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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta workforce

Final up to date on January 5, 2024

Gliding throughout a frozen lake on a pair of ice skates is one thing that each Canadian should do of their lifetime. With the epic mountain backdrops, ice skating in Banff Nationwide Park is such a tremendous factor to do within the wintertime. And there are many prime spots to lace them up and spend a morning, afternoon or perhaps a full day skating away. Right here’s our record of the very best spots in Banff Nationwide Park for skating.

Picture through Journey Alberta credit score Paul Zizka

12 Greatest Locations for Ice Skating in Banff Nationwide Park

Lake Louise

There’s nothing like ice skating on the enduring Lake Louise. Maintained by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which incorporates every day snow elimination, the backdrop of this skating rink is likely one of the greatest on the earth. Although it’s definitely a busy ice rink – you’ll discover a number of vacationers right here – everybody ought to do this Lake Louise skating spot at the least as soon as.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise additionally erects ice sculptures and an ice fort yearly, which makes for pretty photograph alternatives. One other bonus: the ice is lit up at night time for night time skating!

Fairmont Banff Springs Resort

Behind the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, you’ll discover the artifical Waldhaus rink. With views of the mountains and the gorgeous lodge, this is likely one of the most iconic locations to skate in Banff.

Photograph through Journey Alberta credit score Chris Amat

There’s often a hearth pit or two to heat up in entrance of, too! Notice that this rink is just for registered lodge company.

Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre

Some of the lovely locations to go out of doors skating in Banff, the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre has over 16,000 sq. toes of ice to discover. Positioned behind the curling facility, the Fenlands out of doors rink is ideal for skating whereas surrounded by timber and mountains. It’s additionally conveniently positioned simply close to the Banff city signal, so it’s inside strolling distance from many lodges in Banff. You may as well go contained in the recreation centre as there are indoor rinks accessible for public use, too.

Another excuse we love this Banff ice skating spot? The Fenlands Recreation Centre has skate leases, skate sharpening, warming areas, concession, and washrooms throughout its working hours. 

Prepare Station

After the closing of the ice rink at Banff Group Excessive College, locals and vacationers alike needed entry to out of doors ice skating rinks. Fortunately, a skating rink opened up on the Prepare Station on the town, the place you possibly can take pleasure in 16,800 sq. toes of skating floor.

There are additionally warming huts, benches, rubbish receptacles, and fireplace pits on your use on the Prepare Station ice rink.

Lake Louise Recreation Centre

If you happen to’re on the lookout for an indoor rink, look no additional than the Lake Louise Recreation Centre. With an NHL-sized enviornment, this rink is out there for drop-ins for $2.

There are heated dressing rooms, hockey nets, and skate aids accessible, amongst different facilities.

Wild Ice Skating in Banff

Wild skating in Banff Nationwide Park is totally unimaginable, nevertheless it does take some timing; there’s typically a really small window when you possibly can truly skate on the frozen lakes round Banff. You need to discover the precise circumstances, as there have to be a great degree of ice thickness, however there can’t be plenty of snow cowl.

Numerous discovering the proper spot for a wild ice skate is luck, however you may also ask round in both Banff or Lake Louise for the skating circumstances and ice thickness. Whereas ice skating on lakes is totally weather-dependent, it typically makes for the very best skating in Banff!

Keep in mind: not one of the following areas are maintained by Parks Canada, so skate on these frozen lakes at your personal threat. Extra on ice skating security in Banff is beneath.

Two Jack Lake

Discovered off of Minnewanka Highway, skating on Two Jack Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. This lovely spot is understood for its incredible skating, however you must time it proper; varied components have an effect on ice thickness and security, and there are sometimes spots that haven’t absolutely frozen over. However for those who skate right here on the proper time of yr, the frozen lake takes on the looks of clean glass, making for a skate to recollect.

Security tip for skating on Two Jack Lake: keep at the least 100 metres from the dam on the east finish of the lake, as there’s at all times open water and dangerously skinny ice right here.

Lake Minnewanka

Discovered on Minnewanka Highway, Lake Minnewanka skating is known in Banff Nationwide Park. As a result of it’s such a big and deep lake, Lake Minnewanka often takes a very long time to freeze over each winter. However when it does, it’s each ice skater’s dream!

The large lake means that there’s tons of ice floor to cowl, however beware: excessive winds can typically push skaters out far onto the ice. It’s advisable to skate together with your boots in a backpack to be able to stroll again on windy days.

Bow River

Simply west of Bow Avenue within the city of Banff, there’s a small patch of ice that’s often cleared on Bow River. Whereas it’s one of many closest pure ice surfaces to Banff for ice skating, skating alongside the river itself is just not advisable; the shifting water beneath makes it harmful.

Johnson Lake

Highly regarded for Banff ice skating, one other lake discovered on Minnewanka Highway is Johnson Lake. Usually one of many first lakes that freeze over each winter, this lake is an ideal place to check out wild skating in Banff.

Security tip for skating on Johnson Lake: ice could also be thinner on the west finish of the lake close to the footbridge, as that is the place a stream exits the reservoir. 

Vermilion Lakes

Accessible from the Vermilion Lakes Drive, Vermilion Lakes has great skating in winter. Highly regarded with locals because the lakes are fairly near Banff townsite, you’ll typically discover skaters clearing the snow right here for the very best skating alternatives.

Picture through Journey Alberta credit score Noel Hendrickson

The primary two of the Vermilion Lakes are the very best for ice skating; take pleasure in views of Mount Rundle as you whip throughout the pure ice.

Cascade Ponds

One other spot off of Minnewanka Highway, Cascade Ponds has some nice skating in winter. Use warning when skating close to the streams, because the flowing water typically implies that the ice isn’t as thick right here.

Peyto Lake

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a frozen lake that doesn’t have plenty of skaters, take a look at Peyto Lake. Whereas it requires extra effort to get to – you’ll should hike right down to the lake from the lake entry, not the viewing platform – Peyto Lake affords some superb skating alternatives with magnificent views.

What to Convey for Ice Skating in Banff

Though you’ll be working up a sweat with all that ice skating, it’s nonetheless advisable to decorate warmly for any out of doors actions in Banff. That features a heat jacket, snow pants, thick socks, mittens, a shawl, and a toque (at minimal). It’s at all times higher to layer up and be capable to take away gadgets of clothes than to really feel too chilly whereas skating!

Picture through Journey Alberta credit score Jake Dyson

And for those who don’t have your personal skates? There are many locations in Banff to hire ice skates.

The place to Lease Skates in Banff Nationwide Park

Fortunately, there are many locations in Banff and Lake Louise to hire ice skates. If you happen to’re in Banff, you possibly can hire skates from Banff Adventures, Chateau Mountain Sports activities on the Banff Springs Resort, Final Sports activities, Snowtips-Bactrax, and Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre (for onsite use solely).

Headed to Lake Louise? You may hire skates from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; Chateau Ski and Snow Leases is discovered close to the lodge foyer and affords ice skate leases. Wilson Mountain Sports activities in Lake Louise Village additionally affords skate leases.

Fast Ideas for Ice Skating Security

Staying secure whereas ice skating in Banff is extraordinarily necessary, and everybody ought to take ice security significantly. Parks Canada does NOT monitor pure ice surfaces in Banff Nationwide Park, so for those who select to go wild ice skating, you achieve this at your personal threat.

Picture through Journey Alberta credit score Adam Greenberg

How thick does ice have to be to skate on? Parks Canada recommends that ice needs to be at the least 15 centimetres (roughly six inches) thick for strolling or skating alone, and the ice needs to be at the least 20 centimetres (roughly 7.5 inches) thick for video games or group skating. Nonetheless, by spring, plenty of ice could have melted after which frozen once more, making it unstable. We advocate ice skating in Banff in winter when the ice is at its thickest and strongest.

Picture through Journey Alberta credit score Sean Thonson

Clear blue ice is the strongest, whereas white ice is half as robust. Gray ice needs to be fully prevented as there’s a sign of water. Don’t go wild ice skating at night time; it’s practically inconceivable to see skinny ice or holes within the ice. For extra data on ice security, click on right here.

Ice Skating Close to Banff Nationwide Park

Are you prepared to journey exterior of the park for different skating alternatives? Abraham Lake is an notorious skating spot in Alberta because of the methane ice bubbles that develop into trapped within the lake’s clear ice throughout winter, making for an unforgettable skate.

There’s additionally ice skating on Spray Lake Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, in Kananaskis Village, Hole Lake, Lac des Arcs, Goat Pond, and a number of spots round Canmore, together with the city pond.