Snowshoe Trails 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!
Snowshoeing regions in Alberta
Best Snowshoe Trails in Alberta
Paradise Valley
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
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
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
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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- Technical Difficulty
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Bow Lake
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
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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- Technical Difficulty
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Lake Louise
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.
User Ratings
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty