Lake Windermere Whiteway for Skating & Skiing
You’ll find Lake Windermere in the Columbia Valley between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. It is the winter home of the Lake Windermere Whiteway, a Guinness World Record holder since 2014. It holds the title as the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world with 29.8 km of cleared ice.
It’s worth the winter drive to Invermere through Kootenay National Park just to enjoy the activities on the Lake Windermere Whiteway. Spend a weekend to take advantage of the exceptional skating and cross-country skiing. There is also fat tire biking if you’re interested.
Lake Windermere Whiteway summary
Length: The longest skating trail in the world at just under 30 kilometres!
Opening times: Typically opens in late December and stays open until sometime in March but dates are at the whim of Mother Nature. I have skated on clear ice the third week of December.
Real time updates: Check out the Facebook page of the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club or the Nordic Pulse app.
Access: There are three official entrances – the Kinsmen Beach in Invermere, by the Invermere Bay Condos in Invermere, and at Windermere Beach.
Parking: Lots available at the Kinsmen Beach in Invermere.
Skate and ski rentals: The Inside Edge Sports Store in Invermere
Cost: The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club asks for a $5 donation per use for maintenance. You can also buy an annual club membership which gives you unlimited Whiteway and Lillian Lake access.
What’s nearby: If you’re looking for a similar experience nearby, check out the Lake Lillian Whiteway on the road up to the Panorama Ski Resort. It offers a 3 -kilometre classic and skate skiing loop, but no skating.
Recommended reading: The Best Outdoor Skating Rinks in Canada
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Lake Windermere Whiteway – the longest natural frozen ice skating rink in the world
The Whiteway owes its existence to the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club. It was started in 2006 with the goal to connect the communities along Lake Windermere during the winter. By the time December rolls around and Lake Invermere is frozen solidly, the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club goes to work.
A 6-metre wide path of ice is cleared around the circumference of Lake Windermere. When they started back in 2008, only a 15-kilometre loop was cleared. Now it’s the whole lake and it’s officially 29.8 km (18.5 miles) long.
The snow is moved to one side of the cleared ice – and it’s that snow that becomes the base for skiing. The snow is track-set but there’s also enough room for skate skiers.
How do you know the ice is safe on the Lake Windermere Whiteway?
The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club follows guidelines so you know that once the Lake Windermere Whiteway is open that you’ll have a safe experience. Some of the pertinent details are below. The bottom line is the thicker the ice, the greater the weight of the equipment that can be used to maintain and groom the Whiteway.
- “Ice thickness must be at least 5 inches of clear hard ice before employees may enter onto the ice surface.
- Ice thickness must be at least 6 inches of clear hard ice before employees may enter onto the ice surface with a handheld machine not weighing more than 50 kg.
- Ice thickness must be at least 8 inches of clear hard ice before employees may enter onto the ice surface with an ATV and sweeper (500 kg + operator).“
The Lake Windermere Whiteway – a superb family-friendly outing
You can do short or long loops on skates and skis and you can even bring the dog. On a sunny day, the view of the mountains from the lake is outstanding. Skaters and skiers in great shape can knock off the full loop in about two hours.
In some years in early winter, skating enthusiasts have been treated to mirror-smooth ice, so clear that you could see fish swimming below.
Fat biking the Whiteway
Fat biking is also permitted on Lake Windermere, but because of the wind chill, it’s a good idea to bring extra face protection. Carry an insulated water bottle and throw a few protein bars in an inside pocket so you don’t break a tooth.
Cars and trucks are also allowed to drive on the lake, but they are forbidden from using the Whiteway. It appears that ice fishing is popular but only at the northern end of the lake.
What to do after you’ve finished your Lake Windermere Whiteway experience
The Lake Windermere Whiteway is a short drive away from Radium Hot Springs. What better way to relax after a few hours outdoors skating, fat biking, or cross-country skiing!
The hot pool is open Monday to Friday from 11 AM – 9 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM – 9 PM. Entry is $16.50 per adult, $14.25 for a senior, and $14.25 for youth aged 3 – 17. Children under age 3 are free.
Location of the Whiteway
Invermere is located 275 kilometres west of Calgary and 17 kilometres south of Radium Hot Springs (a perfect place for a soak after your workout.) It is also close to Fairmont Natural Hot Springs.
When does the Lake Windermere Whiteway open?
The season varies from year to year, so the opening dates do too. Typically, you can access the Whiteway from late December until early March.
The Whiteway is not lit at night but in theory, it’s open 24 hours a day. It would be fun to skate or cross-country ski under the light of a full moon!
Where to stay in Invermere
On one occasion I stayed at the Copper Point Resort in winter and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Kanata Inns Invermere is called a superb choice. If you like soaking in hot springs then the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort -13 kilometres south of Invermere is a great choice.
Up at Panorama Mountain Resort, check out Embarc Panorama– rated superb. The Approach Hotel on the ski hill reopened in late 2022 after an eight million dollar renovation. Look for rooms with a clean mountain and minimalist aesthetic at the base of the main chair lift.
More winter adventures in central & eastern British Columbia
For those of you interested in the area that stretches from Fernie to Golden or if you’re keen to visit the Okanagan in winter, check out some of these blogs on ideas to make winter a whole lot more fun. There are hot springs to visit, loads of ski resorts to try, cross-country ski trails to explore, and plenty of snowshoeing opportunities.
The Fernie area
- Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing in Fernie
- Top Things to do in Fernie, BC in Winter
- Fabulous Fernie: One of the Best Ski Resorts in Canada
- 5 Outstanding Fernie Winter Hikes
Golden – Invermere – Kimberly area
- Things to Do in Golden BC in Winter
- Wapta Falls Hike or Snowshoe in Winter
- 9 Fun Things to Do in Invermere, BC in Winter
Kelowna – Penticton area
- The Best Things to Do in Penticton, BC in Winter
- 10 Things to Do to Make the Most of a Kelowna Winter
- 20 Big White Photos to Inspire a Visit
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Interested to know please what you’d recommend in this area in September time? Have travelled the route Calgary to Jasper but not to the west of this. Will have 2 weeks visiting from the UK and building a trip to incorporate this area along with Vancouver/Vancouver Island.
Hello Helen,
The Columbia Valley is an amazing area for hiking (close to Kootenay National Park so everything in that park), and mountain biking. There are two hot springs to visit – Radium and Fairmont. Later in September the larch trees turn colour and there are some great larch hikes – including a guided one up at Panorama Mountain Resort. There is also an easy day’s paddle from Invermere to Radium – and a company will pick you up.
On the “Whiteway,” I see rinks cleared on Lake Windemere but only hockey being played there. What about rink use for figure skaters?
@Candice Don’t quote me but I think it was pretty loose – don’t see why figure skaters couldn’t also enjoy the hockey rinks. Maybe there are local games set up but I don’t know for sure. The Tobe Ski Club may be able to tell you more.
Brrrr! The Whiteway looks like the wide open spaces. Must be exhilarating.
@Carole It’s a terrific way to get some exercise and feel alive on a cold winter day.
Gosh it looks cold, but also awesome. I’d love to mountain bike across the ice – face protection sounds intense though, but I guess that’s what it takes. Great post and voted!
@Johanna It was quite cold but the upside is that once you go inside it’s truly marvelous.
Oh my gosh that is absolutely beyond beautiful there, Leigh! I can barely stay upright on ice on my feet – me being on a bike? Impossible! 🙂
@Mike I have actually never tried mountain biking on snow and I don’t think it looks like much fun. I’d be quite afraid of brakes not working and crashing.
That looks like a lot of fun. You could really work on your sprints here and get a lot of speed. The last part of the Birkie is over a frozen lake. It would be good practice for the finish.
@Ted Looks like you need to head north for some training. I know you’d enjoy skiing the Whiteway.
My mother loved to figure skate and always loved opportunities to do it outdoors – she would have been fascinated by this! I have weak ankles and am a cold coward but I think I’d even give it a try. Thanks for telling us about this place.
@Kay Even an hour on the Whiteway is fun. Any skater would truly love this place.
what’s even more impressive is that you can do all that, enjoy breathtaking views and pay only 5 bucks!
@Marcia Considering how much time it takes to clear the ice, you’re right. It’s a steal of a deal.
Gorgeous scenery, Leigh. Even though I am not a winter person (as you know), I would go here just to have a wander around with the camera. I would love to try the ice fishing.
@Nancie We were lucky to be there on a crisp, sunny day and the mountain backdrop truly is exceptional. You’d have fun with a camera.
The Whiteway looks like great fun! It’s good to hear Canada is home to longest naturally frozen skating trail ..it looks much warmer there than in other parts of the country.
@atastefortravel The people in the Columbia Valley refer to their location as the warmer side of the Rockies.
Well, till now i have only heard about Lake Windermere, but not yet visited. I have visited other skiing places including Revelstoke, Canada.
@Cameall I have yet to visit Revelstoke for skiing so you’re ahead of me.
I have passed through this area in summer, but have never been here in winter.I’m not much into winter outdoor sports and don’t like the cold, but I have to admit your pictures show how scenic the area is, even in winter.
@Donna I hadn’t explored the area until last year and it has a lot to offer the winter visitor – including the Radium Hot Springs where you can warm up nicely on a cold day.
I’d never heard of the Lake Windermere Whiteway, but it looks amazing. You always discover such interesting, out of the way places!
@Billie I’m always on the lookout for something that isn’t quite so mainstream.