Full Guide for Ice Skating in Banff
Ice skating is one of the best winter activities and there's no better place than the Canadian Rockies! There's something so special about gliding over lakes that are the iconic focus point in so many people's photos.
Each year, as winter starts to set over the Canadian Rockies, we are incredibly lucky to get a brief window where the lakes are frozen but the snow has yet to fall. This period may only last a day, it may last a couple of weeks but it won't last the whole winter. The fleeting nature of wild ice is what makes it so special.
Over the last few years I have skated on many lakes including Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Abraham Lake, Barrier Lake and so many more. Today I want to tell you about my favorite ones and most importantly; how to head out there safely.
Whether you're a seasoned pro seeking the perfect outdoor rink or a beginner eager to make your first strides, this blog will help you discover the most picturesque ice-skating spots, learn about ice safety and give you all the information you need for a day on the ice whether that be natural or man made.
Wild Ice Safety
Before you consider heading out on natural ice, it's important to acknowledge that if you choose to skate on natural ice, you do so at your own risk. Ice thickness is not monitored or marked for hazards in Banff National Park, so you need to be making your own assessments. Parks Canada recommends the ice thickness should be 15 cm for walking or skating alone and 20 cm for skating parties or games.
It is important to have your own ice measuring tools so you can test the ice thickness yourself and make sure any natural ice is safe to approach. I have the Black Diamond 16 cm Ice Screw and we have found this incredibly reassuring during ice skating season. To use the ice screw you simply screw it into the ice manually until it has enough traction to screw using the handle. You can feel the tension release if you break through the ice and then you can judge the depth from there. Ideally though we don't want this to be breaking through. Ice screws come in a variety of different lengths so make sure you're choosing one that is appropriate to your activities.
Remember: Just because other people are on the ice, does not mean it is safe. Make sure you are responsible for your own safety.
How to Find Natural Ice
Trying to find natural ice is like chasing a hidden treasure amongst the winter backdrop of the Rockies. A mix of skill, perfect timing and ice knowledge is needed to find nature's perfect rinks. If you’re lucky, all you will need is perfect timing but close monitoring of the conditions and overnight temperatures will give you an extra advantage. My biggest tip: as soon as you think it is cold enough for the lake to freeze, it's worth heading out with your ice screw to test the thickness. Worst case, it's still open water or not thick enough, but best case… you discover perfect, glassy ice and get it all to yourself. Perfect ice does not last long, even an overnight frost can impact the surface so it’s worth visiting right away!
In addition to your own monitoring, there are local Facebook groups in many areas that track and chase natural ice. You can always research what is around your area and hopefully connect with others on the same exciting hunt!
Remember: Larger bodies of water will take longer to freeze, shallow and smaller bodies will be the first ones.
Skating Location In and Around Banff National Park
In Banff National Park we are spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful bodies of water and potential outdoor rinks. With so many to choose from you have incredible options for skating during the winter season. Under the right conditions, any lake can be a great option but I want to run you through some of my favorite locations and tips for each place!
Vermillion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes is a very shallow area of water right in the town of Banff and is usually one of the first to freeze. The location of this lake means that you can walk there if you're staying in Banff and don't have a car, which makes it a great skating spot for many. Now this is a long stretch of lakes and it may freeze at different stages so it's worth exploring the whole length of the road to see where the best spots are.
Two Jack Lake
Also very close to the town of Banff, Two Jack Lake is another great option for skating. This one usually freezes after Johnson lake, and it may freeze in sections. I have skated on this lake when the whole east side of it was completely frozen, yet there was open water at the shore and over to the west. The patch of ice that was on the east side was completely safe to skate on and we measured it in multiple spots just to double check. This lake taught me that a lake does not need to be completely frozen in order for it to be safe, it just needs to be thick enough where you want to go.
Johnston Lake
This lake is usually one of the first to freeze as it is a smaller body of water located just 15 minutes from the town of Banff. If the conditions are perfect, this lake will freeze completely clear and given it's not very deep, it can produce some incredible skating conditions where you can see everything underneath the ice.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is one of the final lakes right near the town of Banff and it is usually one of the last to freeze. Typically we expect Minnewanka to be frozen around December/January as it is a very big body of water and it takes a lengthy period of cold temperatures for the surface to freeze. One perk of this lake freezing so late, is that it can offer a second chance at natural ice skating after the rest of the lakes have been compromised with snow, so keep an eye out for this one!
Bow Lake
Bow Lake
Moving a little further into Banff National Park, Bow Lake is a great option and an iconic skating destination if you can get there at the right time. Surrounded by beautiful glaciers and atop bright blue water, this location is stunning anytime of year. My favorite memory of this lake is from a couple winters back. I saw online that people were skating here so we decided to get up first thing the next day and drive out for a sunrise skate with our friends. By the time we got there, the lake had developed hoar frost overnight (little frost flowers everywhere) and we only had clear ice in some sections, but it was still the most magical morning. We skated along the clear patches we found, we watched the sun rise and the sky turn pink and had the best morning with our friends. Sometimes you don't always need perfect ice, you just need a perfect situation and to make the most of it.
Gap Lake
Gap Lake is located in Canmore and is a shallow body of water that is often one of the first to freeze in the area! There is usually some open water around the boat launch but the unique ice formations make for an interesting skate.
Peyto Lake
To this day Peyto Lake is one of my absolute favorite lakes to skate on. I've been lucky enough to visit this lake the last couple of winters and get pretty good conditions each time! Whenever I talk about Peyto Lake, the most frequently asked question is “How do you get down there to skate?”
If you've visited Peyto Lake or you know of this location, there's a main parking lot and a 10 minute walk out to the viewpoint platform where all of the iconic photos are taken. This is a great spot to see Peyto Lake, but not where you want to go if your goal is to skate.
If you want to go down to the lakeshore, you should be going to a different parking lot. A little further down the Icefields Parkway there is a small lot on the left before you go around the bend. It's not marked and you should make sure you have offline navigation downloaded before going so you can find your way. From this parking lot there is a trail down to the shoreline. It takes approximately 30 minutes and it does have a little bit of elevation loss on the way down, incline on the way back. The trail you will want to follow is “Peyto Lake via. Peyto Lake Access Trail” on AllTrails.
Remember: there is no service in the area so download before you go!
Once you are down there, Peyto has the potential for the most incredible skating experience so make the most of it! Each time I have visited, the lake has been extremely noisy, settling and moving slightly. Even with appropriate thickness, this lake is loud and it's a very alien noise when you aren't used to it!
Barrier Lake
Barrier Lake in Kananaskis is another amazing option. This lake is a very popular ice skating location each year and it is incredibly windy. While this may not make for the most desirable skating experience, it does mean the lake stays clear for longer as most of the snow is blown off. This lake tends to be more of a green color and the surface area is huge so you could be skating all day if you wanted to!
Emerald Lake
Often overlooked as a skating destination, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is a stunning option if you can time it right! Just an hour from the town of Banff, the gorgeous emerald water and the oval shaped lake provide the perfect natural rink. If you are visiting Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge is a point of interest at the beginning of the road and I would highly recommend the quick stop before or after your skate!
Vista Lake
Finally, if you're looking for a slightly quieter skating destination this winter, Vista Lake is a great choice. Located on highway 93, this lake is about 30 minutes out of the town of Banff by car. Once you get there there's a small parking lot that is marked and it is a short hike down to the lake. Because you can't see this lake from the highway and it does require a walk I have found it is usually a quieter location. It is not a huge body of water so conditions permitting, it should freeze early in winter.
Rink Skating
If you've missed the natural ice for the season or if lake skating is not your thing, then you'll be pleased to know that we have a few great rink options within Banff National Park as well!
The first spot I want to talk about is Lake Louise. Now this rink is still on a natural lake but it is the only lake that is monitored for safety and maintained throughout the winter season. The staff at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise clear the lake off and maintain it every day. So if you are looking for an outdoor rink in an iconic destination I would recommend visiting this one so you don't have to think about ice thickness yourself.
Lake Louise
The Fenlands Banff Recreation Center is another great option for skating. They have an indoor rink that has an open public skate most days and they also maintain outdoor rinks that are free to use around the building. If you don't have your own skates they do have skate rentals on site as well which can be very handy if you're visiting!
Another great outdoor rink option is at the Banff Recreation Grounds. This outdoor rink is open daily and is located right by the new pavilion building which has skate-friendly flooring making it the perfect place to lace up and warm up.
Skate Rentals
If you want to head out ice skating but you don't have your own skates there are plenty of options to choose from around the town of Banff. Backtrax and Ultimate Spots are two of my favorite rental stores. Check with them directly for availability.
Regardless of what skating you intend to do this winter, I hope you have an amazing time out on the ice. Remember to be safe and take any extra precautions around natural ice to make sure everyone has a great time and no one gets wet!
Happy skating!
