Amazing Canmore Winter Activities
Looking for the best things to do in Canmore in Winter? This charming mountain town surrounded by snowy peaks often gets overshadowed by its popular neighbour, Banff, but Canmore is just as beautiful without the huge crowds.
Since moving to Canada in 2021, Dave and I have spent multiple Winters exploring Canmore and I can confirm that it’s more than just a base for Banff. From dreamy Winter hikes and frozen waterfalls, to warming up with fireside drinks, it is one of my favourite Canada Winter destinations.
With its backdrop of towering peaks and charming small-town vibes, it’s easily one of my favourite places for a Winter getaway (or even a magical white Christmas).
In this guide, I’ll share 22 of the best Winter activities in Canmore, plus my favourite cozy stays and restaurants to make your trip even more memorable.
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Quick Tips for Visiting Canmore this Winter
Where to Stay (my choices):
Lamphouse by Basecamp
Malcolm Hotel
From Calgary airport: 1.5-2 hours drive
Do you need a rental car: I recommend a rental car so that you can get out and explore more – Click here for the best deals
My favourite Winter hike: Grassi Lakes
Top 3 Winter activities in Canmore:
- Grotto Canyon Icewalk
- Join a dog sledding tour
- Get some amazing photos at the Three Sisters
The Best Things to Do in Canmore in Winter
Why choose Canmore instead of Banff
You don’t really need to choose one over the other because Canmore and Banff are only 20 minutes apart.
When choosing accommodation however, we Canmore often wins because of how much more affordable it is, less crowded and still is just as beautiful as Banff in the Winter. It has the same mountain-town charm with a lovely strip of shops and restaurants that remind us very much of Banff Boulevard but without the busloads of tourists.
If you want to visit the Rockies without the Banff prices, Canmore is the perfect base.
Things to do in Canmore in Winter
Looking for the best things to do in Canmore this Winter? From snowy adventures right in town to activities just 20 minutes away in Banff National Park, here is a list of the top ways to experience the magic of Winter in Canmore.
1. Ice skating in Canmore
One of my personal favourite Winter activities is ice skating and there are SO many places in Canmore to skate, both indoor and outdoor!
- Canmore Skating Pond – outdoor
- Cougar Creek Skating Rink – outdoor
- Larch Ice Rink – outdoor
- Rundle Crescent Ice Surface – outdoor
- Canmore Recreation Centre – indoor
- Peaks Park Ice Surface – outdoor
You can also go wild skating on some of the larger frozen lakes around (which is my dream to do one day), however, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are with a local expert or know exactly what you are doing. Stay safe out there!
2. Go snowshoeing
Canmore has lots of trails that are great for snow shoeing. If you aren’t familiar with snow shoeing, the Canmore Nordic Centre and do their dedicated 3km snowshoe loop which is a great way to practice.
Tips
If you don’t have your own snow shoes, you can rent a pair from Trail Sports or GearUp Mountain Sports or join a snowshoeing tour like this one!
Some other great snow shoe trails in Canmore include Snowshoe Hare, Chester Lake and Rawson Lake Trail.
3. Enjoy the Canmore Winter Carnival
The Canmore Winter Carnival happens every year towards the end of Winter in February. It holds activities such as the annual Ice Carving Challenge, the Sugar Shack, the Kid & Mutt Races and Log Sawing.
It is a great way to get outside, have some fun and celebrate!
4. Try an ice climbing tour
The Canadian Rockies are considered to be one of the best places in the world for ice climbing! You can ice climb in Canmore anytime from November to the end of April depending on the year and the weather.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures does classes from very beginning to pro ice climbing and will provide you with all of the gear that you need to get started.
5. Go on a Winter hike
Just because it is Winter doesn’t mean you have to stop hiking! Purchase a pair of micro spikes and get out there! There is so much to explore!
Some of my favourite Canmore Winter hikes include Grassi Lakes, the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk (which is much more leisurely and close to town) and Quarry Lake Loop.
6. Visit the local breweries
Canmore is home to some great local breweries. Dave and I loved the Canmore Brewing Company and The Grizzly Paw Pub and Taproom.
Another fun way to experience the Canmore breweries is to join a brewery tour at Canmore Brewery & Distillery Tours.
7. Try fat biking
Fat Biking is a must try Winter sport and Canmore is a great place to do it! A Fat Bike is like a normal bike but with extra fat tires which enables them to ride on top of snow and gives you extra traction.
Some great beginner trails for fat biking in Canmore include:
- Bow River Loop
- Quarry Lake Recreation Area
- Canmore Nordic Centre
You can rent fat bikes from Trail Sports in Canmore who also do guided tours.
8. Go skiing or snowboarding
There are quite a few options for skiing and snowboarding near Canmore. Unlike Vancouver in Winter, the Canmore often gets beautiful blue skies and sun during Winter, perfect conditions for a day out on the slopes!
- Nakiska Ski Resort – 40 minutes drive from Canmore located in Kananaskis
- Mount Norquay – 20 minutes drive from Canmore located in Banff
- Sunshine – 30 minutes drive from Canmore located in Banff – Dave and I skied here when we first arrived in Canada!
- Lake Louise – 1 hour drive from Canmore
9. Try Cross Country Skiing
There are lots of great cross country ski trails in and around Canmore. The Canmore Nordic Centre is great for if you are visiting Canmore because they have nicely groomed trails that cater to beginners and professionals and you can even rent a pair of cross country skis from there.
I haven’t been cross country skiing in Canmore yet, but Dave and I had a go for the first time on our Winter trip to Golden and it was wildly more fun than I was expecting!
Some other great cross country ski areas near Canmore include:
- Ribbon Creek in Kananaskis – this area has a network of trails in an area surrounded by beautiful forests and frozen creeks.
- Mount Shark – more off the beaten path.
You can rent gear from Trail Sports, Kananaskis Outfitters or GearUp Mountain Sports and Rentals. You could even take a lesson from Trail Sports or Kananaskis Outfitters.
10. Visit the Three Sisters at sunrise and get some epic shots
If you are into photography then you are going to love Canmore! One of Canmore’s most famous photography spots is the Three Sisters viewpoint. The best time to visit is at sunrise and it is a small walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint.
Bring along your micro spikes because the trail can be quite slippery during Winter.
To get to the viewpoint, direct to the off leash dog area across the road from the Three Sisters Viewpoint on google maps. You can park here and cross the road to get to the short trail to the lookout.
11. Go on a Helicopter Tour
Canmore and the rest of the Canadian Rockies is such a stunning part of the world and the absolutely best way to see as much of it as you can is by helicopter!
Alpine Helicopters Inc. has a range of different tours to choose from!
12. Rock climbing in Canmore
Indoor rock climbing is a perfect indoor activity to do on a rainy day in Canmore or if you don’t feel like venturing out into the cold during Winter in Canmore.
There are a couple of different places you can go rock climbing in Canmore.
13. Visit the frozen falls in Grotto Canyon
In Winter Grotto Creek transforms into a frozen wonderland where you can actually walk along the icy creek to a magical frozen waterfall. It’s a unique adventure for families, couples and anyone looking for something a little different in Canmore.
While you can hike it yourself (5.2km / 3.2 miles return and 259m / 849 ft elevation gain, around 2 hours), you’ll need the proper gear like micro spikes. Snowshoes might also be required after fresh snowfall. The best time to visit is late Winter, when the ice is thick and walkable.
👉 If you’d rather skip the hassle of worrying about conditions and gear, join a guided Grotto Canyon Icewalk Tour. You’ll get traction cleats and hiking poles included, plus an experienced guide who shares the history, geology and hidden pictographs you’d probably miss on your own. Click here to check availability and prices.
14. Go on a Tour to see Canmore’s Caves
You can explore Canmore’s Rats Nest Cave which is located under Grotto Mountain by joining a cave tour!
There are a few different ways you can see the Caves but you should expect to feel like a real explorer! These cave tours have less of a “touristy” feel to them and more of an adventure feel!
One of the tours includes an 18m rappel deeper into the cave and you will have the opportunity to squeeze through narrow passages to explore more of the caves.
15. Enjoy a Relaxing Spa Day
Just because you are in one of the most adventurous places in Canada doesn’t mean you have to be adventuring ALL of the time.
Take a day out of your busy adventure schedule to relax at either Bodhi Tree Spa or Float Canmore.
Each of these spas have a range of different packages and experience to choose from and all are perfect to help you recover from a few days of outdoor adventure.
16. Visit the Canmore Christmas Artisan’s Market
Canmore puts on Christmas Markets where you will find lots of artisans selling hand crafted items. The market was started in 1996 to raise money for the Canmore Preschool Society which became an annual event after being successful in its first year.
The markets usually take place towards the end of November but you can check https://canmoreartisansmarket.com/ for updates.
17. Go shopping!
Canmore has some great shops. There are loads of outdoorsy shops so if you have an outdoorsy friend to shop for this Christmas now is your chance. There are also lots of gift shops and also print shops with the most incredible photos of the Rockies!
18. Visit Johnston Canyon while it’s frozen!
Johnston Canyon is one of the best things to do in Banff National Park all-year-round, but personally it’s my favourite in Winter because it transforms into a magical frozen waterfall that’s truly unforgettable.
From Canmore it is a 40 minute drive to the trailhead, where you can hike both the Lower and Upper Johnston Canyon Falls.
You can explore on your own or join a guided Winter tour to get insider tips and ensure a safe, memorable experience.
Johnston Canyon is free to visit, however you’ll need a Canada Discovery Park Pass to enter Banff National Park. The trail can be icy in Winter, so make sure you bring along your micro spikes.
19. Hike the Tunnel Mountain Trail in Banff
The Tunnel Mountain hike is on the top of my Winter bucket list for Canmore and Banff because it’s pretty easy with stunning views overlooking Banff and the surrounding mountains.
The trail is 4.5km / 2.8 miles return with an elevation gain of 300m / 984 ft and will take you around 1.5-2 hours to complete.
Tips
As with any Banff or Canmore hike in Winter, make sure you don’t forget your micro spikes.
20. Relax in a Hot Spring!
This is by far my favourite thing to do in the colder months. The closest hot spring to Canmore is the Banff Upper Hot Springs which is a man-made hot spring resort but uses real hot spring water which comes from high in the mountains.
Banff Upper Hot Springs have awesome views of the mountains and are a 30 minute drive from Canmore.
The hot springs do get quite busy and you cannot reserve a spot. It is a first-come-first-serve basis so try to go first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon after the midday rush.
21. Day trip to Lake Louise!
Just because it is Winter doesn’t mean that Lake Louise is equally as stunning as it is in the Summer.
Yes, the lake freezes over in the Winter and the gorgeous bright turquoise colour does tend to disappear, however if you embrace the Winter magic, you will realise that Lake Louise is one of the most magical places in Banff National Park during the Winter.
There are lots of things to do at Lake Louise during the Winter. You could go ice skating on the lake, snowshoeing in the forests around the lake or warm up with some yummy food and drinks at the Fairmont Hotel.
The Fairmont also puts on an ice castle show out the front every Winter which is really very impressive!
Lake Louise is about a 1 hour drive from Canmore, however a visit is totally worth it as it will be something that you remember forever!
Tips
Don’t miss out on experience Lake Louise in its frozen glory! Join a Winter tour from Banff and marvel at the frozen lake, enjoy epic mountain views without the stress of planning and perhaps even try skating on the lake!
✅ Book your Lake Louise Winter Tour now and make this winter trip unforgettable!
22. Go on a Dog Sledding Tour
This is a bucket list Winter activity for a lot of people including Dave and I.
There are 3 different Dog Sledding Tour companies in Canmore to choose from and there are lots of different types of tours ranging from 1.5 hours tours to 2 days / 1 night trips.
- Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc.
- Howling Dog Tours
- Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions Inc.
A Dog Sledding Tour is a great way to get out and see Canmore’s wild surroundings without having to hike or ski.
Where to Eat in Canmore
Canmore has loads of great restaurants but some that we have personally enjoyed and think are worth trying are:
frequently asked questions
Where to Stay in Canmore in the Winter
If you are dreaming of a cozy mountain getaway or a white Christmas, book your accommodation early because Canmore fills up fast in December.
If you want the full cozy mountain-town experience, I recommend staying at the Malcolm Hotel. It’s right in the centre of Canmore with the prettiest outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking snowy peaks, a cozy lounge with a fireplace and beautiful modern rooms. In my opinion, this is the perfect hotel for a Winter getaway or even a white Christmas.
If you are looking for something a little more budget-friendly, check out Lamphouse Hotel. It’s stylish, central and gives you everything you need without the higher price tag. Oh and it has a lovely hot tub which is a necessity in Winter in my opinion.
Still looking for the perfect place to stay? Use this map to compare all hotels, lodges and vacation rentals in Canmore to find one that suits your budget and style.
Planning a trip to Banff in the Winter? You might also enjoy:
- Amazing Things to do in Banff this Winter
- The Best Banff Winter Tours You Need to Check Out
- Is the Banff Gondola Worth it?
- How to Visit Banff Without a Car
- Everything You Need to Know About Johnston Canyon
- Epic Winter Photography spots in the Canadian Rockies
- How to See the Ice Bubbles at Abraham Lake, Alberta
- How to Hike to the Frozen Wapta Falls in Winter
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