15 Best Winter Hikes in Kananaskis and Canmore
Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean the hiking season is over. There are some fantastic winter hikes in Kananaskis Country and Canmore, which are perfect for enjoying the beautiful snow and fresh mountain air.
Winter hiking in Canmore and Kananaskis is a great way to enjoy the magic of the Rockies without the crowds. We share some of our favorite winter hikes here. Just make sure to bundle up and come prepared for winter weather.
Unless otherwise noted, all are nice half-day outings that don’t require avalanche gear or training. From frozen waterfalls to snow-covered lakes, these winter hikes offer something amazing!
A Pass is Needed to Hike in Kananaskis
Visitors are required to hold a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, which covers Kananaskis and the Bow Valley Corridor. This pass is separate from the National Parks Pass needed to visit Banff and the other national parks. Passes may be purchased online and are attached to a license plate number. Requirements are around vehicles and parking, not the individual. This includes parking at the Canmore Nordic Center or Grassi Lakes.
Pass Prices
- Daily Pass: $15 (registers one vehicle)
- Annual Pass: $90 (registers two cars)
A Guide to Understanding the Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Winter Hikes In Kananaskis
Chester Lake
Chester Lake is one of Kananaskis’s most popular winter hikes and snowshoes. The trail up to Chester Lake is wide and well-marked. It starts out mildly steep on a wide trail. While it’s uneventful at first, once you get to Chester Lake, about 4km in, you’ll enjoy all the views of Mount Chester, Little Chester, and Mount Galatea.
Note that the summer hiking trail to Chester Lake is a winter ski trail. There are two trails to Chester Lake – one for snowshoers/hikers and one for skiers. Hikers and snowshoers should stay off this trail and stick to the snowshoe trail. Please do not ruin the track that is set.
Troll Falls
Troll Falls is a magical spot that’s super easy to reach. It’s short and sweet, and the trail is appropriate for small children. This makes it the most popular hike in Kananaskis year-round for families. The trail leads to a series of frozen waterfalls set in a lovely location.
As you approach the first falls, the trail narrows and can be steep in short sections, so take care. The first set of falls is beautiful, but we recommend hikers continue on the trail across the wood bridge over the creek to reach the Upper Falls, which are also worth visiting.
Although this trail is one of the busiest in Kananaskis in the summer, come here on a weekday winter day, and you might have the place all to yourself. Some families like to combine Troll Falls with a half-day skiing at nearby Nakiska.
We recommend you pack hiking poles and microspikes, as the packed snow trail can often be icy. Hikers can expect a beautiful trail through a peaceful pine forest on a wide, snow-packed path.
Burstall Lakes
Near the Chester Lake trailhead is the trailhead to Burstall Pass. In the summer, this entire route is a moderate hike. However, the alpine pass does cross into avalanche terrain, so it is better left to those capable of assessing terrain. You can still enjoy a nice and easy winter hike to Burstall Lakes. While it may start boring until you reach the lakes, you’ll get great views of Mount Robertson and Commonwealth Peak.
It’s straightforward to reach Burstall Lakes, and unless you have avalanche training and gear, you should stop there. We do not recommend hikers continue to Burstall Pass, as winter conditions get complicated, and deaths have occurred here.
This hike is best done with a mixture of snowshoeing and microspikes. It’s not the most well-trafficked trail in Kananaskis, meaning you could have to break a lot of trails, especially if you are the first one at the trailhead after a significant snowfall. Without snowshoes, this could make for a very tiring day. Consider a side trip to Hogarth Lakes if you aren’t too cold and want more.
Rawson Lake
The beautiful Kananaskis Lakes trail to Rawson Lake is popular in the summertime and one of the best hikes near Calgary. At the beginning of this trail, enjoy the views of Upper Kananaskis Lake, passing by frozen waterfalls and streams. The elevation gain starts around 1.3 km and continues climbing until Rawson Lake.
Once you make it to Rawson Lake, it’s best to stop here and enjoy the views of Mount Sarrail ahead of you. While it’s great to walk around Rawson Lake in the summer, doing so in the winter will put you in avalanche terrain. I’ve also seen many people walk across the lake in the winter; not only does this put you in the line of an avalanche, but on possibly unsafe ice.
West Wind Pass
West Wind Pass is a fun and rewarding winter hike with superb views of Spray Lakes. The trail’s elevation gain may get your heart pumping—it gets pretty steep in some sections! Because of the steepness, it’s best to have poles and microspikes in the winter.
When you make it to West Wind Pass, you’ll have great views towards Canmore on one side and epic views of the Spray Lakes. This trail is not called West Wind Pass for nothing, either. Bring a good shell and down jacket; the winter winds will freeze your face.
Prairie View
This is one of the steepest winter hikes in Kananaskis on this list. I love the hike up to Prairie View, as it’s a well-trafficked trail that is wide and easy-going. However, it does get steep in sections and will undoubtedly be a workout!
The best part about this hike is the view towards Barrier Lake from the top! Many hikers love to do this hike at sunrise for the gorgeous mountain glow you’ll get from the overlook. In the winter, instead of starting your hike at 4 a.m., you can begin at 7 a.m. as the sun rises late!
It’s an excellent half-day hike with superb views close to Calgary. If you want an entire 16 km loop, you can head down the Jewell Pass Trail.
Watridge Lake
This beautiful and easy hiking trail near Mount Shark and Mount Engadine Lodge is great for anyone wanting to hike over 5 km. This easy and well-marked trail in Spray Valley Provincial Park is great for hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and cross-country skiing!
The Watridge Lake trail is wide and flat, allowing hikers to take in the mountain views in all directions. With a total elevation gain of under 200 meters, you’ll never feel like you’re putting in too much work.
Warspite Lake
If you are looking for one of the easiest winter hikes in Kananaskis, and it’s family-approved, head to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and enjoy the hike to Warspite Lake along the Black Prince Lake trail.
The hike to Warspite Lake is easy to access off the Smith Dorrien Road. A few km from the trailhead, you will reach the very photogenic lake, which you will likely reach quicker than expected.
After you climb the initial hill, the rest of the hike through the sub-alpine forest is easy peasy. The trail is typically well-packed in the winter, but snowshoes may be beneficial if you want to complete the entire loop.
Winter Hikes Around Canmore
Grassi Lakes
Grassi Lakes is one of our favorite hikes near Canmore. It’s a classic, and we take friends and family when they visit. It is an easy hike that is great year-round, and everyone loves reaching the mesmerizing spring lakes. Due to the spring, they never freeze, and the rich mineral waters produce brilliant colors.
Due to its regular use, the trail is packed and easy to walk along; no shoeshows are needed. Plus, the gradual elevation gain means that it can often be hiked without microspikes and poles. Unless you have caught it on an incredibly icy day—it happens.
The lakes are easily reached, with a well-defined, easy-to-follow trail. If you stay in Canmore, consider adding Grassi Lakes to your bucket list.
Heart Creek Bunker
This short and sweet hike along the Trans Canada Trail is near Lac Des Arcs. It’s a neat trail that ends at a bunker and makes for one of the best Canmore winter hikes, especially if you want to WOW the kids.
These large caverns in Mount McGillivray offer a unique hiking opportunity that few know about. This abandoned Cold War bunker was originally intended to house critical Canadian documents in an emergency. You wouldn’t know it at first glance, but the bunker goes more than 50 meters deep into the mountain.
It’s certainly not the most impressive Canmore winter hike on this list, but kids will probably ooh and ahh when they see it. Bring headlamps for this one – inside the bunker is incredibly dark! The hike is along the TransCanada, so there is notable road noise, especially in the winter.
Policemen’s Creek Boardwalk
The Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk is one of our favorite Canmore walking trails. The raised boardwalk along Policeman’s Creek is scenic and quintessential Canmore, ideal for a winter saunter.
The boardwalk is open year-round, perfect for experiencing the various seasons in Canmore. Policeman’s Creek is a small branch off of the Bow River, and the walk stretches from Canmore High School to the Spring Creek neighborhood.
The whole route is lovely, but the most popular route is to simply walk along the raised boardwalk from Main Street down to Spring Creek and around to The Malcolm Hotel. It’s a short stroll, great for those super chilly days when you don’t want to spend too much time outside.
Grotto Canyon
An easy Canmore hike that’s another year-round option is Grotto Canyon. Even in the winter, this famous canyon with rock art can walk along the frozen creek. Time Grotto Canyon at the right time, typically January and February, and there is good ice build-up and minimal snow cover, which is impressive. You may even get lucky and see some ice climbers. At only 4km in length, you can check this one off the list in an hour or two.
Don’t let the first 1km of this hike deter you; be forewarned, it’s quite underwhelming. For the first portion of this hike, you’ll be walking along a power line near the extremely noisy magnesium oxide plant. Once you get this section out of the way, you can enjoy the fun and beautiful stuff – including frozen waterfalls!
Rundle Forebay Reservoir (Canmore Reservoir)
The Rundle Forebay Reservoir, or Reservoir, as locals call it, is a fantastic place to canoe, sup, kayak, and even swim in the summer. It also supplies Canmore with part of its water supply. While it’s impossible to canoe or kayak on the reservoir in the winter, walking or trail running along the pathway to the lake’s left is possible.
We love the Reservoir, which offers some of the best views of Canmore’s iconic mountains, such as the Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. The pathway goes along the forebay, leading to the Powerline trail for a longer hike.
The Powerline Trail can connect you to Quarry Lake or to Three Sisters Mountain Village. Even if you’re not up for a hike, taking in the views along the reservoir is a great stop.
Ha Ling Peak
Ha Ling Peak is impossible to miss from Downtown Canmore and is the most famous peak in the area to climb. Nearly every local in town has likely clambered up to its peak, and over the years, it has grown to be one of the most popular hikes in the Canadian Rockies.
While Ha Ling’s peak may look daunting from Canmore, the hike up the backside is not much more than a physical challenge. If you want to bag a mountain summit in the winter, Ha Ling is a good option. Though forewarned, it is the most challenging hike on this list and crosses a few avi paths on the way up.
As far as winter mountain summits go, Ha Ling is very attainable and relatively straightforward, especially if you have done a lot of hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Alberta Parks even invested in the trail, giving it an extensive overhaul in 2019 that added steps and handrails.
Many choose to hike up Ha Ling for sunrise in the winter, as you’ll see the gorgeous alpine glow on a clear winter day. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, you’ll love this summit. Don’t forget warm clothes and microspikes!
More Information On Winter Hiking
Winter Hiking Season
Kananaskis has winter conditions from mid-October, especially at elevation, until May. Winter in the Rockies lasts until April and sometimes into May. So, while waxing the snowboard and polishing the cross-country skis, remember you can also wear waterproof hiking boots and get out there!
Hiking in Kananaskis Winter Safety
- Check Alberta Parks and Avalanche.ca for up-to-date details on trail conditions and the avalanche forecast.
- Be aware of the terrain you are hiking in, and only venture into avalanche terrain if you have had avalanche training and gear. Learn the basics from Avalanche Canada, but if you want to do extensive winter hiking in complex terrain, take an avalanche course with a professional mountain guide. Most of the trails noted in this article are not in avalanche terrain unless you venture past the main destination.
- Reviews on Alltrails aren’t as frequent in the winter, but it’s still worth looking at the app!
- Don’t forget the bear spray. Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean the bears are tucked in, sleeping for the winter. Bears can awaken at any time.
- Remember that days are short in the winter, especially in December. It’s best to start earlier rather than later so you have ample time to complete your hike.
- When trails are icy, a pair of poles and microspikes will come in handy. They are a great investment, and I keep them in my backpack during any winter hike. You can buy microspikes on Amazon, Canadian Tire (cheaper ones), or Vertical Addiction (nicer ones) in Canmore.
- Pack emergency layers. We always have extra layers if we need to weather the cold. Pack extra snacks and an emergency blanket should the worst happen.
- Let someone know where you’re heading in case of an emergency.
- There are many winter hazards to be aware of, such as avalanches, disorientation, thin ice, hypothermia, and frostbite. It’s freezing in Alberta, especially at night.
- Many of the hikes mentioned on this list have cell phone service, but some don’t. A Garmin Inreach is valuable if you plan to hike a lot.
- You are responsible for your safety during winter hiking in Kananaskis and Canmore. Hiking in the winter and spending time in the wilderness can have serious consequences, so always remain prepared.
What To Wear Winter Hiking
Pack for winter in the Canadian Rockies when preparing for your hike. We dress in layers when heading out in the mountains. Here is a general list of what you should bring:
- Snacks and protein bars
- Bear Spray
- Hiking Poles and Microspikes
- First aid kit
- Emergency blanket
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Hand warmers
- Hat, mittens, and neck warmer
- Down Jacket and shell jacket
- Lined tights/leggings/shell pants
- Hiking boots
- Cell phone and Garmin In Reach
Winter Gear We Love
Arc’teryx Cerium is our pick for the best down jacket. It’s incredibly light, and we bring it on almost every hike in the Rockies.
This nifty clip from Peak Design secures a camera to my backpack strap for easy reach. No more digging in the backpack!
There is not much cell service in the Canadian Rockies. In case of emergencies, we carry an emergency beacon with GPS.
Wildlife Awareness In Winter
Although it’s winter, I still like to wear bear spray while hiking in the winter. Bears can awaken at any time. Cougars, coyotes, wolves, and moose stay active throughout the year. Keep your eye out for foxes, elk, deer, and owls! If you see wildlife, do not approach it. Give them lots of space, and don’t make them change their course.
Where to Rent Microspikes
There are a few areas in Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise where you can rent microspikes, which are handy for hiking in the winter. If you think you will be hiking a lot, buying a pair at Canadian Tire or Vertical Addiction in Canmore or online on Amazon is worth buying. They are inexpensive and will last you years.
Banff Rentals
- Snowtips-Bactrax
- Banff Adventures
- Chateau Mountain Sports
Canmore Rentals
Lake Louise Rentals
- Alpine Social Rentals
- Wilson Mountain Sports
If you have any other questions, leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
