Why Winter Hiking Is Worth the Extra Effort
How to stay warm, safe and comfortable on winter trails
Most winters, we’ve traded hiking boots for ski boots and spent a lot of time cross-country, downhill, or backcountry skiing. But that’s changed in recent years, thanks to our little ones. It’s much easier to bring a baby along for a winter hike than a downhill ski.
Strapping a little one into a hiking backpack and tromping around on snowy trails has introduced us to the joys of winter hiking. While the air may be crisp, the scenery is stunning — and often void of the crowds you’re likely to find in the summertime. There’s a stillness in the winter woods that is so hard to find in the warmer months. And let’s not forget another joy: the warmth that awaits when you return inside after a crisp winter trek.
Winter hiking, however, requires some extra effort. Here’s what to keep in mind for your winter hiking adventures:
Safety First
Winter hiking in Alberta requires more preparation and consideration than summer hiking due to the harsher, more unpredictable conditions. The cold temperatures can be dangerous if you're not dressed properly, while snow covered trails can make route finding trickier.
Plus, daylight hours are shorter, meaning you need to plan your route carefully. Additionally, winter trails can be slippery, requiring extra caution and the right equipment to prevent falls.
And if you’re hiking in the Rockies, it’s crucial to be aware not every area is safe for winter travel, as some trails pass through dangerous avalanche terrain. Don’t rely on social media to determine if a route you want to go on is free of avalanche risks. Take the Avalanche Skills Training 1 course, which will teach you how to assess avalanche risk for yourself.
How Should I Prepare?
When it comes to staying warm outside in the winter, layer, layer, layer! A basic system involves a base layer that keeps sweat off your skin (we love merino wool for this), an insulated mid-layer for warmth and an outer layer that protects against snow and wind. Then add on warm gloves or mitts and a toque. Two go-to winter layers for Cailynn are a merino wool buff around the neck, and vests as a mid-layer to keep the core warm.
Q&A: Layering 101, Preventing Cold Hands & Feet, and Why Cotton is Rotten
After a relatively balmy start to January across Alberta, cold temperatures are here. That doesn’t mean you have to stay inside. Trust us. We both get cold exceedingly easily and, after years of experimenting with layers, we no longer whine when heading out in temperatures below -20 C. Whether you’re walking the dog, snowshoeing, skiing, biking, skating or running, it really is possible to enjoy being outside in cold weather.
For footwear, you’ll want waterproof, insulated hiking boots with good traction. Pair these with moisture-wicking, midweight socks to keep your feet dry and warm (avoid cotton, which can trap moisture and lead to cold toes). Gaiters are also a great addition, helping to keep snow and debris out of your boots while providing extra protection against wet conditions.
For icy trails, microspikes (also called ice cleats) can make a huge difference — these are compact, slip-on traction devices that go over your boot (and can be rented from places like the University of Calgary’s Outdoor Centre). Hiking poles can also help for balance on slippery and snowy trails.
Other winter packing considerations include bringing bear spray (while bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods), a first aid kit and emergency blanket, and hand and toe warmers (we pack disposable ones, but we’ve heard good things about these authentic Canadian fur warmers that are less wasteful).
For a more detailed packing list, check out Parks Canada’s resources or a detailed list from Friends of Kananaskis Country.
Where Should I Go?
You don’t need to go far to enjoy a winter hike! In Calgary, We’ve enjoyed winter treks at bigger parks throughout the city, including Griffith Woods Park, Fish Creek Park and Saint Patrick’s Island. We also love Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, situated just outside Cochrane, about a 30-minute drive northwest from central Calgary. (Read our post all about it here!) Glenbow boasts nearly 40 kilometres of pathways and wonderful views of both the distant Calgary skyline and the Rocky Mountains.
If you want to head to the mountains for a winter hike, here are some popular options with official trails (stay on the trail!) that are free from avalanche risk:
Tunnel Mountain, located in Banff National Park, offers a relatively short but rewarding winter hike with incredible views of the town of Banff and surrounding peaks. At just over 4 kilometers round trip and a gentle elevation gain of about 260 meters, this is an accessible winter hike. The panoramic views from the summit are well worth the effort, offering a beautiful winter landscape.
Heart Creek Trail, located in the Bow Valley, is a short and scenic trail that follows the narrow creek canyon over 7 bridges to a waterfall. The combination of the creek, forest, and surrounding mountains makes this trail a peaceful winter escape.
Head to Prairie Mountain, located in the Kananaskis Public Land Use Zone in the Elbow Valley, if you’re looking for a winter climb. This steep trail covers about 700 metres elevation gain in 4 kilometres, making microspikes essential. As you climb, the terrain becomes more exposed, so layering and extra warm clothing are a must.
Other popular options (expect crowds on weekends) include Troll Falls and Grotto Creek Canyon Trail in Kananaskis and Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park (pictured at the top of this post). And if you’re heading to an area that also has ski trails, be mindful of trail etiquette and don’t walk on the ski tracks
What Should I Eat and Drink?
Food and snacks while adventuring can be especially tricky in winter. Stopping to sit or stand and eat can cause you to get chilly and uncomfortable quickly. Biting into a frozen sandwich is no fun, and your fingers can get cold if you have to take gloves or mitts off to consume food.
Our winter food approach is to think snacks not meals, and munch on those throughout the day, rather than taking a longer lunch break (and don’t forget the car snacks for the drive home). Our favourite winter snacks include nuts, dried fruit, peanut M&Ms, dehydrated cheese, fig newtons and miso soup in an ultralight vacuum bottle.
And don’t forget to drink! Winter dehydration is a risk that many hikers overlook, as cold temperatures can mask the feeling of thirst. It's important to drink water regularly, even if you're not feeling thirsty. Thermoses of hot soup, tea or water are helpful, and you can also use an insulated water bottle sleeve that keeps water from freezing (also called a water bottle parka, how nice is that).
The Winter Snack Edition
The daycare plague has put a dent in our plans for a fresh entry this week, so please enjoy a favourite post we first published in February 2021.
Happy winter hiking!
P.S. There’s an upcoming event in Kananaskis related to all this — Winter Safety Day! Find all the details on this January 19 event here. Enjoy a variety of demos (fatbikes! Snowshoes! Avalanche rescue dogs!) and learn about everything from winter rescues and trail etiquette to identifying animal tracks and how to repair your gear in the field.
Winter hiking affords — in my opinion — some of the most beautiful views! Staying inside = missing out!
Good tip about eating during winter hikes. My husband and I stopped for a frozen picnic the other day and it wasn’t fun.