4 Days in the Canadian Rockies – Banff & Jasper Winter Itinerary

Things to Keep in Mind for Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Banff and Jasper are stunning destinations for a winter adventure, and I’ve included the itinerary we followed for our own road trip to help inspire your own experience of this incredible landscape. Before we get into the itinerary, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting in the off season.

• Snow tires are required from November 1 – April 1.
• You will need a valid Parks Pass to drive the Icefields Parkway
• Check closures for activities before arriving. Some activities are seasonal and others will close for extreme cold.
• Remember to pack plenty of layers. Don’t let your fun be spoiled because you underestimated the weather. You can view my packing list here.

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4 Days in Banff & Jasper Winter Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Calgary & Lake Louise

Get Your First Taste of the Beauty of Winter in Banff National Park

The drive from the Calgary airport to Lake Louise takes approximately 2 hours depending on where you are staying. If you’re like us, it will take longer because you’ll want to stop along the way for some photos of the mesmerizing snow-covered mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Mountaineer Lodge and found it to be a convenient home base for exploring the area. There were a couple of restaurants in the area and the Lake Louise visitors center was nearby.

Day 2: Explore Lake Louise & Banff National Park

Enjoy the Winter Activities Available at Lake Louise

Get an early start and enjoy the frozen beauty of Lake Louise. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is situated right along the lake and offers a base for various winter activities. In February, there was an area cleared for ice skating. You can also book snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh ride adventures at the hotel. There are restaurants on site as well if you need a break from the chill.

Experience What Banff National Park Has to Offer in the Winter

There is no shortage of things to do in Banff even in winter. The most difficult part will be deciding what to do with your time, and if you’re lucky you’ll have longer to spend in the area. Visiting one of Alberta’s natural hot springs was high on our list, but the one we chose to visit took us out of Banff. You can find more information about some of these hot springs below under additional activities if you’re planning on visiting one on your trip. I’ve also listed some additional activities that I would love to do the next time I’m in Banff.

Additional Things to Add to Your Banff Winter Itinerary

• Ride the Banff Gondola and take in the views at the summit of Sulphur Mountain
• Johnston Canyon Icewalk
• Take a snowshoeing tour

Day 3: Discover The Icefields Parkway

There is so much to see along the Icefields Parkway. While the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper takes approximately 3 hours, you will want to a lot nearly the full day to give yourself adequate time to take in the views. You can read more about what you won’t want to miss along this iconic route here.

Depending on how long you’ve spent at the various stops along the way you can either head into downtown Jasper or continue on to your accommodations. We opted to stay at the Pyramid Lake Lodge which offered stunning views and a convenient base for exploring the area. If you can brave the cold, I’d highly suggest venturing out after the sun has set for some epic night photography on Pyramid Lake! Our room had a lovely gas fireplace to thaw out afterwards.

Day 4: Jasper National Park & Maligne Canyon Tour

The Maligne Canyon tour was one of our favorite parts of our visit to Jasper National Park. We met our guide in downtown Jasper, and after the tour, we grabbed a bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants available. We had a great experience at The Raven Bistro, and they were able to accommodate dietary restrictions without issue.

Additional Things to Add to Your Jasper Winter Itinerary

• Visit Marmot Basin Ski Resort
• Experience the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve
• Take an ice climbing tour of Tangle Falls (beginner friendly options available)

Additional Activities for Your Banff & Jasper Winter Itinerary

Natural Hot Springs in Alberta

We really wanted to experience one of the many natural hot springs in Alberta during our trip. There are several options depending on how far off the beaten path you’re prepared to venture.

Hot Springs with Amenities

These three hot springs are operated by Parks Canada that offer full amenities. You can find more information about hours and rates here.

• Banff Upper Hot Springs (Banff)
• Radium Hot Springs (Kootenay)
• Miette Hot Springs (Jasper) Note: Open seasonally from early May to mid-October

Lussier Hot Springs

We opted to visit Lussier Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park. It is quite the drive (approximately 2 hours 40 minutes from Lake Louise), but we really wanted to the experience of less developed hot springs. Keep in mind facilities are minimal (just a small restroom at the top of the hill) and the location is on an active logging road. The path down to the river where the hot springs are is very steep and getting back up the path is a challenge that should not be underestimated in the winter. The area consists of just three pools so it could get crowded and parking is limited. Still, we really enjoyed our soak in the pools with the frigid river just feet away.

Is It Worth Visiting Banff & Jasper in the Winter?

I’ll admit, I was a little unsure about how enjoyable Alberta would be in the dead of winter. We visited in February, and I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken. The landscape striking in ways that a photograph simply can’t do justice. I’d happily return anytime of year.