If you're dreaming about a winter wonderland with some of the most epic landscapes, the Canadian Rockies are calling you! Between scenic drives through the mountains, frozen waterfalls and lakes you can walk on, it will be an adventure you will not forget.
This guide is best suited for road trip enthusiasts and avid travelers who are limited in time but want to make the most of it (for a long weekend for example). Expect a fast pace and lots of driving, but it will be absolutely worth it!
This guide includes a detailed 3 day itinerary based on my own road trip done in March 2024, with accommodations, places to eat, hikes and sight suggestions. Everything you need in one place, so you can focus on enjoying your trip!
The Canadian Rockies is a mountainous region making a natural border between Alberta and British Columbia. The two main national parks on the Albertan side are Banff and Jasper, linked by one of the most scenic roads in the world, the Icefields Parkway. In summer, it's a very popular destination famous for countless turquoise colored lakes, epic hikes and wildlife watching. In winter, all these landscapes are turning into frozen wonders that you can enjoy just as much, but with way less crowds.
🌤 Climate
This is Canada, and you are in the mountains, so be prepared for COLD temperatures (0° - -30°C/32° - -22°F), and of course snow! Note that even though you will spend a lot of time in the comfort of your car, enjoying the outdoors is still part of the plan, so dressing warm with a lot of layers is a must.
To have the best experience, I recommend going between December and March. This itinerary is based on a trip done in March 2024.
💵 Currency
Canada is using the Canadian Dollar $
1 $US = 1.37 C$
1 € = 1.47 C$
💬 Language
The official language is English.
🚗 Getting around
You could get to Banff by public transport from Calgary, but you most likely won't be able to go much further. There are a few things you can do in Banff without a car, but it defeats the purpose of this itinerary, which is meant to take you all the way to Jasper with all the stops in between. Therefore, this itinerary is designed as a road trip by car, with a start from Calgary, so I would advice renting a car from there.
But before jumping into a road trip in the Rockies in winter, there are a few safety measures that you must be aware of. First, it is crucial to ensure that your car is equipped with snow tires, you won't make it without them.
Before getting on the road, ALWAYS check the road conditions on 511 Alberta. Road closures are frequent in winter, especially on the Icefields Parkway, for avalanche hazards or monitoring, and they could be from a couple of hours to a couple of days. If there is a fresh snowfall, the road might not be cleared right away, so obviously drive with extra care.
Lastly, be prepared for the unexpected. There is no phone service whatsoever between Banff and Jasper. In case you happen to be stuck on the road for an extended time, make sure to have extra food and blankets with you.
This might all be a little scary, but I promise it's worth it, there is a reason this road is called one of the most beautiful in the world!
This road trip starts and ends in Calgary (international airport).
It's essential that you start early enough in the morning, because the first day is meant to be a long driving day, and you don't want to be driving at night. If you can only arrive in Calgary in the middle of the day, take the rest of the day to just enjoy the city and get started the next morning.
Day 1 - Calgary to Jasper
Day 2 - Jasper National Park
Day 3 - Banff National Park
This itinerary might seem very fast paced, and it is, but trust me it's totally doable! Obviously you won't be able to see all the sights of the Rockies, but you will have a very good overview. You may want to know that a lot of sights are actually not even accessible in winter or not as good (you will have to come back in summer!). This itinerary is designed to make the most out of the winter season.
Day 1 - Calgary to Jasper
Welcome to Calgary! The first step will be to pick up your rental car. I don't have a particular place to recommend, I usually use third parties websites to compare the deals.
Your next technical stop will be a superstore like Walmart, you can find a bunch in the outskirts of Calgary. Get something to snack on for today's lunch, but also at least one meal for Night 2 (there won't be any food option as you will be remote). The reason to get it right away is that superstores are significantly cheaper in Calgary than in Jasper. Get also extra snacks in case of emergency as mentioned earlier.
Your road trip can now officially begin! The plan for the day will be to drive straight to Jasper, which is at least a 4h30 drive from Calgary, with minimal stops. Don't worry about missing out, you will be driving the same road on the way back with more time to check the sights! You can be more comfortable with stopping after most of the drive is behind you and you get closer to Jasper. Below is still a list of a couple places where you can stop to break the drive.
This lake near Banff (most likely frozen!) is slightly out of the way, but makes the perfect lunch spot after 1h30 driving. You can sit down on the Adirondacks chairs and admire all the layers of Mount Rundle.
You're now officially getting started on the Icefields Parkway, and this is also where you will find the gates to Banff National Park (even though you were already driving through it). The entrance fee costs 11$/adult/day, or 22$/vehicle/day, and also covers Jasper National Park. A very useful tip to know is that a day pass is valid until 4pm the next day, so for this trip you will actually only need to purchase a 2 days pass! (on Day 3 you will be out of the park by 4pm)
From now on it will only be about enjoying the scenic drive through the Rocky mountains. Be ready to be amazed at every turn of the road! Also note that from this point forward there is no more cell service until Jasper.
This stop is not indicated on Google Maps, but it's a quite large pullover area on the left side of the road just before reaching Saskatchewan River Crossing. Just a few steps away from the parking you will find a stunning viewpoint overlooking the valley surrounded by mountains. It's worth the stop to stretch your legs!
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From this point forward, you can start to relax as you did most of the drive for the day. You can now make sightseeing stops on the northern part of the Icefields Parkway.
This is the first but definitely not the last frozen waterfall of the trip! In summer, the river is running around a very picturesque island with pines. The island is less visible in winter as it's mostly covered in snow, but it's still very pretty! The main viewpoint is just steps away from the parking lot, but there is also a small hike you can take to go further down to the lower falls.
This waterfall is one of the most populars on the Icefields Parkway, it's absolutely packed in summer, but in winter you will most likely have the place all for yourself! There are many different viewpoints you can admire the falls from, all very easily accessible from the parking lot. It's impressive to see how such a strong current can literally be frozen in time in those massive ice chunks. And where the water is still running, you can admire a stunning turquoise color.
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You then only have 30 minutes drive left to Jasper, where you can finally chill and enjoy some well deserved down time.
$ - This is honestly a pretty good hostel for a really reasonable price. Beds in dorms are comfortable, come with individual light and outlet, and even a curtain, which is always a big bonus!
The icewalk in Maligne Canyon is an absolute must do while in Jasper in winter! You will stroll inside the canyon, meaning walking on a frozen river, while being surrounded by giant waterfalls and ice caves all around you.
While you could go there on your own, I strongly recommend booking a tour, who will provide you with the best and safest gear. I personally went with SunDog and was very satisfied. Groups are fairly small (around 10 people), they come pick you up at 9:30 directly from your hotel. You are provided with a helmet, warm rubber boots and ice cleats, but you still need to dress up warm. Note that the tour doesn't operate when the temperature drops below -25°C/-17°F. This activity could suit mostly anybody with a minimal level of fitness, it's not hard at all as it is mostly going downhill and lasts for about 3 hours. The price is 75$.
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After the tour, you will be dropped off back in Jasper, and it will be time to explore the town and have some snacks.
Downtown Jasper is fairly small, especially if you compare it to Banff (that you will se later). There's a "remote" and more authentic feeling that a like a lot though! Sadly, Jasper was partly destroyed by wildfires in summer 2024, but there are still shops that remain that you can check along the main road.
If you're craving a snack, this bakery has delicious sweet and savory baked goods!
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You will now leave Jasper and hit the Icefields Parkway on the way back. But don't worry, your adventures are far from being over and the best is still yet to come! Before leaving Jasper, I STRONGLY recommend filling up your gas tank, as you won't see a gas station for a good while.
As you have already seen the main attractions from the northern part of the Icefields Parkway the day before, just enjoy the scenic drive for about an hour until your next sights.
In summer there are tours that can take you on an icewalk on this massive glacier. But in winter it's too unstable, so just enjoy its sight from the side of the road.
I told you frozen waterfalls was the theme of the day! Here is another one that you can enjoy from your car.
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You are now going to enter the "hidden gem" zone. When you reach Saskatchewan River Crossing, you will take a left turn on the road 11 instead of keep going on the Icefields Parkway (it's hard to miss, it's the only turn on the whole road). This means you will be leaving Banff/Jasper National Parks and go totally off the beaten path, where very few people venture to! From the crossing, the drive is about 30 minutes to your next stop, and still as stunning.
Cline River Canyon might be THE highlight of your trip! It's a relatively easy hike through a snowy forest that takes you in 30-45 minutes to the bottom of a canyon with more majestic frozen waterfalls. And what makes this place so special is that it's so unknown that you're likely to have it all for yourself!
There are still a few safety rules to follow: as you may have learned with the tour, don't go to close to the waterfalls and never right under the icicles, you're not wearing a helmet this time! And I would absolutely recommend to bring your own microspikes to be able to walk safely on the frozen river.
You were already driving along Abraham Lake to each Cline River Canyon. Just keep driving a little bit further to a small parking lot at Windy Point, then walk towards the lake. What makes this lake so special is that it has a strong concentration of methane, producing bubbles that freeze in the winter and are trapped under the ice. This creates some of the most unique landscapes you will ever see in winter, it looks like a frozen lava lamp, and you can actually walk on it! Same as for Cline River Canyon though, without microspikes it will be extremely slippery and dangerous.
The bubbles are best seen between mid-January and early February, when the lake is not covered in snow. But even when it is, people come with brooms to reveal the lake surface in patches! There is a website updating the bubbles condition on a regular basis.
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After a very busy day you can drive for about 40 minutes to your accommodation for the night, back on the Icefields Parkway.
$ - This is the only accommodation you will find in the area, it's in the middle of nowhere! It's a "wilderness hostel", so it's very rustic. There is no running water, barely electricity and pit toilets in the yard, so you know not to set your expectations to high. Regardless, it's still cozy, there's everything you need to cook (remember that Walmart haul in Calgary?) and bedding is provided. You might even have a whole dorm for yourself as i is low season! Honestly, for the price (35$) I find it very decent.
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Day 3 - Banff National Park
For your last day in the Canadian Rockies, you're going to discover what Banff National Park has to offer. Still on the Icefields Parkway, your first stop will be a 30 minutes drive from the hostel.
Peyto Lake is a must see on the Icefields Parkway! There is a small hike to get to the main viewpoint with a little uphill, but it's nothing crazy and easily doable with regular snow boots. In summer you can admire a turquoise colored lake, in winter it will most likely be covered in snow, but the scenery is majestic all year round!
As a bonus, if you're not leaving the hostel too late, the fact that it is so close to the lake will probably make you one of the first ones at the viewpoint! If you can and if the weather allows, I would totally recommend this spot to watch the sunrise.
You might have heard of Lake Louise, as it's one of the most photographed lakes in the world. While it is truly stunning in summer with its turquoise water, in winter it's just another snow covered lake, but very overcrowded. It doesn't hurt to just go check it out, the parking lot is free in the winter, but I wouldn't spend too much time here. This is a place where you could experience ice skating on a lake.
This is a popular viewpoint on the side of the road where you can, if you're lucky, spot a train going through another gorgeous landscape. Unfortunately there is no timetable to check when the next train will come, you could wait hours if you have the patience!
I would suggest keep driving on this road (1A) on your way to Banff, as it is the scenic route, much more enjoyable than the highway.
Welcome to Banff, the most vibrant mountain town of the Rockies! There are tons of shops and restaurants you can check out on the picturesque Banff Avenue. It's also nice to walk along the Bow River.
Pro tip to park your car: Bow Avenue is free parking! And everything is within walking distance.
20 minutes driving from Banff you will find the town of Canmore. While the town itself is not as pretty and vibrant as Banff, I find that the shops are much more authentic, you're more likely to find cool independent stores for your souvenirs!
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As your road trip is nearing its end, you have a couple of options:
• if your flight back home is in the evening, you still have time to drive to Calgary's airport, which is 1h30 away.
• if you're not in a rush to go back to Calgary, you can spend the night in Banff and enjoy its night life.
• if you have an early morning flight to catch or just want to enjoy the city the next day, drive to Calgary and spend the night there.
$ - Without a doubt one of the coziest hostels, and I'm not saying this because I used to work there! There is a real chalet atmosphere, a restaurant and a bar inside the building. You can choose to either stay in a dorm or in a private room for a reasonable price.
Hi there! I'm Chloe, a 27 years old girl born and raised in France. I'm OBSESSED with trip planning, from my first road trip planned in Ireland when I was 18 to this day, it really became a passion of mine. Literally before even learning about this platform, all my trips were already planned exactly as you can find them here!
I thoroughly traveled Europe until I crossed the Atlantic in 2022, where I did a 6 months solo trip through Canada, where I'm now based in. So if you're planning a trip pretty much anywhere in Canada, I got you!
When it comes to my travel style, I wouldn't call myself a backpacker, as I enjoy a bit too much a minimum of comfort. But always on a budget! My main focuses are sightseeing on road trips, outdoor activities, hiking, as well as city trips (I'm an architect so I always keep an eye out for some cool buildings). To be honest, you won't find me much relaxing. I'm a quite fast paced traveler, I always want to see as much as possible in a limited time!
My motto is: "if I'm not more tired than I was before going on a trip, I haven't enjoyed enough of it" :D
