If you’re visiting the Bow Valley in the cold winter season, it’s likely because you love snow sports, you want to experience a true Canadian winter wonderland, or both. Outdoor, wild ice skating is one of the most surreal and magical ways to take in some of the world’s greatest snowy mountain scenes while keeping your body moving and staying warm. Ice skating is also one of the best family friendly winter activities in the Bow Valley.
If you’re searching for the best places to lace up and hit the ice for a skate with your family or to drop in on a game of pond hockey, look no further. In this article, you’ll find:
- The best places to enjoy outdoor ice skating with the most picturesque scenes in Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise
- Where to find ice skate rentals in Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise
- The official Canadian Red Cross Ice Safety recommendations
Where To Go Ice Skating in the Bow Valley
Canmore
“The Pond”
The Low Down: Maintained by the Town of Canmore, “The Pond” features lights for use until 10:00 PM, an open gazebo with benches, nearby washrooms at the Information Centre on 7th Ave and a small parking lot.
Best For: Families looking for an easily accessible spot in town near all the amenities
Where: Downtown Canmore, just two blocks from Main Street on 7th Ave at Mallard Alley
Gap Lake
The Low Down: Just a ten minute drive from Canmore with plenty of space to skate freely and mountain views on all sides, this lake is easily accessed but still feels like a ‘secret spot’ once you’re on it. The water often freezes over super smooth and clear, making it perfect for ice skating. Keep in mind that this lake is more likely to be uncleared shortly after snowfall. Bring shovels!
Best For: Adventurous families and larger groups staying in Canmore looking for an uncrowded and picturesque ice skating experience less than fifteen minutes from town
Where: Off Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A) 10km from Canmore
Grotto Pond
The Low Down: Just a few minutes farther down the road from Gap Lake, this small pond is family friendly and often cleared of snow by locals
Best For: Young families looking for an easily accessible spot likely to be cleared of snow, but less crowded than the skating pond in downtown
Where: Off Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A) 13km from Canmore
Banff
The Low Down: When conditions permit, the train station rink will be open in mid to late January in Banff.
Best For: Skaters of all ages and skill levels looking for an easy-going skate with mountain views in the centre of town
Where: At Banff train station
More Info: banff.ca/110/Outdoor-Ice-Skating
The Waldhaus Rink
The Low Down: This small skating rink behind the Fairmont Banff Springs castle is situated between a tobogganing hill and open fire with views of Rundle and Sulphur mountains. The overlooking Waldhaus Pub serves food and hot chocolate.
Best For: Families with young kids who want to fill a day skating, tobogganing, relaxing by the fire and exploring the castle
Where: Next to Waldhaus Pub & Patio, behind Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Vermillion Lakes
The Low Down: Located just outside the Town of Banff, these lakes are both easily accessible and relatively low-trafficked. There are three docks that make it easy to access the lakes. Be mindful of where you choose to skate! Third Vermillion Lake gets inflow from a hot spring, so ice thickness is especially variable here. Avoid the area east of the dock on this lake. Also, bring shovels if you’re visiting after a snow fall in case the ice has not yet been cleared by snow angels.
Best For: Groups staying in Banff with access to a couple shovels looking for a nearby, remote and uncrowded wild ice skating experience (if without a vehicle, and to be extra adventurous, travel here on a fat bike)
Where: West of the Town of Banff, down Vermillion Lakes Rd, next to Hwy 1
Johnson Lake
The Low Down: Just 15 minutes from Banff Town and one of the first lakes to freeze over, Johnson Lake is a popular choice for wild mountain ice skating. Ice may be thin on the West end of the lake near the foot bridge.
Best For: Early-season outings and sunset skates. You might even find some shinny here.
Where: At the end of Johnson Lake Rd off of Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr
Two Jack Lake
The Low Down: Timed right and clear of snow, Two Jack Lake can host some of the most vast and beautiful ice skating scenes you’ll ever see. With smooth ice clear to the bottom and Mount Rundle reflecting on its surface, you’re truly fortunate to catch a perfect day on Two Jack. Stay at least 100m away from the dam at the east end of the lake. The ice is always thin in this area.
Best For: When clear of snow; epic, wide open, wild mountain skates
Where: 11km from Banff, up Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr
Lake Minnewanka
The Low Down: 30km long and up to 140m deep, Lake Minnewanka offers the opportunity for a truly epic ice skating experience. The lake often does not freeze until late in the winter and can be very windy. Despite its intensity, those that are lucky enough to catch a good ice skating day on this haunting and historic glacial lake will certainly enjoy a unique and magical experience. This is also one of the best places in Banff National Park to view the Northern Lights.
As this is an artificial reservoir, water level varies throughout the winter and ice can be cracked near the shoreline. Be aware, Skaters can be pushed out by the winds and may not be able to skate back. Bring boots to walk back or stay close to your starting point. The lake is large and help can be a long way away if you get into trouble so we don’t recommend going alone!
Best For: Thrill-seeking skaters with a strong understanding of ice conditions and ice safety
Where: At the end of Johnson Lake Rd off of Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
The Low Down: Often referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful places for ice skating, Lake Louise is a bucket-list destination for travellers everywhere. The ice surface is maintained daily by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and features nearby fire pit, heated shelter, bathrooms and a cafe with hot chocolate making it ideal for families.
Also, from January 15-26, 2020 the lake will also serve as an artistic canvas for skilled ice sculptors. The 12-day event is called Ice Magic and given the opportunity, we suggest you check it out!
Best For: Skaters of all types in search of a true Winter Wonderland ice skating experience (like a scene out of Frozen or Chronicles of Narnia) and ice skating under the stars on a clear night
Where: 4km West of Lake Louise at the end of Lake Louise Drive
Lake Louise Recreation Centre
The Low Down: A special spot for hockey players, the LLRC features a covered outdoor hockey arena that is well maintained with a zamboni and lots of lightning into the night
Best For: Hockey fans that want to skate in a top-of-the-line outdoor rink and hockey players looking to drop in for some shinny hockey
Where: 4km West of Lake Louise at the end of Lake Louise Drive
More Info: facebook.com/lakelouisesportandrec
Ice Skate Rentals
Gear Up Mountain Sports | Canmore | 403.678.1636
Trail Sports | Canmore | 403.678.1636
Banff Adventures | Banff | 403.762.4554
Snowtips Bactrax | Banff | 403.762.8177
Wilson Mountain Sports | Lake Louise | 403.522.3636
Chateau Lake Louise | Lake Louise | 403.522.1506
Additional Resources
Bow Valley Wild Ice Facebook Group – This is an excellent resource for up-to-date information about ice skating from locals who have visited the spots above. Conditions are always changing and every season is different so real-time information and updates can make all the difference in choosing where to skate! Join the group to check for recent updates. Make sure you follow the group rules!
Town of Canmore Official Outdoor Ice Rinks Page – Up-to-date information about outdoor all ice rinks officially maintained by the Town of Canmore
Town of Banff Official Outdoor Ice Skating Page – A list of ice skating locations in Banff National Park
Parks Canada Official Ice Skating Page – Official ice skating safety recommendations from Parks Canada
How to Check Ice Conditions & Be Safe
From The Canadian Red Cross Ice Safety:
Many factors affect ice thickness, including type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:
- water depth and size of body of water
- currents and other moving water
- chemicals including salt
- fluctuations in water levels
- logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun
- changing air temperature
The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength:
- Clear blue ice is strongest.
- White opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Opaque ice is formed by wet snow freezing on the ice.
- Grey ice is unsafe. The grayness indicates the presence of water.
Ice thickness should be:
- 15 cm for walking or skating alone.
- 20 cm for skating parties or games.
If you get into trouble on ice and you’re by yourself:
- Call for help.
- Resist the immediate urge to climb back out where you fell in. The ice is weak in this area.
- Use the air trapped in your clothing to get into a floating position on your stomach.
- Reach forward onto the broken ice without pushing down. Kick your legs to push your torso on the ice.
- When you are back on the ice, crawl on your stomach or roll away from the open area with your arms and legs spread out as far as possible to evenly distribute your body weight. Do not stand up! Look for shore and make sure you are going in the right direction.
Rescuing another person from ice can be dangerous. The safest way to perform a rescue is from shore.
- Call for help. Consider whether you can quickly get help from trained professionals (police, fire fighters or ambulance) or bystanders.
- Check if you can reach the person using a long pole or branch from shore – if so, lie down and extend the pole to the person.
- If you go onto ice, wear a PFD and carry a long pole or branch to test the ice in front of you. Bring something to reach or throw to the person (e.g. pole, weighted rope, line or tree branch).
- When near the break, lie down to distribute your weight and slowly crawl toward the hole.
- Remaining low, extend or throw your emergency rescue device (pole, rope, line or branch) to the person.
- Have the person kick while you pull them out.
- Move the person to a safe position on shore or where you are sure the ice is thick. Signal for help.
Parks Canada recommends:
- Contacting a Parks Canada visitor centre for more information on ice skating.
- Checking the cracks in the ice or drill a hole to help determine the depth of the ice: minimum of 15 cm thick.
- Wearing PFD’s while skating if you are uncertain about ice thickness.
- Carrying some rope to help reach someone, and ice picks to help pull yourself out.
- Calling 911 or 403-762-4506 in case of EMERGENCY.
If you are going to a remote area, tell someone you trust exactly where your group is going and when you plan to return, and any other pertinent information that will assist search and rescue personnel if you do not return as planned.
We hope this article is valuable for you! If you have any feedback, questions or additional suggestions for us about the information here, we would really appreciate if you left a comment below! Have fun and be safe!
