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Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team
Last updated on January 5, 2024
Gliding across a frozen lake on a pair of ice skates is something that every Canadian must do in their lifetime. With the epic mountain backdrops, ice skating in Banff National Park is such an amazing thing to do in the wintertime. And there are plenty of prime spots to lace them up and spend a morning, afternoon or even a full day skating away. Here’s our list of the best spots in Banff National Park for skating.
12 Best Places for Ice Skating in Banff National Park
Lake Louise
There is nothing like ice skating on the iconic Lake Louise. Maintained by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which includes daily snow removal, the backdrop of this skating rink is one of the best in the world. Though it is certainly a busy ice rink – you’ll find lots of tourists here – everyone should try this Lake Louise skating spot at least once.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise also erects ice sculptures and an ice castle every year, which makes for lovely photo opportunities. Another bonus: the ice is lit up at night for night skating!
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Behind the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, you’ll find the manmade Waldhaus rink. With views of the mountains and the stunning hotel, this is one of the most iconic places to skate in Banff.
There’s usually a fire pit or two to warm up in front of, too! Note that this rink is only for registered hotel guests.
Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
One of the most beautiful places to go outdoor skating in Banff, the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre has over 16,000 square feet of ice to explore. Located behind the curling facility, the Fenlands outdoor rink is perfect for skating while surrounded by trees and mountains. It’s also conveniently located just near the Banff town sign, so it’s within walking distance from many hotels in Banff. You can also go inside the recreation centre as there are indoor rinks available for public use, too.
Another reason we love this Banff ice skating spot? The Fenlands Recreation Centre has skate rentals, skate sharpening, warming areas, concession, and washrooms during its operating hours.
Train Station
After the closing of the ice rink at Banff Community High School, locals and tourists alike wanted access to outdoor ice skating rinks. Thankfully, a skating rink opened up at the Train Station in town, where you can enjoy 16,800 square feet of skating surface.
There are also warming huts, benches, garbage receptacles, and fire pits for your use at the Train Station ice rink.
Lake Louise Recreation Centre
If you’re looking for an indoor rink, look no further than the Lake Louise Recreation Centre. With an NHL-sized arena, this rink is available for drop-ins for $2.
There are heated dressing rooms, hockey nets, and skate aids available, amongst other amenities.
Wild Ice Skating in Banff
Wild skating in Banff National Park is absolutely incredible, but it does take some timing; there’s often a very small window when you can actually skate on the frozen lakes around Banff. You have to find the right conditions, as there must be a good level of ice thickness, but there can’t be a lot of snow cover.
A lot of finding the perfect spot for a wild ice skate is luck, but you can also ask around in either Banff or Lake Louise for the skating conditions and ice thickness. While ice skating on lakes is completely weather-dependent, it often makes for the best skating in Banff!
Remember: none of the following locations are maintained by Parks Canada, so skate on these frozen lakes at your own risk. More on ice skating safety in Banff is below.
Two Jack Lake
Found off of Minnewanka Road, skating on Two Jack Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This beautiful spot is known for its fantastic skating, but you have to time it right; various factors affect ice thickness and safety, and there are often spots that haven’t fully frozen over. But if you skate here at the right time of year, the frozen lake takes on the appearance of smooth glass, making for a skate to remember.
Safety tip for skating on Two Jack Lake: stay at least 100 metres from the dam at the east end of the lake, as there is always open water and dangerously thin ice here.
Lake Minnewanka
Found on Minnewanka Road, Lake Minnewanka skating is famous in Banff National Park. Because it’s such a large and deep lake, Lake Minnewanka usually takes a long time to freeze over every winter. But when it does, it’s every ice skater’s dream!
The massive lake means that there is tons of ice surface to cover, but beware: high winds can sometimes push skaters out far onto the ice. It’s recommended to skate with your boots in a backpack so that you can walk back on windy days.
Bow River
Just west of Bow Avenue in the town of Banff, there is a small patch of ice that is usually cleared on Bow River. While it’s one of the closest natural ice surfaces to Banff for ice skating, skating along the river itself is not recommended; the moving water underneath makes it dangerous.
Johnson Lake
Very popular for Banff ice skating, another lake found on Minnewanka Road is Johnson Lake. Often one of the first lakes that freeze over every winter, this lake is a perfect place to try out wild skating in Banff.
Safety tip for skating on Johnson Lake: ice may be thinner at the west end of the lake near the footbridge, as this is where a stream exits the reservoir.
Vermilion Lakes
Accessible from the Vermilion Lakes Drive, Vermilion Lakes has wonderful skating in winter. Very popular with locals as the lakes are quite close to Banff townsite, you’ll often find skaters clearing the snow here for the best skating opportunities.
The first two of the Vermilion Lakes are the best for ice skating; enjoy views of Mount Rundle as you whip across the natural ice.
Cascade Ponds
Another spot off of Minnewanka Road, Cascade Ponds has some great skating in winter. Use caution when skating near the streams, as the flowing water often means that the ice isn’t as thick here.
Peyto Lake
If you’re looking for a frozen lake that doesn’t have a lot of skaters, check out Peyto Lake. While it requires more effort to get to – you’ll have to hike down to the lake from the lake access, not the viewing platform – Peyto Lake offers some amazing skating opportunities with magnificent views.
What to Bring for Ice Skating in Banff
Even though you’ll be working up a sweat with all that ice skating, it’s still recommended to dress warmly for any outdoor activities in Banff. That includes a warm jacket, snow pants, thick socks, mittens, a scarf, and a toque (at minimum). It’s always better to layer up and be able to remove items of clothing than to feel too cold while skating!
And if you don’t have your own skates? There are plenty of places in Banff to rent ice skates.
Where to Rent Skates in Banff National Park
Thankfully, there are plenty of places in Banff and Lake Louise to rent ice skates. If you’re in Banff, you can rent skates from Banff Adventures, Chateau Mountain Sports at the Banff Springs Hotel, Ultimate Sports, Snowtips-Bactrax, and Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre (for onsite use only).
Headed to Lake Louise? You can rent skates from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; Chateau Ski and Snow Rentals is found near the hotel lobby and offers ice skate rentals. Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise Village also offers skate rentals.
Quick Tips for Ice Skating Safety
Staying safe while ice skating in Banff is extremely important, and everyone should take ice safety seriously. Parks Canada does NOT monitor natural ice surfaces in Banff National Park, so if you choose to go wild ice skating, you do so at your own risk.
How thick does ice need to be to skate on? Parks Canada recommends that ice should be at least 15 centimetres (approximately six inches) thick for walking or skating alone, and the ice should be at least 20 centimetres (approximately 7.5 inches) thick for games or group skating. However, by spring, a lot of ice will have melted and then frozen again, making it unstable. We recommend ice skating in Banff in winter when the ice is at its thickest and strongest.
Clear blue ice is the strongest, while white ice is half as strong. Grey ice should be completely avoided as there’s an indication of water. Do not go wild ice skating at night; it is nearly impossible to see thin ice or holes in the ice. For more information on ice safety, click here.
Ice Skating Near Banff National Park
Are you willing to travel outside of the park for other skating opportunities? Abraham Lake is an infamous skating spot in Alberta due to the methane ice bubbles that become trapped in the lake’s clear ice during winter, making for an unforgettable skate.
There’s also ice skating on Spray Lake Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, in Kananaskis Village, Gap Lake, Lac des Arcs, Goat Pond, and multiple spots around Canmore, including the town pond.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Road Trip Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in the Peace Country, and has ventured to almost every corner of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 countries)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Marketing, co-creator of the Trip Chaser card game, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
