Calgary 
What to do this winter in Calgary? Your options are many. There is ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh winter air not only in the city but also with the help of the nearby Rockies.
Keep yourself busy this winter by snow tubing, ice biking, snowshoeing, or brush up on older skills like skating, skiing, or snowboarding. You can do many of these winter activities in Calgary and the nearby foothill/mountain areas.
Photo Credit: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park
But it isn’t all snow, ice, and outdoor recreation for things to do in Calgary this winter; you can also mark your calendar for a few different winter-themed festivals in the city. Many happen downtown or in part with other winter festivals around Calgary.
I. Outdoor Winter Recreation in Calgary
1. King Penguin Walk
Watch as many as 12 king penguins waddle the Calgary Zoo grounds as part of their daily enrichment walk. The activity is weather dependent so you should check the Calgary Zoo’s website before visiting.
When: Saturday, January 10 – Sunday, March 15, 2026
Where: Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
How much: Zoo Admission
2. Calgary Polar Dips
Don quirky costumes and brave icy waters in the Calgary Icebreaker Polar Dip and Calgary Polar Plunge. The events raise funds and awareness for the SA Foundation’s fight against human trafficking and the Special Olympics.
When:
Calgary Icebreaker Polar Dip – Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1 p.m.
Calgary Polar Plunge – March 7, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Mahogany Home Owner’s Beach Club, 29 Masters Park Southeast, Calgary
Calgary Polar Plunge — Arbour Lake, 12 Arbour Lake Dr. NW, Calgary
How much: $50 to $150
3. Ice Biking
Skating around Bowness Park is a popular winter activity in Calgary for all ages- and now you can rent Ice Bikes to take out on the city pond! These devices get you to pedal while sitting, like on a regular bike, with the front being two skate blades and the rear sitting on a bike tire. You can rent them for the whole family or have a few people try them while others skate around.
Where: Bowness Park
How much: $30 min $12/1hr $20
4. Winter Walks with a Warm Drink
It is a colder winter so far in Calgary, but if you’re still looking to get out for some exercise, all you need is a warm drink! Take a winter walk through some of these Calgary neighbourhoods for winter scenery, hot/cozy drinks, and photo ops:
- Baya Rica Café (204 7a St NE, Calgary) and Tom Campbell’s Hill (25 St Georges Dr NE, Calgary)
- Hutch Café (795 1 Ave SW, Calgary) and Eau Claire/Prince’s Island Park
- Monogram Coffee (4814 16 St SW, Calgary) and Sandy Beach Park (4500 14a St SW, Calgary)
- Friends Cappuccino Bar & Bake Shop (45 Edenwold Dr NW #104, Calgary) and Nose Hill Park (5620 14 St NW, Calgary)
5. Outdoor Skating
Calgary has many outdoor skating options from which to choose, and all of them provide a bit of a different skating experience. Bonus: all of them are free to use, too! You can skate under the downtown lights at Olympic Plaza; you can skate along the trail created in Glenmore Park; or you can skate the many frozen and city-maintained ponds around Calgary.
When: all winter
How Much: free
6. WinSport/Canada Olympic Park
Photo Credit: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park
There are several ways to have fun this winter with WinSport: you can brush up on ski or snowboard skills before hitting the mountains, slide down their Tube Park, and relax at the end of your day with a drink and meal at the restaurant and cafe.
When: hill open for the winter
Where: WinSport at Canada Olympic Park – 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary
How much: Tube Park – Regular ticket – $25
Servus Tube Park Fridays – $16
Ski hill – $82 & up per full day per adult; $72 per four hour per adult
7. Cross-country Skiing
Photo Credit: East Village Calgary
The groomed cross-country skiing trails in Calgary extend to all different corners of the city. These include both sections of Glenmore Park, and Bowness Park, where you could also go for a skate. The other trails are on some of Calgary’s golf courses. Are you new to the sport? You can rent cross-country skis and poles from the University of Calgary’s pro shop.
Trails
- Bowness Park
- Confederation Golf Course
- Lakeview Golf Course
- Maple Ridge Golf Course
- North & South Glenmore Park
- Shaganappi Point Golf Course
- EV Nordic Loop
8. Fat Biking
Cycle around Calgary this winter with ease! Fat biking is one of the easiest ways to get some exercise over winter, and rentals are available if you don’t have your bike with fat tires. You can typically bike around the trails that normally open in summer for biking. But with these tires, you can also venture out onto frozen ponds and rinks, when permitted.
9. Sledding and Tobogganing
A family-friendly, fun afternoon is free and easy with Calgary’s many wicked toboggan hills. Some of the runs on the hills are smaller and better suited to younger kids, while others are a bit steeper and better for older kids. There are several hills in each city quadrant, including popular ones like Confederation Park, Marlborough Park, Stanley Park, and Mackenzie Towne.
10. Snowshoeing
Photo Credit: Bow Habitat Station
Anywhere you can go for a hike in Calgary, you can also go for a winter snowshoe hike. You may even be able to explore more than usual with a pair of snowshoes on, as they can traverse deep snow a lot better than winter boots can. There are even a few different places in Calgary for renting snowshoes.
Rentals:
- Sports Rent, 4424 16th Ave NW, Calgary
- AQ Outdoors, 5063 11st Street SE, Calgary
- U of C Outdoor Centre
II. Winter Festivals
50+ Events & Festivals to Attend During Winter 2025 in Calgary
1. High Performance Rodeo
One Yellow Rabbit presents the High Performance Rodeo, an international festival of live art. It’s a chance for Calgarians to watch touring performances from across Canada, acclaimed international shows and new and experimental work from artists here at home. The programming is bold, cutting-edge, funny, frank and full of heart. From theatre to dance, music to film, free lunchtime concerts and last-night cabarets, there’s something for everyone.
When: January 13 to 31, 2026
Where: Various Venues, Calgary
How much: Varies
2. Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel! The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to Calgary. Journey to stunning locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks.
When & Where:
- February 12-14, 2026 @ Rozsa Centre, 206 University Ct NW, Calgary
- February 26-28, 2026 @ Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt Royal Circle SW Calgary
How much: Varies
3. YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
February in Calgary is when all the local cafes and restaurants get together to compete for the title of Calgary’s best hot chocolate. Part of the proceeds of all hot chocolate sales during the event go to Meals on Wheels, providing even more motivation to get out and taste. There are tons of places where you can try hot chocolate, with possibly more to come.
When: February 1-28, 2026
Where: Various Venues, Calgary
How much: Varies
4. Chinook Blast
A good part of winter can be spent in downtown Calgary under the Chinook Blast. The month-long festival celebrates everything winter with skating, live music, and interactive art installations. There are various shows at various nearby venues to which you can get tickets in advance.
When:January 30 to February 16, 2026
Where: Across Calgary
How much: Mostly free
5. Chinese New Year Festival
Immerse yourself in two weekends of multicultural performances, a vibrant vendor market, dragon and lion dances, art exhibitions, and more—all with free admission for the entire community. Bring your family, friends, and loved ones to partake in this accessible and enjoyable event.
When: February 14-15 & 21-22, 2026
Where: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, 197 1st ST SW, Calgary
How much: Free
6. Block Heater
Block Heater is an annual winter festival presented by the Calgary Folk Fest that highlights incredible Canadian and international artists. Featuring performances by Kathleen Edwards, Jeremy Dutcher, Black Mountain, Basia Bulat, SUUNS, TEKE::TEKE, Begonia and many more!
When:February 5–7, 2026
Where: Various Venues, Calgary
How much: Varies
7. The GOOD Games
Calgary turns into a playground of movement, music, and community connection. The GOOD Games will anchor the final weekend of Chinook Blast, transforming the city into a winter celebration where anyone, at any age or ability, can play. The GOOD Games is Canada’s biggest festival of sport, created by athletes and fueled by community.
When: February 13 to 15, 2026.
Where: BMO Centre, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE, Calgary
How much: Free
III. The Rocky Mountains in a Day
Photo Credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism
1. A Mountain Soak
There are two locations where you can head for a day trip and an outdoor soak in the Rockies: the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Kananaskis Nordic Spa. To visit the Nordic Spa, book your spot in advance online. Entry in Banff is first-come first-served.
Where: Banff Upper Hot Springs
2. Skiing and Snowboarding
Lucky for Calgary, world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding is just short drive west. Between Kananaskis, Canmore, and Banff, there are several options for mountain rides this winter and a fun day trip/escape from the city.
- Nakiska, Canmore
- Sunshine Village
- Mount Norquay Ski Resort
- Lake Louise Ski Resort
3. Ice Climbing and Ice Walk Tours
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Take in a unique winter adventure west of Calgary through the various guided ice walks and canyon tours. White Mountain offers guided hikes through Johnston Canyon, Grotto Canyon, and a snowshoe tour through Sunshine Meadows. The Bow Valley Canyon tours are a bit more in-depth of an adventure and take you down a slot canyon frozen mid-stream.
4. Dogsledding Tours
See the Rocky Mountain vistas from views you can only access with a dogsled! These popular tours are offered by a few different dogsled operators in Banff and Canmore, and you can choose from 1.5 hour, half-day, full-day, and multi-day adventures.
5. Ride the Banff Gondola/Nightrise
You can choose to ride the Banff Gondola as normal this winter, and cruise up to the mountain top under blue skies. Or you can purchase tickets to their Nightrise Event which includes an impressive nigh time light display. There are also a few dining options at the summit site, and the top site.
When: all winter
Where: Regular Admission
How much: the end of Mountain Avenue (accessed from Banff Avenue), Banff
6. Banff Snow Days
Banff and Lake Louise come alive with the annual Snowdays celebration. The streets of downtown Banff transform into larger-than-life winter galleries with giant snow sculptures to be found throughout; the Snowdays Play Zone comes alive in the heart of Banff, and specialty cocktails and menus can be found at an array of restaurants for the Tribute Craft Spirits Festival.
When: January 16 – February 8, 2026
Where: Various Venues, Banff
IV. Winter Date Ideas Calgary
1. Romantic Staycation
A romantic getaway doesn’t actually have to be away; you can get away for an overnight date in Calgary with the help of these hotel deals. These are date night and romance packages, which include some bubbly and strawberries, food credits for hotel restaurants, and other enhancements.
- Le Germain Hotel
- Ramada Plaza
- Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
- 25 Alberta Hotels & Resorts Offering Valentine’s Day Staycation Packages
- 15 Short Term Rentals For a Romantic Winter Getaway in Alberta
2. Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
An overly adorable date can be made from the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where you get to be interactive and close with the cuties. There are three experiences you can book with the wolfdogs, including a Sanctuary Walk, an Intro Tour, and an Interactive Tour.
When: all winter
Where: 263156 Range Rd 53, Rocky View County
How much: Walk: General: $35 per person
Interactive Tour $89 per person
3. Get Cozy Around a Fire
Several fire pits and picnic areas are available for reservation this winter through the City of Calgary. You can pick a spot nice and close to a public rink or hill and set up a warm place to relax after skating, sledding, skiing, or ice biking. All you need is an online reservation at one of many parks and your own firewood!
4. Shop the Year-Round Markets
Thankfully, farmers’ markets still operate during the colder months in Calgary. You can kill an afternoon together at any of these markets. Browse handmade goods, stock up on fresh groceries, and sample offerings from food trucks and vendors. Calgary’s year-round markets include the Calgary Farmer’s Market, the Crossroads Market, Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmer’s Market, and the Symons Valley Ranch Market Store.
