Beyond the slopes: 3 reasons to visit Alberta in winter

Winter usually attracts many skiers and snowboarders to the beautiful Canadian province of Alberta, but you’d be mistaken if you think that’s where the adventure ends. The colder season has a lot to offer beyond the slopes, and travellers can enjoy many other incredible outdoor activities in the uncrowded, snow-blanketed setting. From wildlife encounters and spectacular stargazing to exploring lesser-known towns beyond the iconic national parks, there’s plenty of reasons to visit Alberta in winter.

Bison at Elk Island (Noel Hendrickson/Travel Alberta)

With five national parks and more than 250 provincial parks, Alberta is a sanctuary for wildlife. There are 587 protected species that live here, including its seven ‘Wildlife Allstars’: Bighorn sheep, elk, grizzly bears, moose, bison, cougars and wolves. Winter is a great time of year to have these animals all to yourself.

Head to Jasper National Park to look out for many of the above species, as well as coyotes, foxes and lynx. For the best and safest way to explore the park, join a guided wildlife watching tour, where you can also learn about the history and ecology of this extraordinary natural environment. Joe Urie, owner of Jasper Tour Company, offers an educational excursion, teaching visitors about the significance of the native wildlife to indigenous culture.

Elk Island National Park is located outside the Rockies and approximately 30 kilometres east of Edmonton. The UNESCO designated biosphere reserve is an important conservation area for bison, plays a vital role in the repopulation of elk, plus is the home to more than 250 bird species.

Jasper Dark Sky Preserve (Jeff Bartlett/Travel Alberta)

We’re not talking about downhill skiing (although that is good, too). Alberta offers plenty of spectacular experiences that allow you to seek its authentic side in a unique way.

At Banff National Park, immerse yourself in indigenous culture on the Mahikan Trails. The best way to do so is by joining a snowshoeing winter medicine walk, taking you on a quiet adventure to help identify the local flora. Continue the journey in Banff at Johnston Canyon, Canada’s first national park. The icewalk allows you to explore the natural ice sculptures and frozen falls formed here during the winter. Trek across the steel catwalks up towards the frozen upper falls, before glancing back at the stunning views of the ice gorge below.

Before leaving Banff, stop off at the dazzling frozen Lake Louise, before following the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper National Park. As well as its extraordinary wildlife, Jasper is the place to come during nightfall, as it is the second largest dark sky preserve in the world. A spot of stargazing cannot go amiss, so wrap up warm and experience the milky way like never before. If you’re lucky, you may even catch the dancing colours of the northern lights.

Abraham Lake (Stevin Tuchiwsky/Travel Alberta)

Abraham Lake (Jennifer Fast @jennexplores/ Travel Alberta)

There are many lesser-known gems to discover in Alberta. For example, Kananaskis Country is located outside Banff, and receives relatively less visitors in comparison. However, its natural beauty is just as outstanding. Join a star-lit snowshoeing tour with Kananaskis Outfitters, before heading to Kananaskis Nordic Spa for a dip in their steaming hot water springs, where you can relax and gaze up at the snow-tipped mountains.

Canmore is another scenic town to swing by. Tuck into some delicious food at one of its 70 eateries, practically offering every different type of cuisine you could ask for. For art and culture, head to Canmore’s downtown for an interesting cluster of museums and galleries.

In David Thompson Country, join an ice bubbles tour with Pursuit Adventures on Abraham Lake, where a guide will teach you about this fascinating scientific phenomenon. For your best chance of seeing the bubbles beneath the ice sheets, visit during January and February.