A winter visit to Banff National Park is your opportunity to dive into endless outdoor adventures. Ice skating is an easily accessible activity and is one of the most refreshing ways to experience the crisp magic of the snow quilted landscape.
Within the Banff Townsite, your intro to ice skating couldn’t be easier. Head to Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, where indoor and outdoor skating rinks await. Boasting a whopping 16,000 sq. ft. of smooth ice skating surface, Fenlands Outdoor Meadow Rink is, just like the name suggests, set within a mountain meadow. If you wish to skate indoors, Fenlands also has an NHL-sized rink, plus a regular indoor ice rink for public skating. Whatever option you choose, you’ll be privy to the facility’s warming areas, washrooms, and concession.
For a truly pinch-me moment, head for Lake Louise. The jingle of horse-drawn sleigh rides passing you by, coupled with the glow of bonfires and the heady scent of woodsmoke wafting through the air, ignites the senses in a way you’ve never imagined. With an ice castle anchoring one end of the frosted lake and glinting Victoria Glacier at the other, it’s not difficult to find yourself under winter’s spell while skimming across this iconic Canadian lake.
Midday tends to be the most popular time to skate, but the beauty of ice skating is its accessibility. Typically, you can carve your way across the ice from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Banff and later into the night in Lake Louise. For a truly transformative experience, head out around dinner time and glide across an outdoor rink under the starry sky. It will be an evening you won’t soon forget.
Clothing should include layers for any outdoor adventure in Banff and Lake Louise. Start with a moisture-wicking thin base layer under comfortable pants and a shirt before donning snow or waterproof pants. A soft insulated jacket, mitts, and a toque (that’s Canadian for a knit hat) complete your look. If you need help with layers, consider Monod Sports or Ultimate Sports in Banff.
If you don’t have your own skates, there are plenty of rental options for skates, plus helmets, hockey sticks, and skating aids in Banff National Park. In Banff town, you can obtain rentals at Fenlands Recreation Centre. Additionally, Banff Adventures and Snowtips-Backtrax offer rentals in downtown Banff. If you’re coming in from Canmore, check out Chateau Mountain Sports. For those headed to Lake Louise, Wilson Mountain Sports, situated in Samson Mall, is a good option.
Beginner skaters ought to wear helmets, and most rental shops supply these. Additionally, consider using a skating aid. These are hand-pushed gliding devices that can help with stability. Skating aids may be available to rent or can be purchased at sporting goods shops in the Bow Valley.
For couples, ice skating offers a sneaky opportunity to stumble and get caught by someone you’re trying to snuggle up to. In fact, the wobblier you are, the better. And when you have one of the world’s most romantic mountain settings as your backdrop, you might as well take advantage. Afterward, do what skiers do and can cozy up by a fire with a hot chocolate or a cocktail.