Winter in Calgary is the perfect time to bundle up and explore the great outdoors. It might be chilly and it might be warm but there are so many things to see and do in the winter months. From skiing and snowboarding to dogsledding and hot springs, outdoor winter adventures are ready and waiting for you in and around Calgary.
Outdoor Winter Activities in and Around Calgary
![Outdoor Winter Activities Calgary](/sites/default/files/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_header_121818.jpg)
![Outdoor Winter Activities Calgary](/sites/default/files/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Mobile_121818.jpg)
Outdoor Winter Activities in and Around Calgary
Go downhill skiing & snowboarding
![WinSport in Calgary](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Full_Width_001_121818.jpg.webp?itok=Xc4P1n2b)
Try skiing or snowboarding at WinSport in Calgary (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/A.V. Wakefield).
Soak in an outdoor pool
![Banff Upper Hot Springs](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Two_Images_001_121818.jpg.webp?itok=h92LHd4v)
Go for a soak at the Banff Upper Hot Springs (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Roth and Ramberg)
![Kananaskis Nordic Spa](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Two_Images_002_121818.jpg.webp?itok=wqlJOxE6)
Spend the day at the alpine oasis at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa (Photo credit: Mike Seehagel)
Take the whole family tubing
![Servus Tube Park at WinSport](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-08/2.%20WinterTipsforFamilies_Tubing-1920_0.jpg.webp?itok=fxigjIUS)
Servus Tube Park at WinSport (Photo credit: Colin Way)
Winter Tips for Families
Make the most of the cold weather with these tips for exploring the city with your family.
Add dog sledding to your bucket list
![Spray Lakes Provincial Park](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Two_Images_003_121818.jpg.webp?itok=Xwal80XQ)
Dog sledding in Spray Lakes Provincial Park (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Mike Seehagel).
![Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Two_Images_004_121818.jpg.webp?itok=k-loVYjl)
Go dog sledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Mike Seehagel).
Ride a fat bike in the snow
![man and woman fat biking during winter in a park in central Calgary](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/OutdoorWinterActivities_FatBiking_body-1920.jpg.webp?itok=i9NPgfvh)
Go Fat Biking right in the city at Shaganappi Point Golf Course (photo credit: Colin Way)
Try cross-country skiing
Only 1 hour west of Calgary, Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park hosted the world during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and continues to offer world class cross-country skiing trails to this day for beginners and experienced skiers. Get a trail pass for the day and explore more than 65 kilometres of groomed trails. Cross-country ski rentals are available on site. The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre also offer cross-country ski rentals for beginner and experienced skiers.
In Calgary, cross-country skiing is welcome in any park, along with a selection of groomed trails throughout the city you can access for free like the East Village Nordic Loop. City of Calgary Parks like Shaganappi Point Golf Course, South Glenmore Park, and Bowness Park are trackset and ready for your next cross-country skiing adventure.
![para cross country skier during winter at shaganappi point golf course](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/OutdoorWinterActivities_CrossCountrySkiing_body-1920.jpg.webp?itok=x7e2gKlk)
There are a number of cross country skiing paths throughout the city for skiers of all experiences levels (photo credit: Colin Way)
Ice skate on an outdoor rink
![Group of three friends ice skating at Bowness Park in winter](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/OutdoorWinterActivities_IceSkating_body-1920.jpg.webp?itok=EXdVH0Sd)
Ice skating at Bowness Park (photo credit: Colin Way)
Explore outdoor attractions
![Inglewood Bird Sanctuary](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Full_Width_005_121818.jpg.webp?itok=pbP6Mfi0)
Go birding at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (Photo credit: @jonokurian on Instagram)
Take a walk in snowshoes
Snowshoeing is a great way to get active in the winter. It’s easy to learn and inexpensive to try for people of all ages and experience levels. Along with dedicated trails, snowshoeing is welcome in any Calgary park. Beyond Calgary, you can explore the snowshoe trails of Mount Norquay, take a scenic hike through Sunshine Meadows at Sunshine Village, or explore a different side of Castle Mountain with a guided tour.
The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre offer snowshoe rentals for beginner and experienced snowshoe enthusiasts. The Bow Habitat Station hosts learn to snowshoe clinics that includes all the basics as you explore Pearce Estate Park.
![couple snowshoeing through Shaganappi Point Golf Course](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/OutdoorWinterActivities_SnowShoeing_body-1920.jpg.webp?itok=1G6VNsfT)
There's a number of locations throughout the city to try snowshoeing (photo credit: Colin Way)
Meet the wolfdogs
![Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2021-02/wolfdog_2021.jpg.webp?itok=xA31lXm-)
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Day trip to the Banff Gondola
![Banff National Park from the top of the Banff Gondola](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2018-12/Outdoor_winter_activities_Image_Full_Width_008_121818.jpg.webp?itok=eCl6-RWU)
Views of Banff National Park from the top of the Banff Gondola (Photo credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Noel Hendrickson)