The perfect 3 day Winter itinerary in the Canadian Rockies.
It begins in the Mountains, the Canadian Rocky mountains to be precise. Escape your normal routine and get inspired with adventures that nourish your soul. The Canadian Rockies has an abundance of winter activities to suit everyone.
Town of Canmore - Travel Alberta / Jaime Vedres
Canmore is a lesser know town in the Canadian Rockies and is the perfect destination for all your winter adventures. A magical downtown with wonderful restaurants and cafes. Canmore is located very close to Kananaskis which boasts 5 provincial parks. There is a Nordic Centre perfect for those cross-country ski enthusiasts, snowshoe trails, downtown ice skating pond, a ski hill and a fantastic ice walk (Grotto Canyon) located close by.
Banff Gondola - Banff Lake Louise Tourism Noel Hendrickson
Banff townsite is surrounded by picture perfect snow covered peaks, cozy cafes at every turn and gourmet food to tantalize your taste buds.
Winter in Lake Louise is like a scene from a Hallmark movie. A stunning frozen lake, ice skating beneath a glacier, snow covered trees, and the perfect amount of chill in the air to make you feel alive.
Ice Skating at Lake Louise
Yoho National Park in British Columbia is a lesser known winter gem minutes from Lake Louise. Emerald lake is the highlight of Yoho National Park and is well worth a visit. A fantastic, flat trail loops around the lake for those feeling adventurous.
Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park
Day 1: Snow Wonder
Indulge your inner child and play in the snow. Age is just a number when it comes to your Banff winter vacation. Try snow shoeing, roast smores on a fire, make a snow angel or just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The photo opportunities are simply spectacular and will ensure your memories will last forever.
Canadian Rockies Experience offers fantastic private winter tours and their snow wonder tour is a must do for all snow lovers! Click here for details.
Day 2: Lake Louise and Emerald Lake
The drive alone to get to both these locations is jaw dropping, snow covered mountains, frozen rivers and non stop coniferous forests. Take a stroll along the shoreline at Lake Louise to appreciate unfiltered nature at its best. Emerald lake is a 30 minute drive west of Lake Louise but well worth the time. Experience the ruggedness of the landscape with the sound of silence that only snow can bring.
If you wish to book a private tour to these areas, Canadian Rockies Experience offers a private Lake Louise tour with a stop at Emerald Lake with a restaurant lunch included.
Johnston Canyon - Photo Credit Andrew Bell @andrewshootsbanff
Day 3: An Ice Walk in a canyon.
Johnston Canyon is the best known ice walk in the Canadian Rockies and for good reason. It is suitable for the whole family and has multiple frozen waterfalls. Traction aids are a must on this trail to ensure a slip free experience.
Grotto Canyon is a lesser known canyon located 3o minutes east of Banff. Grotto canyon is a slow running creek in the summer that gradually freezes to a full ice flow ensuring you are literally walking on water. It is an unique experience with stunning frozen waterfalls at the end of the trial. Tractions aids are essential on this trail.
If you wanted to book a private tour to either of these locations, Canadian Rockies Experience has options for both canyon. Click here to explore their offerings.
Winter Nights in Banff
Days are short in the Winter months in Banff, so why not fill your evening with unique experiences. Banff Gondola offer a great night rise experience with a unique vantage point of overlooking the town of Banff and also getting great views of the night sky.
Night Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is a fantastic opportunity to allow your senses to come alive. As your eyes adjust, starry skies become clear highlighting constellations and varying stages of moonlight. Worried about the cold, our guide has hand and foot warmers along with hot beverages and snacks to ensure you stargazing is an unforgettable experience for all the right reasons.
Join Canadian Rockies Experience for a dark night to remember - Night Hiking Tour
Hiking at Night - Travel Alberta Jaime Vedres
I hope this has given you some great options to make your winter vacation in the Rockies the perfect escape. Explore Canmore are the official destination management organization for Canmore and have a wealth of information. Click Here to explore more. Banff Lake Louise Tourism will give you all the information you need for the National Parks. Click Here for Information
Author Information:
Laura is an Interpretive Guides Association (I.G.A.) Professional Guide. Laura is passionate about guiding visitors around the Rockies and making sure they experience all it has to offer.