Winter in Lacombe: Things to Do & Itinerary for Families

If you’re looking for things to do in Lacombe during the winter, I have this perfect detailed itinerary for your family.

Lacombe is a small city with a big heart. It’s nestled in the heart of Central Alberta, less than two hours away from Calgary or Edmonton. It’s a place where winter wonderlands come to life, with various activities for everyone to enjoy. Lacombe has something special for every visitor, from thrilling outdoor adventures like snow tubing and skiing to cozy indoor experiences.

Lacombe Regional Tourism invited us for a winter family weekend in the area, and we’re sharing our detailed winter itinerary and the best things to do in Lacombe, Alberta, with you! Note that all opinions and words are our own.

County of Lacombe Map (with all the fun stops)

Things to do in Lacombe in the winter: Itinerary recap

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This winter Alberta family getaway in Lacombe begins with a drive from Calgary to Canyon Ski Hill for a couple of hours snow tubing. Then, enjoy a delicious pizza from Moe’s Pizza, before checking in at the Best Western Plus Lacombe.

The next day, you can go for peaceful nature walks. There are a few options for you: JJ Collet Natural Area, Cranna Lake or Elizabeth Lake. Lunch at Milly Oak Cafe offers a cozy atmosphere and hearty meals. In the afternoon, you’ll explore downtown Lacombe‘s vibrant murals and local museums, capped off with bowling at Ambassadors Bowling and a warm dinner at Oishidesu Ramen Shack.

On the final day, start your morning at Tollers Bistro, featuring must-try in-house doughnuts. A leisurely walk from Kuhnen Park to Lacombe Lake and a nature walk at Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area before returning to Calgary.

☀️☀️ But Lacombe isn’t just a winter destination. The city of Lacombe and Lacombe County burst into life in the summer with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and many activities. The warm months bring different adventures, including hiking in some of Central Alberta’s most beautiful natural areas.

Day 1 (Friday): Drive to Lacombe, Alberta & enjoy evening tubing

Welcome to your first day in Lacombe, Alberta! Lacombe is a charming city, perfect for exploring the beautiful outdoors and enjoying winter activities. Here’s how you can make the most of your day:

Canyon Ski Hill

If you’re driving from Calgary, it will take you about 2 hours to get to Canyon Ski Hill. Make sure you have some road trip activities planned for the kids for a smooth ride.

▶️ You might like our Road Trip Activity Book for Kids. It’s more than 70+ pages filled with activities for family road trip drives. 🚘

This little ski resort is near the city of Red Deer. It’s one of Central Alberta’s best places for skiing and is perfect for families with little kids. The mountain is less intimidating than Banff ski resorts.

Canyon Ski Hill offers a variety of slopes suitable for all levels, from beginners to seasoned skiers.

💡 Insider Tips: If you don’t have your own ski gear, rentals are available at the hill.

After enjoying skiing (or if you can only arrive after work), it’s time for some evening tubing fun.

Canyon Ski Hill also offers snow tubing on Fridays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Snow tubing is a fun, thrilling activity that requires no special skills. It’s perfect for families. 

Glide down the specially designed tubing lanes and feel the rush of the cold winter air. In the evening, you’ll see colorful glow lights. It makes the experience even more fun. 

💡 Insider tip: Arrive early to get your tubing tickets, as it can get busy. It’s recommended to arrive at least 15-20 minutes in advance. Dress in layers to stay warm during the evening.

Be warned, the tubing hills seem small, but it goes surprisingly fast. It’s so much fun. It’s one of the highlights of our visit to Lacombe County. It might not be as big as the Village Vacances Valcartier in Quebec City, but it’s still very worth a visit.

But if you prefer to continue skiing, evening skiing is an excellent alternative.

Moe’s Pizza

After your evening activities, drive 25 minutes back to Lacombe. You can stop at  Moe’s Pizza for dinner. You can either order your Moes’ Pizza, have it delivered directly to the hotel or dine in. 

It’s what we did. They don’t have a lot of indoor seating, but we enjoyed our pizza quickly on the stools facing Main Street before heading to the hotel.

💡 Insider tip: You can find the menu on Moe’s Pizza website and call ahead to place your order. After two hours of tubing, everyone will be hungry.

Lacombe Best Western Plus Hotel

It’s time to check into the Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn & Suites. This hotel offers comfortable accommodations and is conveniently located for exploring more of all the things to do in Lacombe (plus you can walk to Tollers Bistro in the morning).

Take time to relax, unpack, and settle in for the night.

Spend the rest of your evening enjoying the hotel’s amenities. Whether it’s taking a dip in the indoor pool (there is a fun slide for the kids), watching a movie, or simply relaxing in your room, rest up and recharge for another day of adventure in Lacombe and the surrounding area of Central Alberta.

💡 Insider tip: Book a room with bunk beds if you have children. Our kids loved it.

Day 2: Nature walk, downtown Lacombe & bowling

Get ready for another exciting day in Lacombe! Today, you’ll immerse yourself in nature, enjoy local cuisine, and explore the city’s charming downtown. 

Complimentary Breakfast at Lacombe Best Western Plus

Start your day with a complimentary breakfast at the Best Western Plus Lacombe. Enjoy a variety of options to fuel up for the day ahead. 

JJ Collet Natural Area

After breakfast, head to the JJ Collet Natural Area for a refreshing nature walk. It’s a nice little hike in Central Alberta.

This area is a beautiful example of Central Alberta’s natural landscape. It offers over kilometers of trails through diverse ecosystems. 

Keep your eyes out for wildlife and various bird species that call this area home, such as woodpeckers, owls, and even deer. The trails are for all ages, making it a perfect family outing.

💡 Insider tips: Bring binoculars for bird watching.

Cranna Lake or Elizabeth Lake

Then, drive back into town to Cranna Lake or Elizabeth Lake. Depending on the weather and your preference, choose between:

• ice skating on Cranna Lake or 
• taking another nature walk around Elizabeth Lake. 

Both options offer beautiful views and a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Cranna Lake has a maintained ice surface for skating in the winter. The ice rink was sadly closed when we visited because of the warm weather. We walked a bit around and then explored Elizabeth Lake instead.

Elizabeth Lake provides a serene setting for a leisurely walk. It’s ideal for spotting more bird species, especially in the morning.

Milly Oak Cafe

After visiting Cranna Lake and or Elizbeth Lake, drive back into town. Head to Milly Oak Cafe for lunch. It’s known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious, hearty meals. Enjoy their selection of soups, sandwiches, and baked goods made with fresh, local ingredients.

I ordered the soup and Thai combo, and it was delicious. 

City of Lacombe downtown

Spend your afternoon exploring downtown Lacombe. The city is famous for its beautiful Lacombe murals depicting the history of Lacombe. You’ll want to walk downtown and search for all the murals (we didn’t see them all, but loved the ones we saw). The Lacombe Museum offers a detailed guided for a self-guided tour of the murals and downtown area.

Then, visit the local Lacombe museum located in the historic Flatiron Building. The building itself is beautiful. The museum is small but interesting. It is a place to learn more about the area’s heritage and browse through unique shops for souvenirs.

💡 Insider tips: Let the kids use the old stamps and write a letter to a loved one.

Ambassadors Bowling

Spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening at the Ambassadors Bowling. It’s located in downtown Lacombe, a few steps from Main Street. They offer five-pin bowling lanes. 

It’s a great way to enjoy friendly competition and laugh with family or friends.

💡 Insider tips:  Call ahead to reserve your lane, especially on weekends.

Oishidesu Ramen Shack

When you are ready (and hungry),  it’s time for a warm dinner at Oishidesu Ramen Shack in Lacombe. It’s a must for delicious Japanese cuisine. And it’s walking distance from the bowling alley. 

Their ramen bowls are comforting and perfect for warming up after a day out in the cold. Plus, they have a great kids’ menu where they can taste some Japanese food. My boys ordered the shrimp rice bowl, and they loved it.

Enjoy the pool and slide at the hotel

End your day by enjoying the hotel’s pool and slide. It’s a fun way to relax and unwind after a busy day of exploration and adventure.

Day 3: Doughnuts and nature walk

Your last day in Lacombe is about soaking up the natural beauty before returning to Calgary. Here’s how to make the most of your final day:

Tollers Bistro

Begin your day at Tollers Bistro, a favorite local spot for breakfast. Enjoy a hearty meal to start your day right. I highly recommend the gravlax toast.

And don’t forget to try one of their locally famous doughnuts, made fresh in-house. These treats are the perfect sweet end to your meal.

Kuhnen Park & Lacombe Lake

After breakfast, take a leisurely walk from Kuhnen Park to Lacombe Lake. It’s located 10-15 minutes outside the city of Lacombe on the way back to Calgary.

This walk offers a peaceful setting to enjoy the outdoors and spot local wildlife. The path to Lacombe Lake is well-maintained, making it a stroll for all ages. It’s a short loop of 2.9 km (if you walk to the Lacombe Lake).

You’ll find signs at many different places along the trail, so you can decide when to turn around if you don’t want to continue to the lake.

Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area

Next, head to the Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area for another nature walk. This area is a testament to the beauty of central Alberta’s landscape, featuring a variety of trails that meander through different habitats. It’s a great place to appreciate nature’s tranquility and reflect on your time spent in Lacombe.

There are no signs along the trails, so take a picture of the map at the start of the trailhead (by the parking lot).

There is supposed to be a wooden cabin in the forest, so try to look for it. We couldn’t find it when we visited, but you might be luckier than us.

Drive Back to Calgary

After your nature walks, it’s time to drive back to Calgary.

👉 If you are looking for more winter adventures in Lacombe County , visit Lacombe County website.

How to Get to Lacombe (from Calgary)

Getting to Lacombe from Calgary is straightforward. You’ll head north from Calgary on AB-2 N (Queen Elizabeth II Highway). This major highway will lead you directly towards Central Alberta. The drive typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.

As you approach the city of Lacombe, you’ll take the exit for Highway 12, which leads directly into the city.

Final Thoughts: Things to do in Lacombe in the winter

During winter, Lacombe transforms into a snowy paradise, perfect for those who love to explore the outdoors. There are so many things to do in Lacombe in the winter.

You can enjoy skiing at the nearby Canyon Ski Resort, snow-tub under the stars, or take serene nature walks through the frosty landscapes.  And for those who enjoy hiking in Central Alberta, the winter scenery adds a new dimension to the trails and natural areas around Lacombe.

Looking for more winter content? You might like the following articles:

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