Alberta is home to five National Parks and Waterton National Park is just as beautiful as the more popular ones like Banff and Jasper. Slightly off the beaten track, located in the southeastern part of the province bordering the United States, this national park is a stunning area where the prairie meets the mountain. With one small hamlet servicing the Park, you will find more wilderness than people.
During the summer months, it can be crowded here at times, but during the winter months, you will find you have the glorious outdoors practically to yourself. Phenomenal vistas, adventures, animals and experiences await you here. Step away from the busy places and head south to find some peace and quiet amidst the sparkling, snow-covered scenery of Waterton.
1. Go Ice Skating
There is nothing quite like strapping on a pair of skates and heading off to spend some time gliding around on a natural lake.
The fresh air on your face, the gorgeous scenery surrounding you, this is an experience that all ages and all skill levels can enjoy. All you need is a pair of skates and some warm winter clothes.
Try out Linnet Lake by the Prince of Wales hill, if the conditions are right it’s a good place to spend some time on the ice, and fingers crossed someone else has cleared some snow! Because of depth and size, Parks Canada recommends not skating on the main lakes in the Park – Upper, Middle and Lower and the Maskinonge.
Check with Parks Canada before heading out onto any ice.
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2. Experience Ice Climbing
For the more adventurous, ice climbing can be a fun activity to experience this winter.
There are some spectacular waterfalls in the Park, so it makes sense that during the winter these frozen pieces of winter wonderland turn into perfect spots to climb.
There are a multitude of different places to enjoy some ice climbing, such as the Compound Gullies, Quick and Dirty, Experts Choice, Lineham Falls and Sullivan Falls. Warm temperatures and frequent chinooks can make the ice quality questionable, and it is not unusual for climbs to melt out or fall, then reform several times in a season.
Most popular routes normally have little or no avalanche danger affecting them. Make sure you always climb with someone else and have the proper equipment.
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3. Spend Some Time Hiking
Winter hiking is a very different activity than getting out on the trails in the summer months.
Most of the hiking trails mirror the snowshoeing or cross-country ski trails, so just be aware that you don’t want to be walking on any groomed pathways that are specific for skiing.
A walk around the town is pleasant enough, especially because a lot of times you can find wildlife on your doorstep.
Try out the Belleview Trail, the Wishbone Trail (to Vimy Junction), the Townsite Loop Trail or the Prince of Wales hill area, which can be good places to walk.
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4. Strap Your Skis On
If peace and quiet are what you are looking for as you glide through the glistening snow, then look no further.
Strap on your skis and head off either on some groomed and prepared trails or blaze your own.
You can easily spend days skiing here, discovering the designated trails or exploring on your own.
Popular trails include Crandell Lake (easy-moderate), Rowe Trail, Akamina Pass, Summit Lake and Wall/Forum Lakes (all difficult).
Be sure to always be prepared with food, water, and extra clothes. Check Parks Canada for avalanche and road conditions before heading out.
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5. Take Some Photographs
Pull on your boots, gloves, a toque and a warm jacket, grab your camera gear and head out to take some beautiful pictures.
Sometimes seeing vistas through the lens of a camera gives you a different perspective. The Park is so quiet during the winter season, with snowy beauty everywhere you turn, and fantastic opportunities to see local wildlife, that just taking a day or two with your camera turns into an activity all on its own.
Go with a friend or your family members and make it a game – who can take the best picture! Find your own routes, take a walk, take a drive – there are plenty of chances to focus that lens here.
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6. Experience Winter Camping
If the colder, snowy months don’t dampen your enthusiasm for spending a night or two in a tent or an RV, then the Park is a perfect place to spend some time experiencing winter camping.
The Pass Creek Day Use Area is designated as a sheltered winter camping area and is free of charge from November 1st to April 1st as long as you have a valid Park Pass. There is no electricity or heated washrooms here, but plenty of firewood and fire rings, as well as an enclosed picnic shelter with a wood burning stove. The nearest heated bathrooms and potable water are 3 kilometers away in the Waterton townsite.
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7. View Some Wildlife
While we would love to be able to guarantee that you will see some wildlife on your visit to Waterton, unfortunately we have no control over the wild animals! However, Bighorn Sheep and deer are a common sight in the community of Waterton over the winter months.
If you have some patience, the Blakiston Fan is a great place to park your vehicle and watch for elk.
Explore the Red Rock Parkway to look for animal tracks and watch out for who they belong to! A reminder – these are wild animals, so make sure to give them lots of space.
Ask at the Parks Canada office for the best places to get to see the local wildlife and a map of the area.
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8. View the Dark Skies
In 2017, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park received a provisional Gold Tier designation as Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park through the International Dark-Sky Association, becoming the first multi-national dark sky park in the world. Heading out with this company that offers guided interpretive nighttime tours and stargazing opportunities here, you will have the chance to stargaze using quality telescopes, binoculars, and other stargazing equipment. Of course, if you want to head out on your own, it’s easy enough, try spending time at Cameron Bay, the bison paddock overlook, or Red Rock Parkway. An excellent way to spend a night out in the Park.
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9. Go Snowshoeing
This is a true winter adventure and there are tons of trails to enjoy in the Park, from easy all the way to complex.
Start with the Linnet Lake Trail or the Prince of Wales Hill for a warm up, then head out to find some of the more difficult trails. The Akamina Parkway will take you to the Little Prairie Day Use Area to snowshoe to Cameron Lake.
Red Rock Parkway, Crandell Lake and Wishbone Trail are other popular areas for snowshoeing, just to name a few. Some of these are also cross-country ski trails, so please stay off the groomed surface.
Snowshoes are available to rent at Waterton Glacier Suites.
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10. Go Birdwatching
One of the great places to view birds is actually in the townsite itself, but with an ideal habitat throughout the Park for more than 250 species of birds (37 permanent residents), there are plenty of places to get out your binoculars and spend some time watching our winged friends.
Check out the Maskinonge Lake area near the park entrance, Bertha and Rowe trails, the Carthew-Alderson trail, or the aspen and prairie areas of the park and along the Waterton River.
There is a winter bird count event that takes place around Christmas, with the record being 92 species recorded!
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11. Try Out a Winter Picnic
One of the best things about Waterton National Park is that they provide opportunities throughout the year for visitors to enjoy all activities, even picnics!
There are quite a few winterized, enclosed camp kitchens for you to utilize while you are out and about.
Just make sure to bring your own firewood and all the food you require – remember there are no grocery stores in the townsite!
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12. Do Some Sliding
As the Park is chock full of hills and valleys, this gives winter visitors plenty of opportunities to bring a sled, toboggan or tube and head out to have some sliding fun!
Spend some time on the favourite Prince of Wales hill, right at the townsite, or ask the locals where their favourite places are. Of course, most of these are a little off the beaten track, so be prepared to do a bit of snowshoeing or hiking to get to the best slopes.
And, as with all winter activities here, check with Parks Canada for avalanche conditions before heading out.
13. Go Off Track with Ski Touring
For the adventurous skiers who are looking to get off into the backcountry to experience the lovely, untouched powder and off the beaten track ski areas, there are great opportunities to do some backcountry skiing if the snow conditions are right.
Start by heading off to Cameron Lake Cabin, which is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada and provides a fantastic base for ski touring, not to mention the chance to stay in a historic building.
The cabin is located next to the Akamina Parkway, and in the winter months, the Akamina Parkway is only open to vehicles as far as Little Prairie Day Use Area.
From there, you are able to cross-country ski or snowshoe to Cameron Lake Cabin (about two kilometres). Remember to reserve the use of the cabin ahead of time.
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14. Try Some Fat Biking
If you can not give up bike riding for the winter months then pack up and head down here for some biking fun.
Chinook winds often free much of the Waterton valley and east side of the park from snow, making this a great place to get out and ride during the colder months.
When the weather cooperates, the Red Rock Parkway, Kootenai Brown trail and Wishbone trail are all open for cycling. Wishbone Trail is always a good option to start with for fat biking as snowshoers usually pack the fairly flat trail.
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15. Find Some Geocaches
The trend of searching out geocaches is continuing with more and more places to spend some time searching out these little spots. Why not enjoy the phenomenal views and outdoors in the Park while you complete some geocaching? It’s a great activity for all ages, even in the winter months. Grab your GPS and some winter boots, snowshoes or skis and head out to find the geocaches!
Plan Your Winter Trip to Waterton Lakes:
Be aware that much of the mountain area within Waterton Lakes National Park is avalanche terrain. Plan ahead, have the right gear and be avalanche aware. Stop in at the Parks Canada office before heading out for current road and avalanche condition reports.
Prepare with adequate gear for winter trip/activity: Please go through Parks Canada’s Winter Safety article, AdentureSmart website and Canadian Red Cross articles on Ice Safety, Staying Safe in Canadian Winters.
Please note there are no gas stations or grocery stores open in the town in the winter, so come prepared. Along with two hotels to relax in at the end of the day, there are also two restaurants that stay open and ready to serve through the colder months.
Hours: Open year-round, Activities weather dependent.
Weather:
Fees: Adult: $ 7.90
Senior: $ 6.90
Youth: free
Directions:
More Winter Fun in Alberta