Alberta’s nature hot spots to visit in winter
Experience stunning lakes, northern lights, icy canyons and wildlife
Winter in Alberta is filled with wonders — lakes covered in sparkling frozen bubbles, dancing northern lights, icy canyons and snow-covered mountains. Many of Alberta’s top nature hot spots hit their peak beauty at the chilliest times of year. Rather than trying to escape the cold, put on your parka and discover some of Alberta’s top spots to visit in the winter:
Abraham Lake
Just east of Banff and Jasper National Parks lies Bighorn Backcountry. Abraham Lake is one of the highlights of this 5,000 square-kilometre area and winter is a great time to visit.
When the temperature plummets, pockets of methane gas freeze in the ice that coats the lake. They look like crystals glistening in the sun. Put those crystals in the foreground and the Rocky Mountains in the background and you get an incredible photo op.
Johnston Canyon
The popular Johnston Canyon ice walk checks all the boxes when it comes to a fun, familyfriendly winter adventure. Throw on a pair of icers and slip-slide along a cantilevered catwalk beside a frozen river.
Wriggle through a tunnel to get a close-up view of the first set of ice falls.
Then, be dazzled by ice climbers tackling the second, larger icefalls at the end of the 2.7kilometre trail.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful spots in Banff National Park in any season. In winter, the lake is transformed into one of the world’s most stunning outdoor skating rinks. Horsedrawn sleigh rides skirt the lake while skaters glide on the ice and snowshoers and crosscountry skiers explore a wide variety of trails. The nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in the Rockies.
Maligne Valley
The Maligne Valley is one of the best places to see wildlife in Jasper National Park. In winter, it’s common to see moose and bighorn sheep along Maligne Lake Road. There are also wonderful winter hikes. You’ll fall in love with winter whether you take an ice walk inside Maligne Canyon, go for a walk along the shores of Medicine Lake or explore Maligne Lake on snowshoes or skis.
Cypress Hill Provincial Park
Cypress Hills is southeastern Alberta’s winter playground and offers loads to do for all the family. Go downhill skiing at Hidden Valley Ski Resort or enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on well-marked trails through pretty, open woods. Have fun on the skating trail that weaves through a campground and let the kids loose on the luge. Look for some of the animals that are easier to see in winter, including moose, deer, coyotes and even cougars.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, about 90 km west of Calgary, has been called the crown jewel of Kananaskis Country. The park is known for its beautiful mountain scenery and in winter is a great place to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
There are more than 75 km of groomed cross-country ski trails in the Kananaskis Lakes area of the park.
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park, less than an hour’s drive east of Edmonton, offers a peaceful getaway from city life. In winter, head to the park for one of the evening snowshoe and stargazing programs complete with a nice hot bonfire by the lake.
Take your cross-country skis and explore a network of trails, or skate on Astotin Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for plains bison north of the highway and wood bison south of it.
Leigh McAdam and Debbie Olsen are the authors of the national bestselling book “125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta.” Follow them at hikebiketravel.com and wanderwoman.ca.