Skating, Skiing & Biking the Lake Windermere Whiteway
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 recently declared Guinness World Record holder with the title as the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world with 29.8 kilometres of cleared ice.
It’s worth the winter drive 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.
The longest natural frozen ice skating rink in the world
By the time December rolls around and Lake Invermere is frozen solidly, the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club goes to work.
A six metre wide path of ice is cleared around the circumference of the lake. 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 kilometres (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.
The Whiteway is 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 recent years in early winter some people have been treated to mirror smooth ice, so clear that you could see fish swimming below.
Biking on the Whiteway
Mountain biking is also permitted on Lake Windermere, but because of the wind chill, it’s a good idea to bring extra face protection.
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.
The cost is minimal – a mere $5 donation to the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club if you aren’t a member. Look for cash boxes at information kiosks.
Useful Lake Windermere Whiteway info
- You can rent skates or skis at The Inside Edge Sports Store in Invermere.
- There are three official entrances including the Kinsmen Beach in Invermere, by the Invermere Bay Condos in Invermere and at Windermere Beach.
- 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.)
Entrances to the Lake Windermere Whiteway
There are three official entrances; the Kinsmen Beach in Invermere, by the Invermere Bay Condos in Invermere and at Windermere Beach. Invermere is located 275 km (171 mi) west of Calgary and 17 km (11 mi) south of Radium Hot Springs.
When is it open?
The season varies from year to year. Typically, it runs from late December until early March. The Whiteway is not lit at night but in theory it’s open 24 hours a day.
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Where to stay in Inveremere
On one occasion I stayed at the Copper Point Resort in winter and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one of the nicest places to stay in the Invermere area.
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.
Further reading about things to do in British Columbia in winter
- Top Things to do in Fernie, BC in Winter
- 9 Fun Things to do in Invermere, BC in Winter
- What You Can Do on a 3 Day Winter Getaway to the Kootenay Rockies
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.