Outdoor winter activities in and around Calgary

Winter in Calgary is the perfect time to bundle up and explore the great outdoors. It might be chilly, but there are plenty of outdoor winter activities to keep you warm. From skiing and snowboarding to dogsledding and skating, winter adventures are waiting for you in and around Calgary.

You can ski and snowboard right in Calgary. WinSport , home of the 1988 Winter Olympic, is open for skiing and snowboarding all winter long. The terrain at WinSport is perfect for some practice runs before heading west to the world-class resorts in Banff National Park:

• Banff Sunshine

• The Lake Louise Ski Resort

• Mt Norquay

Together these resorts offer 748 acres of terrain, 2 gondolas, and 27 chairlifts.

Castle Mountain Resort , south of Calgary in the Pincher Creek area, is another great place to find powder conditions just a short drive from Calgary.

Local Tip: Ski lifts open as early as mid-November, but some of the best skiing can be found at the end of the season in April and May.

Read more about the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts Near Calgary.

Cross-country skiing is a great way to explore Calgary’s beautiful parks in the winter. The following golf courses and parks are all groomed for cross-country skiing:

• North & South Glenmore Parks

• Bowness Park

• Lakeview Golf Course

• Shaganappi Point Golf Course

• Confederation Golf Course

• Maple Ridge Golf Course

• McCall Lake Golf Course

There are some incredible cross-country ski trail networks within an hour from the city in Canmore and Bragg Creek. The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park hosted the world during the 1988 Winter Olympics and still plays host to international cross-country ski competitions. West Bragg Creek , in the foothills, has over 66 km of groomed trails, and 15 different loops.

Local Tip: You can cross-country ski right downtown with the groomed, 1km East Village Nordic Loop.

Read more about Cross-Country skiing in and around Calgary. 

Tubing is a family-friendly winter activity everyone can enjoy. No experience is required to ride these soft inflatable tubes down dedicated tube runs with a magic carpet ready to take you back to the top of the hill.

The Servus Tube Park at WinSport is one of the largest in Western Canada and is easily accessible from the Frank King Day Lodge, with washrooms, food, and other amenities accessible nearby.

The tube parks at Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay are a great way to experience the thrill of tubing in the Canadian Rockies.

Local Tip: Wear plenty of layers. The wind going down can be chilly and the magic carpet means you’re not working up a sweat going back uphill.

Outdoor skating in Calgary is pure fun. The City of Calgary floods and maintains 10 outdoor public skating rinks throughout the city. Bowness Park Lagoon offers skate rentals on site, along with helmets, skating aids, and skate sharpening. You can even try out ice bikes at Bowness Park Lagoon, a new way to skate for any level.

Outdoor skating rinks in Calgary are typically open from mid to late December through February.

Local Tip: If it’s too cold to skate outside, the Olympic Oval offers a beginner-friendly skating experience indoors.

Read more about Outdoor public skating rinks in Calgary. 

You’ll need to venture a little beyond the city, into the foothills and mountains, for these winter adventures.

Dog sledding 

Dog sledding in the Canadian Rockies is a bucket list experience you will never forget. Get to know the team of highly trained dogs, learn about their animal care practices, sit back and enjoy the ride, or give mushing a try yourself. The two main operators near Calgary are:

• Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

• Howling Dog Tours

Tours can last anywhere from half an hour to a full day.

Yamnuska Wolf Dog Sanctuary

Wolfdogs are domestic dogs that have characteristics like a wolf. You can meet these remarkable animals at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary , less than an hour outside of Calgary. Tour the sanctuary, learn about wolfdog conservation efforts, and meet the wolfdog ambassadors with this unique outdoor winter experience.

Banff Gondola

Take in views of six mountain ranges from the top of the Banff Gondola . The 8-minute ride up the Banff Gondola takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Once at the top you can:

• Gaze out at the Canadian Rockies from the rooftop observation deck.

• Take a walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk.

• Warm up in the Above Banff Interpretive Centre and Theatre.

• Enjoy a meal at Sky Bistro.

Visit at night and enjoy sunsets, stargazing, and fire pits to keep you warm at this epic outdoor winter activity.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs is a naturally fed soaking pool and the only hot springs pool in Banff National Park. With water temperatures between 37°C and 40°C, winter is the perfect season to enjoy a soak in the rejuvenating waters of this natural wonder.

Local Tip: Beat the crowds by going early in the morning or during weekdays.

Read more about a Banff Upper Hot Springs day trip.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa

Spend a relaxing day in the mountains at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa . A series of outdoor pools, saunas, and steam rooms will help you relax with a process called hydrotherapy, as you cycle through each water temperature and soak the day away.

Local Tip: It’s difficult to get in if you just show up, so make sure to book your time slot ahead of time.

Read more about a Kananaskis Nordic Spa day trip.

You can also explore Calgary by fat bike, snowshoes, or just a good pair of hiking boots.