If you’re planning a winter getaway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you’ll be eager to make the most of your time in the beautiful winter wonderland. Discover some of the best things to do around Canmore, Alberta this winter in our latest blog, including hydrotherapy, outdoor ice skating, and dog sledding!
Hydrotherapy
After adventuring in the mountains, what could be better than spending time relaxing in hot water? Hydrotherapy includes any form of therapy that uses hot and/or cold water to help heal. The benefits of hydrotherapy include reducing pain, inducing relaxation, and improving mental well-being. This ancient practice has been scientifically proven to be beneficial.
Banff Hot Springs and Kananaskis Nordic Spa are two of the closest places to experience hydrotherapy around Canmore.
Banff Hot Springs
Located on Sulphur Mountain near the gondola, world famous Banff Hot Springs are a short drive or bus ride from Banff townsite. The temperature of this mineral-rich pool is between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius or 98 and 104 Fahrenheit. Banff Upper Hot Springs is open daily to the public on a year-round basis. Entry to Banff Hot Springs is available on a first come, first served bases with no reservations or pre-booked tickets. Learn more about Banff Hot Springs.
Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Located in Kananaskis Village, a scenic 40-minute drive from Canmore, Kananaskis Nordic Spa is a 50,000 sq ft facility that offers a full range of hydrotherapy options, including hot pools, a cold plunge, saunas, and steam rooms. Book your pass in advance or join a same-day waitlist. They also offer massages and on-site dining options. With cozy fireplaces, hammocks, and outdoor seating, this hydrotherapy facility will leave you feeling thoroughly relaxed.
Outdoor Ice Skating
There are few things more Canadian than ice skating in the winter. While it is possible to ice skate on unmaintained, natural areas like lakes, this can be dangerous if you aren’t experienced with checking ice thickness. If you’re new to the area, we recommend skating on maintained ice surfaces for safety reasons.
Where to Ice Skate in Canmore
The Town of Canmore maintains several neighbourhood ice surfaces throughout the town, including:
- Cougar Creek Boarded Ice Rink
- Rundle Crescent Ice Surface
- Peaks Park Ice Surface
- Larch Boarded Ice Rink
There’s also a pond located in downtown Canmore that traditionally was maintained for ice skating, but in recent years a new natural spring has made it unsafe to skate on.
Where to Ice Skate in Banff National Park
If you’re looking for a place to go ice skating in Banff townsite on maintained ice surfaces, you’ve got two options:
- Fenlands Outdoor Meadow Rink – A hidden gem, this 5,000 sq. ft. leisure skating ice “rink” can be found in the meadow behind the recreation building.
- Train Station Rink – Opened in 2022, this ice skating rink is nearly the same size as a National Hockey League (NHL) rink.
One of the most popular outdoor ice skating surfaces in Banff National Park is Lake Louise. Cleared daily of snowfall, this frozen lake ice surface includes a hockey rink, bonfires, and a giant ice castle.
Kananaskis Village also has two maintained ice surfaces, the village pond, and a hockey rink.
Canadian Rockies Dog Sledding Tour
The best way to complete your Canadian Rockies vacation in style is with a traditional dog sledding tour. Here at Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tours we offer 4 different winter dog sled tours, our popular 2-hour, a half-day tour, a full-day tour, and our bucket list overnight experience. Almost all of our guests who book the 2-hour tour wish they had booked the 4-hour tour instead. Once you’re up in the winter wonderland with our husky heroes you won’t want to come back. It’s like being in a real life snowglobe.
- 2-hour tour: Powder Hound Express
- 4-hour tour: Sunfeather Winterlude
- 8-hour tour: Spirit of Dog Society
- 2-day tour: Ghost of Fortune Mountain
Whether you decided to go ice skating or indulge in some hydrotherapy, make sure to also include a dog sledding adventure in your Rocky Mountain itinerary.