You don’t have to invest in snowshoes to get out for an easy family-friendly hike this winter. Many trails are well packed down and straightforward to follow year-round. Visit a frozen waterfall, stop to build a snowman, and don’t forget to make at least a few snow angels along the way. You might find your kids even prefer hiking when there’s snow on the ground.
Below are some of my family’s favorite winter hiking trails:
This hike is conveniently located below Kananaskis Village for families spending the weekend at the Kananaskis Lodge. The 4km loop hike follows the Troll Falls and Hay Meadows Trails. These multi-use winter trails permit cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Please be respectful of the ski tracks and do not walk on top of them. Access to the trails is from the Stoney Parking lot on your right-hand side as you head up to Nakiska from Highway 40.
You can also extend your hike for a couple more kilometres by going further to the Upper Falls once you reach Troll Falls. Ice cleats will be necessary for this steep trail, which has a few sections with snow covered stairs. It’s worth the effort though, for the opportunity to go behind frozen Marmot Falls.
This hike starts on Highway 1A, east of Canmore from the Grotto Mountain Day Use area. Hike through a narrow canyon on an ice floor to reach beautiful frozen waterfalls in an easy 4km round-trip outing. Ice spikes are imperative for this one and my family prefers the Kahtoola Microspike brand. Cheaper brands can also be purchased online, but make sure you buy something that has actual mini spikes (rather than coils.) Helmets are also a good idea for young children who might be playing around on the ice.
This hike also starts on Highway 1A, east of Exshaw, and has a dedicated parking lot. This hike is a more advanced version of Grotto Canyon above, so try that one first. If you enjoyed Grotto, you’ll love the added challenge of the Jura Creek hike where you’ll have to navigate up and around natural obstacles such as logs, boulders, and ice slides.
The full hike can take several hours depending on how far up the creek you go, but the exciting part through a narrow canyon only takes a couple of hours return at most. Ice spikes are imperative for this hike and helmets are recommended for kids who will be climbing around on the ice and rocks.
Everybody loves the easy Heart Creek Trail located along the TransCanada Highway east of Canmore. It’s even more magical in winter though when you’ll see frozen waterfalls and you can often hike right up the creek. The hike is 5km return and ice cleats or spikes are usually necessary. The hike is relatively flat other than a couple of hills on the connector trail from the official parking lot.
This short 2km loop trail starts from the Fenland trail parking lot on Mt. Norquay Road, at the edge of the Banff town site. It’s a great hike with toddlers and preschoolers, always well packed down and wide enough for sleds. Ice cleats are helpful but usually not imperative when the trail is snow covered.
Combine your outing with some ice skating on one of the rinks in the town of Banff. There’s a nice one nearby at the train station.
This hike is accessed via the Lake Minnewanka loop road just outside the town of Banff. Follow the 3km loop trail that circles the lake through the trees. It’s a great hike for small children and if you keep your eyes open, you’ll see a large swing hanging from a tree on the near side of the lake. It’s uphill from the trail and can be tricky to see. On the far side of the lake, watch for a side trail leading to an old hermit cabin dating back to 1910 (it’s marked on the All Trails app).
This is another great hike when in the Lake Minnewanka area. The hike is 3km round trip and the trail follows the lake shoreline to an old wooden bridge over Stewart Canyon. You will want to watch small children on a few narrow spots, and ice cleats are recommended for all hikes around Banff.
This is a more advanced winter hike, but a lot of fun for families with school-aged kids looking for a winter adventure. You’ll gain approximately 300m of elevation as you climb to the top of Tunnel Mountain in the Banff town site. The hike is 4.8km round trip, and ice cleats or spikes are highly recommended for all members in your group.
This is a multi-use trail for cross-country skiing and hiking. The wide width of the trail makes it ideal for sleds, and it is a great choice for young kids needing a trail that is well packed down. The trail starts from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in the Banff town site, and is a 6.4km round trip as you follow the scenic Bow River.
Please stay off the ski tracks and give priority to skiers coming down the hills toward you. Note: If you want to continue into Sundance Canyon, you will need ice spikes, and it is not highly recommended due to slippery stairs and steep climbs.
This trail is located west of Banff on The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). It is a 2.2km return hike to the Lower Falls and a 5.4km return hike to the Upper Falls. Ice cleats or spikes are usually required, and parents will want to keep a close eye on small children when snow comes up closer to the top of railings. This is one of our favorite winter hikes for frozen waterfalls, and with proper caution will be a highlight for your family this winter.
For more information on winter hiking in Banff and Kananaskis, please consult a local visitor centre or check the appropriate website for trail reports. Both the Banff National Park website and the Alberta Parks website have trail reports online as well as suggestions for safe trails in both Kananaskis and Banff.
The All Trails website or app will show you the route for each of these trails as well.
Remember that a Conservation Pass is required for parking in all areas of Kananaskis and you can purchase a daily pass or an annual pass on the Alberta Parks website. A National Parks Discovery Pass is required for visiting areas inside the national park.
Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to a spunky boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related. She is the author of the blog Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. You can find her on Instagram @MountainMomYYC.
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