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! At the bottom of the post you’ll find links to detailed posts on where to go snowshoeing in both Banff and Jasper National Parks as well as Kananaskis Country.
Best places to snowshoe in Alberta summary
- Both Banff and Jasper National Parks along with Kananaskis Country and Waterton Lakes National Park have plenty to offer the snowshoer.
- Be sure to check trail reports for the national parks you plan to visit. You can also check Alberta Parks trail reports.
- In winter you need to go prepared. That means your car should be in order – and packed with an emergency kit and you should know how to dress for a -20ºC day.
- Top picks for snowshoeing in Kananaskis include the West Bragg Creek snowshoeing trails, Ribbon Creek trails, Sawmill Creek trails, Chester Lake, Rummel Lake, Rawson Lake, Hogarth Lakes, Troll Falls, Evan Thomas Waterfalls, Fortress Mountain, and the Canyon – Lower Kananaskis Lake Trail.
- Top picks 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.
- In Jasper National Park, the best places to go snowshoeing include the Valley of the Five Lakes, Beaver Lake, Medicine Lake and Watchtower Canyon, Pyramid Bench Trails, and Maligne Canyon if there’s been a good snowfall.
- In Waterton Lakes National Park include Crandell Lake and Cameron Lake.
- Other places to try in Alberta include Elk Island National Park, the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area near Calgary, Crimson Lake Provincial Park and Cline River Canyon.
Location map for snowshoeing in Alberta
Snowshoeing to Medicine Lake – Watchtower Canyon, Jasper National Park
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 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.
Read about my full experience here.
Sunshine Village Snowshoe Experience, Banff National Park
This 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.
There’s a bonus at the end of this one – cheese fondue in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Now that’s what I call a great way to end a winter outing.
You can read the full blog post here.
Ink Pots snowshoe, Banff National Park
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.
The complete post about the Ink Pots is here.
Mirror Lake – Lake Agnes snowshoeing, Banff National Park
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 it 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
Chester Lake snowshoeing, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
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 five kilometres 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.
Read the full account here.
Snowshoeing to Rummel Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
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
West Bragg Creek Day-Use Area 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.
Elk Island National Park snowshoeing
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.
Snowshoeing to the 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.
Fortress Mountain snowshoeing
If you’re a keen Alberta based snowshoer, there’s a pretty good chance you didn’t know you could go snowshoeing at Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country. With restricted access, you must sign up for a tour led by White Mountain Adventures. Chances are you’re likely to get swaths of fresh untracked snow.
Read: A Snowshoeing Adventure at Fortress Mountain
More ideas on where to go snowshoeing in Alberta
- 7 Places to Snowshoe Within 2 Hours of Calgary
- Where to Go Snowshoeing in Jasper National Park
- Where to Go Snowshoeing in Banff National Park
Where is your favourite place to go snowshoeing in Alberta?
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