Top Winter Hiking Trails in the Canadian Rockies

We have endless options for incredible trails to hike throughout the Canadian Rockies in winter. However, if you’re only visiting the Canadian Rockies for a short vacation, you’re going to want to hike the best of the best winter trails throughout Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Yoho National Park.

Explore my suggestions below, and you’ll find yourself hiking through beautiful snowy meadows on your way to alpine lakes and backcountry cirques. Discover frozen waterfalls as you walk through ice-filled canyons. Alternatively, climb a mountain where a coffee shop waits for you on the summit (along with a free gondola ride down!)

Spend a night or two near your chosen trailhead and discover unique accommodations and après-hike experiences that include visiting a Nordic Spa, glamping in a rustic canvas tent, or ice skating on one of the most beautiful outdoor rinks in the world.

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Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing Trails in Kananaskis

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1. Troll Falls, Kananaskis Village

You can walk to Troll Falls and back in under 4 km (2.5 miles). It’s the perfect family-friendly hiking trail. Most of the time, you won’t need anything other than a pair of winter boots unless the trail is especially icy. For icy conditions, bring along a pair of Kahtoola microspikes.

Additionally, you’ll share the trail with cross-country skiers, so it’s requested that you stay out of the ski tracks. Make sure you step to the side if you see a skier coming down a hill towards you. The trail also sees fat bike use and is a popular outing for those wanting to get a feel for their snowshoes on a wide gentle trail.

Why This Hike Makes The List

The waterfalls are absolutely spectacular in winter, and if you have ice cleats or spikes, you can climb up behind them. Children will enjoy crawling behind ice curtains near the ground, and you’ll often get to watch ice climbers in action.

Bonus Points

Extend your hike with a trip to the Upper Falls. Backtrack a short distance from Troll Falls, heading back the way you came, until you reach a signed junction for the Upper Falls.

You’ll cross a small bridge and climb steeply uphill where you’ll want spikes or ice cleats until you reach a beautiful set of two-tiered waterfalls, the Upper Falls. Unless you know the area well, return the same way that you came once you’ve reached a sign signifying the end of the trail. The hike to the Upper Falls and back is roughly 6 km (3.7 miles).

For more information on all trails in the Kananaskis Village area, stop in at the Barrier Lake Information Centre, which you’ll pass driving out to the Village. Here you can pick up maps and find out what would be suitable for your group.

Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night at Kananaskis Village! Book a room for a night or two at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. Here you’ll find a Nordic Spa for the adults 18+, an indoor waterpark for the children, several restaurants, and a wide assortment of on-site activities. There are many hiking trails around the Village, and you can also enjoy a beautiful skate under the stars on the Village ice skating pond.

Read More: Apres-Snowshoe: A First-Timer’s Guide

Whether you spend the night or not near Troll Falls, I highly recommend finishing your day at the Nordic Spa at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. At the lodge, you can spend hours alternating between outdoor hot, warm, and cold pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Or, relax in their heated hammocks.

Reservations are not needed unless you want to book a treatment while there. Weekends can be busy, though, and there may be wait times. Visit their website for more information.

If you’re hiking with children or youth under 18, I recommend stopping at the village to warm up at the Market Café. You can also take a spin around the ice skating pond, visit the sledding hill, or take a walk on any of the trails around the lodge. We finish most of our hikes in this area in front of the big fireplace inside the Mountain Lodge. There, we can relax with cups of coffee and cookies from the café.

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2. Rawson Lake and Upper Kananaskis Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Further along Highway 40, you’ll come to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, where there are dozens of snowshoe trails. Stop in at the PLPP Visitor Centre to pick up a trail brochure and to get suggestions for the current conditions.

Of all the trails around the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, Rawson Lake Trail is my favourite. Plus, you can reach the lake in an 8 km (5 miles) round-trip hike.

Read More: Winter Exploring in Alberta’s Provincial Parks

Why This Hike Makes The List

You’ll gain 320 metres (1050 feet) of height, but the trail never feels overly steep. The trail gets well packed down and is always wide enough that you shouldn’t fear getting lost in the snow.

The first 1.2 km (0.7 miles) takes you along the shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake on the scenic Lakeshore Trail, where you’ll pass by Sarrail Falls on a wooden bridge.  Once you get to the junction of Rawson Lake, the trail begins to climb for the final 2.7 km (1.7 miles.)

Enjoy the stunning scenery at Rawson Lake, but don’t go any further once you reach the lake, or you’ll be in avalanche terrain. If you have eyes on Sarrail Ridge, plan to return in the summer.

I recommend bringing snowshoes for this hike, and if you don’t need them, you can strap them to your backpack. You’ll definitely want them once you arrive at the lake if you step off the main trail.

Additional Trail Notes

If you like to use the All Trails website or app for your navigation, the distance and height are incorrect for this trail. The height gain is only 320 metres, not 600 metres.

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3. Chester Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Chester Lake is a multi-use winter area with a designated snowshoe trail and a separate backcountry ski trail. Please use the snowshoe trail if hiking, even if the ski trail appears to be more packed down. The hike to the lake is 9.2 km round-trip (5.7 miles) with 300 metres height gain (984 feet.)

To reach Chester Lake, from the Upper Kananaskis Lake area, turn on to the Spray Lakes Road, Highway 742, which will take you into the Spray Valley. You can also access this highway from Canmore.

Why This Hike Makes The List

I honestly believe this is one of the most beautiful snowshoe trails in all of Kananaskis and Banff combined. The distance is doable, even with children, and the trail grade is never overly steep. You’ll get a workout climbing to the lake, but you shouldn’t feel like you’re climbing a mountain.

Before you reach the lake, you’ll be rewarded with an amazingly scenic walk through alpine meadows. This beautiful walk is the highlight of the trip, and even if you only get this far, it’s still worth it. If you go the full distance to the lake, make sure you don’t start climbing slopes beyond the lake, or you’ll be in avalanche terrain. Stay on the lakeshore, and you’re fine.

Bonus Points

Make the trip more comfortable with children and bring a sled. We towed a sled behind us when our son was younger and told him that if he made it to the meadows, we’d let him ride down. My husband guided the sled from behind,  driving it in front of him with a rope. I’d recommend helmets for this wild ride through tight trees.

Additional Trail Notes

This trail is another trail where the All Trails website/app has the wrong height gain. You’ll only be climbing 300 metres, not 400 metres.

Also, you’ll want snowshoes for this trail. The Spray Valley receives a tremendous amount of snow in winter.

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4. Rummel Lake, Spray Valley Provincial Park

Further along Highway 742, you’ll come to the turn off for Mount Engadine Lodge. Park on the right-hand side of the highway if coming from the south, and you’ll be able to see a well-packed trail climbing up the bank. This unofficial trail takes you to a beautiful bench looking over the Spray Valley. Beyond, you can access Rummel Lake, where there is a backcountry campground for winter use.

You’ll hike 1.8 km (1.1 miles) to reach the bench, gaining half of your total height. From here, turn left on the High Rockies Trail until you come to the junction with the Rummel Lake Trail. The trail is more gradual from this point on.

The All Trails website indicates that the round trip distance is 11 km, but it’s a 10 km round trip (6.2 miles.) You’ll also gain 421 metres (1381 feet) of height total on the trip.

Why This Hike Made The List

If you’re staying at Mount Engadine Lodge, this is the closest and best hike you can do from the lodge, returning in time for afternoon tea. I also love the views from the bench looking over the valley, and the trail is much less crowded than the ones to Rawson or Chester Lake. If you want a more remote/backcountry hike, this is your trail!

Additional Trail Notes

Stop hiking when you reach the lake to stay out of avalanche terrain. Snowshoes are highly recommended. If the trail is well packed down, you can always strap your snowshoes to your backpack.

Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night in the Spray Valley! If you’re hiking anywhere in the Spray Valley, I recommend a night or two at Mount Engadine Lodge. Here, you can choose from cozy lodge rooms, pet-friendly suites, or one or two-bedroom cabins. For a glamping experience, stay in one of their new canvas wall glamping tents. There’s also an affordable yurt on-site if you want to keep costs low and enjoy winter camping.

All stays at Mount Engadine Lodge include afternoon tea with a charcuterie board and desserts once you arrive. Plus, you’ll receive a gourmet dinner that evening, breakfast the next day, and a packed lunch for your adventures.

Read More: Mount Engadine Lodge: Alberta’s Front Country Lodge With Backcountry Charm 

Whether you stay overnight at Mount Engadine Lodge or not, you can still pop in for afternoon tea after your hike. The cost is CAD 17.50 per person, and it’s well worth planning a walk near the lodge so that you can finish your outing here. You can find more information on their website.

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Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing Trails Around Canmore

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1. Ha Ling Peak

The newly redesigned and improved Ha Ling Peak Trail in Canmore climbs 800 metres (2600 feet) with a round-trip distance of 8 km (5 miles.) Brin good ice cleats or microspikes with you for this one. I also highly recommend a pair of trekking poles to help with balance on the final scramble to the summit.

The Ha Ling trail is well-maintained for the first 3.5 km (2.2 miles) to the saddle where you can look down over the Town of Canmore. Challenging sections have had wooden staircases built to make the ascent more manageable and to prevent your bum sliding on the descent. However, the final 400 metres of distance (0.2 miles) climbs 100 metres of height in a rough scramble through uneven, loose rock. Either turn around at the saddle or carry on if you have spikes and experience on rough terrain.

Why This Hike Made The List

Ha Ling Peak is a classic “first summit” that many people tackle when they visit the Canadian Rockies. It is a local favorite as well, and many people hike or run this trail regularly year-round. It is always well packed down, and there’s little chance of getting lost.

The views from the top are spectacular, and you don’t have to reach the summit for great views. Plus, the newly re-designed trail has several viewpoints along the way if you have an energy crash part way up or realize the trail is too challenging.

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2. Grotto Canyon Or Grassi Lakes 

If you’re staying in Canmore and want to get out for a walk, but don’t quite feel like climbing a mountain, there are other great hiking options. Try out the popular Grotto Canyon or Grassi Lakes trails as an alternative. You’ll want ice cleats or spikes for both trails, and they will be well-packed down, so you should not need snowshoes.

Highlights of the Grotto Canyon Trail include frozen waterfalls and the opportunity to hike on a frozen canyon floor of solid ice. If hiking to Grassi Lakes, make sure you choose the “easy trail” which is a wide road. The harder trail is for use in summer only.

Read More: Frozen Waterfalls and Ice Walks In Banff National Park

Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night in Canmore! There are many options for accommodations in this mountain town. Alternately, hike one of the trails near Canmore on your way out from Calgary. Then, keep driving up the Spray Lakes Road past the Ha Ling Trailhead, Highway 742, towards Mount Engadine Lodge for the night.

There is no shortage of cafés, pubs, or cozy restaurants where you can warm up at the end of your hike in town. My personal favourite place is the Grizzly Paw Pub and Brewing Company on the main street. Here you’ll find a wide assortment of locally brewed craft beer and a menu with delicious food. The pub is also family-friendly.

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Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing through Banff

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1. Sulphur Mountain and the Banff Gondola

Moving west towards Banff, I love hiking to the top of Sulphur Mountain in winter because you can ride down on the Banff Gondola for free if you’ve hiked up. You’ll definitely want ice cleats or spikes for this hike. Also, make sure you bring some money along for coffee or lunch on top of Sulpher Mountain at the café. In addition to the cafe, there’s an incredible interpretive museum up top that children will love.

The hike up Sulphur Mountain is approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) one way with around 700 metres (2297 feet) of height gain. The trail is well switchbacked and never overly steep. Most parties should be able to make the hike up in 2.5 hours at most, which is in time for a nice lunch at the summit.

Why This Hike Made The List

How often do you climb a mountain and get a free ride down without having to hike back to the bottom? I also don’t know too many hiking trails with a coffee shop on top.

Additional Trail Notes

Check the Banff trail report before you drive out to the trailhead for this one. If conditions are exceptionally high for avalanche risk, they may close the trail. Usually, though, it is open through the winter.

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2. Johnston Canyon

The trailhead for Johnston Canyon is half an hour west of the Town of Banff on the Highway 1A. It’s easiest to take the TransCanada Highway to Castle Junction and then backtrack on the 1A. There is a large parking lot here, and this is one of the most popular trails in Banff! You won’t be alone on this trail unless you choose a day when it’s -30C (-22F) – which I have done, and it was very peaceful.

The trail visits two sets of gorgeous waterfalls for a quick trip. You can reach the Upper Falls in just over 5 km (3 miles) round trip, and the elevation gain is only 200 metres (700 feet). Thus, this is an excellent hike for the whole family, or for an outing with friends who don’t hike a lot in winter.

Read More: A Winter Explorers Guide To The Best of Banff National Park

Why This Hike Made The List

This hike is a popular choice, and my only complaint with it is that it often feels quite busy. Go early in the day if you want to get a jump on the crowds. The waterfalls are spectacular, and you get to crawl through a small cave to view the first set of falls. The creek is also quite beautiful with many smaller frozen cascades.

You’ll definitely want ice cleats or spikes because the trail gets very packed down and icy. Don’t try to wear snowshoes because there are several metal catwalks that you’ll have to cross, and they are more accessible with the ice cleats.

Read More: Frozen Waterfalls and Ice walks in Banff National Park 

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3. Rock Isle Lake at Sunshine Meadows

If you’d like to join a guided snowshoe hike, I highly recommend the outing to Sunshine Meadows at the Sunshine Village Ski Resort. You’ll enjoy both a scenic gondola and chairlift ride to reach a viewpoint above Rock Isle Lake. Then, you can have an easy hike down to the lake and back to the Village. The tour that I took finished with cheese fondue in the hotel lounge in the upper village. For more information, visit the White Mountain Adventures website.

Read More: Snowshoe and Ski Vacations for the whole family at Sunshine Village Resort

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Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night in Banff! There are many options for accommodations in this mountain town, and you should be able to find something for any budget. Last winter, we stayed at the Canalta Lodge in town and loved the outdoor patio with hot tubs, a sauna, and fire pits.  We’ve also enjoyed stays at the Douglas Fir Resort, where children will love the indoor swimming pool with waterslides.

For a nice apres outing, take a walk along the main street of Banff, and you’ll find no shortage of fantastic pubs, restaurants, or cafés where you can warm up. We especially love the Banff Ave Brewing Company and the St. James Gate Irish Pub (both family-friendly pubs.)

Families will find a couple of ice rinks in town (one on the main street and one near Bow Falls), and there is also a sledding hill by the Bow Falls rink. There’s often an oval cleared off for skating on the Bow River in town as well, which is fun.

Read More: A Winter Explorer’s Guide to the Best of Banff National Park 

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Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing Around Lake Louise

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1.Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail (Hike + Skate Combo)

Bring your snowshoes and your ice skates for a rare opportunity at Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail! Skate on a gorgeous mountain lake, then hike to the far end of the lake to see frozen waterfalls 100 metres (328 feet) tall. The hike is only 4 km round-trip (2.5 miles) and is completely flat as you walk across the snow-covered lake.

You can also cross-country ski across the lake, and there’s a fun sledding hill beside the lake for the children.

Why This Hike Made The List

There’s a reason Lake Louise is a major tourist destination. On a bluebird day, you’ll be awe-struck by the views of Mt. Victoria and the glacier at the far end of the lake. The lake only gets a few hours of sunshine in the winter, so make sure you time your visit to arrive mid-morning before the lake falls into shadow by afternoon. I took most of my best photos around 11 am.

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2 Additional Hiking Options At Lake Louise

Parks Canada lists a plethora of other trails in the area that are popular for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Some of the trails have avalanche danger when conditions are high, so it’s always a good idea to stop in at the Visitor Centre in the Village for up to date information.

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Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night at Lake Louise! If budget is no option, you’ll want to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise situated right on the lakeshore with the best views.

For most folks, though, you’ll need to find something a tad more affordable, and for my family, that means staying at the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre, a comfortable hostel with private rooms and cooking facilities. Alternatively, if you’d like something in between decadence and hosteling, there are several other hotels and resorts in the area.

Depending on where you finish your hike, there are several delicious options in the area for beverages and snacks after your hike. At the lake, take a walk around inside the Chateau Lake Louise. If you want to splurge, I highly recommend the traditional afternoon tea where you’ll find tea, pastries and finger sandwiches. Furthermore, you can relax in a beautiful dining room with huge picture windows overlooking the lake.

For something more casual, we love Laggan’s Coffee Shop down in the Village (the baking is to die for) or the Outpost, a great family-friendly pub in the basement of the Post Hotel. The Outpost is a personal favourite where you can warm up with drinks and appetizers in front of their fireplace while sitting on comfy sofas.

Read More: Winter Activity Guide to the Best of Lake Louise 

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Winter Hiking in Yoho National Park

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1.Emerald Lake Trail

From Lake Louise, it’s only a 30-minute drive to Emerald Lake Trail in Yoho National Park. This beautiful lake is an excellent destination for a leisurely snowshoe hike. The loop around the lake is only 5.3 km (3.3 miles) with no height gain.

After you’ve hiked around the lake, you can also hike up to Hamilton Falls in a 2 km (1.2 miles) round trip. If you consult the map, you’ll also see a short trail leading across a bridge to “Peaceful Pond” behind the Emerald Lake Lodge. Peaceful Pond is a short trail, but you’ll get lovely photos on the bridge where it’s a true winter wonderland.

Read More: Winter Guide To Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Why This Hike Made The List

The Emerald Lake Trail made our list because it’s Emerald Lake, equally as spectacular as Lake Louise for scenery. Also, there’s a fantastic lodge here that you should consider spending at least a night at if possible. The lodge offers a luxurious stay in one of their cabins with gourmet meals in the dining room (not included in the price.)

I especially love Emerald Lake because you get all the scenery of Lake Louise with only a third of the crowds. For example, hike up to Hamilton Falls or start walking around the lake, and you’ll likely only see a few other small groups of hikers.

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2. Wapta Falls

From Lake Louise, it’s about a 45-minute drive to the turn off for Wapta Falls as you head towards the Town of Golden. In the winter, you can only drive as far as the side road that leads to the trailhead. Thus, you have to hike an extra 2 km (1.2 miles)  to reach the trailhead for a total distance of 8.7 km (5.4 miles) round trip from the highway.

When you park at the entrance to the turnoff for Wapta Falls, there’s only space for a few vehicles. The start of the hike is easy, and the broad road is flat. Once you reach the official trailhead, you’ll begin to climb a bit. However, the trail is never steep until you reach the final descent down to the river and the waterfalls. In total, there are only 126 metres of height gain (413 feet), so this is an excellent hike for the whole family.

Snowshoes are recommended unless the trail is well-packed down when it may be easier to wear ice cleats or spikes. Furthermore, you’ll want something for grip on your feet on the final hill down to the river. Consider bringing a rolled-up crazy carpet as well if you’re going to play around on the big snowy hill in front of the falls.

Why This Hike Made The List

Wapta Falls are seriously gorgeous, the hike is easy, and you can walk right up to the falls when they’re frozen. The snowy mound in front is also a lot of fun to play around on. All in all, this is one of my favorite hikes in the Canadian Rockies for a relaxed, fun day.

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Make It An Apres Experience

Spend the night in Yoho National Park! The Emerald Lake Lodge is one of my favorite resorts in the Canadian Rockies for ski or snowshoe-in/out accommodations. Walk out the door of your cabin, and you’re immediately on the Lakeshore Trail. Additionally, there’s a great outdoor hot tub here for warming up in after your hikes.

Read More: Snowshoeing Paradise at Emerald Lake Lodge 

Whether you stay overnight at Emerald Lake or visit for the day, make sure you stop in at the lodge after your hike to warm up in front of the fireplace in the lounge with a hot drink or two. If you’re spending the night here, I recommend borrowing a board game or deck of cards to enjoy in front of the fireplace as well.

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Other Areas to Explore in the Canadian Rockies this Winter

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Explore the Icefields Parkway – there are many beautiful hikes along the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper National Park. My favourite stops include Mosquito Creek, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Panther Falls, the Columbia Icefields Centre, and Tangle Falls.

Head south to Waterton Lakes National Park, where you’ll find solitude for days!

Drive north to Jasper National Park, where you’ll find beautiful snowshoe and ski trails in a quieter town that’s more off the beaten path than Banff.

Head west to the Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia and Radium Hot Springs for a few days of soaking and hiking.

What’s your favorite trail in these areas?

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