Some places really suit winter and if the things to do in Alberta right now are anything to go, it’s one of them.
Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market © Tourism Calgary
Things to do in Alberta if you feel Christmassy
Stock up on festive feels at Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market in Calgary. It’s a true European affair from rustic Italian Long Table Dinners to traditional High Teas. Over 300 small local businesses are making sure shopping is just as it should be at this time of year. And if you bring your kids on Sunday, Santa and his reindeer will be waiting. Now until 1 December 2024
Banff Christmas Market is another one with Europe on its mind this year. Come during the day for the warm, family atmosphere, live music and charming local gifts for the people you love. Now until 8 December 2024
Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park in Calgary might be the end of having to feign delight over you kid’s handpicked presents. Volunteers at the children-only store help young shoppers select the perfect gifts, so you know who to send thank you letters to this year. Other child-size fun includes meet ‘n’ greets with farm animals, Santa himself and a festive maze. 7 to 22 December 2024
Tubing, Mt. Norquay © Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka
Things to do in Alberta now it’s snowing
Mt. Norquay tube park opens on 13 December and when they say book tickets in advance, take them seriously. The eight lane park has the longest runs in Alberta, and a magic carpet lift to haul you back up to the top. So it’s very popular and really strict about capacity. Although morning, afternoon and night sessions give you a bit of scope, just don’t turn up on spec.
Not content with having the largest tube park, Mt. Norquay is also the only place in the Rockies where you can go night skiing. After dark fun kicks off 27 December, and it’s both floodlit and family-friendly on the Cascade run. Night sessions run from 5pm to 9pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, and again, you need to book in advance.
Come winter there’s no shortage of toboggan hills in Edmonton. Although local families in the know who love a view with their sledding, head to 31-hectare Queen Elizabeth Park on the south bank of the river valley. It’s also the place for year-round trails, if you happen to be out and about with older kids and up for a winter wonderland spectacle.
Lake Louise, Banff © Scott Bakken
Icy things to do in Alberta now
You could spend hours scrolling through Instagram just watching skaters showing off on Lake Louise: guilty! Turns out it’s even more wildly beautiful in real life when the lake freezes over from December onwards. You’re unlikely to have the ice to yourself, especially at the weekends – we’re thinking those Instagrammers get up mighty early in the morning – although gliding around with other merry skaters is all part of the fun. Chateau Ski & Snow at Fairmont Chateau hire skates and they’re open 7-days.
MORE THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER
European Christmas markets with real fairy tale vibes
How to plan a perfect family snow day at Whistler
The best Christmas markets in Canada to enchant kids
How to have a wild winter weekend on Vancouver Island
Sleigh riding, Pyramid Lake © Leslie Crawley
What to experience in Alberta this winter
Easily the most spectacular vantage point in the province at any time of year, the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain in winter delivers truly unforgettable views across the Bow Valley, six mountain ranges and the town of Banff itself. Book the Family Experience right now and kids go free for the first two hour session of every day, plus they get a treat as well.
Up for a sleigh ride with your kids, Pyramid Lake in Jasper has that covered. Cozy blankets, even cozier hot-chocolate and giant, responsible-looking horses who know their way around the snow, it’s as close to a winter fairy tale as it gets. Rides last two hours and are $5 for under-5s, $21 for children aged between 6 and 16 and $42 for adults.
Downtown Edmonton in a festive mood © Sameer Ahmed @sameer.design
Family-friendly fun for New Year
New Year celebrations usually too late for kids? Not in downtown Edmonton this year when the fireworks go off at 9pm on Sir Winston Churchill Square. Probably best to get there a bit earlier, and if you need some extra incentive there’s free skate hire on 31 December too.