If you are one of the many people who have moved to Alberta over the past little while, we have curated a list of some of the best things to do during your first winter here.
From exploring Alberta’s vast great outdoors to being dazzled by Christmas lights to exploring some iconic landmarks, here are 13 things you need to do this winter if you are new to the province.
CoolPhoto2/Shutterstock | Shawna and Damien Richard/Shutterstock
Ice bubbles that form in a lake in Alberta are a must-visit this winter. The ice bubbles bloom under Abraham Lake like flowers, making for a stunning sight. You can pack your skates and hit the lake, gliding over the bubbles while surrounded by the Rockies. It’s a wonderful experience, but it can be pretty windy some days, so check the forecast before you head out. It’s one of the most beautiful things you can see this winter in Alberta.
Lake Louise, Alberta (Stanley Aryanto/The Wicked Hunt)
It’s a postcard-perfect location. The national park Lake Louise sits in, Banff, was recently named one of the most beautiful places in the world and was also named one of the most Instagrammable places in the world. The area is known for dazzling blue waters, towering mountains, and the luxe Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise that overlooks the lake, so we can totally see why Instagrammers love it!
Courtesy of Canadian Pacific Railway
The CP Holiday Train rolls into Alberta this December, bringing lights, music, and holiday cheer to tons of communities across the province. The train will be motoring through nearly two dozen communities in Alberta this year, including Calgary, Canmore, Edmonton, and Leduc.
Christmas lights at the Alberta Legislature
Petr Smida/Shutterstock
For more than 30 years, the grounds have been a festive haven for many, with a massive Christmas tree placed on the grounds and numerous surrounding trees adorned with lights. It’s a lovely spot for a stroll with friends, a date, or the perfect holiday Instagram photo. Check it out ASAP!
Elk Island National Park
Get in your vehicle and take a short 40-minute drive east of Edmonton into Elk Island National Park. You’ll find yourself surrounded by lakes, towering trees that are gorgeous when hoar frost happens, and the odd bison sighting, too. It’s a neat place, and how lucky are we to have a national park so close to a major city?!
A town in central Alberta is leaning into the spirit of winter with a massive skating rink that lights up at night and 300,000 Christmas lights to marvel at. The Winter Village in Sylvan Lake is lit up nightly from December until March, with activities including skating, ice fishing, tobogganing, and more.
Winter in Alberta offers true beauty, and we strongly suggest checking out these frozen waterfalls nestled in the Rockies. The roaring Crescent Falls plummets 30 metres over two ledges and offers breathtaking views of the Bighorn River Valley. It’s one of the most breathtaking frozen waterfalls in the Rockies.
Butler Stock Photography/Shutterstock
A staple tourist destination in the summertime, there’s something unique and special about seeing the hoodoos and landscape of Drumheller draped in some snow. Have a snowball fight, and then go see some Guinness World Record-holding dinosaur bones at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Calgary Zoo ZooLights (@thecalgaryzoo/Instagram)
ZooLights, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is back for its 28th year! Calgary’s award-winning, magical holiday tradition will be glowing for seven weeks of festive, family-friendly fun. Enjoy all the magic of ZooLights while supporting wildlife conservation — it’s a win-win!
West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall/Facebook
You can’t think of Alberta without thinking of the West Edmonton Mall in the province’s capital. This mall is chock-full of options like Galaxyland, the waterpark, mini golf, ice skating, bowling, and of course, shopping. There is even a hotel within the mall that has tons of wild and eccentric themed rooms to stay in. Nowhere else in Canada can compete; it’s a total must-visit this winter, and its holiday decorating is top-notch!
Take a winter drive on Alberta’s most scenic highways
When you take a road trip in Alberta, you are guaranteed some lovely views along the way, and two highways in the province are considered some of the most scenic in Canada. If you decide to hit up the Icefields Parkway, make sure to stop at all the wintry locations along the way, like Athabasca Falls, pictured above, in Jasper National Park.
Get the best vistas of Calgary, the foothills, and the snowcapped mountains on a clear day from the Calgary Tower. Standing 191 metres/627 feet tall with 360-degree views, this is a great way to see “all” of Calgary from one place! Think about the snowy view you could see from WAY up there.
Ice sculpture at Lake Louise during SnowDays (Elle McLean/Daily Hive)
SnowDays, Banff and Lake Louise’s annual winter celebration returns this January, bringing the national park to life with a wide array of activities, sights, and events. Check out giant snow sculptures throughout the streets of downtown Banff, and then head to Lake Louise to lace up your skates and take a whirl around the lake for an iconic Canadian experience. For some family-friendly festivities, hit up the SnowDays Play Zone on weekday evenings and weekends, where you’ll find exhilarating activities and hands-on fun for all ages.