11 Best Winter Activities to Do in Calgary
Are you planning on visiting Calgary in winter and looking for tips to enjoy your vacation in the middle of the cold season in Canada? Here's our Calgary winter guide that includes fun activities and the best things to do in Alberta's largest city.
After we spent one winter in Calgary, Canada, we must admit that it was an unforgettable experience. Coming from the Czech Republic, Europe, we are used to cold days and nights, but winter usually arrives in mid-November, leaves in March, and at the end of those four months, we already feel pretty restless and impatient for warmer weather to arrive.
We weren't born yesterday, so we knew it would be different in Calgary. We expected winter months to be cold, but we probably did not take it that seriously until the real winter arrived.
We could live with temperatures below zero for a while (even though the wind chill close to -40°C was maybe a little too much), but our winter in Calgary was also incredibly long.
And when we even heard born and raised Canadians complaining, we sometimes felt sorry for ourselves.
The first snow arrived at the beginning of October, and it snowed till mid-April, not to mention that acceptable temperatures did not come till mid-May.
During this period, we had seen a countless periodically repeating routines: snowing, melting, slushy walkways, icy walkways, our several backslides, and then, when our hopes were high, it could start over again.
On the other hand, it was the real white winter we've never had before in the city, it had its magic, and we cannot say we did not enjoy activities that we could do only thanks to the ice and snow.
Although many travelers visit Calgary in summer, mainly because the city is a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, if you happen to be in the largest city of the Alberta Province in winter, we've got you covered.
This travel guide includes the best things to do in Calgary in winter. So bundle up yourself under several layers of clothes and get ready to see something special.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN CALGARY IN WINTER
The winter in Calgary does not have to be that cold, but it is undoubtedly better to be well-prepared for such a possibility. Thankfully, you can easily switch between outdoor and indoor activities and plan your itinerary according to temperatures and weather forecast.
When a natural phenomenon called Chinook arrives, temperatures can all of the sudden rise above zero, but that usually lasts only a few days before Calgary freezes again.
The good news is that Calgary is a city for every visitor, so no matter if you travel as a family, couple, or you are a solo traveler, there are so many things to see and do, and the thick layer of snow only adds the cherry on the top, so make sure you have a camera in a backpack, to capture the real winter fairytale.
Here's our tried and tested list of the best winter activities to do in Calgary.
#1 GO ICE SKATING
When the winter arrives, and the temperatures fall below freezing point, it's time to dust off your skates and hit the ice rink. To be honest, ice skating was one of the winter activities we looked forward to the most, and we certainly were not disappointed.
Where else you’ll have at least comparable winter conditions in the city than here in Calgary. Outdoor skating rinks are weather-dependent and usually open from mid-November to mid-March. It gives you plenty of time to take courage and practice if you're not familiar with this sport.
Skating rinks are very accessible and spread throughout the city, so you certainly cannot make any excuses. There's, for instance, a popular ice rink at downtown on city-run Olympic Plaza.
This is the only refrigerated outdoor ice surface in Calgary, or try nature ice skating on Bow River; two easily accessible spots are Prince’s Island Lagoon near downtown or Bowness Park in North West.
Once you're done with this activity, then it is time to grab a hot tea or coffee and watch others' skills.
Our Tip: With a rental place on-site (for as little as C$10), Bowness Park offers the largest outside ice-skating area and one of the best ice skating opportunities in the city on the frozen river.
Or bring your own ice skates if you want to take it more seriously.
With a coffee shop and fire pits around the place, you may stay even after dusk.
#2 WATCH ICE HOCKEY
Go Flames, Go! In Canada, ice hockey is undoubtedly the sport number one; it is even a religion for many.
The best professional hockey league on the planet, NHL, can be seen in the city, as Calgary is a home base for the Flames team since 1980. As ice hockey is among the most popular sports in the Czech Republic as well, we were really excited for the opportunity to see the Calgary Flames.
The game itself is all about the show and gives you the opportunity to see the best players in the world. If you plan on visiting Calgary in winter, attending the NHL game should be, in our opinion, on your bucket list.
When your holiday is set for an exact day, you probably cannot be too picky about what team you want to see playing against the Flames, but we would say it does not matter.
NHL is a circus, and the atmosphere, not only in the stadium but even overall in the city on the game night, is unforgettable.
Games take place in the older Saddledome arena, Calgary's iconic building with a saddle-like roof that determines the panoramic view of downtown.
Stretch your legs before the opening face-off or during a break and climb to the rim above Enmax park; on a bright day, you'll be rewarded with the view of the Rockies.
Our Tip: Save yourself a few bucks and don't buy tickets a long time in advance. The first time we went to the game to see Calgary vs. Pittsburgh, we purchased tickets a few months in advance just to find out that the price significantly dropped a few days before the game.
Of course, if you want to see the most popular games, such as Calgary vs. Edmonton, also known as the Battle of Alberta, or any other Canadian team is in the city, it's wise to secure your seats earlier, but be prepared to pay several times more.
#3 WALK 15 FEET ABOVE GROUND
If you're looking for an undemanding activity, need to run errands in the city, and want to combine business with pleasure, or you simply want to walk around downtown, but you're already tired of the cold conditions, consider walking +15 Network, which we recognize as one of the most unorthodox things to do in the city.
What should you imagine under Plus 15 Skyway? In a good sense of the term, it is a maze, one of the world’s most extensive elevated systems interconnecting buildings.
You can cross the downtown area almost without setting your feet on the ground. The name of the walk above streets refers to the fact it is approximately 15 feet higher than ground level.
The total length of the skywalk is around 18 km, so there is plenty to explore.
The possibility to walk in Calgary's city center without suffering severe weather conditions, especially in the winter, when it's too cold (or even in the summer when it rains), makes this unique skywalk system a great option.
Our Tip: Don’t look at a map; wander around and be surprised where the corridors take you. This is, of course, a travel tip for those of you with plenty of time.
#4 FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK
It would be way too easy to hide under layers of blankets, watch Netflix and wake up once the spring finally arrives. Fortunately, even in the winter, Calgary offers outdoor things to do that will help you forget you are in the city with a population of over one million.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a wilderness within the large city and proof that humans and nature can coexist together. What more, people from cities need to have such an area to relax and maintain mental health.
The serenity of Fish Creek Provincial Park makes you forget your daily life problems. Park stretches in the southern part of Calgary and is easily accessible by car or public transport; it is enough to take C-Train, get off at Fish Creek - Lacombe, and from here is the park's entrance only within walking distance.
What makes this tip on spending your time in Calgary in the winter months even more appealing is that visiting is free of charge, which is great for all budget travelers.
There's a big chance to spot some of the Canadian wildlife in the park, like deer, coyotes, birds, or beavers, and the park features 80 km of trails and offers many activities such as hiking, biking, walking, swimming, fishing, or camping in the summer, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
It is possible to rent snowshoes or cross-country skis in Calgary, but you can also buy them if you eventually plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Our Tip: Fish Creek Provincial Park is a great place to visit all year round, but winter brings an almost magical atmosphere.
Snow-covered plains and frozen creeks want you to immerse in the tranquility of this place and explore it.
For your safety, always check the ice thickness before stepping on it first, or you will end up waist-deep in the freezing water when the outside temperature is hitting -15°C, right Martin?
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
#5 WATCH THE SUNSET FROM MCHUGH BLUFF
Calgary is one of the sunniest of Canada's 100 largest cities, and even though it’s chilly outside, your chances are high to walk around under clear sky and to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
Take a stroll across Prince’s Island uphill to McHugh Bluff, from where you can admire a beautiful urban panorama.
It’s definitely worth waiting to see the sunset from here and watch the burning sun reflecting on modern skyscrapers. It’s nice to return to the river and walk across the well-lit Peace Bridge back to the downtown area after dusk.
In general, Calgary is a very photogenic city as the cityscape is very captivating, at least for us who are not used to this from our home country.
If you are an avid photographer, make sure you dress accordingly because when the temperatures drop, it is not very comfortable waiting for the right light without proper winter coat.
Other things you should not forget are winter gloves, warm socks, and a beanie.
Our Tip: It's also worthwhile mentioning to get up early to watch the sunrise from this very spot.
Bring your camera and general purpose lens, and don't forget the sturdy tripod.
You can be almost sure you'll have this place just for yourself. When temperatures drop below -30°C, we guarantee you that you won't meet a single soul. Well, maybe just us.
#6 VISIT CALGARY TOWER
No matter if it is summer or winter, you simply can't leave Calgary without visiting its iconic Calgary Tower.
Gone are days when this architectonical landmark was towering above the city because, meanwhile, Calgary grew a lot.
It spread out in all directions, so today it is the classical North American city with many suburbs, but also buildings in the city center grew higher and higher, so today, Calgary Tower is not by no means the tallest building in the city.
But it is still one of the city's most iconic landmarks, and you should not miss it when in Calgary.
Although it is quite attractive to look at the tower, nothing beats the feeling of standing 191 meters above ground and admiring the beautiful views.
Once you reach the observation deck by either elevator or on foot, you can see plains stretching to the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, skyscrapers on the other side, busy streets of Calgary below - people, cars, and trains, and overall, it will give you a better idea of the places and its surroundings.
Our Tip: Do not forget to step on the glass floor and look down. For a while, it is terrifying, but once the feeling gets over, you will for sure enjoy it.
WHERE TO STAY IN CALGARY
Demand for accommodation in Calgary in the winter is not that high; therefore, it is a great chance to find a reasonably priced hotel, even in the city center.
Before you book a place, always consider what's your plan, what places you want to visit, and how you plan on getting around.
The best tip we can give you is to find accommodation close to C-Train station, the public transport in Calgary is quite reliable and will take you to most of the top attractions in almost no time.
We've hand-selected the best hotels in the city for every type of traveler; feel free to get inspired.
Budget | Aloft Calgary University - Modern and clean hotel close to Calgary's university is the right place for you if you like design hotels with great service.
Mid-range | Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel - Short walk to the international airport, stylishly designed rooms, and comfy beds with the cityscape overlook.
Luxury | Hotel Le Germain Calgary - NNewly renovated hotel in the city center, just across the street from the Calgary Tower, is definitely one of the best picks for the price you can find in Calgary.
#7 ENJOY SHOPPING
Wintertime in Calgary is best for catching up on shopping.
When the summer finally arrived, we wanted to spend as much time outside as possible and do activities we couldn't do throughout the winter, that's why the time approximately from October to March is great for shopping because sometimes it is so snowy and so cold that you won't regret not being outside at all.
This time of the year is also convenient for Christmas shopping and discounts at the beginning of January.
For us, shopping around Christmas time had one more cherry on the top; we could for the first time see Santa Clauses in shopping malls and children taking photos with them - a tradition we so far could have seen only on TV.
You'll find everything you need in Calgary for reasonable prices: we equipped ourselves with new gear to enjoy summer camping in the Rockies, outdoor clothes and bought some extra lenses for the camera.
Our Tip: One of the biggest and most sought shopping centers is CF Chinook Centre, easily accessible by car and public transport. You can find it in the southern part of the city when driving from the city center.
When using public transport take a train (red line) to the Heritage Station and from there the shopping mall is within walking distance.
#8 GO SKIING
The Canadian Rockies belong among the most beautiful places in the world and are heavily visited during the summer when the weather is perfect for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
When the winter comes, and hiking or biking trails are not accessible (or at least some of them) and the scenery changes dramatically, Calgary can serve as a perfect gateway to anyone who loves skiing or snowboarding.
When you decide to go skiing, only three hours' drive from Calgary lies the famous Lake Louise (a destination popular during summer and winter almost equally), a ski resort where you can enjoy great skiing with perfect views.
It is also a place where every year the best skiers from all around the world compete in Alpine skiing. According to many, this is the best place where to go, but it also has the highest prices.
When in Lake Louise, you can stay in the iconic hotel on the lake's bank, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Our Tip: You can still visit the Canadian Rockies and go skiing without breaking a bank as there are other more budget-friendly places to go.
One of them is the family-friendly Nakiska Mountain Resort, only 45 minutes drive from Calgary.
# 9 VISIT CALGARY'S MUSEUMS
There are quite a few museums in Calgary and the nearby surroundings. It is a great way to enjoy the city in the winter, be inside, and learn more about history, science, or Canadian music.
We've done quite a lot, and although visiting museums in Canada doesn't come cheap, we enjoyed our time spent there as we were grateful for every activity we could do when the city was under snow.
Among our favorite museums belong Glenbow Museum, TELUS Spark, and Studio Bell - all of them are near the city center.
A recent addition to interesting cultural places to see is Calgary's new Central Library. The building is stunning from the outside (and is easily accessible, only a few steps from C-Train station), but you should certainly check out the interior as well.
Our Tip: You don't need to be a huge fan of dinosaurs to enjoy a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
Drumheller is a small city located 135 kilometers northeast of Calgary, and the museum contains one of the world's largest collections of fossils.
You can visit Drumheller in one day, but you can also stay overnight and enjoy a drive along the Horsheshoe Canyon and Horsethief Canyon the day after.
Here, you can check hotel availability in Drumheller.
#10 CANADA OLYMPIC PARK
In 1988, Calgary was hosting the Winter Olympics Games, and since then, visitors of the city can enjoy the areal every time of the year, but going there in the winter seemed somehow more appropriate to us.
Apart from only having a look around, you can spend here a very active day. Also, many activities such as tubing, bobsleigh, luge, or skating are available.
The Olympic Park is outside downtown, so it would help if you had a rental car; otherwise, you need to combine C-Train and bus, but the site is worth the hassle. It is one of the most popular winter places in Calgary among kids because there is so much to do, but the activities are fun even for adults.
Our Tip: If you'll have enough of being outside, why don't you visit a nearby Canada's Sports Hall of Fame?
#11 EXPLORE THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Ok, we've briefly mentioned that Calgary is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, which is in the winter a popular ski destination, but the truth is that with careful planning, you can also visit the Rockies without skiing and cross-country skiing in mind.
You can plan a proper road trip and visit places such as Yoho, Banff, or Jasper National Park, connected by the iconic Icefields Parkway; the only thing you must know is to be well-prepared and always have a backup plan in case of heavy snowfall.
Some of the Rockies' top attractions are inaccessible by car in winter, such as Moraine Lake, but Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, or Maligne Lake area are perfect for visiting; you just need to know what to expect.
Visiting the Rockies in the winter comes with challenges - not all hotels are open. Some trails can be blocked by snow or accessible only to experienced hikers with snowshoes.
It gets dark early, and obviously, it is cold. But on the other hand, you'll have this unique part of the world almost to yourself, and the experience will be very different from what we can see in the summer season.
Simply put, if you are looking for an outdoor adventure activity, visiting the Rockies from Calgary is definitely a great idea.
Moreover, here is some inspiration: Best Day Trips from Calgary.
FUN TIP: SHOVEL THE SNOW
Are you looking for a serious physical winter activity, but running seems too dangerous, and you don't want to be inside the gym? Well, we might have an idea.
Although those who must deal with tons of snow every year won't find it amusing, we think that snow shoveling is a great winter activity, plus the driveway will look nice and tidy (at least until the next snowstorm).
Our Tip: Do you need extra cash? We bet that many people in Calgary in winter actually look for someone who will help them shovel the snow.
WHAT TO PACK FOR CALGARY IN WINTER
Our essential Canada winter packing list helps you prepare for extreme Canadian temperatures. It does not come as a surprise that when visiting Calgary in winter, the latest trends should be put aside, even if you plan only on sightseeing downtown.
Of course, we can only encourage you to buy a trendy and warm coat, but you'll need much more.
Personally, as we did not have a car in Calgary, I traveled to work in jeans over leggings, snow boots, sweater, down jacket, and then I had even another winter coat over the top layer.
It seems like overkill, but it was really necessary to keep warm untill I boarded the C-Train. Bring thermal underwear, mittens, no matter that they seem childish, and a warm hat and scarf.
As the cold can drain your phone battery, keep your electronics in the inside pocket, and bring extra camera batteries for photo shooting as they do not last that long in the winter.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
