Things to do in Kananaskis this Winter

When the snow settles, Kananaskis Country turns into one of the most reliable winter playgrounds in the Rockies. Ski an Olympic-legacy hill, mush a dog team through fresh snow, snowshoe to a frozen lake, fat bike to an ice-draped waterfall, glide along world-class cross-country trails, or just watch the stars from a quiet meadow, all in a single trip! To keep it simple, we’ve split everything into guided trips, where a local handles the details, and self-guided days you can set at your own pace.

Vehicles parked in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley corridor need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. It applies at trailheads, and day-use areas, including the lots at Nakiska Ski Area, the resorts, and outfitters. The pass registers the vehicle, not the passengers. Day and annual passes are available, and one pass covers one vehicle with no extra charge for trailers or additional people.

Take the stress of planning off and let a local professional lead the way. These operators run guided winter trips throughout Kananaskis, with the gear, knowledge, and safety sorted.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Nakiska Ski Area, on Mt. Allan, hosted the alpine events at the 1988 Winter Olympics and is still known for its long season and reliable snowmaking. Its Winter Sports School runs group and private lessons for kids and adults. Rentals are available at the base, so first-timers and rusty skiers can find their feet before heading up the lifts.

Fat Biking and Cross-Country Ski Lessons

Kananaskis Outfitters guides a fat bike tour out to a frozen waterfall and offers cross-country ski lessons. It’s the perfect way to try winter cycling or nail your Nordic skiing technique before setting out on your own.

Dog Sledding

Howling Dog Tours runs dog sledding adventures in the backcountry near Canmore and Kananaskis. You will have a personal guide on every sled and no strangers riding along. Tours run through the winter season, so book ahead once December rolls around.

Snowshoe and Stargazing Tours

Kananaskis Outfitters, based in Kananaskis Village, runs guided snowshoe tours for all abilities. There is even a stargazing snowshoe tour pairing an easy evening walk with constellations and folklore, finished with hot chocolate and cookies. Get Outside Adventures also guides snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies, including Kananaskis Country, from a weekly snowshoe series to backcountry outings.

Sleigh Rides

Boundary Ranch in the Kananaskis Valley runs Rocky Mountain winter sleigh rides, a gentle, family-friendly way to get out into the snow without strapping anything to your feet.  It’s a favourite around Christmastime and Family Day weekend, so book ahead.

Indigenous-Led Tours

Buffalo Stone Woman, a Blackfoot-led company, runs year-round Indige-Scape guided walks on Kananaskis trails. The experience weaves Indigenous teachings, stories, and interactive learning. In winter that means snowshoe-friendly outings to spots such as Grotto Canyon and Troll Falls.

Guided Winter Hikes and Ice Walks

Canadian Rockies Experience runs private winter tours with a driver and certified guide. Kananaskis options include a snowshoe experience to Chester Lake, a guided winter hike to Rawson Lake, and an ice walk through the frozen corridor of Grotto Canyon. Each adventure includes  equipment and a packed lunch.

Helicopter Tours

Alpine Helicopters flies year-round from its base at Stoney Nakoda Resort, weather permitting, with tours named in Stoney Nakoda and built around local culture. A winter flight over snow-covered ranges is a memorable way to see the valley, from a short Warrior Lookout loop to the hour-long Great Divide.

Guided Ice Fishing

Wapiti Sports & Outfitters runs guided ice fishing adventures on the frozen Spray Lakes from December to February. Trips include a guide, gear, and instruction, as you fish for lake trout from a comfortable heated hut.

Adaptive Winter Sports

Rocky Mountain Adaptive, a Canmore-based charity, delivers guided, accessible winter adventures for guests of all abilities, from adaptive skiing and snowboarding to other snow sports, with trained staff and specialized equipment.

Ice Climbing and Backcountry Skiing

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, a long-running Canmore mountaineering school, offers certified guides and small groups for ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and avalanche-skills courses across the Canadian Rockies, including the Kananaskis backcountry.

Rather set your own pace? Rent the gear, buy a lift ticket, or pick a trail and go. These are the do-it-yourself options in a Kananaskis winter.

Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, and Tubing

Nakiska Ski Area is the place to ski and ride in Kananaskis, with terrain for every level and rentals at the base. Beyond the runs there is a tube park and dedicated snowshoeing terrain, so even non-skiers will have something to do.

Snowshoeing

Many Kananaskis trails stay open all winter for snowshoeing. Rent a pair from Kananaskis Outfitters and head out from the shop or drive to a trailhead of your choosing. Check the Alberta Parks advisories first. Remember snowshoe routes are often separate from groomed cross-country ski tracks.

Cross-Country Skiing

Kananaskis has some of the best Nordic skiing in the province. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park grooms a large network of cross-country trails for classic and skate skiing. Rent your gear from Kananaskis Outfitters if you did not bring your own.

Winter Trails and Walking

Not every winter day needs skis. For easy winter walks and snowshoe-friendly routes, from waterfalls to lakeshores, see our guide to the top snowshoe and winter hiking trails in Canmore and Kananaskis. Pack traction for your boots, dress in layers, and check conditions before you go.

Fat Biking

Kananaskis Outfitters rents fat bikes with the wide, low-pressure tires built for snow, so you can explore winter trails at your own pace, right from the shop.

Ice Fishing

Once the ice is safe, Kananaskis lakes such as Barrier Lake and Upper Kananaskis Lake draw anglers for trout. A valid Alberta fishing licence and a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required. Check ice conditions and current regulations before you head out.

Mount Engadine Lodge

For a true backcountry stay you can still reach by car, Mount Engadine Lodge sits in the heart of Kananaskis, about 38 kilometres south of Canmore on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail. Choose from lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tents, or a yurt, with gourmet meals included and a sauna to warm up after a day out in the snow. Completely pet- and family-friendly, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails run right from the front door.

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino

About 35 minutes west of Calgary, the Stoney Nakoda Resort is a full-service base on the edge of Kananaskis Country. It has 110 rooms and suites, a pool with a waterslide and hot tub, Alberta’s only casino in the Rocky Mountains, an event centre, and on-site dining, so is the perfect place to land after a day at Nakiska or out on the trails.

Skyridge Glamping

For luxury under the stars, Skyridge Glamping offers boutique micro-cabins off Highway 40, heated for winter and made for a cozy cold-weather escape, with walk-in showers, full kitchens, and plush adjustable beds. Its spa has two saunas and a cold plunge to round out a day in the snow. Catering exclusively to adult travellers, select cabins are also pet friendly.

Winter in Kananaskis is beautiful and serious in equal measure. Dress in warm layers, carry traction for your boots, and pack extra food and water. Daylight is short, so start early and give yourself time to get back. Mountain roads can be icy or closed in winter, so check Alberta 511 for current road conditions before you set out. Always check the Alberta Parks advisories before you go. If you are heading into the backcountry, review the avalanche forecast and carry the right training and gear. Wildlife is still around, so give it space, and keep dogs on leash. Pack out everything you pack in.

Plan Your Trip

Ready to turn all this into an actual itinerary? Our Peaks Trip Planner makes it easy. It is an interactive tool that pulls together places to stay, things to do, local events, and a few hidden gems in one place, so you can map out your ideal Kananaskis adventure, save what catches your eye, and arrive with a plan. Add a ski day, pencil in a sleigh ride, drop a pin on a snowshoe trail, and you are set.

Kananaskis stays wild because the people who love it look after it. Before your trip, take a moment to sign the Pledge to the Peaks, a commitment to explore mindfully, tread lightly, and help protect this landscape and its wildlife for the people and generations who come next.