MichelleThe best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country are waiting for you to explore. Kananaskis Country is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Southern Alberta. It has some of Alberta’s most beautiful winter views.
You can enjoy these sights without the crowds found in Banff National Park. This carefully planned 2-day itinerary includes easy winter hikes in Kananaskis.
You will see amazing frozen waterfalls near Calgary and snow-covered mountain views. These sights will take your breath away, both from effort and wonder.
9 Things to Know Before You Visit Kananaskis
Before embarking on any winter adventure in Kananaskis, proper preparation is crucial:
- Check trail conditions: AlbertaParks.ca provides up-to-date information on trail closures and conditions
- Avalanche awareness: Check avalanche condition on Avalanche.ca
- Weather forecast: Mountain weather can change rapidly; check weather forecasts before departure
- Daylight hours: Winter days are short; plan to be off trails before sunset
- Layering: Pack moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer shells
- Winter traction: Microspikes are essential for most trails
- Emergency gear: Carry extra food, water, warm clothing, headlamp, and basic first aid supplies
- Trail navigation: Trails can be difficult to follow in snow; bring offline maps
- Wildlife encounters: Even in winter, maintain an appropriate distance from wildlife
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Kananaskis Conservation Pass is compulsory when visiting Kananaskis Country. You can purchase online beforehand, or purchase the pass when you visit Kananaskis.
You could be warned or even be fined if you did not purchase Kananaskis Conservation Pass when visiting Kananaskis.
Day 1
Morning: Troll Falls Kananaskis
- Distance: 4.7 km round trip (extending to Upper Falls)
- Elevation Gain: 227 meters
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 2 hours
- Trailhead: Troll Falls Trailhead Parking Lot
Troll Falls is one of the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country. Begin your Kananaskis adventure with this family-friendly trail that transforms into a winter wonderland.
This Troll Falls trail in Kananaskis goes through a snow-covered forest with minimal elevation gain. It leads to Troll Falls, a 13-meter waterfall. The falls often freeze into a spectacular ice formation by mid-December.
Don’t stop at the main falls! Continue to the Upper Falls for an additional 1 km. This section is steeper but rewards your effort with three more frozen waterfalls—each more impressive than the last.
A middle falls called Marmot Falls is located between Troll Falls and Upper Falls. This place is absolutely worth a visit. You can even walk behind the falls and touch the crystal clear icefalls.
The final upper falls features a massive ice column that forms as water seeps through limestone cliffs.
I highly recommend that you wear microspikes for the Upper Falls section because the entire area has frozen. Wearing microspikes helps you to walk on the icefall easily without getting your hips hurt.
Afternoon: Rawson Lake
- Distance: 6.8 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 526 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 3 hours
- Trailhead: Upper Kananaskis Lake Parking Area
After a quick lunch, you can head to your afternoon adventure at Rawson Lake, one of the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country. This spectacular alpine lake sits in a natural amphitheater surrounded by towering peaks, offering a quintessential Rocky Mountain experience.
The Rawson Lake Trailhead begins at the Upper Kananaskis Lake shoreline. After crossing a bridge with a waterfall close by, you will soon reach Rawson Lake Trail. It goes through dense forest and climbs steadily over snow-covered terrain.
In winter, the lake usually freezes by late December. This creates a large white canvas next to Mount Sarrail. Take time to explore the lake’s shoreline, but avoid venturing onto the ice unless you’re certain of conditions.
Avalanche risk exists beyond the lake toward Sarrail Ridge, so stay on the marked trail.
Dinner: Tavern 1883
Address: 709 9 St, Canmore, AB T1W 2V7
After a day of winter hiking, Tavern 1883 is one of the restaurants in Canmore with a good vibe, but cannot make a reservation. To try it, you have to arrive earlier, as this is a popular option, or you will have to wait. We went there on a Saturday night, and it had live music!
Day 2
We will head back to Calgary after today’s hikes, and we chose two winter hikes in Canmore. These two hikes are also easy family-friendly hikes near Calgary.
With Heart Creek Bunker Trail to explore the unknown, and Grotto Canyon hike to walk on icy floors, kids would definitely enjoy the hikes.
Breakfast: Craigs’ Way Station
Address: 1727 Mountain Ave, Canmore, AB T1W 2W1
We got to Craigs’ Way Station around 10 in the morning. The restaurant was already full when we left at 11. So, be there early! The breakfast here is highly recommended. The egg benedict was so good that I hope to reorder it next time.
After getting enough energy, it’s time to start your second day of winter hike in Kananaskis.
Morning: Heart Creek Bunker
- Distance: 4 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 223 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Trailhead: Heart Creek Bunker Trail Parking Lot
Start your second day with this fascinating historical hike that combines natural beauty with an intriguing Cold War relic. Heart Creek Bunker is located in Kananaskis, and is one of the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country close to Canmore.
The path starts relatively flat, with some uphill and downhill, but the trail is well-maintained. Remember to always go on the left when you see forks in the road.
The bunker itself is a large concrete structure built into the mountainside. It served as a backup communications facility during the Cold War. Bring a headlamp to explore its echoing chambers, though be prepared for some graffiti and avoid venturing too far alone.
Afternoon: Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
- Distance: 4 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 100 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 2 hours
- Trailhead: Grotto Canyon Trail Parking Lot
Save one of Kananaskis’s most magical winter experiences for your final adventure. The Grotto Canyon Ice Walk takes you through a narrow limestone canyon. Here, waterfalls turn into nature’s ice sculptures, which are the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country.
Grotto Canyon trail head begins through open terrain before entering the canyon itself. Once inside, you’ll find yourself walking directly on the frozen creek bed, surrounded by towering canyon walls.
The ice underfoot can be quite slippery, making microspikes absolutely essential. We saw people without microspikes walk really carefully in the icy canyon. But if you wear microspikes, you can walk easily.
At the end of the ice walk, you will find Grotto Canyon Icefall. Climbers often climb up using ice axes and crampons.
Most people stop their adventure here, but you can continue further to look for ancient Indigenous pictographs on the canyon walls (estimated to be 500-1,000 years old) and the cave past Grotto Canyon.
This 2-day winter itinerary offers a perfect introduction to the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country.
Each of the hikes is an easy and family-friendly hike, you can bring your kids and pets with you. There are many more hikes in Kananaskis, and nearby Banff.
How to get to Kananaskis?
There are no public buses to Kananaskis, so driving or renting a car is definitely the best option. You can travel at your own pace, and visit anywhere you wish to go.
If you don’t want to drive, or you don’t have a driver’s license, joining local tours is a good option. You don’t have to worry about the travel plan, but the cost would be much higher.
Where to stay in Kananaskis?
If you want to stay overnight in Kananaskis, most hotels are located in Kananaskis Village and Canmore.
For this 2-day itinerary of the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country, Troll Falls and Rawson Lake are closer to Kananaskis Village. At the same time, Heart Creek Bunker and Grotto Canyon are closer to Canmore.
Kananaskis Village
Things to Do in Kananaskis
If you’d rather leave the planning to the pros, Kananakis has a fantastic selection of tours to help you experience the best of the region:
FAQs
Do I need special gear for winter hikes in Kananaskis?
Yes. At minimum, bring microspikes or crampons for icy sections, warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a hat. For longer hikes like Rawson Lake, trekking poles help with stability in the snow.
Are these winter hikes family-friendly?
Troll Falls, Heart Creek Bunker and Grotto Canyon Ice Walk are great for families and beginners because they’re shorter and easier. Rawson Lake are better for adults or older kids with some hiking experience.
Do I need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to do these hikes?
Yes. A valid Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for parking at trailheads. You can purchase it online or at kiosks before your trip.
Is it safe to hike these trails in winter?
Yes, but always check trail conditions and avalanche advisories, especially for Rawson Lake. Stick to marked trails, start early in the day, and be prepared for changing weather.
When is the best time to do these hikes in winter?
December through March is ideal, when the waterfalls and canyons are fully frozen. For Troll Falls and Grotto Canyon, mid-winter offers the best icy scenery. For Rawson Lake, choose days with stable avalanche conditions.
Time for Adventure
