Best Places to Snowshoe in Alberta
There’s nothing like big dumps of snow in the mountains to get you motivated to get outside, especially in Alberta on days when you have the magic combination of blue skies and awe-inspiring mountain scenery. Need some suggestions on where to go? Described are some of the top places to snowshoe in Alberta – personally tested!
In Alberta, you don’t usually have to go far to find good snow. I usually bring my ice cleats with me, should the snow cover be thin in places. Sometimes I’ll strap my snowshoes to my pack for a few kilometres – and then put them on again when the snow gets better.
In Alberta, some of the best places for snowshoeing is in our national parks – along with Kananaskis Country. Go see for yourself how lucky we are to have such magnificent trails across the province.
Pack a warm jacket, a few extra layers of clothes, spare mitts, a warm hat – and tell someone where you’re going and when you think you’ll be back.
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Before you head out snowshoeing in Alberta
Go prepared: In winter you need to go prepared. That means your car should be in order – and packed with an emergency kit and shovel. Carry the hiking essentials. You should know how to dress for a -20ºC day. Stash a few extra hand warmers in your pocket in case the temperature drops.
Trail reports: Check trail reports for the area you plan to visit before you go. Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes National Parks update their reports regularly as does Alberta Parks.
Dogs: On many of the snowshoeing trails you can take dogs. But beware if it’s too cold. Perhaps take dog booties and a coat. Carry extra water and snacks for them if you’re out all day. And please dispose of their poop properly.
Weather: If you live in Alberta you already know how quickly the weather can change. Plan accordingly. And check forecasts before you go to avoid winter storms.
Avalanche country: I avoid avalanche country – and unless you have the know how and the right gear, you should do. You can check the avalanche forecast online before you head out.
Location map for snowshoeing in Alberta
Top places for snowshoeing in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
Top picks for snowshoeing in Kananaskis include trails in the following areas – West Bragg Creek, Ribbon Creek, Sawmill Creek, Chester Lake, Rummel Lake, Rawson Lake, Hogarth Lakes, Troll Falls, Evan Thomas Waterfalls, Fortress Mountain, and the Canyon – Lower Kananaskis Lake Trail.
1. Chester Lake snowshoeing
Super popular, Chester Lake makes a fine winter destination on snowshoes. The trailhead is located in Kananaskis Country off the Spray Lakes Road where there’s a giant parking lot. It’ll be busy unless you can make it on a weekday. The trail is initially steep but once you reach the first meadow, the trail moderates considerably. All around you are stupendous mountain views.
Its approximately 5 km one way to reach Chester Lake. If you have the time, make the short side trip to Elephant Rocks – giant sized boulders strewn helter-skelter that are fun to snowshoe around. You can usually find a good lunch spot in the sun here out of the wind.
2. Snowshoeing to Rummel Lake
Don’t expect much in the way of signage on this outstanding snowshoe tour. Even the trailhead at the intersection of Spray Lakes Road and Mount Shark Road isn’t well-marked but you’ll usually see cars. It’s a stone’s throw from Mt. Engadine Lodge.
If it hasn’t snowed recently, you’ll have no problem with route finding. But if you’re the first one out after a big dump, make sure you carry a map. Basically you climb up old logging roads with great views of the Spray Lakes Reservoir and then make your way through the woods until you reach Rummel Lake. You climb about 400 metres to the lake. The descent is swift.
Read: Snowshoeing to Mountain Lakes in Kananaskis
3. Rawson Lake snowshoeing
Rawson Lake makes a fine destination on snowshoes. Start at the parking lot beside Upper Kananaskis Lake. It’s 7.8 km round trip with 300 metres of elevation gain – so doable for lots of kids 8 years and older.
The trail parallels the lake before heading up steeply through the forest to reach Rawson Lake. After a long stretch of cold weather, you’ll see people snowshoeing down the lake – but beware of avalanche chutes at the far end of the lake.
4. West Bragg Creek snowshoeing
Less than 10 minutes from the town of Bragg Creek (about 45 minutes from Calgary) are the cross-country ski and snowshoe trails of the West Bragg Creek system.
There are lots of options from the easy 5.5 km Snowshoe Hare Loop to the 10 km Ranger Summit – Strange Brew Loop to the longer Telephone Loop. Pick a trail depending on how much time you have. So far my favourite is the one to Ranger Summit for the vistas it affords of distant Moose Mountain. You’ll find maps at the parking lots. Snap a photo as a reference.
We snowshoed one day when the thermometer dipped to -20°C. But with the right clothes and a thermos of hot drinks, we had a great time – and there was hardly another soul around.
Top places for snowshoeing in Jasper National Park, Alberta
In Jasper National Park, the best places to go snowshoeing include the Valley of the Five Lakes, Beaver Lake, Medicine Lake and Watchtower Canyon, the Pyramid Bench Trails, and Maligne Canyon if there’s been a good snowfall.
1. Snowshoeing to Medicine Lake – Watchtower Canyon
Medicine Lake is a very popular snowshoeing destination out of Jasper, especially since it’s only a 25-minute drive away. What is less well-known is the snowshoe tour up to Watchtower Canyon.
It’s accessed via a narrow opening about a kilometre up from the parking lot on the west side of Medicine Lake. I did this outing with a guide from Canadian Skyline Adventures. Otherwise, I never would have found it.
It’s an easy climb up through the canyon. The only thing you want to avoid is stepping into the stream. The further you snowshoe, the prettier it gets, especially as the canyon walls close in. You could easily do this tour in two hours. We took three hours but moved at a leisurely pace with a stop for hot chocolate.
2. Valley of the Five Lakes, Jasper National Park
The Valley of the Five Lakes snowshoe trail is a great choice if you want a short outing. It will take you about 1.5 hours to do the 4.6 km trail. There are a couple of steep sections but they’re short. On a sunny day, this is a particularly beautiful outing.
Top places for snowshoeing in Banff National Park, Alberta
My top choices for snowshoeing in Banff National Park include the Ink Pots, Taylor Lake, Stoney Lookout, Johnson Lake, Hoodoos Viewpoint via Surprise Corner, Mirror Lake, Lake Louise lakeshore, Spray River Loop, and Sulphur Mountain – both under the Banff Gondola and via Cosmic Ray Road.
1. Sunshine Village Snowshoe Experience
The Sunshine Village snowshoeing tour is short but it sure is sweet. The experience starts with a ride up the Standish Chairlift at Sunshine Village Ski Resort.
From there you head off looking for fun – snowshoeing up and down hills and through a meadow or two. Throw in a little cliff jumping – just for fun. On clear days you can see Mount Assiniboine but even on snowy, low visibility days it’s a pretty winter wonderland.
2. Ink Pots snowshoe
If you’ve got energy to burn, do the 12 km return snowshoe trip to the Ink Pots via Moose Meadow. With only 220 m of elevation gain you shouldn’t be breathing too hard.
Much of the trail is through the trees and viewless but still pretty when dusted with snow. When you get to the Ink Pots – seven, crystal-clear aquamarine pools of spring water – you’ll get some mountain views. Keeners may want to explore some of the meadow though most people turn around here and make a swift descent back to the parking lot.
The trail is close to Johnston Canyon – where you can do a very beautiful ice walk in winter. If you’re pressed for time you can knock it off in 90 minutes.
3. Mirror Lake – Lake Agnes snowshoe
Super popular as a day-hike in summer – largely because there’s a teahouse beside a beautiful turquoise-coloured lake, Lake Agnes – and Mirror Lake make a wonderful winter destination on snowshoes. If the trail has been packed you can even walk it. Over 8 km round-trip you climb 396 m (1,300 feet) – enough that you feel like you’ve had a workout if you move at a good pace.
The trail starts beside Lake Louise – a bonus in itself and climbs through the trees. Lots of first-class mountain views along the way keep keep this top snowshoe outing in Alberta interesting.
After Mirror Lake there is a section that crosses avalanche terrain. It is considered by Banff National Park to be Challenging Class 2 terrain for avalanche exposure and requires appropriate training and equipment.
Please Note: I have done this trail in the winter – and indeed it is very popular; but on many days it is not prudent to cross the slope (Class II avalanche terrain) where there is a possibility of avalanche risk without the proper equipment (shovels and transceivers). You should read the avalanche reports before you go too.
But you can snowshoe up to that point – and you still get great views and a workout. If you do continue there is another short section of steep stairs where you should remove your snowshoes just before you reach the lake.
Read: Snowshoeing to Lake Agnes Teahouse Near Lake Louise
Other places in Alberta to go snowshoeing
In Waterton Lakes National Park head out snowshoeing on the trails to Crandell Lake and Cameron Lake.
Other places to try in Alberta for snowshoeing include Elk Island National Park, the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area near Calgary, Crimson Lake Provincial Park and Cline River Canyon. There are also good snowshoe trails at Castle Mountain Resort in southern Alberta.
Recommended reading: 7 Places to Snowshoe Within 2 Hours of Calgary
1. Snowshoeing in Elk Island National Park
Offering loads of trail options, Elk Island National Park is a great place to explore on snowshoes. The trails are flatter than most you’ll find in the mountains and there won’t be any in your face mountain scenery.
But there will be pretty meadows and aspen groves, as well as the odd small lake or pond. And as a bonus, you might catch sight of some of the woodland bison that call the place home.
2. Crandell Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park
Looking for one of the prettiest places in Alberta to go snowshoeing? It’s a quick easy outing on snowshoes to Crandell Lake – and it shouldn’t take more than about an hour. The trailhead is 6.7 km along on the Akamina Parkway.
From the parking lot, it’s just 1.8 km one way with 75 m of elevation gain. The trail continues from Crandell Lake to the Red Rock Parkway – but unless you have avalanche gear and training, avoid it.
Where is your favourite place to go snowshoeing in Alberta?
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Did Chickadee Valley yesterday, as per your recent blog post about this area = WOWZA! Also love Hogarth Lake Loop, right across the road from Chester Lake. Short but sweet and great for beginners or kids. There are a couple of cool geocaches along the trail.
Great article! I’m looking forward to my first winter experience in the Canadian Rockies next March, so these tips will come handy! I’m travelling over all the way from Finland just to do snowshoeing trips in the mountains. Can’t wait!
@Reetta And I’d like to be going to Finland to see how it looked in winter.
I feel like every time I read your site my Canadian must do list just expands more – this will be my 3rd winter in Canada and I still haven’t been snow shoeing yet, and it looks like such a beautiful way to enjoy the nature for a non-skier like me!
@Jaillan Even better – if you can walk you can snowshoe. Rent a pair or buy some on sale. It’s particularly lovely to do on a moonlit night.
Love walking and snowshoeing on the winter trails. So good for the spirit! Will have to get out to Alberta soon.
@Claudia I find the short days of winter quite bearable when I get outside skiing or snowshoeing.
These all look great. I don’t like to ski, but I love snowshoeing . So peaceful and great exercise!
@Travelscamming It always feels good to get outside in the winter and snowshoeing is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy it.
With regards to snowshoeing to Lake Agnes, Parks Canada has this notice on their website about the avalanche risk:
*18) Mirror Lake via Lake Agnes hiking trail: 5.4 km return, 295 m elevation gain
From the Chateau Lake Louise, follow the main Lake Agnes trail as it rises through the forest. Sections of this portion of the trail cross avalanche terrain. Avalanche risk: Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail is rated as Challenging Class 2 terrain for avalanche exposure and travel requires appropriate training and equipment.
@Andra That is a very good point. When the trail is so well used one tends to forget there is avalanche risk, especially after a big snowfall. I updated the post to reflect your point. Fortunately you can still do a good portion of the trail without any avalanche risk. I think signage would be helpful – and perhaps it’s there now but it wasn’t when I did it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.