Winter Sports & Activities in the Rocky Mountains

Winter in the Rocky Mountains? Most tourists visit Canada in the summer and travel along the Icefields Parkway. Those who come in winter want to experience skiing or snowboarding in the Champagne Powder at least once in their lives.

But on a winter road trip, especially in the national parks of Banff and Jasper, you can experience so much more than just spending the entire trip on the (admittedly excellent) ski slopes.

I would have preferred to just be on my snowboard before the trip. Looking back, I'm glad I tried many other activities too!

Therefore, I've summarized the activities I did on my road trip and what else you can do. One thing is for sure: Canada is not boring in winter.

Click through the navigation to get directly to the winter activities in the Canadian Rocky Mountains!

No question - the snow is a dream, the slopes are empty, and there are no queues at gondolas or chairlifts. I was snowboarding in Banff (Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay), Lake Louise (Lake Louise Ski Resort), and in Jasper (Marmot Basin).

You can read my detailed report on Skiing in Canada here. My conclusion: Amazing - this "once in a lifetime" experience surely won't be the last. I will return!

Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park. If you think there are far too few chairlifts here, you can see very well why you don't need more: From one lift, countless possibilities for skiing branch off! I count seven here alone - a few black runs go off to the right. A dream, right?

Dog sledding is called "Dog sledding" in English and is offered almost everywhere in Banff and Jasper National Park, depending on snow conditions.

Since there wasn't enough snow during my trip in Jasper, we headed to Canmore and did a 2-hour dog sledding trip in Spray Lakes Provincial Park with Howling Dog Tours.

Upon arriving at Spray Lakes Provincial Park, we were introduced to our musher Teddy and the six dogs that would later pull us through the snow.

Each dog in our sled is introduced by name, traits, and position in the sled. All dogs can be easily petted and cuddled, which we didn't need to be told twice.

The Huskies and Greyhounds are so sweet. I am told to hold the leash so that musher Teddy can harness the dogs in one by one. Not so easy, as the dogs are full of energy and would love to take off right away.

Once Teddy gives the "Go" and all the dogs are leashed, we climb into the sled and cover ourselves with a thick blanket. Then we are off!

Musher Teddy doesn't need to do much, the dogs are full of energy and start running.

After the first hills, the moment arrives: I get to stand next to the musher and steer the sled with him. Teddy gives me the tip to bend my knees because the trails through the forest are very bumpy. This way, I can maintain my balance better, just like snowboarding, and compensate for the unevenness. It's not hard at all.

After 5 km, we take a break with hot chocolate and cookies. Enough time to cuddle the dogs again and take pictures.

Upon returning to the starting and ending point, we receive dog treats to pamper and reward the dogs after the tour. They also get water enriched with chicken.

The tour ends much too quickly, though I imagine that at -20° C, I'd be glad for a quick end. We were lucky with the weather: bright sunshine, no wind, and only -10° C.

Providers include Howling Dog Tours (Canmore), Kingmik Dog Sled Tours (Lake Louise), Snowy Owl Tours (Canmore)

Make sure you are not separated into different sleds if you are traveling as a couple. Some providers do this; others (like Howling Dog Tours) emphasize they do not. Who wants to cuddle with strangers in the sled?

As it can feel quite cold here, I recommend doing the tours during the day.

Depending on snow conditions, dog sledding tours are held from late November to late April. It is best to book your tour 3 - 4 days in advance.

Tip: Wear your ski or snowboard gear with warm winter boots, as it can be bitterly cold here.

Howling Dog Tours offers 2-hour, half-day, and full-day tours. There are also tours after skiing and even dinner tours in the evening. The tours take place in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, about 30 minutes outside of Canmore. The dog teams consist of Alaskan Huskies, Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds, and mixes.

The crunching of fluffy snow beneath your snowshoes as you stride through untouched powder in the Rocky Mountains. Fine snowflakes are falling from above - does that sound good? It is, and it's a huge amount of fun!

I recommend, for sure, to take a guided tour; you can easily get lost on your own. Especially when it's snowing like during my tour with visibility under 10 meters in the Rocky Mountains. Orientation is not possible then.

I did my snowshoe tour in Sunshine Meadows (Banff) with White Mountain Adventures. We crossed the Continental Divide and briefly left Alberta and wandered into British Columbia.

Do: Shift your weight backward when going downhill. This way, you won't put weight on the claws of the snowshoes and will glide down the slopes more or less elegantly.

Do: Jump down a slope with your snowshoes. The snow is so soft that you sink in, without hurting yourself!

Snowshoe hikes are also offered in Jasper and Lake Louise. We had a tour offered in Sunshine Meadows since the tour started at the mountain station of Sunshine Village and our accommodation at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge.

Other providers: Banff Tours (Banff), Sundog Tours (Jasper)

Canada is the motherland of hockey. Canadians love hockey. Therefore, you definitely must catch a game from one of the two NHL clubs (Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers). I always wanted to attend games on every trip to Canada or the USA but only managed to do so twice.

Even though the atmosphere was only fantastic during advertising breaks ("Power Breaks") and goals, this exciting sport is definitely worth a visit. I really enjoy hockey. Action and fast-paced games ensure there's no boredom, I promise you.

Even from Banff, you can purchase a 'Hockey Package' with transportation. As you may be traveling from Germany to Calgary like us, I recommend checking if the Flames have a home game when you arrive. Or, if you're like me flying back to Germany from Edmonton, see if the Edmonton Oilers have a home game.

The great thing about a home game for the Edmonton Oilers is that they play in the world's most modern multipurpose arena. It is absolutely insane! The first time we were still in the historic Rexall Hall, in 2018 in the nearly new Rogers Place, which has 18,347 seats for hockey games.

Tickets for the NHL games are available here

The Ice Canyon Walk is a guided hike with crampons on super slippery paths through a frozen canyon. Where powerful waterfalls usually tumble down, you will see thick layers of ice, and it seems as if the water must have frozen in the blink of an eye. This natural spectacle and the views of turquoise ice are fantastic.

What looks cozy here is, by the way, all super slick! You shouldn't undertake an ice walk without spikes or crampons - you have no chance on an ascent or downhill...

I undertook my Maligne Canyon Icewalk. Our guide Shane was great and could show us a lot, like the inconspicuous entrance to a cave that one would not find without a guide, as there's no sign indicating the hidden cave.

Or would you have thought that there's an entrance to a cave here?

Tip: Do not go through the canyon on your own, especially not without spikes or crampons. We also encountered many tourists who thought they could slide through the canyon on their own and without crampons. A tip: Please don't do that. We could also see tracks leading down into the canyon towards the seemingly frozen ice of the waterfall.

Our guide advised us not to do this if we don't want to fall 40 meters deep suddenly. The ice and the snow on it often deceive about the strength.

At safe spots, we walked through the frozen canyon. The ice masses from the frozen waterfalls are impressive. It's hard to believe that torrents of water will cascade down amid this stillness in summer.

Icewalks are offered here: Grotto Canyon Icewalk (Banff), Johnston Canyon Icewalk (Icefields Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise), and Maligne Canyon Icewalk (Jasper).

My tour: Maligne Canyon with Jasper Adventure Centre at 10 am. The tour lasted about 3.5 hours.

Wear your ski or snowboard gear with warm snow boots. Shoes (rubber boots) are provided by the provider.

Ice climbing is becoming increasingly popular. Even on my first visit to Jasper and Maligne Canyon, we saw numerous frozen waterfalls of all difficulty levels during the Canyon Ice Walk. Unfortunately, during my first trip to Canada in March, the ice had already begun to melt. Climbing would have been far too dangerous.

On my second visit, it finally worked out! The weather and conditions were perfect, allowing us to rappel into the canyon. For my companions, a big challenge since they had never done it before and didn't know what to expect. For me as a climber? Pure fun and enjoyment as I guessed that this would be the easiest activity of the day.

Climbing is more strenuous. After a brief introduction on how to strike the ice with ice picks, we were off: One secured and the other climbed. In Germany, securing without a top rope climbing certificate is not allowed; in Canada (it seems to me) it is.

Dark Sky Preserve means a Light Protection Area. It is also a protection area where darkness is seen as a precious good due to very minimal light pollution ('light smog'). There are very few of them worldwide, and the largest of them is located in Jasper.

In winter, it is basically the 'high season' for stargazing. In Jasper, there's a planetarium with 25 seats. On selected days (with little air pollution and ideally no full moon), you can observe the night sky in nature with a large portable telescope from the planetarium. This tour is weather-dependent.

Somehow, it seems I'm not destined to see the beautiful night sky in Jasper. On the first visit, it was just before the full moon, very bright, and shortly after the start of the tour, more and more clouds appeared. On the second visit, there was no full moon, but it was cloudy. The visibility was so poor that we had to abort the tour. Still, the visit to the planetarium was very informative and worthwhile.

Maybe I'll succeed on a third visit?

More info on the tours:

The newest adrenaline rush is riding a mountain bike on snow and ice. The bikes have specially designed wide tires (hence the term Fat Bike) so you don't lose traction too quickly.

I took the Fat Bike tour in Edmonton with Revolution Cycle.

Other providers for Fat Bike tours are available in Canmore (Bike Canmore) or also in Jasper (Jasper Park Cycling Association).

You can also see the Northern Lights in Jasper National Park. I learned this on-site when we wanted to stargaze in the Dark Sky Preserve. "Alerts" (an alarm for potential sightings of Northern Lights) were issued, but none were spotted. Locals use apps on their smartphones that inform you as soon as the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights is high. You should also download apps like Aurora Forecast on your smartphone.

In Banff National Park, there are numerous natural hot springs. Here you can relax in the hot water after an exhausting day while enjoying the breathtaking mountain scenery and fresh mountain air! There are hot tubs in hotels as luxurious spas, as well as just simply in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The temperatures range from 38 - 40° C.

Banff Upper Hot Springs:

Do you love action and speed? Then perhaps a snowmobile tour is just the thing for you? In Banff, you can take beginner and advanced tours with snowmobiles.

Heli-skiing is not for everyone and is only possible outside of national parks. You can also take a helicopter tour over the Columbia Icefield. A must-do and a big wish for my next trip to Canada!

No matter if it's the 6 Glaciers Tour, the Grand Rocky Mountain Tour, Icefields Tour or a backcountry heli camping trip. Each tour sounds better than the next. Directly to the provider

What would Canada be in winter without the many ice rinks in nature? As soon as the ice is thick enough, everyone brings out their skates. Most people bring gloves and their hockey sticks along.

You have particularly beautiful views at the frozen Lake Louise. Behind you, the world-famous (and to me ugly) Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and in front of you, the view of the Rockies with giant mountain peaks and the blue shimmering Victoria Glacier:

Here is also the well-known ice castle in winter, reported by many:

The Huffington Post (Fodors) named Lake Louise as World's Best Skating Rink in 2014. You can rent skates directly at the hotel for $11.00 (half day) or $15.00 (full day). The Ice Magic Festival always takes place in January (more info).

More info at: banffadventures.com or whitemountainadventures.com

A romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride is offered in Banff as well as in Lake Louise. I found it too boring, so I preferred the dog sledding tour. It's breathtaking along Lake Louise.

Not only can you glide perfectly on your snowshoes but also on cross-country skis through really perfect conditions. The trails are available nearly everywhere. At Lake Louise, in Canmore at the Olympic Training Center in the Canmore Nordic Centre, or in Jasper.

Tip: The Sundance Lodge in Banff can only be reached by cross-country skis or snowshoes. Unfortunately, we had too little snow, so we had to change accommodations. The beautifully secluded Mount Engadine Lodge near Canmore also provides excellent conditions for cross-country skiing. Here we undertook the dog sledding tour, and unfortunately, we had no time in the late afternoon to hit the slopes.