Banff Winter Hikes and Walks. Unfortunately, then tend to start disappearing over time leaving kids disappointed when they are gone. With a couple of pieces of extra gear and a sense of adventure, these summer favourites can also be easily enjoyed during the winter months. One of the most popular hikes in Canmore also makes a great winter hike. Whether you're looking for a snowmobile tour, ice walk, dogsled tour, sleigh ride, helicopter flight or sightseeing tour, we have something for everyone.Locally owned and operated, we have been helping visitors to the Canadian Rockies for over 2 decades. Note: Make sure to read this information by Parks Canada on Winter Safety anytime you are venturing out into the mountains in the winter. Both visits were absolutely incredible and have given me the insight into what everyone needs to know when planning a trip to Banff in winter. Heart Creek makes for an easy winter hike near Canmore. The backdrop is stunning – and the waters are particularly soothing after a day outside in winter. One of the best ways to experience the amazing nature and mountain views in Banff National Park is to go on a winter hike. Our website uses cookies. It leaves from the opposite side of the parking lot from the Heart Creek trail. Whether you're looking for wildlife, frozen waterfalls, or to get active with snowshoes or skis, Banff in winter will take your breath away! At the end before turning back, you might spot a few ice climbers on the frozen waterfall. Rawson Lake is predominately in the trees, but the view of the lake is definitely worthwhile! This makes it a great hike for those staying in Banff town. You may enjoy this half-day Discover Lake Louise Tour from Banff, which includes snowshoes and plenty of free time to enjoy the amazing winter walks in Lake Louise. It’s a paved trail with five viewpoints over the Kananaskis Valley. I have now taken two winter trips to Banff, the first being a 7-day Alberta winter road trip, and the second being a 4-day winter trip specifically to the Banff area. Eric Hanson is in Banff & Lake Louise, where he is winter hiking in the backcountry with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. Banff & the surrounding Canadian Rockies will wow you with amazing natural beauty! Banff and Kananaskis winter trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and fatbiking are in Simple (aka Class 1) Terrain that are relatively low risk when the avalanche danger is low. While the hike up to Sulphur Mountain isn’t recommended in the winter due to avalanche risk, you can take the Banff Gondola up then walk along the 1 km interpretive boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak. Banff National Park, the oldest national park in Canada, is the most popular summer destination with millions of visitors each year. Banff Winter Hikes & Outdoors Activities 4. Stewart Canyon – This trail is only 3 km (round trip) and is located by the Lake Minnewanka Day use area. Pack snacks that won’t freeze (or are still easy to eat when they get cold). Perhaps one of the simplest activities to do in Banff in winter, is a winter hike. Leaving right from the Taylor Lake parking lot along the Transcanada Highway, hike up the 13.7 km out and back trail to Taylor Lake. On the moderate climb up, enjoy exceptionally panoramic views of the Banff townsite, the Bow Valley including the extensive marshes, the Mt. If you are visiting Banff in winter or anytime between October and April, it’s very likely you’ll be seeing snow. We’ll never tire of the views from the town of Ha Ling Peak and the Three Sisters, especially when they’ve been dusted with snow. As exhausted as we were at the end of this trip, I am so glad we spent the majority of the time on the Banff hiking trails. From there, you’ll meander through the forest with incredible views of the Bow River and Mount Rundle. There are plenty of winter hikes in Banff and the surrounding area for all fitness levels. The Village Rim Trail is a 1.3 km easy loop that leaves from the Kananaskis Village. Summer hikes gave way to fall, prepping our adventurous souls for a long snowy active winter. There’s something truly magical about the snow capped Canadian Rocky Mountains contrasted with the green pine trees and blue sky. It’s a very wide trail making it one of our choices for the best hikes for social distancing in Kananaskis. Alternatively, you can hike out to the end and turn back for nice views almost the entire time. The Banff Gondola is free for kids before 10 AM. Paradise Basin Snowmobiling. 1. It’s an easy hike down from there to soak in some fresh mountain air! Your layers should include a wool or wool blend base layer to wick the moisture away from your body. Easily one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon is also a winter activity in Banff that we highly recommend. Winter hiking is like taking in the same breathtaking landscape through an entirely different lens. You may also know it by it’s former name, but it was considered derogatory and Parks Canada has officially changed the name. If you don't mind a crowd, this is worth checking out. Tunnel Mountain (also known as Sleeping Buffalo) is a popular hike in Banff for tourists and locals alike. Time: 4 hours Looking for a short and sweet hike near Banff? Here are some winter walks in Banff where you can still experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains without much elevation: Walk along the 2km Fenland Trail loop. Rawson Lake begins at the parking lot for Upper Kananaskis Lake. 9). Though none of these are epic hikes that will take up your whole day, they are fun, easy outings where you don’t have to worry about avalanche risk. 14 Easy Winter Hikes in Banff and Area - Travel Banff Canada If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, getting out of town for some winter hiking would make a great day activity. And the water color could arguably be even prettier surrounded with the white snow. The only issue is it’s about a two-hour drive from Banff town, so I would recommend this Banff hike when you are already making your way up the Icefields Parkway or on your way to Jasper. Johnston Canyon Hike in Banff National Park, The Best Banff Hotels for Visiting Without a Car, 30+ Amazing Things to do in Banff in Winter, 6 Easy Cross-Country Ski Trails in Banff and Area, Snowshoeing in Banff – Don’t Miss These 9 Snowshoe Trails, Cascade Amphitheatre Snowshoe Trail in Banff, Fat Biking in Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis. Hiking around Johnson Lake is an easy winter hike in Banff National Park. Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean the bears are tucked in sleeping for the winter. While the views are impressive right from the start, take a 4 km winter walk along the Lake Louise Lakeshore trail. With a pair of crampons and some hiking poles, you’ll be able to tackle the trail up in no time. Always check the weather forecast and be prepared to turn back if the weather changes. Also, make sure you bring some money along for coffee or lunch on top of Sulpher Mountain at the café. There’s no better way to get to see this from up high than doing a winter hike in Canmore up to Ha Ling peak. Wildlife. The Johnston Canyon ice walk is a beautiful scenic hike to waterfalls that flow freely in summer and are frozen and surrounded by snow in winter. The Watridge Lake Trail is likely most popular with cross-country skiers, but it is also widely used by winter hikers, snowshoers and people fat biking in Kananaskis. Then you will want to read this practical Banff itinerary while planning your trip! Given it’s popularity, you can expect the snow to be nicely packed. El Toro Banff; Hiking. Low risk does not equal no risk. In summer, it’s one of the most impressive mountain waterfalls anywhere and it’s especially pretty in the winter. If Johnson Lake is too short of an outing, add Two Jack Lake to your list of winter hiking trails in Banff. Follow the road to Maligne Canyon (on your left side). From here on out, the hikes get a little steeper or longer, but these are all hikes that we still consider to be relatively easy compared to some of the other beast hikes in Banff. This is one of the easy hiking trails, but be mindful of icy paths. The track set trail can be skied and the flat, groomed lane can be biked in either direction. Go Winter Hiking Or Snowshoeing. We use snowshoes for small kids who don’t fit into microspikes, which can be purchased at REI or MEC. Access: Follow Highway 16 east towards Edmonton. Check the avalanche forecast before going, stay far away from the edge and be prepared for changes in weather. Be sure to wear snowshoes or microspikes for traction and use trekking poles for balance as this steep trail can get slippery. By far one of the most accessible and scenic hikes in Banff National Park, the Plain of Six Glaciers trail offers expansive views of the impressive mountain features that surround Lake Louise, including Mt. The deepest canyon in Jasper National Park is no other than Maligne Canyon. The Best Banff Hikes for Every Traveller. Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas (opening in 2021) and Toronto (opening in 2022). The hike up to the lookout is in the trees, which gives you a sense of being in a winter wonderland. Approximately 3.5 km in you’ll come to a waterfall. Bring microspikes for trails that are well packed down. This path will take you along the wooded lakeshore, past the Two Jack Lakeside campground and to the outflow canal. Meanwhile, you’ll appreciate the views! Hiking to Chester Lake is a beautiful hike that is worth it any time of year. Strap on some ice cleats and hike the Johnson Canyon Ice Walk. The Banff winter hike typically includes snowshoes and, luckily, there’s an endless number of Banff snowshoe trails around town and in the surrounding Lake Louise area. This is typically the point where we turn back. If you are unsure of the trail conditions, you can bring your snowshoes as well. Winter Walking, Hiking and Snowshoeing Trails. Strap on some ice cleats and hike the Johnson Canyon Ice Walk. Hiking to a frozen waterfall is one of my favorite winter activities in Banff! 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