Categories > Guides and Tips
20 Things to Do in Calgary for Epic Winter Activities
- Go ice skating at Bowness Park
- Enjoy cross-country skiing at the East Village Nordic Loop
- Warm up at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
- Meet the animals at Calgary Zoo
- Learn new skills at WinSport
- Experience winter magic at Chinook Blast
- YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
- Cheer for the Calgary Flames
- Go dog sledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours
- Hop on a fat bike at Prince’s Island Park
- Chase the Northern Lights in Calgary
- Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
- Take an ice fishing trip at Ghost Lake Reservoir
- Discover winter peace at Pure Hot Yoga
- Enjoy a warm cup of coffee at Bell’s Cafe
- Watch the perfectly queer Carly’s Angels
- Reach new heights with Calgary Climbing Centre
- Support local vendors at the Granary Road Christmas Market
- Play crokicurl at Bowness Park
- Book a romantic date night at Sky 360
We all know how ridiculously bad the winter gets in Calgary. A -40°C morning isn’t even a surprise anymore, and the windchills when you walk?
Oh man, sometimes I just want to stay in the comfort of my very thick blanket at home. But hibernating at home like a bear is not an option (even though I may be as hairy as it is).
Well, I’m not letting this harsh, frosty weather keep me indoors! As much as I don’t like the cold winds, I do enjoy winter festivities (winter festival edmonton)!
So, I’ve made a curated list of what makes me actually get out of bed in the winter. Calgary has so much to offer, and here are my favourite things to do that are worth braving the cold!
Go ice skating at Bowness Park
Media credit: travelalberta
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/bowness-park-winter-activities.html
Address: Bow River Pathway
Hours: Daily, 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Admission: Free
A classic winter activity is ice skating. In Calgary, Bowness Park turns into a frosty trail that seasoned and first-time skiers are free to enjoy.
The lagoon freezes around November to March, but the ice conditions are still weather-dependent. You can bring your own skates or rent them from the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.
Pro Tip:
Ice skate rental hours differ from the operating hours of the park. Check the University of Calgary’s website for updated hours.
Enjoy cross-country skiing at the East Village Nordic Loop
Media credit: eastvillageyyc
Website: https://www.evexperience.com/
Address: 750 9 Ave SE
Contact: (403) 718-0300, [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Admission: Free
One of the newest cross-country additions in Calgary is the Nordic Loop at East Village. You can enjoy winter activities while exploring the site of Fort Calgary.
It has a groomed area and well-maintained tracks, perfect for safe and easy-to-control skiing. The area is pretty wide, making it a top place for beginners and pros—but slow skiers must yield to fast skiers.
Pro Tip:
Bring your own ski equipment because there are no rentals available.
Warm up at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Media credit: knordicspa
Website: https://knordicspa.com/
Address: 1 Centennial Dr, Kananaskis Village
Contact: (403) 591-6800, [email protected]
Hours:
- Massage Therapy: Daily, 8:15 am – 08:30 pm
- Hydrotherapy Access: Daily, 9:00 am – 09:00 pm
Admission:
- Hydrotherapy: $109 – $169
- Spa: $249 – $578
True Calgarians know that when we need to warm up in a hot spring, we need to take a drive. One of the places that made an impression is the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, which is a little over an hour’s drive from Calgary.
This 18+ facility is the place to disconnect, relax, and warm up from the winter chills. Unwind at the hot springs while enjoying the gorgeous views and go for a massage to untangle those knots, so you’ll be completely recharged for the rest of the winter!
Pro Tip:
Reservations are highly recommended. Book at least three months in advance to secure your slot.
Meet the animals at Calgary Zoo
Media credit: thecalgaryzoo
Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/
Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Contact: (403) 232-9300, [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission*:
- General (16 – 59): $40.95
- Senior (60+): $38.45
- Child (3 – 15): $29.45
- Child under 2: Free
*Prices vary day to day
Zoo visits aren’t just a summer activity. Calgary Zoo is one of the best family-friendly educational places you can go to in the winter because it’s less crowded than in the summer.
You’ll see animals that aren’t as active the rest of the year, like snow leopards and polar bears enjoying the chilly weather.
One of the most famous winter experiences is witnessing the Penguin Walk. It’s basically a colony of penguins doing their famous waddle walk!
Pro Tip:
Stick to non-peak days when purchasing your tickets. The prices vary from day to day, so try to avoid weekends.
Learn new skills at WinSport
Media credit: winsportcanada
Website: https://www.winsport.ca/
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW
Contact: (403) 247-5452, [email protected]
Hours: Complete and updates hours of operation
Admission: Depends on the lesson/sport
WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) is famous for its facilities where you can enjoy your favourite sport or practise your skills. But if there’s one thing we recommend for non-sporty individuals and visitors to Calgary, it’s learning a new skill.
Instead of hibernating at home, make winter the perfect time to learn a new sport. WinSport offers lessons and programs for kids and adults, so the next time you’re vacationing, you can join in on the sports activities!
Give the kids a head start and get them to learn how to ice skate or play hockey. There’s no shortage of classes you can join, winter or summer.
Pro Tip:
If you want to supervise your kids at the Ski Hill, you must wear ski or snowboarding equipment. No foot traffic is allowed for the safety of everyone.
Experience winter magic at Chinook Blast
Media credit: chinookblast
Website: https://www.chinookblast.ca/
Address: Multiple venues in Downtown Calgary
Contact: Via online form
When: February
Admission: Free, certain events will be ticketed
Chinook Blast is an epic winter festival in Calgary. Live performances, light displays, art installations, cultural experiences, sports activities, and various festivities happen for everyone to enjoy.
The live market is a must-visit. Taste local food, purchase handcrafted goods, and chug delicious beverages made for this festival only!
Pro Tip:
Most of the festivities are free, including the outdoor programming. However, certain events will require a fee, so check their calendar of events to make sure you will have tickets to the shows or activities you want to see.
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
Media credit: yychotchocolatefest
Website: https://yychotchocolate.com/
Location: Various participating stores in Calgary
Contact: (403) 243-2834 ext. 1004, [email protected]
When: February
Drinking hot chocolate feels like a warm blanket on a cold winter day. In Calgary, we all unite and participate in a contest for the best hot chocolates in the city while supporting Meals in Wheels.
Every February, local businesses compete to win the best hot chocolate titles. But honestly, the customers are the real winners here—unique, delicious, and decadent drinks in the winter? We’re in!
So grab your coat and walk to any (or all!) the participating vendors and taste their drinks. Don’t forget to vote for your favourites on the website!
Pro Tip:
There are A LOT of participating vendors. It can get overwhelming, so we recommend choosing first the cafes you usually go to or the ones closest to your work or home. Then, you can travel a bit farther to try new places.
Cheer for the Calgary Flames
Media credit: nhlflames
Website: https://www.nhl.com/flames/
Tickets: https://www.nhl.com/flames/tickets/single-game-tickets
Get ready to cheer for the Calgary Flames and be a true Calgarian! Everybody knows (even our neighbours from down south) that we love ice hockey—it is the official winter sport, after all.
So, wear the Calgary Flames colours and get ready to cheer and watch the team shoot and score like a boss. You’ll feel happiness, pride, nervousness, and excitement all in one game!
Pro Tip:
If you don’t have a jersey, wear red. Don’t be that guy in blue who sticks out from the crowd.
Go dog sledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours
Media credit: snowyowlsleddogtours
Website: https://www.snowyowltours.com/
Address: 829 10 St, Canmore
Contact: 1 (403) 678-4369, [email protected]
Hours:
Tour Prices:
- Powder Hound Express: $300 – $816 + GST
- Sunfeather Winterlude: $640 – $1938 + GST
The real ones know that an hour’s drive from Calgary is worth it to go dog sledding in Canmore. Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours is a popular spot to experience getting pulled by dogs in the snow.
You can choose to go solo or bring a friend or two and pick a self-driven or instructor-driven sled. If you’re a snow adventurer, you can join the epic 8-hour tour and sled roughly 60km!
Pro Tip:
Dog sledding experiences are not cheap. So, we suggest sticking regular season for lower rates.
Hop on a fat bike at Prince’s Island Park
Media credit: quantumquillsnaps
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/princes-island-park.html
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Hours: Daily, 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Admission: Free
Head over to Prince’s Island Park and ride a fat bike to take you to all terrains. Fat biking is a fun way to see the snow-covered sights in Calgary.
It’s also a good way to get some exercise in the winter since it takes way more energy to pedal than regular bikes. We all know it can be challenging to move our bodies in freezing temperatures.
You can stick to leisurely rides with the whole family. The area isn’t too crowded and you can even make a few stops to take some photos or grab a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up.
Pro Tip:
Fat biking is not your typical bike ride. It’s more challenging, so stick to shorter routes. Try places you’re used to before venturing out in unfamiliar places.
Chase the Northern Lights in Calgary
Media credit: paulo.travels
Address: Nose Hill Park – 6465 14 St NW
Watching the Northern Lights is always a magical experience to have. It’s even more special in the winter when the skies are darker, which makes it appear even better—the colours are more vibrant, somehow.
You don’t have to go to Banff to catch the magical colours in the sky. You can head to Nose Hill Park to watch the Northern Lights in Calgary.
If luck is on your side, you can see the gorgeous lights right in front of your house or in downtown Calgary. Just look for a rooftop patio, preferably several stories tall to avoid lights and buildings.
Pro Tip:
Mark your calendars. The Aurora Borealis is more visible in Calgary around March.
Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Media credit: yamnuskawdsanct
Website: https://www.yamnuskawolfdogsanctuary.com/
Address: 263156 Range Rd 53, Cochrane
Contact: (587) 890-9653
Hours:
- Thursday – Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday – Wednesday: Closed
Admission:
- Self-guided Sanctuary Walk: $21 – $33
- Intro Tour: $47
- Photography Tour: $200
There’s no better way to experience the magic of winter than to visit the majestic wolfdogs. Just drive a little under an hour to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and meet the pack of over 55 wolfdogs permanently living on the 163-acre land.
The Sanctuary Walk is the most affordable activity you can do. You’ll walk the grounds and watch the wolfdogs in their enclosures, all while learning all about them.
The Interactive Tour is a special experience to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. You’ll actually go inside the enclosure and you can even feed them treats (the staff will give these to you).
Pro Tip:
Wolfdogs are very sensitive to smells and sounds. Remember not to bring your dogs, even if they’re inside your vehicle in the parking lot, because it can be a stressful and disruptive experience for the wolfdogs.
Take an ice fishing trip at Ghost Lake Reservoir
Media credit: rockymountainjunkie
Address: Ghost Lake, Bighorn No. 8
If you’re a fishing enthusiast, ice fishing is a winter activity you shouldn’t miss! Ghost Lake Reservoir is just a 45-minute drive from Calgary and is an ideal weekend trip.
Ghost Lake is a popular ice-fishing area, but can be difficult to catch a fish. But once you do, you’ll be celebrating like no one’s watching!
You can catch lake trout, brown trout, lake whitefish, and Rainbow. You can even see some decent-sized trout here, but it will take a while.
Pro Tip:
Try to go to the north side of Ghost Lake to find a good spot.
Discover winter peace at Pure Hot Yoga
Media credit: purehotyoga_yyc
Website: http://purehotyoga.ca/
Address: Springborough Professional Centre, 30 Springborough Blvd SW #251
Contact: (403) 457-1974, [email protected]
Hours: By reservation
Rates:
- Infinite Yoga: $1700
- Drop-in Pass: $24
Winter makes us lazy to exercise, but a cool and relaxing way to keep us active is by joining a hot yoga class. Pure Hot Yoga offers classes for members and drop-ins.
It’s the perfect way to boost our moods since winter has the tendency to keep us cocooned at home. On days of severe weather conditions, you can choose their online yoga classes, so you can exercise without leaving the house!
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to bring your own water bottle unless you want to pay $2 for a bottle at the studio.
Enjoy a warm cup of coffee at Bell’s Cafe
Media credit: bellscafeyyc
Address: 1515 34 Ave SW
Contact: (403) 474-2233, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bell’s Cafe is one of those hidden gems we honestly wanted to gatekeep. Located on the outskirts of Marda Loop, this cozy coffee shop brings comfort during frosty weather.
Every cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) is like a warm hug and the homebaked goods are delish! You can’t go wrong with their gluten-free muffin and hopefully, their S’mores latte will make a comeback next winter!
Pro Tip:
Catch their board game nights for a whole lotta fun. Everyone is welcome, so check their socials and join in.
Watch the perfectly queer Carly’s Angels
Media credit: carlysangelsyyc
Website: https://www.carlysangels.ca/
Address: 1413 9 Ave SE
Contact: Via contact form on the website
Hours: Depends on the event
Admission: Depending on the tickets/events
Get warm at The Attic Bar and be captivated by the longest-running drag show in Canada. Carly’s Angels perform weekly to entertain us with their unique and captivating performances to keep us hot in this frosty weather.
Time to celebrate these gorgeous ladies while sipping on a glass of beer and devouring delicious pizza at the bar!
Pro Tip:
Tickets sold out really fast. So grab your tickets once they’re available!
Reach new heights with Calgary Climbing Centre
Media credit: calgaryclimbing
Website: https://www.calgaryclimbing.com/
Address: Complete list of locations
Contact: Depending on location
Hours: Daily, hours depend on the location
Price:
- Day Pass: $13 – $207
- Monthly Pass: $95 – $250
If you want an adventure but in the safety of not-so-chilly temperatures, try rock climbing at the Calgary Climbing Centre. You don’t need previous experience here because all skill levels are free to join, including kids eight and under!
It has five locations in Calgary, so you’re sure to find a centre without driving in the snow for too long. So bring the whole family and see how high you can reach!
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable clothing because you’ll move around a lot. Also, bring clean and non-marking shoes, which are required at the Calgary Climbing Centre.
Support local vendors at the Granary Road Christmas Market
Media credit: granaryroad
Website: https://www.granaryroad.com/christmas-market
Address: 226066 112 St W, Foothills County
Contact: (403) 453-7623, [email protected]
When: November – December
Admission: Free
Embrace the festive spirit by visiting the Granary Road Christmas Market. It’s the perfect time to do some last-minute holiday shopping while supporting local vendors.
You can purchase baked goods, holiday snacks, beer, and artisan crafts. There are lots of interesting goodies for everyone, so bring the whole family and join the festive activities!
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out on their socials for some exclusive holiday activities, like Breakfast with Santa.
Play crokicurl at Bowness Park
Media credit: calgaryparks
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/activities/crokicurl.html
Address:
- Park – 8900 48 Ave NW
- Crokicurl Rinks: Full-sized rinks and junior rink
Hours:
- Park: Daily, 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Crokicurl: Winter only
Admission: Free
Visit Bowness Park and play Canada’s new winter sport, crokicurl! It’s basically a combination of the two beloved Canadian classics: Crokinole and curling.
Bowness Park has five crokicurl rinks, which already include curling stones (the only thing you need for this sport). So, bring your friends and family and enjoy this very Canadian sport!
Pro Tip:
If you live closer to North Glenmore Park, you can play crokicurl there instead. It has two rinks near the Snowy Owl Picnic Area.
Book a romantic date night at Sky 360
Media credit: sky360calgary
Website: https://www.sky360.ca/
Address: 101 9 Ave SW
Contact: (403) 860 2988, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Watch the city skyline while enjoying a fancy winter date at the Calgary Tower’s Sky 360. This revolving restaurant will give you 360° views of the city, which looks magical covered in snow.
A must-try is the Seared Pacific Scallops, which includes potato gnocchi all covered in lemon butter. The English Trifle is a sweet dessert to end your meal.
Pro Tip:
Book a reservation to get a table. Try a dinner date for a more romantic ambiance.