Canmore is a winter lover’s paradise with world class cross country skiing, dogsledding, fatbiking and more at its doorstep. Whether you go for the day, weekend, or extended stay, you will find plenty of adventurous activities to suit your adrenaline level. Winter is also a great time for festivals! Here are 14 fun things to do in Canmore this winter:
1. Hike on ice to ice falls at Grotto Canyon
Walk the frozen creekbed to ice falls and 500+ year old pictographs. Microspikes required. See our story Grotto Canyon Ice Walk for details.
2. Explore the Heart Creek (Bow Valley) Bunker
A short 1.9 km hike takes you to large caverns built during the Cold War. Bring a headlamp – the caverns are 50 feet long! Our Heart Creek Bunker post has directions for this unofficial trail.
Note that the “bunker” is on an (infrequent) avalanche path, so do NOT do this hike if there’s snow on the slope leading to the bunker.
3. Go Underground with Canmore Cave Tours
Spel-what? If the Bow Valley Bunker has you wanting to do more cave exploring (spelunking), explore Rat’s Nest Cave with Canmore Cave Tours. The caves are a great place to visit when it’s cold out as the temperature stays 5 degrees C year round! I loved rappelling down into a large, dark cavern and peering up at stalactites. Read about our awesome experience with Canmore Cave Tours before your book so you know what to expect! Spoiler: It’s awesome!
4. Cross Country Ski at Canmore Nordic Centre
Cross country ski, ice skate, fat bike, and snowshoe at this world class facility just minutes from downtown Canmore. Pristine grooming (75+ km of classic and skate trails) and gorgeous views guarantee a great day no matter your experience level. See our story Why you need a Canmore Nordic Centre Season’s Pass for more info on skiing here. Rentals and lessons are available from Trail Sports (beside the day lodge). Note: Trail fees in effect 9 am – 5 pm.
5. Try fatbiking (aka snowbiking)
Whatever you choose to call it, fatbiking is an amazing way to stay active in winter! Wide tires keep you afloat on packed trails. Rent a fatbike at Trail Sports (Canmore Nordic Centre) or Rebound Cycle. Quarry Lake Park and Canmore Nordic Centre have beginner-friendly trails.
6. Ice Skate at Canmore Nordic Centre
Canmore Nordic Centre’s outdoor skating rink offers amazing views of the Bow Valley. After skating, get hot cocoa from the Day Lodge! (Note: There is no longer ice skating at The Pond in downtown Canmore; underground springs have made the water too warm to freeze well.)
7. Dash through the snow in a 6-dog open sleigh
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours‘ powder hounds will take you on an adventure like no other. After an amazing ride, enjoy some treats around the fire and get to know your sled dogs.
8. Enjoy Canmore’s indoor playground: Elevation Place
On chilly days, head to Elevation Place. They have a fantastic climbing gym, aquatic centre, and fitness centre. Childcare is available for kids 6 months to 7 years old.
9. Discover the past at Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
Learn about Canmore’s history and geology while the kids do a scavenger hunt to earn a prize. Read about our experience in this story: Exploring Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre.
10. Go on a winter walk
The “Easy” trail at Grassi Lakes is sports stroller friendly and open year round! Only 3.8 km round trip. For more information, read our story: Hiking Grassi Lakes, Canmore. Microspikes recommended.
Take a scenic stroll on Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, and enjoy spectacular mountain views from downtown Canmore.
Quarry Lake (parking fees in effect) and Three Sisters Creek Waterfall Hike are two more lovely spots for a winter walk.
11. Canmore Christmas Artisans’ Market
Pick up local handmade gifts including artwork, pottery, and jewelry – just in time for Christmas!
- Date: November 18, 2023
- Time: 10 am to 12 noon
- Location: 1900 8 Avenue, Canmore
- Admission: $5. Children 12 and under are free. Admission proceeds in support of the Canmore Preschool Society.
For more information, visit Explore Canmore | Christmas Artisans’ Market.
12. Rotary Festival of Trees
The annual Rotary Festival of Trees includes tons of fun events:
- Tree and Wreath Viewing at The Malcolm Hotel: December 1-31, 2023. Free
- The Spirits of Christmas Tasting Experience (wine and spirits tasting): Friday, December 8; 7pm to 10pm. $95/person.
- Kids Holiday Extravaganza (crafts, games, stories, and more): December 10, 2023, 10 am – 3 pm. Free but registration required.
- Breakfast with Santa: Sunday, December 17; 10 am to 12 pm. $20.50/child (2-15 yrs old), $27.96/adult, kids under 2 are free
- Seniors’ Christmas Tea & Reception: Wednesday, December 13; 1pm to 3pm. $22.63/person.
Funds raised support the Canmore Rotary Club. See the December 1-December 31, 2023 schedule and purchase tickets here.
13. New Year’s Eve Party & Fireworks in Canmore
Celebrate NYE 2024 in Canmore!
- December 31st, 5-8 pm: Free, all-ages party at the Canmore Recreation Centre with live music, a DJ dance party, ice skating, crafts, photobooths, and food vendors. Go outside at 8 pm for an early fireworks show!
- December 31st NYE Countdown to Midnight: Head to Millenium Park on foot or by public transit (the parking lot will be closed December 30th & 31st) for the big fireworks show!
For more information, visit Town of Canmore | New Year’s Eve.
14. Canmore Winter Carnival
“Enjoy ice carving competitions, kids’ ice carving, skating parties, street hockey, log sawing competitions, the always entertaining pooch parade, art crawls and the popular Snowy Owl Kid N’ Mutt races.”
Visit Town of Canmore – Winter Carnival for more info in January (festivities are usually in late February).
Know Before You Go
- Most of the hikes near Canmore are in Kananaskis, so you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Purchase your day/annual pass online from the Government of Alberta. *There are several free days that don’t require a pass – details here.
- You are in bear territory. Review our Bear Safety Tips and keep bear spray accessible.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash in city and provincial parks unless you’re in a designated offleash dog park.
- Please pack out all trash and dog poop.
What to Bring
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small family business!
Base layers, insulated winter boots, a down jacket and windproof/waterproof shell (or insulated ski jacket/parka), gloves or mittens, and toque are must-haves. See our fall/winter hiking gear guide for product recommendations. You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a headlamp, a GPS/satellite communicator (or compass) and map of the area, sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Frontiersman Bear Spray Holster (attaches to your backpack or belt) or Scat Belt.
In snowy/icy conditions, we recommend traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes (Available from Amazon, MEC, and Valhalla Pure Outfitters), or Hillsound Trail Crampons (Available at Valhalla Pure Outfitters and Sport Chek) and trekking poles with snow baskets. For snowshoeing, see our Snowshoeing Gear List.
A Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator is highly recommended for contacting Search & Rescue and emergency contacts in the event of an emergency, or communicating with friends and family when you are out of cell phone range. You can send text messages and your GPS coordinates via satellite (but a monthly plan is required)!
Where to Stay
For luxurious, spacious condos, stay at Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools (Book on Expedia here), Solara Resort & Spa, Grande Rockies Resort, or Basecamp Resorts Canmore.
See my detailed reviews here:
- Basecamp Resorts Canmore
- Play Hard and Stay Luxurious at Solara Resort & Spa
- Family Fun at Grande Rockies Resort
Where to Eat
Family-Friendly Dining: Harvest Cafe (breakfast), Rocky Mountain Bagel Co (breakfast or lunch), Iron Goat Pub & Grill (brunch, lunch, or dinner), Rocky Mountain Flatbread (dinner), and Blake (kids can make their own bento boxes).
Best Coffee: Eclipse Coffee Roasters
Date Night: Sauvage, Crazyweed Kitchen
Getting Here
Canmore is located 1 hour and 10 minutes west of Calgary, or 20 minutes from Banff. Click here for Google Maps directions to downtown Canmore.
More Winter Fun
- 9 Things to Do in Lake Louise This Winter
- 10 Things to Do in Banff This Winter
- Winter Activity Guide for Calgary, Bragg Creek, Canmore, Kananaskis, and Banff
- Cross Country Skiing at the Canmore Nordic Centre
- Where to Snowshoe Near Calgary
- The Best Short Hikes Near Calgary
- More Best Short Hikes Near Calgary (Kananaskis Edition)
- 4 Shoulder Season Hikes in Banff
- Keeping Kids Warm in Winter
