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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 checklist of one of the best spots in Banff Nationwide Park for skating.
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 day by day snow removing, the backdrop of this skating rink is without doubt one of the greatest on this planet. Although it’s definitely a busy ice rink – you’ll discover numerous 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 fortress yearly, which makes for beautiful 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 without doubt one of the most iconic locations to skate in Banff.
There’s normally a fireplace pit or two to heat up in entrance of, too! Notice that this rink is just for registered lodge company.
Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
One 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 bushes and mountains. It’s additionally conveniently situated simply close to the Banff city signal, so it’s inside strolling distance from many inns in Banff. It’s also possible to 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 get pleasure from 16,800 sq. toes of skating floor.
There are additionally warming huts, benches, rubbish receptacles, and hearth pits to your use on the Prepare Station ice rink.
Lake Louise Recreation Centre
When you’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 obtainable 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 completely unimaginable, nevertheless it does take some timing; there’s usually a really small window when you possibly can truly skate on the frozen lakes round Banff. You must discover the proper circumstances, as there should be a superb degree of ice thickness, however there can’t be loads of snow cowl.
Plenty of 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 usually makes for one of the best skating in Banff!
Bear in mind: not one of the following places 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 thought for its incredible skating, however it’s a must to 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 should you skate right here on the proper time of 12 months, the frozen lake takes on the looks of easy 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 all the time open water and dangerously skinny ice right here.
Lake Minnewanka
Discovered on Minnewanka Highway, Lake Minnewanka skating is legendary in Banff Nationwide Park. As a result of it’s such a big and deep lake, Lake Minnewanka normally takes a very long time to freeze over each winter. However when it does, it’s each ice skater’s dream!
The huge lake means that there’s tons of ice floor to cowl, however beware: excessive winds can generally push skaters out far onto the ice. It’s really helpful to skate along with your boots in a backpack in an effort 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 normally cleared on Bow River. Whereas it’s one of many closest pure ice surfaces to Banff for ice skating, skating alongside the river itself shouldn’t be really helpful; the transferring water beneath makes it harmful.
Johnson Lake
Highly regarded for Banff ice skating, one other lake discovered on Minnewanka Highway is Johnson Lake. Typically 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 fantastic skating in winter. Highly regarded with locals because the lakes are fairly near Banff townsite, you’ll usually discover skaters clearing the snow right here for one of the best skating alternatives.
The primary two of the Vermilion Lakes are one of the best for ice skating; get pleasure from 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 usually implies that the ice isn’t as thick right here.
Peyto Lake
When you’re on the lookout for a frozen lake that doesn’t have loads of skaters, try Peyto Lake. Whereas it requires extra effort to get to – you’ll should hike all the way down to the lake from the lake entry, not the viewing platform – Peyto Lake affords some superb skating alternatives with magnificent views.
What to Carry for Ice Skating in Banff
Regardless that you’ll be working up a sweat with all that ice skating, it’s nonetheless really helpful 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 all the time higher to layer up and be capable of take away objects of clothes than to really feel too chilly whereas skating!
And should you don’t have your personal skates? There are many locations in Banff to lease ice skates.
The place to Lease Skates in Banff Nationwide Park
Fortunately, there are many locations in Banff and Lake Louise to lease ice skates. When you’re in Banff, you possibly can lease 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 possibly can lease 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 Suggestions for Ice Skating Security
Staying secure whereas ice skating in Banff is extraordinarily vital, and everybody ought to take ice security significantly. Parks Canada does NOT monitor pure ice surfaces in Banff Nationwide Park, so should you select to go wild ice skating, you achieve this at your personal threat.
How thick does ice have to be to skate on? Parks Canada recommends that ice must be at the least 15 centimetres (roughly six inches) thick for strolling or skating alone, and the ice must be at the least 20 centimetres (roughly 7.5 inches) thick for video games or group skating. Nonetheless, by spring, loads of ice can have melted after which frozen once more, making it unstable. We suggest ice skating in Banff in winter when the ice is at its thickest and strongest.
Clear blue ice is the strongest, whereas white ice is half as robust. Gray ice must be fully prevented as there’s a sign of water. Don’t go wild ice skating at night time; it’s almost not possible 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 as a result of methane ice bubbles that grow to be 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.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to nearly each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 nations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
