Disclaimer: This web page might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Please evaluation our full Phrases and Circumstances for extra info and our Privateness Coverage. Observe that any pricing, working hours, or different such info supplied beneath might have modified since preliminary publication.
Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on January 5, 2024
Gliding throughout a frozen lake on a pair of ice skates is one thing that each Canadian should do of their lifetime. With the epic mountain backdrops, ice skating in Banff Nationwide Park is such a tremendous factor to do within the wintertime. And there are many prime spots to lace them up and spend a morning, afternoon or perhaps a full day skating away. Right here’s our listing of the most effective spots in Banff Nationwide Park for skating.
12 Greatest Locations for Ice Skating in Banff Nationwide Park
Lake Louise
There may be nothing like ice skating on the long-lasting Lake Louise. Maintained by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which incorporates every day snow removing, the backdrop of this skating rink is without doubt one of the greatest on the planet. Although it’s definitely a busy ice rink – you’ll discover a lot of vacationers right here – everybody ought to do that Lake Louise skating spot at the very least as soon as.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise additionally erects ice sculptures and an ice fort yearly, which makes for pretty picture alternatives. One other bonus: the ice is lit up at evening for evening skating!
Fairmont Banff Springs Lodge
Behind the Fairmont Banff Springs Lodge, you’ll discover the artifical Waldhaus rink. With views of the mountains and the beautiful lodge, this is without doubt one of the most iconic locations to skate in Banff.
There’s often a hearth pit or two to heat up in entrance of, too! Observe that this rink is just for registered lodge visitors.
Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
Probably the most stunning locations to go outside skating in Banff, the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre has over 16,000 sq. toes of ice to discover. Situated behind the curling facility, the Fenlands outside rink is ideal for skating whereas surrounded by bushes and mountains. It’s additionally conveniently situated simply close to the Banff city signal, so it’s inside strolling distance from many resorts in Banff. You can even go contained in the recreation centre as there are indoor rinks obtainable for public use, too.
One more reason we love this Banff ice skating spot? The Fenlands Recreation Centre has skate leases, skate sharpening, warming areas, concession, and washrooms throughout its working hours.
Prepare Station
After the closing of the ice rink at Banff Neighborhood Excessive Faculty, locals and vacationers alike wished entry to outside ice skating rinks. Fortunately, a skating rink opened up on the Prepare Station on the town, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in 16,800 sq. toes of skating floor.
There are additionally warming huts, benches, rubbish receptacles, and hearth pits in your use on the Prepare Station ice rink.
Lake Louise Recreation Centre
Should you’re in search of an indoor rink, look no additional than the Lake Louise Recreation Centre. With an NHL-sized area, this rink is offered for drop-ins for $2.
There are heated dressing rooms, hockey nets, and skate aids obtainable, amongst different facilities.
Wild Ice Skating in Banff
Wild skating in Banff Nationwide Park is completely unbelievable, however it does take some timing; there’s usually a really small window when you’ll be able to truly skate on the frozen lakes round Banff. You need to discover the fitting circumstances, as there have to be a great stage of ice thickness, however there can’t be loads of snow cowl.
A variety of discovering the proper spot for a wild ice skate is luck, however you may as well ask round in both Banff or Lake Louise for the skating circumstances and ice thickness. Whereas ice skating on lakes is totally weather-dependent, it usually makes for the most effective skating in Banff!
Keep in mind: not one of the following places are maintained by Parks Canada, so skate on these frozen lakes at your personal danger. Extra on ice skating security in Banff is beneath.
Two Jack Lake
Discovered off of Minnewanka Highway, skating on Two Jack Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. This stunning spot is thought for its improbable skating, however you need to time it proper; numerous components have an effect on ice thickness and security, and there are sometimes spots that haven’t absolutely frozen over. However when you skate right here on the proper time of 12 months, the frozen lake takes on the looks of clean glass, making for a skate to recollect.
Security tip for skating on Two Jack Lake: keep at the very least 100 metres from the dam on the east finish of the lake, as there may be all the time open water and dangerously skinny ice right here.
Lake Minnewanka
Discovered on Minnewanka Highway, Lake Minnewanka skating is known in Banff Nationwide Park. As a result of it’s such a big and deep lake, Lake Minnewanka often takes a very long time to freeze over each winter. However when it does, it’s each ice skater’s dream!
The huge lake means that there’s tons of ice floor to cowl, however beware: excessive winds can generally push skaters out far onto the ice. It’s really useful to skate together with your boots in a backpack in an effort to stroll again on windy days.
Bow River
Simply west of Bow Avenue within the city of Banff, there’s a small patch of ice that’s often cleared on Bow River. Whereas it’s one of many closest pure ice surfaces to Banff for ice skating, skating alongside the river itself isn’t really useful; the transferring water beneath makes it harmful.
Johnson Lake
Highly regarded for Banff ice skating, one other lake discovered on Minnewanka Highway is Johnson Lake. Typically one of many first lakes that freeze over each winter, this lake is an ideal place to check out wild skating in Banff.
Security tip for skating on Johnson Lake: ice could also be thinner on the west finish of the lake close to the footbridge, as that is the place a stream exits the reservoir.
Vermilion Lakes
Accessible from the Vermilion Lakes Drive, Vermilion Lakes has fantastic skating in winter. Highly regarded with locals because the lakes are fairly near Banff townsite, you’ll usually discover skaters clearing the snow right here for the most effective skating alternatives.
The primary two of the Vermilion Lakes are the most effective for ice skating; take pleasure in views of Mount Rundle as you whip throughout the pure ice.
Cascade Ponds
One other spot off of Minnewanka Highway, Cascade Ponds has some nice skating in winter. Use warning when skating close to the streams, because the flowing water usually signifies that the ice isn’t as thick right here.
Peyto Lake
Should you’re in search of a frozen lake that doesn’t have loads of skaters, try Peyto Lake. Whereas it requires extra effort to get to – you’ll need to hike right down to the lake from the lake entry, not the viewing platform – Peyto Lake affords some superb skating alternatives with magnificent views.
What to Convey for Ice Skating in Banff
Although you’ll be working up a sweat with all that ice skating, it’s nonetheless really useful to decorate warmly for any outside actions in Banff. That features a heat jacket, snow pants, thick socks, mittens, a shawl, and a toque (at minimal). It’s all the time higher to layer up and be capable to take away objects of clothes than to really feel too chilly whereas skating!
And when you don’t have your personal skates? There are many locations in Banff to hire ice skates.
The place to Hire Skates in Banff Nationwide Park
Fortunately, there are many locations in Banff and Lake Louise to hire ice skates. Should you’re in Banff, you’ll be able to hire skates from Banff Adventures, Chateau Mountain Sports activities on the Banff Springs Lodge, Final Sports activities, Snowtips-Bactrax, and Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre (for onsite use solely).
Headed to Lake Louise? You may hire skates from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; Chateau Ski and Snow Leases is discovered close to the lodge foyer and affords ice skate leases. Wilson Mountain Sports activities in Lake Louise Village additionally affords skate leases.
Fast Suggestions for Ice Skating Security
Staying secure whereas ice skating in Banff is extraordinarily essential, and everybody ought to take ice security significantly. Parks Canada does NOT monitor pure ice surfaces in Banff Nationwide Park, so when you select to go wild ice skating, you accomplish that at your personal danger.
How thick does ice should be to skate on? Parks Canada recommends that ice needs to be at the very least 15 centimetres (roughly six inches) thick for strolling or skating alone, and the ice needs to be at the very least 20 centimetres (roughly 7.5 inches) thick for video games or group skating. Nevertheless, by spring, loads of ice may have melted after which frozen once more, making it unstable. We suggest ice skating in Banff in winter when the ice is at its thickest and strongest.
Clear blue ice is the strongest, whereas white ice is half as robust. Gray ice needs to be fully averted as there’s a sign of water. Don’t go wild ice skating at evening; it’s practically unattainable to see skinny ice or holes within the ice. For extra info on ice security, click on right here.
Ice Skating Close to Banff Nationwide Park
Are you prepared to journey exterior of the park for different skating alternatives? Abraham Lake is an notorious skating spot in Alberta because of the methane ice bubbles that turn out to be trapped within the lake’s clear ice throughout winter, making for an unforgettable skate.
There’s additionally ice skating on Spray Lake Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, in Kananaskis Village, Hole Lake, Lac des Arcs, Goat Pond, and a number of spots round Canmore, together with the city pond.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to virtually each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card sport, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.