If you're looking for that magical Winter wonderland, snowy paradise, toasting the feet by the fire, hot choc in hand, fairy-lit houses, Disney's Frozen inspired, cosy Christmas then the best possible place to spend this festive season is none other than the Canadian Rocky mountains.
With its jagged, ice-capped peaks glowing in the sunlight, the Canadian Rockies mountain range is a sight to behold as you drive through Alberta, wide-eyed and jaw-dropped, on your way to the slopes, lakes or hiking trails. Whether you're staying in Calgary, Banff, Canmore or anywhere in Alberta or British Columbia, you'll surely have the white Christmas you always dreamed of!
I have put together the 5 best ways to spend Christmas in the Canadian Rockies based on my recent Christmas there. Choose your favourite one OR do all 5 as separate day trips!
Contents:
1. Ice skating on Two Jack Lake, Banff town & Ice sculptures at Lake Louise
Two Jack Lake:
Ice skating on a frozen lake is surely on your bucket list if you are visiting Canada in Winter and Two Jack lake is the most beautiful spot to whip out those skates! The sound of air bubbles beneath the surface and the slight 'crack' of the ice sends that electric adrenaline rush through your trembling legs and keeps your heart beating fast! Worry not, so many kids, families and single skaters venture out onto the frozen lake and go 'ice rink hopping' on the mini sections of ice separated by snow.
The wind gets pretty strong here so sometimes you don't even have to skate as it will push you across the lake! The rocky mountains provides the perfect backdrop for a festive Winter day on the lake. Enjoy watching the locals practicing ice hockey and join in if you can! You can hire skates for just $7 per 2 hours from Banff town, just a 15 minute drive away.
Banff Town:
Once your ankles have almost fallen off, head to Banff town for a 'Beaver tail'! This Canadian classic is the perfect snack to satisfy that sweet tooth. Choose from a range of flavours including Choc Banana or Maple Syrup.
Banff town is very beautiful to stroll around in the evening/dusk as the cosy shops light up the snowy street, illuminating the towering, ice-capped mountains in the background.
Lake Louise Ice Sculptures:
Ever dreamed of being Elsa from 'Frozen' and letting it goooo as snow queen of Arendelle castle? Well live your frozen fantasies at Elsa's ice palace at lake Louise! Yes, there is a human sized palace made of ice that you can walk through, with windows and turrets and all!
If Lake Louise isn't covered in snow then go for a festive skate while you're here! Otherwise have a snowball fight, make a snowman, make a snow angel, take a horse carriage ride around the lake, tick off your bucket list's snowy activities!
The best way to warm your frozen fingers is to enjoy a Bailey's hot chocolate at the Ice bar. You can go crazy and opt for the cinnamon spiced whisky or Butter Ripple Schnapps shots to send warm, fuzzy tingles down your throat! Although it is still outside, several heaters are placed throughout the bar, keeping you nice and toasty.
2. Snowshoeing at Rawson Lake
There is nothing more Canadian than a snowshoe hike in the snowy forest with your gloves, walking poles and best friends!
An easy to follow, clearly marked out 7km round trip hike, Rawson Lake trail will get your heart pumping and you'll even break a sweat in mid Winter! However, it is definitely worth the frosty fingertips and sweaty, frozen hair as the mountainous views that welcome you at the very end are simply stunning.
Although you get quite warm on the hike, it is important to still bring all your layers, beanie, gloves and scarf as the temperature drops quite profusely when you get to the lake, especially if you sit down and have a picnic in the snow. Additionally, the sweat on your ears and hair will freeze, cooling you down quite a lot! And take snacks for the way up and for a picnic at the frozen lake!
The way back is a lot quicker as it's downhill but make sure to complete the hike before it gets dark at 4pm (if you're doing it in Winter).
3. Skiing!
Alberta's rocky mountains are legendary for the snow treasured by skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. Blessed with some of the best natural snow in the world you simply cannot visit Canada without a day out on the slopes.
Alberta has 32 ski resorts, the largest being Lake Louise (139km), Sunshine Village being the highest (reaching an altitude of 2730m) and Nakiska being the best value for money. Depending on where you're staying, you'll probably want to pick the closest ski resort to make the most of your day.
Since we were based in Calgary, our closest option was Nakiska (just 45 min drive away) and it sure was a highlight of the trip! Located in Kananaskis country, there are 25kms of slopes and 4 chair lifts.
The best part was the stunning panoramic views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which can be very distracting when skiing down the slopes! The mountainous scenery makes the chair lift rides so enjoyable that you forget you're losing feeling in your fingers.
4. Hot springs & Hoodoos at South Eastern British Columbia (Fairmont area)
Fancy one of the world's most scenic drives to the Alberta / British Columbia border? Just 1.5 hours from Banff town or 2 hours from Canmore, South Eastern British Columbia (BC) is definitely worth the trip. We drove from Calgary which took 4 hours so stayed a couple of nights at Fairmont Mountain Bungalows, making for a cute and cosy getaway.
If you have enough days, I highly recommend staying a few nights in BC as there is plenty for you to do here, whilst still giving you a chance to relax in the warmth of your bungalow with a hot choc by the fire.
Such activities around Fairmont, British Columbia include:
Radium hot springs, Fairmont hot springs, Lussier hot springs (there are actually 25 hot spring in BC!),
Hike the Hoodoos trail
Walk along Columbia creek
Ski at Fairmont ski resort
Play golf at Mountainside golf course
Find your way out at Columbia valley escape rooms
We came to BC to relax in some steamy hot springs so our first stop was Radium Hot springs!
Radium Hot Springs
Situated in the East Kootenay region of BC, these odourless pools are surrounded by natural rock walls and snow-capped mountains, creating a scenic and steamy way to relax and recharge. If you forget your swimsuit, you can borrow one from the centre for just $2.
There is also a cool pool (29 degrees Celsius), which is more ideal in the Summer! Change rooms and shower facilities are provided so don't worry about sprinting back to the car in your bare feet!
Fairmont Hot Springs
Ranked Canada's largest natural mineral hot springs, Fairmont hot spring consists of 3 pools: cool, medium and hot.
With gorgeous mountain views, relax into the afternoon in a steamy bath!
Hike the Hoodoos trail
Anyone who has come across the Fairmont Hoodoos has been amazed at this distinct landmark of the Columbia valley. An easy, family-friendly hike in the snow is a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.
It is a 3km round trip hike but the way up is worth it as you are rewarded with spectacular views of the valley below, including Dutch creek, Columbia Lake and of course the Canadian rocky mountains.
It gets super windy as you get closer to the edge so hold onto your hat tightly! There are no railings so don't go too close to the edge as there is a sharp drop. Created as a result of glaciers melting over time, with a combination of silt, sand and tuff, Hoodoos are a sight to behold! However, the strong winds can blow dust into your eyes making for the perfect conditions for falling off the edge!
5. Elbow falls and Elbow Valley Trail
Elbow falls are a small set of waterfalls along Elbow river, west of Bragg creek, providing a beautiful scenery of blue tinted water splashing into white froth below with miles of spruce trees in the background.
Located just 45 minutes from Calgary, Elbow falls is a torrent of turquoise tumbling water! In Winter the falls can be 6 metres high! There are 3 main lookouts and a well marked out path to follow if you're walking along the trail up high above the falls. A wander around the whole site take about half an hour and picnics are popular here.
So those are the 5 best ways to spend Christmas in the Canadian Rockies according to my most recent trip in the festive season! Complete all 5 or pick your fave!
Please remember that these suggestions are based on spending Winter in the Canadian Rockies. There are plenty of different summer activities including hiking and mountain bike riding. I hope to one day visit Canada during the summer for a whole new adventure!
