SKATe ON Majestic FROZEN LAKES
Ice Skating in the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies offer some of the most spectacular ice skating in the world, from the world-famous frozen surface of Lake Louise to the 30-kilometre Whiteway on Lake Windermere and dozens of natural rinks tucked into mountain valleys across Alberta and British Columbia. This guide covers the top skating destinations Canmore Travel serves, what to expect at each, and how to get there.
How Canmore Travel fits in: We provide private shuttle transportation to ice skating destinations across the Canadian Rockies and beyond. We do not organize skating activities or events. We get you to the rink or lakeshore from convenient locations in Canmore, Harvie Heights, or Banff.
Ice Skating Destinations in the Canadian Rockies
Canmore Travel provides transportation to all of the destinations below. Skating itself is self-guided or organized through venue operators at each location.
Banff and Bow Valley
The Bow Valley corridor between Canmore and Banff contains several of the most accessible skating spots in the Rockies. Most are 30 to 45 minutes from Canmore by private shuttle.
Banff offers some of the most scenic outdoor ice skating in the Rockies. The outdoor rink at Banff's downtown is a popular spot, offering a well-maintained surface with views of Cascade Mountain and easy access to nearby cafes and shops. For a natural ice experience, Lake Louise sits just 45 minutes away. Banff's combination of accessible rinks and stunning mountain backdrop makes it a top winter destination.
Banff
Canmore is a charming mountain town with several great spots for ice skating. The Canmore Pond is a popular location, featuring a well-maintained outdoor rink with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. It's an ideal spot for families and groups, with nearby amenities and warming huts. Canmore's combination of accessible rinks and a cozy town atmosphere makes it perfect for a day of winter skating.
Canmore
Two Jack Lake, located near Banff, is a serene destination for ice skating in a beautiful alpine setting. When conditions are right, the lake freezes over to create a natural rink with crystal-clear ice and breathtaking views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain. The calm surroundings make Two Jack Lake an ideal spot for a leisurely skate and a peaceful winter afternoon in the Rockies.
Two Jack Lake
Lake Minnewanka, located in Banff National Park, offers a unique ice skating experience on its expansive frozen surface. When conditions allow, the lake provides a vast natural rink with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The clear ice and breathtaking scenery make skating on Lake Minnewanka an unforgettable winter experience for those who love wide-open natural spaces.
Lake Minnewanka
Nakiska, primarily known for its ski slopes, also offers access to nearby ice skating opportunities in Kananaskis Country. The nearby Barrier Lake freezes over in winter, providing a natural rink surrounded by snow-covered peaks. The outdoor rink at Kananaskis Village offers a well-maintained surface with stunning mountain views. Nakiska's combination of skiing and skating makes it a great destination for a full winter day.
Nakiska and Kananaskis
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is the most celebrated ice skating venue in Canada. Private vehicle access in winter requires care. A private shuttle is the most reliable way to arrive ready to skate.
Lake Louise is world-renowned for its stunning ice skating experience. Skate on the lake that spends its summers being famous. In winter, you practically get it to yourself. The lake is beautifully maintained each winter, with cleared skating paths and stunning views from every angle. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers skate rentals and a warm fireside lounge after your skate.
Lake Louise
Moraine Lake, located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is not typically accessible for skating due to its remote location and heavy winter snowfall. Nearby lakes such as Lake Louise and Bow Lake offer excellent ice skating opportunities. Combine a visit to the Moraine Lake area with an ice skating adventure at one of these nearby lakes for a full day of stunning winter scenery in the Rockies.
Moraine Lake
Icefields Parkway
Bow Lake sits along one of the most dramatic stretches of highway in Canada. When it freezes, the resulting natural rink framed by Crowfoot Glacier is unlike anything at a maintained rink.
Bow Lake, located along the Icefields Parkway, offers a serene and picturesque setting for ice skating when conditions are right. The lake freezes to create a stunning natural rink surrounded by snow-covered peaks and glaciers. The clear ice and breathtaking scenery make skating on Bow Lake an unforgettable experience. This remote and peaceful location is perfect for those looking to skate somewhere truly extraordinary.
Bow Lake
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Several of its lakes provide excellent natural ice skating in winter. Canmore Travel reaches Jasper via the Icefields Parkway.
Jasper National Park offers some of the most scenic ice skating in the Rockies, with several lakes freezing over in winter to create natural rinks. Pyramid Lake is a popular spot, where you can skate on the frozen surface surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense forest. The town of Jasper also has an outdoor rink that offers a more sheltered environment. Jasper's blend of wild scenery and accessible rinks makes it a fantastic winter destination.
Jasper
British Columbia
Five BC destinations within transfer range of Canmore, spanning the Columbia Valley and the mountain towns of the interior. Invermere's Lake Windermere Whiteway is one of the longest maintained natural skating trails in the world.
Invermere is a top destination for ice skating, known for its unique Lake Windermere Whiteway. This massive outdoor rink spans the full length of Lake Windermere, offering over 30 kilometres of skating trails surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. It's the longest skating trail in the world and provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to glide across a frozen lake with breathtaking views in every direction. Invermere's sunny climate makes it one of the best winter days possible.
Invermere
Golden offers a variety of ice skating options, including natural frozen lakes and maintained outdoor rinks. The Golden Outdoor Rink is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a well-maintained surface with mountain views. For a more adventurous experience, skate on the frozen surface of Reflection Lake and enjoy the peaceful winter landscape and stunning mountain vistas. Golden's combination of accessible rinks and natural settings makes it a great winter destination.
Golden
Revelstoke offers a variety of ice skating options, from natural frozen lakes to outdoor rinks. The Revelstoke Outdoor Rink provides a well-maintained surface for skating, surrounded by the stunning Selkirk Mountains. For those looking to skate on a natural surface, nearby Lake Revelstoke freezes over in winter, offering a peaceful and scenic setting. Revelstoke's combination of stunning scenery and accessible rinks makes it a great destination for a winter skating day.
Revelstoke
Fernie transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for ice skating. The Fernie Outdoor Rink provides a great spot to skate with stunning mountain views and a lively community atmosphere. For those looking to skate on a natural surface, nearby lakes and ponds freeze over, offering additional opportunities to glide on the ice while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Elk Valley. Fernie's blend of natural beauty and community charm makes it a fantastic skating destination.
Fernie
Getting to the Ice with Canmore Travel
We offer pickups from convenient locations in Canmore, Harvie Heights, or Banff. Your guide knows these destinations well. Ask on the drive which lake is skating best this week, whether conditions are ideal at Bow Lake, or the best time to arrive at Lake Louise for clear morning light. That local knowledge comes with every booking.
Note: We do not organize skating activities. The skating is yours to enjoy.
