Banff 
They say a cold snap is coming to Alberta. And rather than dread the cold weather, let’s embrace it! Grab your skates, because we found the best ways to embrace the cold with natural skating areas in Alberta.
Elk Island National Park.
The mountains, first and foremost, provide a great variety of natural skating surfaces. Some of these areas are maintained, like Pyramid Lake. However, some of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain skating surfaces are considered wild skating and require extra caution.
Alberta has more natural skating areas outside of the mountains, too between the foothills and prairies.
A few of these lakes and ponds are considered “wild ice skating” surfaces. They are not monitored for ice conditions, and personal safety should be top of mind. You can review ice safety tips through Parks Canada, and a few quick tips below:
- You need to go when it is cold. Wild ice skating is best when it is -15 degrees or colder. It is also helpful to go skating on natural surfaces after we receive one of Alberta’s guaranteed winter cold snaps (those dreaded weeks of -30 have their upsides!).
- Bundle up and bring extra clothing or layers.
- Moving water freezes much more slowly than stationary water. Avoid anywhere there is movement (as in the channel between Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, for example). This is true of deeper water as well.
- Keep ice picks and a rope nearby for emergencies.
- Stop by Park Visitor Centres in Banff, Jasper, or Waterton, to get all the most recent updates on ice safety in the area.
- Feel free to drill the ice to find out the exact thickness. Parks Canada encourages this!
- The strongest ice is clear blue in colour, and at least 10 centimetres of thick blue ice is required for walking, 20 cm for skating parties or games and 25 cm for snowmobiles.
These are all the best natural skating areas in Alberta.
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Lac Mildred
Lac Mildred freezes up in winter providing visitors 1 km round-the-lake oval for skating.
Plus if you are a Jasper Park Lodge guest, you will also get complimentary rentals of skates, helmets, hockey sticks and pucks.
The beautiful lake is made more impressive by the glassy appearance of the ice, combined with all the snow sure to be on the trees.
Where: 1 Old Lodge Rd, Jasper — Jasper National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Pyramid Lake
A second of Jasper’s hotels gives all park guests a gorgeous opportunity for natural mountain skating in Alberta. The Pyramid Lake Resort is lakeside as well, with an oval path cleared for ice skating.
Being on the lake grants you 360-degree views of mountains and forests, and extra possibilities for spotting wildlife on the other side of the lake.
Skate rentals is available for $20/hour.
Where: Pyramid Lake Resort, Jasper National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Cascade Pond
The Cascade Pond will be the first body of water you see after turning off Highway 1 towards Lake Minnewanka. The picnic areas provide places to put on your skates, and to of course, have a winter picnic. Cascade Pond is a beautiful little piece of the Rockies with a picturesque crossing bridge, lush forests, and mountains as the backdrop.
Where: North from Highway 1 on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr., Banff National Park
How much: National Park day pass
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Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is the smaller of these two Banff lakes. But they are connected! This connecting strait is what you’ll want to avoid while skating in either lake. Otherwise, the Two Jake Lake campground area provides plenty of space for lacing up and is generally where you’ll find thicker ice. Lake Minnewanka is a much larger and doesn’t always freeze enough for skating.
Where: North from Highway 1 on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr., Banff National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Vermillion Lakes
A skating trip to Banff’s Vermillion Lakes will bring you to the edge of the townsite. A short hike is required to get to the dock areas where you have room to put on your skates.
Parks Canada warns to avoid certain parts of the lake where there is warm spring water. But once you test the ice thickness, Vermillion Lakes is a gorgeous place to skate and enjoy the sunset after your time on the ice.
Where: Vermillion Lakes Road from Mt. Norquay Road, Banff National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Johnson Lake
Johnson Lake is one of Banff’s most famous natural skating areas. It is easy to access, is one of the smaller lakes in the Minnewanka area and offers all of the same beautiful views. It is a beautiful place to glide, twist, and spin, or can make the perfect spot for shinny pond hockey.
Where: North from Highway 1 on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr., Banff National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Lake Louise
Skating on Lake Louise is an item on many people’s bucket lists. And for a good reason. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (who also runs the boathouse in the summer) clears off a healthy portion of the lake for all Banff guests to enjoy the ice. Lake Louise is a smaller mountain lake surrounded by tall peaks and the castle of a hotel. No matter the winter weather for your skating adventures, the Lake Louise scenery ensures a memorable experience.
Skate rentals vary from $13 to $23.
Where: 111 Lake Louise Drive, Banff National Park
How much: National Park day pass
Linnet Lake
Head to Alberta’s southern National Park in the mountains for even more beautiful skating opportunities. Linnet Lake in Waterton National Park is now getting cleared for ice skating. Linnet is located directly between the Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes, and gives you views of both while you skate. From the ice you may be able to spot some wildlife in the trees like moose or deer.
Where: via the Prince of Wales Hotel road
How much: National Park day pass
Abraham Lake
You should use extreme caution when heading to the massive Abraham Lake for ice skating. The beautiful area is worth a stop for a walk on the ice even if you don’t have skates! Each winter, especially by the New Year, Abraham Lake becomes a little strange looking. This is thanks to the methane gas bubbles which try to escape the ice. They create a polka-dotted ice surface as these “ice bubbles” form all over the lake. Nordegg Adventures, a local adventure outfitter, offers a starting point for gauging ice safety with bi-monthly website updates. The Ice Bubbles Viewpoint offers parking, washrooms, and a path to the lake shore.
Where: David Thompson Highway, Ice Bubble Viewpoint at the middle of the lake beside the highway
How much: free
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Astotin Lake
You can also find beautiful places to skate at other National Park Areas (besides Banff and Jasper). Enjoy a day of several activities in the snow or on the ice at Elk Island National Park. Elk Island’s Astotin Lake is partially cleared each winter for skating and shinny hockey, while there are other winter activities to enjoy while you’re at the park. Elk Island is famous for the stargazing and wildlife viewing and has a network of trails open in winter.
Where: Elk Island National Park
How much: free
Canmore Pond
Create a memorable afternoon of mountain pond skating in Alberta without having to enter the Banff Park Gates! Canmore is on the east side of Banff and has their own natural skating surface open to the public. The Canmore Pond is a wide-open skating area where you’ll find yourself surrounded by views of foothills and small mountain peaks.
Where: 7th Avenue and Mallard Alley, Canmore
How much: free
Sylvan Lake
You can find beautiful places to skate outside of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Parks. Sylvan Lake permits skating right on the lake throughout winter. The town and lake are conveniently central within the province. This makes Sylvan an excellent day trip or weekend getaway option for many in Alberta. The town is also set to host their annual Winterfest & Big Jig for Family Day weekend, with plenty of activities planned for on the ice.
Where: Lakeshore Drive, skating around the beach area
How much: free
Bower Ponds
Red Deer’s Bower Park Ponds are open for skating each winter, with the bonus of rentals and sharpening services. The ponds are directly beside the Red Deer River and are surrounded by lush evergreens. The scenic skating experience can end with a fireside coffee or hot chocolate inside the Bower Recreation Pavilion.
Where: 4715 Fountain Dr, Red Deer
How much: free
