Best Winter Hikes in Kananaskis for All Skill Levels

After exploring the Canadian Rockies for the past 3 years, my family and I have listed the BEST winter hikes in Kananaskis (for the entire family).

We try to go on a family hike with our kids at least once a week (even in the winter… it’s the only way we can achieve our 1000 Hours Outside challenge). There are so many amazing hikes to do, and there is something special about a frozen waterfall and snowy mountain views.

In this article, I’ll share with me the best winter hikes in Kananaskis Country. The list goes from the shortest to the longest hikes. We did most of the hikes that are under 6 km (and my friend Maria – who is helping me with this article – has done all the longest ones!)

❄️ Note: If you’re looking for Banff winter hikes, check out this article instead.

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Best Winter Hikes in Kananaskis RECAP

	Distance	Type of trail	Elevation
Elbow Falls	0.8 km	out-and-back	27 m
❤️ Blackshale Suspension Bridge	1.0 km	out-and-back	53 m
Quarry Lake Loop	1.1 km	out-and-back	40 m
Heart Creek Bunker	4.0 km	out-and-back	235 m
Policeman Creek Boardwalk	4.0 km	loop	81 m
Grotto Canyon Falls	4.2 km	out-and-back	395 m
❤️ Grassi Lakes	4.3 km	out-and-back	178 m
❤️ Troll Falls	4.7 km	out-and-back	230 m
Jura Creek Canyon	6.6 km	out-and-back	259 m
Rawson Lake	6.8 km	out-and-back	423 m
Ha Ling Peak	7.4 km	out-and-back	755 m
Prairie Mountain	8.4 km	out-and-back	711 m
Chester Lake	9.3 km	out-and-back	419 m
Rummel Lake	11.1 km	out-and-back	422 m
Green Monster Icefall	11.6 km	out-and-back	548 m
Yates Mountain	11.9 km	out-and-back	654 m

Below, we share a more extensive list of hikes to do in the winter in Kananaskis and Canmore. With the ❤️ is our family’s favorite hiking trails in Kananaskis. I find that they are short and easy for kids (even when hiking with toddlers) and that they have something unique to see.Here are our TOP 3 hikes you shouldn’t miss for a winter hiking adventure in Kananaskis:

• Policeman Creek Boardwalk Trail (one of the best family winter hikes in Canmore)
• Blackshale Suspension Bridge (in the winter, it’s super cool!)
• Grassi Lakes Trail (one of the most popular winter hikes in Kananaskis)

1. Elbow Falls Trail

🥾 Elbow Falls Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 0.8 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 27 m

Elbow Falls is one of the easiest winter hikes in Kananaskis. It’s the perfect winter hike located near Bragg Creek.

A nice secured path allows you to admire the falls and walk along the river. The main road on Highway 66 is closed by the provincial park for the winter a few meters after the turnout for Elbow Falls, so in the summer, there are many other hiking options for longer hikes in the area. Also, there seemed to be some nice bouldering spots as many climbers were walking with their crash pads.

⛔ Warning:
There are a few stairs, so it’s not stroller or wheelchair-friendly. The stairs are also incredibly slippery if it hasn’t snowed for a while. 

2. Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge

🥾 Blackshale Suspension Bridge Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 1.0 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 53 m

The Blackshale Suspension Bridge loop is a fun and easy family-friendly winter hike in Kananaskis with a nice suspension bridge to cross (weather permitting). It takes a little while to get there: from Calgary, it’s about 131 km, and from Canmore, it’s 89 km.

⛔ Warning:
The Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge closes in winter when snow levels are too high. Check the trail conditions before driving all the way there.

However, the drive is worth it and can be combined with other fun winter activities in Kananaskis. To reach the trail, you’ll drive past Boundary Ranch and Kananaskis Village. For a unique winter getaway, you could also spend an evening glamping at Mt Engadine.

Despite the short walk, you will be amazed by the nature, wildlife, mountain views, and, of course, the suspension bridge!

You should visit the Alberta Parks website to ensure the bridge is open. When there is a lot of snow, the park closes the bridge for safety reasons.

If you feel like walking more than 1km, you can do a longer trail (6.1 km out-and-back) called Blackshale Suspension Bridge via Black Prince. You can either begin the hike by parking on the road and walk to the bridge first or drive a little further to the Black Prince Day Use Area parking lot and walk in the forest before reaching the Suspension Bridge to then return to your car.

3. Quarry Lake Loop Trail

🥾 Quarry Lake Loop Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 1.1 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 40 m

Quarry Lake is a small lake near downtown Canmore. There is a nice, easy trail around the lake. It’s great for a hike in Canmore in winter, but remember it’s not a lake for ice skating. The ice on the lake is ALWAYS too thin to walk on since the lake is fed by an underground spring.

Also, there is a parking lot fee at Quarry Lake (in the low season, you can either pay $2.50/hour or the daily max amount is $37.50), so bring a lunch and some sleds to take advantage of the day-use area.

4. Heart Creek Bunker

🥾 Heart Creek Bunker Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.0 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 235 m

This abandoned Cold War bunker is an excellent kid-friendly hike not far from Canmore. It’s also one of the best winter hikes near Calgary—in fact, it’s the closest one on our list.

The trail is relatively easy, although a few sections are very slippery. 

Once you reach the bunker, you can walk inside. It gets very dark inside, so bring headlamps or regular lamps.

Kids will have a lot of fun exploring this place!

5. Policeman Creek Boardwalk Trail

🥾 Policeman Creek Boardwalk Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.0 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 81 m

The Policeman Creek Boardwalk Trail is the best winter hike in Canmore. It’s an easy Canmore hike for kids, offering spectacular views of the Town of Canmore and its surrounding mountains.

The trailhead starts right in town, just off the main street. It follows the Policeman’s Creek, where you’ll walk on a boardwalk for part of the trail and through forests and ponds. 

You will love seeing the snow-capped mountains of Ha Ling, Miner’s Peak, and EEOR.

The paid parking cost is between $2-$3/hour or $24 for the day.

6. Grotto Canyon Falls Trail

🥾 Grotto Canyon Creek Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.2 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 395 m

Grotto Canyon is one of the most popular family winter hikes in Kananaskis. It gets really busy between families and ice climbers.

For the first few kilometers, you will walk on an open trail with lots of wind before reaching the canyon, where you’ll be protected from the wind. Even if it’s a frigid day, you will not feel it as much. 

When our kids were between 3 and 6, we used to bring a sled and pull them out-and-back on the ice creek bed. There are a few spots where the ice is less thick, and you can get your boots wet. Watch out for those spots! Walking through Grotto Canyon in the winter is still very entertaining, even if you do get wet.

The canyon limestone walls are stunning – some even have thousands of years old pictographs!

⛔ Warning:
I strongly recommend wearing spikes or crampons as it is EXTREMELY slippery. 

Once you reach the frozen waterfall, you can enjoy a picnic while watching the ice climbers go up and down the ice wall from a safe distance. On the right side, a short trail brings you to a smaller frozen waterfall where people practice ice climbing, too. 

You can go up and down in what looks like ice steps. Practice caution as many people without the proper gear slip, stumble, and fall on the ice, hitting their heads on the canyon walls. 

Please note that the parking lot is minuscule, so you may want to arrive early to get a spot. You cannot park on the side of the highway.

Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Adventure – Guided Tour

This Grotto Canyon Ice Walk adventure guided tour is recommended for families with kids 8 years old and older. You can be picked up in Canmore or Banff.

You will walk through the frozen creek bed, admiring the limestone walls before reaching the frozen falls. 

You only need to bring water as they will provide you with:

• ice cleats,
• hiking poles,
• a maple cookie snack, and
• a hot chocolate to warm you up.

▶️ Check this tour & look at the schedule.

7. Grassi Lakes Trail

🥾 Grassi Lakes Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.3 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 178 m

Grassi Lakes in the winter is one of our favorite trails to do in Kananaskis Country. This 3.4 km easy-to-moderate loop hike is excellent for families as, during the summer, you can take two different routes depending on your hike level. 

NOTE: Walking clockwise (the “harder” way up first, then the “easier” way down), is closed during the winter due to the ice that builds up from the water that flows over the trail. The trail is marked as the “Grassi Lakes Interpretive” trail.

Following the easier path, you can enjoy the mountain views and the ever-so-popular Grassi Lakes. At the top of the mountains, there’s an amazing view of the Rundle Forebay Reservoir and the Kananaskis Region. You can walk around the lakes and stop for lunch if it’s not too cold.

⛔ Warning
The trail is within a wildlife corridor. It’s super important to follow signs and stay on the trail. We also keep bear spray with us whenever hiking in Kananaskis and Banff, even though most bears are presumably hibernating (better safe than sorry, I guess). 

Moreover, the landscape and wildlife on this hiking trail are also reasons to add it to your list.

To visit Grassi Lakes in winter (and all year round), you’ll need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. We suggest getting there as early as possible, as this is a popular and busy trail.

Note: Only the easy trail (also called the Upper Grassi Lakes Trail) is open in the winter. The more difficult one (called the Grassi Lakes Interpretive) is closed for safety reasons.

8. Troll Falls Trail

🥾 Troll Falls Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.7 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 230 m

Troll Falls is a perfect, easy winter hike for all levels, including little kids in Kananaskis. The 4.7 km trail in the woods leads to a beautiful waterfall where you can stop to admire the view. Troll Falls trailhead is only a few minutes from the Nakiska Ski Resort and the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, a beautiful Marriott hotel nestled in the mountains.

Contrary to what you or your kids may think, there are no Trolls in this trail (or at least there shouldn’t be!). Alberta Parks has asked visitors not to leave any troll dolls hidden in the forest as this is considered litter and can harm animals and their ecosystem. The trail is named “Troll Falls” since you can see a troll shape in the rocks, but we’ve never seen it.

Moreover, in winter, we love walking in the snow and seeing the frozen waterfalls and the snow-capped mountains in the background. You can also reach the Upper Falls, but it can be slippery, so bring your spikes or crampons and hiking poles.

Although you can visit Troll Falls year-round, seeing the frozen waterfalls is delightful. I highly recommend visiting Troll Falls in the winter! You can also extend your day by visiting Boundary Ranch for a sleigh or horseback ride.

PRO-TIP: Bring a few sleds for the downhill sections with the kids. It makes the hike a little easier and a whole lot more fun. 

You can use the same trail or follow the power lines back to the parking lot. On your way back, you will be surrounded by the mountains of the Kananaskis Valley.

Before heading to Troll Falls, buy the Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Avoid weekends, if possible, and get there early to avoid crowds.

9. Jura Creek Canyon

🥾 Jura Creek Canyon Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 6.6 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 259 m

This trail is very close to Grotto Canyon. It can be an alternative option if the Grotto Canyon’s parking lot is full or if you want to have a little extra kilometers after doing Grotto.

Being a canyon, Jura Creek is similar to Grotto. However, some of the differences are that there are a lot of boulders and tree branches to climb, walk on, or walk through.

Once you reach the end of the trail, there are more boulders and trees in a broader, more open space. Kids can play endlessly here, climbing up and down different sections of the terrain. 

10. Rawson Lake

🥾 Rawson Lake Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 6.8 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 423 m

Rawson Lake is another excellent family-friendly winter hike we love doing.

It’s rated as hard, but hiking it with kids ages 7 and 4 is an easy to moderate packed trail.

Our kids had a lot of fun walking through the snowed-on forest and looking at funny-looking trees. One stump looked like a huge seat, and our kids took turns sitting on it!

Once at the lake, we enjoyed playing with the snow and watching the frozen lake with Mount Sarrail as the backdrop.

During the summer months, Sarrail Ridge is a popular destination. However, in winter, you must avoid going around the lake or reaching Mount Sarrail/Sarrail Ridge, as this is avalanche terrain. In fact, you can spot some avalanches in this area from time to time.

On the way down, our kids loved sliding on the stepper sections, which made for a faster return. This is a must for us in the winter months.

11. Ha Ling Peak

🥾 Ha Ling Peak Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 7.4 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 755 m

In my personal opinion, Ha Ling Peak is one of the best winter hikes in Kananaskis.

It may look scary and high from below, but it offers excellent views of the Town of Canmore and the surrounding mountains.

This trail may be on the “harder” side for some kids, but it’s perfectly doable if you’re patient and take extra time. 

Once at the summit, it gets extremely cold and windy, so bring lots of layers and, if possible, hand and toe warmers. Please remember to be safe on this trail and DO NOT go too close to the edges as it gets very slippery, and there are (or may be) several areas with cornices. 

As you hike up or down, use your spikes or crampons and hiking poles to avoid falling in the several icy patches along the trail and stairs.

12. Prairie Mountain

🥾 Prairie Mountain Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 8.4 out-and-back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 711 m

Known as one of the best places to work out, Prairie Mountain is a good option for kids ages 9 and older. 

There is a love-hate relationship with this trail because of its steepness. However, due to the most recent improvements, the trail’s incline is much more gradual and manageable, which doesn’t make you feel like giving up!

I did this trail a few winters ago and thought about quitting so many times! The trail itself was lovely, with trees everywhere. It was like an enchanted forest. But the incline… a killer!

The views from the summit are gorgeous, and when you get lucky, there is no wind. Otherwise, you can expect solid and cold winds in the winter, so you may want to return to the forested trail quite quickly.

This is a great option not far from Calgary and is a must-try now that it is not as steep as it once was. It shares the same parking lot as Elbow Falls, so make sure to go see the waterfalls to relax after this steep hike.

13. Chester Lake

🥾 Elephant Rocks via Chester Lake Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 9.3 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 419 m

Chester Lake is not only a popular Larch destination during larch season, but also an excellent family-friendly winter hike in Kananaskis. The combination of a wide trail with a gradual incline makes this a moderate trail that everyone in the family will enjoy. 

You can decide whether to snowshoe, hike, or cross-country ski to the lake. Respect the zones for “cross-country skiing only” so you don’t destroy their trails.

The alpine meadow features Chester Lake with its homonymous mountain. 

If you continue walking about 300 m from the lake onto the Three Lakes Valley Trail, you’ll reach the well-known elephant rocks, a pile of boulders that have fallen from neighboring mountains. Kids will love climbing on these rocks!

14. Rummel Lake

🥾 Rummel Lake Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 11.1 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 422 m

This trail can be enjoyed by families with kids of all ages. The fir and spruce forest add a magical touch to this trail in winter – it’s like an enchanted mystic forest. 

From this trail, you can spot other mountains, such as Tent Ridge and Mount Galatea. You’ll also see the enchanting Spray Lakes Reservoir.

You can easily enjoy a picnic near the lake before heading back down. Please note that walking on the Lost Lake Route and trying to reach the Pass involves walking through avi terrain, and unless you have the proper gear and training, this should be avoided at all times in winter. 

15. Green Monster Icefall

🥾 Green Monster Icefall Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 11.6 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 548 m

Located on Highway 40, the Green Monster Icefall is a mesmerizing frozen waterfall with green color cues—hence its name.

While this is a longer hike at 11.6 km, many older kids can take up this adventure! 

This trail is very “easy” except for a couple of chain sections where you must be very careful. Kids 8 years and older should be able to complete this trail without much of a problem.

For most of the trail, you will walk on frozen creek beds and packed paths and admire several frozen waterfalls before reaching the famous Green Monster. 

Ice climbing is a popular activity in this area, so please be safe and keep others safe if you’re enjoying the icefalls from a shorter distance due to icefall hazards.

16. Yates Mountain

🥾 Yates Mountain Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 11.9 km out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 654 m

This beautiful and kid-friendly hike along Highway 40 in Kananaskis is an excellent option for winter hikes. 

While it’s over 10 km, its gradual and easy incline makes it a moderate trail and absolutely worth it with the astonishing views!

We’ve done it a few times in the summer, and the kids have enjoyed walking on the forested trail. When you reach the trail’s end, you will get to the first and second viewpoints that will allow you to see the frozen Barrier Lake and the stunning Mount Baldy right across.

PRO-TIP: If your kids are quite young, staying at the first viewpoint is probably the best and the safest option!

The second viewpoint offers the same views from a rockier, more open path that gets slippery with snow and ice.

You can continue a few more kilometers to the Yates Mountain summit, where there’s a fire lookout, and you get views from the opposite side of Highway 40 (you’ll be looking at Highway 1 from this side). But know that this is not necessary! Our kids enjoyed the first viewpoint, which was more than enough before we hiked back down. 

Be Prepared for Your Winter Hikes in Kananaskis

Here are a few things to know when planning winter hiking in Kananaskis.

📱 Download a few apps to help you plan your hiking activity

AllTrails is our go-to app for looking at trial reports and seeing if a trail is kid-friendly. You’ll also find recent information about the trail’s status. To find out if a trail has a closure or restriction, visit the Advisories & Public Safety website and the Trail Reports website from Alberta Parks. Always check the trail conditions before heading out.

🥾 Pack the right gear for winter hiking

Pack your backpack (such as the Osprey or the Decathlon hiking backpacks) with hiking shoes, a bottle of water, snacks, and hiking poles. Kids do not need much to enjoy hiking. They can bring as little or as much as they’d like. Usually, a little hiking backpack for them is more than enough.

Furthermore, always bring layers and be prepared for sudden mountain weather changes. It can sometimes be warmer when you start the trail, but it can be snowing, raining, or freezing when you reach the summit. Good base layers (such as the Wool Love) are essential.

Spikes or Crampons and Hiking Poles are highly recommended in the winter as the trails get super icy and slippery.

🐻 Bring bear spray

There is always the possibility of encountering wildlife in Kananaskis and the Canadian Rockies – even if it’s winter and bears are hibernating. Most animals avoid human contact as much as possible. However, Banff and the surrounding areas are bear country; therefore, it’s essential to bring bear spray and know how to use it. I recommend watching this video from Parks Canada to learn how to use it.

Also, keep your children at a safe distance from you when on the trails. You want to see them at all times.

🩹 Don’t forget a First Aid Kit

It is always a great idea to take a travel first aid kit with you when traveling with toddlers. Make sure it is well-stocked, especially with bite/sting cream and band-aids – you never know when unsteady little legs might take a tumble. Keep your travel first aid kit somewhere accessible.

Final Thoughts: Which Is the BEST Winter Hike in Kananaskis for the Family? 

This is obviously a personal preference and will depend on your kids’ ages and your love of hiking. 

We are a fairly active family, but we don’t try to push our young kids beyond their limits. 

So for us, the most pleasant hike in Kananaskis is Graiss Lakes. It’s perfect for kids and still a good workout. The views are amazing. We also loved our day at Elbow Falls.

These may be the shortest and most accessible hikes, but they offer great places to teach our kids about hiking. You may have a different experience, but we highly recommend those if you have young kids. 

For groups with older children, they might enjoy kicking back and watching the ice climbers at Grotto Canyon. I also loved the new Prairie Mountain Trail.

Now, let’s prepare to go DO these family adventures in the Canadian Rockies by ensuring you’re well-prepped for the cold with the right gear.

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Related Article – Winter in the Canadian Rockies

• Your 3-Day Itinerary for Visiting Banff in the Winter
• Is Banff Worth Visiting in Winter? Opinion from a Local
• Why Quebecers Keep Coming Back to Fernie Every Winter?
• 17 Things to Do in Banff in Winter [Activities for Families]