Experience Our Winters

There is something magical about Waterton in the winter

In the summer, the village is bustling with tourists exploring the shops and dining on our patios. But in the winter, the park and especially the village, are filled with a deep, peaceful quiet that is nearly impossible to replicate anywhere else. Snow and ice transform Waterton into a frozen haven.

The roads are plowed but there’s only a handful of people using them. You can walk down the streets and all you hear is the sound of the snow crunching under your boots. Your companions are the local herds of elk or deer as they trek to another stand of willow to chew. In winter, you feel like you own the town.

This is the time to visit, unplug, relax and rejuvenate. This is the place for some ME or US time. Fireplaces are blazing and there’s plenty of warmth to share among those who make Waterton their home. Grab a book, sit by the fire and relax or cuddle.

Most of the tourism operators shut down for the season but a few lodges stay open just for you and offer fantastic winter specials. Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms, to romantic deluxe suites with fireplaces and jetted tubs, to full kitchen suites. Many rooms have excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

Dining choices are limited but provide an excellent culinary experience. The Red Rock Café is our newest restaurant. Located in the Waterton Glacier Suites, with a beautiful décor and delightful menu, it is a must here, when visiting. Vimy’s Lounge and Grill won’t leave you out in the cold. The food is delicious and plentiful. You will find it located in the Waterton Lakes Lodge.

Photo Courtesy of Nick Alexander © Parks Canada

When you are ready to stretch your legs and inhale the remarkably crisp and fresh mountain air, take a hike through town to the partially frozen Cameron Falls. Or walk along the Townsite Trail to Emerald Bay and explore the Prince of Wales lookout and the Linnet Lake Loop.

Build a snowman! Invest quality time in your loved ones with this classic winter activity. Sure, you can build a snowman in your own backyard, but in ours, the laughter can echo for miles.

If viewing wildlife is on your bucket list be sure to check out the Blakiston Fan, which is south of the Entrance Parkway between Lower and Middle Waterton Lakes. This area typically hosts hundreds of elk and if you linger you might just see them crossing the Waterton River.

If you want to get off the beaten path, then cross-country skiing is for you! Here, the terrain is mostly ungroomed as fewer visitors frequent this area in the winter. It really is the best hidden secret. And what better way to uncover them than to glide along an ungroomed trail, weaving through the trees, and inhaling that crisp alpine air while creating your own path.

Photo Courtesy of Steven Keith © Parks Canada

CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH. This may be the only sound you hear when you snowshoe the uncrowded trails and surreal back country of Waterton Lakes National Park. This is an experience that will leave you refreshed and reconnected with your friends and family. If you have never tried this activity, the best advice is to just go and do it. You don’t need lessons; it is really something you can just fall into. Snowshoeing has been around for centuries and although the equipment has evolved, it is simply an activity meant to make hiking through snow covered terrain an easier endeavour. That being said, it is still a great workout and will leave you exhausted but rejuvenated at the same time. It is a unique winter sport that is still not experienced by many and those who have, keep coming back to experience it over and over again.

Some other fun things to do in Waterton in the winter months include tobogganing the Prince of Wales hill, camping at the Pass Creek picnic site, ice skating, bird watching, fat biking, and taking lots of amazing photographs.

It simply doesn’t matter if you prefer solitude or adventure, experience Waterton this winter!

Identifying Wildlife Tracks: snow, mud and sand are great for discovering signs of wildlife. You may not be able to see the animal, but you will know it has passed by. Try to determine what animals made the tracks. Finding these wildlife tracks can be an adventure for the whole family.

Parks Canada’s wildlife safety tips at pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton/securite-safety/faune-wildlife

Note: water and barrier-free washrooms are available at the Fire Hall and at Cameron Falls.