As we countdown to year-end, it also signifies the change of seasons and new activities to enjoy. Before we know it, we'll start gathering snow and thinking of some of the activities to enjoy during the snowy season.
We certainly can't miss out on the fun of snowshoeing and trekking — popular, versatile, and easily accessible snowy pursuits.
In this article, we will review some of the best places in Canada for snowshoeing and Winter hiking.
🥾🏔️British Columbia (BC)
Strathcona Provincial Park
Overview: The oldest park in British Columbia, it encompasses close to 250,000 hectares — covering various mountain trails, alpine regions, rivers, and streams.
Snowshoe enthusiasts usually begin their journey from Mount Washington Alpine Resort (outside the park) towards Paradise Meadows (inside the park) for more solid snowshoeing routes.
Location: Centre of Vancouver Island, BC.
How to get there: Visitors usually access the park through Buttle Lake on Highway 28 or Paradise Meadows at the Paradise Meadows trailhead at Mount Washington.
Examples of packages:
Individual Snowshoe Rental and Trail Package: $33.00
Group Snowshoe Package: $54
Private Snowshoe Package: $74
Winter Wonderland Package: $114.00
Canadian Wilderness Adventures
Overview: A haven for all things adventure for hot and snowy activities, this place is rated Whistler's number 1 adventure company on Trip Advisor.
Besides snowshoeing during the cold season, visitors can also enjoy dog sledding and snowmobile tours here.
Location: Whistler, BC
How to get there: About a 2-hour drive north of Vancouver via the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Examples of packages:
The Medicine Trail Snowshoe Package $139
Snowshoe and Sauna Forest Bathing: $199
Canadian Cookout by Snowshoe: $189
Yoho National Park
Overview: Famous for its abundance of trails and snow activities like skiing and dog sledding, this beautiful place is part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.
Location: It is located near the Alberta border, but it's still part of British Columbia.
How to get there: Visitors can access this place by personal vehicle via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).
Examples of tracks:
| Winter Trails | Distance (one way) | Estimated time (return) |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Falls | 900m | 30 mins |
| Peaceful Pond | 900m | 30 mins |
| Emerald Lakeshore | 5.2km loop | 2-3 hours |
| Emerald Lake Crossing | 500m | 20 minutes |
| Kicking Horse Fire Road | 3.8 km to rest area 7 km to the end | 2-3 hours to rest area 4-4.5 hours to the end |
| Yoho Valley Road | 4.5km | 2-3 hours |
| Sherbrooke Lake | 2.9km | 3-4 hours |
| Wapta Falls | 3.8km | 3-4 hours |
For national parks, private companies and operators like On Top Mountaineering and Great Divide Nature Interpretation usually offer supervised snowshoe expeditions.
The price of the packages may vary but what's certain is the admission ticket passes.
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25 (adult)
- Daily Admission: $11.00 (adult)
Half Day: 1-2 people $294 per group
Full Day: 1-2 people $419 per group
Kootenay National Park
Overview: Established in 1920, it spans over 1,400 square kilometers and features beautiful scenic tracks for cross-country skiing and of course, snowshoeing.
Location: Radium Hot Springs, southeastern British Columbia.
How to get there: Visitors can get there via Highway 93, approximately 90 minutes west of Banff.
Examples of trails:
| Trails | Distance | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Marble Canyon Trail | 1.6km round trip | Easy |
| Paint Pots Trail | 2km round trip | Easy |
| Stanley Glacier Trail | 10.4km round trip | Intermediate |
| Kindersley – Sinclair Loop | 17.3km round trip | Difficult |
While many visitors prefer to take their time for these activities in Kootenay, it's also recommended for first-timers to join a supervised tour, either from the park itself or outside operators like the Banff Adventures and Epic Experiences.
For instance, guided hikes (additional fee) for the Stanley Glacier trail are provided.
As usual, visitors need to pay a standardized admission pass:
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25 (adult)
- Daily Admission: $11.00 (adult)
$99 plus taxes for adults (13 years and above)
🥾🏔️Alberta
Jasper National Park
Overview: The largest park within Alberta's Rocky Mountains with over 11,000 square kilometers.
It is also under the management of Parks Canada and is part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.
Location: Alberta
How to get there: Visitors can access the place through the Trans-Canada Highway 16 (also called the Yellowhead Highway).
Examples of routes:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Edge of the Bench | 4.2km loop | Beginner |
| Pyramid Overlook | 6km loop | Intermediate |
| Virl, Dorothy and Christine Lakes | 8.6km return | Intermediate |
| Medicine Lake | 3km return | Beginner |
| Beaver Lake | 4km or 10km return | Beginner |
| Mouse Lake Loop | 2.6km loop | Beginner |
| Mary Schaffer Loop | 3.2km loop | Intermediate |
| Hidden Cove | 8km return | Beginner |
| Lower Sunwapta Falls | 2.6km return | Beginner |
| Big Bend | 14km return | Intermediate |
| Wilcox viewpoint | 3.2km return | Intermediate |
Guided snowshoe activities are usually offered by external private companies and operators such as Sun Dog Tours, and Walks and Talks Jasper.
Prices of the packages may vary but what's certain is the ticket passes.
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25 (adult)
- Daily Admission: $11.00 (adult)
$74 plus taxes for adults (14 years and above)
Banff National Park
Overview: Established in 1885, it is the oldest park in the country. Major feature includes Lake Louise which offers many tracks and classic views of the terrain.
Location: Rocky Mountains, Alberta.
How to get there: Visitors can access the place via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), approximately 90 minutes west of Calgary.
Examples of trails: Visitors can choose from a variety of options in Banff or the Lake Louise area.
| Trail | Banff/Lake Louise | Distance | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunnel Mountain Drive | Banff | 2km | Easy |
| Upper Stoney | Banff | 5.1km loop | Intermediate |
| Louise Creek | Lake Louise | 5.6km return | Easy |
| Mirror Lake via Lake Agnes hiking trail | Lake Louise | 5.4 km return | Intermdiate |
Prices of the supervised packages may vary but what's certain is the entrance ticket passes.
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25 (adult)
- Daily Admission: $11.00 (adult)
🥾🏔️Ontario
Vanderwater Conservation Area
Overview: Located around the banks of the Moira River, the Vanderwarer Conservation Area is a protected natural area managed by Quinte Conservation.
Location: Thomasburg, Ontario.
How to get there: Visitors need to drive 30 minutes north of Belleville via Highway 37.
Example of trails: There are altogether three trails in this area.
The entrance fee to the park is free. Visitors only need to pay $5 per day for parking.
Tips To Keep In Mind During The Activity
Now that you have discovered some of the best places to snowshoe and hike, it's time to prepare for the real action.
Here's a checklist to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
#1: Monitor the weather and state of tracks
It's important to look up the weather forecast before you head out for the hike. Change in weather is apparent during the snowy season and can affect many situations like deep snow, or ice during the journey.
Additionally, you should also check the official website of the location you plan to go to see if the routes are accessible and beginner-friendly. You should also get an offline map to ensure you're on the right track.
#2: Get equipped from head to toe
From dressing up in thick and warm layers to wearing the proper footwear and gear, it is essential to have the right apparel, especially a solid pair of snowshoes for different tracks. This is to prevent instances of frostbite and hypothermia.
Furthermore, you should also bring some safety equipment like a flashlight, and a mini first aid kit in case of emergency.
#3: Be flexible in terms of hiking time
While there is an estimated duration of hiking, we highly advise you (especially absolute beginners) to pace yourself as hiking is more challenging than the usual process during summer and dry conditions.
It would be good to start in groups or with a professional guide if it is your first time.
Prepare For A Snowshoe Race With Superprof
How many of you would be thrilled at the thought of joining a snowshoe race in the country?
Snowshoe races are usually held at the beginning of the year, from January, February and March. They come in different formats, different track difficulty levels, and different prizes.
For example, the Dion Mighty Chickadee Snowshoe Race is held annually at the Cold Creek Conservation Area in Ontario.
It covers a distance of 6.5km and will take place during January next year.
Your race preparation would benefit from tailored guidance and instruction from an experienced coach skilled in race preparation.
At Superprof, you can take Winter sports lessons with a private tutor. Whether it's learning basic to advanced tips of snowshoeing, taking basic ski lessons or even ice skating, you will be in good hands.
You can choose your tutor based on your current location, learning level, teaching methodology and preferred hourly rates. Once you have gone through the filtering process, you will be directed to a selection of tutors who fit the bill!
After reviewing the final details, you can contact your desired tutor via the messaging feature on their respective profile to book your first lesson.
We hope this article has been insightful. May you embark on a safe and fun adventure soon!
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