Snowshoe Trails in Canada
Canada is perhaps the ultimate adventure holiday destination, with huge national parks, towering mountain ranges, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and lush forests. If you’re looking for a real experience in the Great Outdoors, Canada certainly won’t disappoint. The world’s second-largest country, Canada has enough awe-inspiring sights to satisfy even the most enthusiastic nature lovers!
Spreading across the top of North America, and extending all the way into the Arctic, Canada is home to an abundance of rare and wonderful wildlife. Travelers here must share the land with a whole host of creatures, including moose, bears, mountain lions, and wild Canadian geese, and if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some of these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. Indeed, it’s Canada’s wildness that attracts many visitors – it’s one of the only places in the world where you can really escape from it all and immerse yourself in nature.
Canada’s most popular regions for adventure travel are Alberta and British Columbia, home to the Canadian Rockies and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Come here for hiking, backpacking, climbing, scrambling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and much more! Whether you want to dip your toes in a crisp alpine lake or trek along some of the most exhilarating ridge walks in the Rockies, there’s something for everyone here.
Canada is so huge, and the possibilities for adventure travel so vast, it can be difficult to know where to start! To help you plan your journey, we’ve put together guides to all the best regions for adventure travel in Alberta and British Columbia. You’ll find activity guides, tour recommendations, and top tips for planning a trip – all you need to do is decide where to go first!
Snowshoeing regions in Canada
Best Snowshoe Trails in Canada
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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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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.
User Ratings
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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.
User Ratings
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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.
User Ratings
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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.
User Ratings
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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
Sovereign Lake Snowshoe Loop
Silver Star Provincial Park’s Sovereign Lake is the ultimate go-to for avid cross country skiers and snowshoers! Even Olympic athletes and hopefuls flock here to train, thanks to the winter-wonderland snow—and we’re sure the reel of scenic views attracts athletes here, too. The Sovereign Lake Snowshoe Loop is an excellent route for beginners or anyone looking for a fun, easy-going outdoor activity.