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Eight Of Alberta’s Provincial Parks That Are Somehow Even Better In The Winter
Posted on February 17, 2025 by Britanny Burr
When you think of provincial parks in Alberta, you might picture beautiful hiking terrain, gorgeous lakes to swim in, and tons of opportunities for camping, picnics, and fun on those hot summer days. Well, we’re here to tell you that you miss half of the fun if you shy away from these beautiful locations when winter rolls around. In fact, some of Alberta’s provincial parks are even more beautiful and fun during the colder months. While we Albertans love to brag about how harsh our winters are and how brave we are in the face of the cold, we also love to use that same cold as an excuse to hibernate. Don’t get us wrong, we love summer, but we also love the fact that this province’s terrain is as versatile as it gets, opening the door for a whole new world of fun to have, sights to see, and places to discover with each new season. So, let’s stop letting winter get in the way and start taking advantage of what it brings.
Alberta has nearly 500 provincial parks and protected areas, each offering a unique landscape and outdoor escape. The first provincial park was established in 1930. Since then, Alberta’s park system has grown to encompass everything from the Rocky Mountains to serene boreal forests, sprawling prairies, and nearly every diverse landscape in between. Alberta's parks provide endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, from cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and wild ice skating to fat-biking or simply enjoying the beauty of the snow-covered landscape.
Let’s dive into some of the magnificent Alberta parks that are–in our opinion–even better in the winter.
Canmore Nordic Centre
Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, located just minutes from downtown Canmore in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a premier winter destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Initially built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, the park is world-renowned for its extensive network of meticulously groomed cross-country ski trails. It offers terrain suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to elite athletes. With its breathtaking mountain backdrop and crisp alpine air, it’s the perfect place to embrace winter in Alberta.
Beyond cross-country skiing, the park offers excellent fat biking trails, snowshoeing routes, and even a toboggan hill for families looking for winter fun. With on-site equipment rentals, a cozy day lodge, and easy access from Canmore, the Nordic Centre is an ideal spot for casual winter adventurers and serious athletes looking to make the most of the season.
William A. Switzer Provincial Park
When the snow falls, William A. Switzer Provincial Park is as magical as a snow globe, offering outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of cold-weather adventures. Thanks to its connection to the Hinton Nordic Centre, cross-country skiing is one of the biggest draws to the park in winter. Skiers can glide along 13 km of beautifully groomed trails, perfect for all skill levels, or explore an additional 35 km of ungroomed backcountry trails for a more rugged and immersive experience.
Beyond skiing, the park is a fantastic destination for sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and ice fishing, giving visitors plenty of ways to enjoy the crisp mountain air and snow-covered landscapes. The park hosts an annual Ice Fishing Derby in February as part of the Winter Magic Festival. William A. Switzer Provincial Park offers year-round campgrounds for those brave enough to embrace winter camping at Gregg Lake Campground and Jarvis Lake Campground. With the right gear and a love for adventure, spending a night under a starlit sky in the heart of the Rockies is an unforgettable experience.
Castle Provincial Park
Winter in Castle Provincial Park is all about deep snow and epic adventures. Tucked away in the province's southwest corner, near the Alberta-B.C. border, Castle is known for its dramatic peaks, dense forests, and wild, untamed beauty. Unlike more commercialized mountain parks, Castle offers a quieter, more adventurous winter experience, making it a haven for nature lovers looking to escape the crowds.
Backcountry skiers and snowboarders love to explore its powder-covered slopes, while snowshoers and cross-country skiers explore its stunning trails. For those craving an alpine getaway, Castle Mountain Resort, just outside the park, offers ski-in and ski-out cabins and some of the best powder skiing in Alberta. Whether chasing adventure or looking for a quiet place to soak in the winter wilderness, Castle Provincial Park delivers an unforgettable experience.
Cypress Hills Provincial Park
In southeastern Alberta near the Saskatchewan border and a stone’s throw from Montana, Cypress Hills Provincial Park is a four-season playground with much to offer in the winter. The park’s remoteness and natural beauty make it ideal for those looking to enjoy a peaceful winter retreat.
Winter visitors can explore the park’s network of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, offering breathtaking views of the frosty landscapes. Tobogganing and skating are also popular, providing fun for families and kids.
Cypress Hills is home to Hidden Valley Ski Resort, an affordable, family-friendly ski resort with four lifts and six main runs. It’s the perfect spot to learn to ski and get the whole family on the slopes.
Wildlife enthusiasts will love spotting deer, elk, and even moose against the snow-covered scenery. Stargazers can enjoy some of Alberta’s darkest skies, perfect for catching the northern lights on a crisp winter night. Whether you’re after a quiet, snowy getaway or an active weekend outdoors, Cypress Hills delivers a magical winter experience.
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, located about an hour southeast of Edmonton, offers a quiet and scenic winter escape in Alberta’s aspen parkland. Known for its rolling hills, frozen wetlands, and mixed-wood forests, the park takes on a whole new charm when blanketed in snow. Unlike the busier mountain parks, Miquelon provides a more relaxed and intimate winter experience, making it perfect for those looking to connect with nature.
Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the park’s well-maintained trails. These trails wind through the forest and offer beautiful views of the frozen lake. The area is also fantastic for wildlife spotting, with deer, owls, and winter songbirds frequently seen along the trails.
For those who love crisp winter nights, Miquelon is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, where stargazers can enjoy incredible views of the stars and even the northern lights. Whether you're after a day of quiet outdoor exploration or a night under a sky full of stars, Miquelon Lake is a hidden winter gem worth visiting.
Crescent Falls
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area, located west of Nordegg along Highway 11 in Alberta’s David Thompson Country, is a breathtaking winter destination. In the colder months, frozen waterfalls and rugged canyon landscapes create a scene from a postcard. The park’s main attraction, Crescent Falls, transforms into a spectacular ice formation, making it a must-see for winter explorers. This is a destination that proves just how much a landscape can change from season to season. It offers a whole new range of sights to see during the winter and, trust us, you need to see this frozen waterfall for yourself.
Spray Valley
Spray Valley Provincial Park, in Kananaskis Country, offers some of the most stunning backcountry in Alberta. Surrounded by towering peaks and frozen lakes, the park feels remote and wild. The Spray Lakes Reservoir becomes a breathtaking frozen expanse, adding to the area's beauty.
Winter visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking along scenic trails. Adventurers seeking a challenge can explore backcountry ski routes in the surrounding mountains. Ice fishing on Spray Lakes is popular for those looking to reel in a winter catch. Wildlife lovers may spot moose, wolves, or lynx in the snow-covered landscape. With its pristine wilderness and endless opportunities for adventure, Spray Valley Provincial Park is the perfect place to experience the magic of Alberta’s winter.
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
Rounding off our list is Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, near Pincher Creek in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The park’s rolling terrain, snow-covered forests, and frozen lake make it one of the most stunning winter destinations in the province. While it is beautiful, it’s also lesser-known than some of its more popular counterparts, so you don’t need to worry so much about crowds or noise. While you can expect to coexist with wildlife in almost every Alberta park, this one is especially known for the wide range of animals that call it home. Elk, moose, wolves, black bears, grizzly bears and other montane species are common in the park, so keep your eyes open and be sure to observe from a distance.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate winter in Alberta, from hitting the ski trails to skating on frozen lakes or even spending a night under starlit skies. But remember safety first: Always prepare for chilly weather, dress in layers, plan ahead, and check advisories.
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Cool Winter Guide advertising feature. The Cool Winter Guide is a special feature about winter activities, bucket list adventures, winter attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
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