Snowshoe Trails in Alberta
Where to Hike in Alberta
Activities in Alberta
The Canadian Province of Alberta is an outdoor-lovers paradise. World famous destinations like Jasper, Lake Louise, Waterton and Banff draw the crowds, and for good reason – they’re beautiful. Big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, abundant glaciers, forests, game and fresh air make Alberta one of the best places for your upcoming holiday.
With most of the accessible Rocky Mountains in Alberta protected by national and provincial parks, a holiday in Alberta is special. There are big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, glaciers, forests and fresh air. Alberta has some of the best, untouched wilderness on earth, and the ideal way to explore this wonderful province is on foot, ski or bike.
In winter, there are downhill ski areas, most famous are the ski resorts Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Winter is not just about downhill skiing, there is also abundant xc-ski trails and exhilarating backcountry skiing options. Winter is also low season, and a trip to Alberta in winter means great hotel rates.
Summer sees Alberta’s national parks fill up with eager outdoor explorers. Luckily there is just so much nature that you only notice the crowds in a few places, the rest of the Canadian Rockies stay peaceful and tranquil. While hiking is the most popular summer activity, you can also climb, bike, canoe and kayak.
After a hard day outdoors, one of the best parts of Alberta are the great mountain towns. Full of everything from campsites to 5-star hotels, these towns allow you to enjoy some civilization, which means great coffee, good food and fun bars!
Displaying 27 of 27 routes
Route guides for Hiking in Alberta
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Rummel Ridge Route Guide
The Snowshoe trip to Rummel Ridge is a relatively safe and easy ascent to an incredible viewpoint above Rummel Lake. The in-your-face view of Mount Galatea and those of massive peaks across the valley compete for your attention.
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Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots Route Guide
The snowshoe trail from Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots takes adventurers through the incredible icy landscape of Johnston Canyon before leading into the quiet forest. The trail emerges into a subalpine meadow, where you will find the frozen ink pots.
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Commonwealth Ridge Route Guide
Snowshoeing up Commonwealth Ridge is no easy feat, but you will be rewarded with an up-close view of spectacular Mount Smuts and The Fist. The wonderful cornice scenery on the upper slope make Commonwealth Ridge an exciting snowshoe outing. This trip is only suitable for people with avalanche training and avalanche gear.
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Moraine Lake Road Route Guide
The multi-use Moraine Lake Road snowshoe sees cross-country skiers, ski tourers, snowshoers, and sometimes even fat bikers! This is an excellent way to experience the majestic Moraine Lake in the Valley of The Ten Peaks without the summer crowds. This is easily the most popular summer destination; however, it sees very few visitors in the winter. Spend a full day on this route, enjoying the grandeur of the lake before you turn back.
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Chester Lake Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Chester Lake is one of the most popular Snowshoe routes in Kananaskis. The spectacular view of Mount Chester rising above the meadows surrounding Chester Lake justify this trip as the most popular snowshoe trail in Kananaskis.
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Rummel Lake Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Rummel Lake brings you to some wonderful viewpoints in the Kananaskis Range. Mount Galatea, the highest in the area, towers over Rummel Lake while awesome snowy scenery and views of peaks in the Spray Valley make the ascent interesting.
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Sulphur Mountain Snowshoe Route Guide
Snowshoeing the Sulphur Mountain Trail via Cosmic Ray Road will take you from valley bottom to the summit of Sulphur on a rarely visited route. Avoid the crowded front side of Sulphur Mountain and find solitude on Cosmic Ray Road. You’ll begin at Cave and Basin National Historic Site before gaining elevation and views of the Sundance Range. After gaining the summit, you’ll descend via the main trail towards the Town of Banff.
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Little Lougheed Route Guide
The snowshoe up to Little Lougheed offers a perfect vantage point to view the spectacular Spray Lakes Reservoir and the snowy peaks surrounding it. An entertaining maze of boulders on the ascent and the challenging avalanche terrain turns this shorter route into a challenging and interesting day out!
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Shadow Lake Snowshoe Route Guide
The Shadow Lake Snowshoe Trail is rated as difficult due to its distance. It is a well-graded trail that leads you up roughly 3281ft over 10.6mi before returning the way you came. This is commonly used by those who will be staying the night at Shadow Lake Lodge and not often frequented by day users. If you are comfortable with the longer distance, this is an excellent way to spend a full day in the winter and experience Shadow Lake amid snowy scenery.
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Rawson Lake Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Rawson Lake is a Kananaskis Classic! Enjoy this trail as it goes along Upper Kananaskis Lake before going up through a giant pine forest towards Rawson Lake. The picturesque Rawson Lake is stunning in winter.
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Stoney Lookout Snowshoe Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Stoney Lookout is a great way to explore a favourite summer trail in winter. You’ll feel like you have been transported to a winter wonderland while travelling through this quiet trail. Admire the forest as you make your way to the final lookout where you can look over the Town of Banff.
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Healy Pass Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Healy Pass is a great day out in winter, and a fantastic break from the busy ski hills. The trail to Healy Pass is popular and often packed down thanks to its popularity. The expansive views of the vast meadows of Healy Pass and Sunshine Meadows make this a fantastic snowshoe trip.
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Troll Falls + Hay Meadows Route Guide
Snowshoeing to Troll Falls is a classic family outing in Kananaskis. This easy trail is a fun loop to the impressive frozen Troll Falls and then back via Hay Meadow, which is along the Kananaskis River. This trail is great for all abilities.
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Galatea Creek and Lillian Lake Route Guide
The snowshoe to Lillian Lake gets you into some very pretty country. Be aware to not go beyond Lillian Lake, as that is serious avalanche terrain.
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Wilcox Pass Route Guide
Lying on the edge of the Athabasca Icefield and surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in Alberta, a snowshoe trip into Wilcox Pass offers the casual snowshoer a glimpse into the world of snow and ice typically reserved for the serious mountaineer.
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Burstall Lakes Route Guide
Snowshoe along the summer hiking trail for Burstall Pass and enjoy travelling through dense forest as you make your way to the incredible Burstall Lakes. Once at Burstall lakes enjoy grand views of Mount Robertson and its impressive glacier from the meadows.
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Hogarth Lakes Route Guide
Hogarth Lake is a nice, easy snowshoe, perfect for a family. With nice views and great terrain, consider adding this trip if you’re new to snowshoeing or heading out with beginners. It’s also nice to combine with Burstall Lakes trail for a great day!
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Deception Pass Route Guide
If you can’t get out to Skoki Lodge for a few nights, consider this wonderful snowshoe trip up to Deception Pass. This is a great, though long, daytrip from Lake Louise Ski Hill. While faster to do on skis (especially the descent), you can also do this trip snowshoes.
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Sunshine Meadows Route Guide
A snowshoe trip at Sunshine Village should be on everybody’s checklist and exploring Rock Isle Lake in winter is spectacular. Locals refer to this as ‘Snowshoeing on Top of the World’, and on a sunny day it’s easy to see why. The views are stunning on this easy snowshoe.
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Crystal Ridge Route Guide
A snowshoe trip to Crystal Ridge, along the Icefields Parkway, takes you through fascinating boulders, giant crystals, and awe-inspiring views of the Wapta Icefield and its enormous peaks. We love this trip, however you should have avalanche training to go on this snowshoe.
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Paradise Valley Route Guide
Snowshoeing in Paradise Valley, near Lake Louise, is stunning, with incredible scenery. In winter it is also rare to find others enjoying this spectacular valley. While going deep into Paradise Valley opens up risk of avalanches, we love poking around before there is any avalanche danger.
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Peyto Lake Viewpoint Route Guide
The snowshoe trip to the Peyto Lake Viewpoint is a classic winter trip in the Canadian Rockies. This trail takes you to one of the best views in the Rockies. The best part is that in winter you often have the whole view to yourself. We like to combine this with a trip to Bow Lake.
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Taylor Lake and Panorama Meadows Route Guide
A snowshoe trip to Taylor Lake, which sits at the base of Mount Bell, is a beautiful sight. Be sure not to miss the open meadows below Panorama Ridge, just a short distance from Taylor Lake; they are what make this a spectacular trip.
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Johnston Canyon Route Guide
Snowshoeing or hiking Johnston Canyon in winter is spectacular. Not only are there fewer people, but seeing the ice in this canyon is special. This route can often be done without snowshoes, however microspikes for your boots are definitely recommended.
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Bow Lake Route Guide
Bow Lake is incredible, especially on a weekday in mid-winter, when it is all yours. This is a great place for beginners to enjoy a great snowshoe and incredible views. Be aware that there are avalanche slopes at the far end of Bow Lake and you shouldn’t proceed too far along the lake.
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Boom Lake Route Guide
Boom Lake is a great snowshoe in Banff National Park. While it’s mostly in the trees, once you get to Boom Lake it’s spectacular. Expect to share this trail with quite a few skiers.
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Lake Louise Route Guide
Snowshoeing on Lake Louise should be on your bucket-list. This is a classic snowshoe route is perfect for beginners, but don’t try this until Lake Louise freezes over. Head out across Lake Louise and explore the area at the far end of the lake, but turn around before the avalanche risk increases.
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