something more? Book winter adventures such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice fishing, or snowmobile tours through Banff Lake Louise Tourism.