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You’ll find your ideal winter respite in Alberta, no matter what wellness looks like to you. Here are five ways to feel revitalized this winter in Alberta, from refreshing outdoor activities to relaxing spa resorts to one-of-a-kind accommodations.
3. Rest in a cozy lodge or unique hotel
Alberta has spas to suit any taste, whether you’re looking for a much-loved hot spring or a mountain escape with spectacular natural views.
Experience peak relaxation in the Canadian Rockies. BASIN Glacial Waters at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise overlooks the hotel’s namesake lake for a spa setting unlike any other. The thermal wellness experience combines indoor-outdoor design with self-guided thermal trails that invite guests to align their visit to their wellness goals.
Note: You must be a hotel guest to access the spa facilities.
Slow down and connect to nature at the Everwild Canmore Nordic Spa. Surrounded by the mountains of the Bow Valley, the Nordic-inspired experience centres around hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation spaces. Guided wellness rituals, body treatments and on-site food and drink enhance the experience.
You’ll find unique thermal therapy options outside full Nordic spas, too. The Fairmont Spa at Jasper Park Lodge’s Glacial Plunge and Sauna Journey contrasts the chill of Lac Beauvert with the soothing warmth of lakeside barrel saunas. A certified guide is there to support the experience through breathwork and a fireside tea ceremony.
In Kananaskis Country, Skyridge Glamping offers guests an inviting sauna and invigorating cold plunge. The contrast of hot and cold is a great way to relax muscles and treat your nervous system.
Looking to get a little further away from it all? Try the Woods Experience, where you can stay in a charming cabin and partake in their Wilderness Nordic Spa, featuring a wood-fired hot tub and sauna, plus a cold plunge.
There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in natural hot springs with snow falling all around you. Visiting hot natural pools has been a time-honoured tradition for generations. The Banff Upper Hot Springs are fed by soothing mineral waters from deep within Sulphur Mountain, which are said to have healing properties. Soak it all in after a day of exploring.
Find tranquility amidst the liveliness of the city and indulge in some “you” time. Spa by JW at the Edmonton Marriott is a lavish escape in the core of Edmonton’s vibrant ICE District. With a modern yet serene atmosphere and a spa curator helping guests build treatment plans, Spa by JW takes pampering to new levels of luxury.
In Calgary, SKA Thermal Spa emphasizes well-being through hydrotherapy, massage and saunas. They also have social hours and a full-service bar for guests seeking a livelier environment.
The magnificence of Alberta’s landscapes is only amplified in winter. Sparkling snow coats every inch of the province, from prairie fields to Rocky Mountain summits.
Those who want to immerse themselves in these stunning scenes can cross-country ski along rolling hills, ice skate across frozen lakes (or ice trails winding through Edmonton or Calgary and snowshoe through evergreen forests. Even a simple stroll down an urban river valley can encourage appreciation for still moments and unbelievably crisp air.
Find Indigenous-led winter tours
Craving deeper connections with the land? Follow the experts. Indigenous guides with Mahikan Trails take guests on medicine walks through alpine meadows and forests. They pass on generations of knowledge, identifying various flora and teaching how to survive off the land.
Talking Rock Tours offers guided snowshoe trips through Elk Island National Park, near Edmonton. On your 3-hour tour, you’ll likely spot wildlife like beavers, elk and plains bison, and learn about traditional Indigenous medicine knowledge and glacial geology of the region.
After a day of wandering outdoors in fresh air, nothing feels better than peeling off the winter gear and unwinding in a cozy setting. Alberta’s accommodations are more than a snug spot to sleep—they’re havens to reenergize for the pursuits of tomorrow.
You have no shortage of options for unique places to stay in Alberta, whether it’s a storied backcountry retreat (check out Skoki Lodge, a ski-in destination), a beautiful log cabin overlooking a frozen lake or a luxury hotel.
Disconnect and relax at the historic Storm Mountain Lodge within Banff National Park or cozy Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis Country. Forget distractions like television or Wi-Fi (Mount Engadine has Wi-Fi access in the main lodge if you really need it), and curl up by wood-burning fireplaces, get to know fellow guests and enjoy the stunning scenery. Mount Engadine also happens to be the only backcountry lodge in Alberta that’s accessible by car, but you’ll want winter tires for the drive.
Alberta is home to some of the most unusual places to stay in Canada
If you’d like to treat yourself to a luxe stay, you’re in luck. The famous “Castle in the Rockies” is a must-visit in Banff and the Rimrock Banff has just reopened after a stunning and extensive renovation.
Or stay right on the shores of an iconic lake at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or along Lac Beauvert at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The Canadian Rockies have plenty of accommodations with exceptional views—and rooftop hot tubs—like Hotel Canoe and Suites and the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff or the Malcolm Hotel in Canmore.
If you want an in-depth experience of Canada’s signature season, try winter glamping. It’s an elevated way to experience nature, and you’ll be close to winter activities like skiing and hiking.
Sundance Kananaskis is a picturesque destination beside the Kananaskis River, offering guests cozy stays in upscale glamping tents. Their deluxe glamping tent is furnished with two queen-sized beds, a full-sized dining table, plush linens and more to make your winter glamping adventure toasty.
Skyridge Glamping, an adults-only retreat in Kananaskis Country, brings luxurious micro-cabins and saunas to the stunning mountain region. The peaceful cabins feature fully-equipped kitchens and stylish design—plus, you can add gourmet meal kits to your stay.
Alberta’s longer winter nights set the stage for spectacular stargazing and northern lights sightings. In the presence of such breathtaking sights, you can’t help but feel inspired.
Eager for dazzling northern lights sightings? Start by checking out our tips for chasing the aurora borealis and head away from city lights.
Indigenous-owned Métis Crossing has sky-watching domes where guests can fall asleep below wide-open skies, maybe counting constellations and admiring the captivating glow of elusive dancing lights.
The best places to see the northern lights in Alberta
Alberta also has Dark Sky Parks to protect nights from light pollution. Jasper National Park happens to be the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, making it a prime location for winter relaxation and discovering the wonders above. The Jasper Planetarium is a must-visit to learn all about the night sky from expert guides, listen to stories about constellations and Indigenous ties to the stars and even stargaze through powerful telescopes.
Elk Island National Park—just 48 km (30 mi) east Edmonton—falls within the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a prime spot for chasing the northern lights. At their two-hour Snowshoe and Stargaze event, a guide leads groups around a scenic lake and shares stories of overhead stars. Elk Island National Park has snowshoes for rent, but recommends guests arrive bundled up to stay warm while learning to navigate the skies.
Time spent sampling local foods, sipping hand-crafted drinks and sharing plates with loved ones works wonders on the spirit.
Any trip to Alberta must include tasting as many of the province's signature foods as you can handle. That means Alberta beef, bison, honey, mustard and more. Learn about Alberta's 10 most iconic ingredients and where to eat them.
Fairmont Banff Springs’ Afternoon Tea serves guests an assortment of loose-leaf teas and gourmet foods in front of panoramic views of snowy peaks.
Food in Alberta is more than fuel—it’s an experience. A ride up the Banff Gondola chauffeurs guests to Sky Bistro, where chefs use regional ingredients to present mouthwatering dishes channeling Canadian culinary traditions.
When visiting the Canadian Rockies, don’t miss out on aprés-ski, a tradition among skiers and non-skiers alike. This is the time to unwind after a day outdoors with delicious local food and drink.
Alberta’s largest cities are havens for foodies, too. Visit RGE RD in Edmonton, a restaurant widely acclaimed for farm-to-fork dining highlighting locally sourced beef and other seasonal ingredients in every thoroughly crafted dish.
Cap off the evening at Fu’s Repair Shop, a restaurant concealed within a 1980s electronics repair shop. The lively space has landed on numerous “best of” lists since opening for its delicious food (shrimp dumplings are a fan-favourite), inventive cocktails and fun atmosphere.
Calgary has its own award-winning culinary scene, and the refined River Café is a can’t-miss dining destination. The idyllic setting on Prince’s Island Park combines frosty river and city skyline views alongside curated dishes that bring out the best in Alberta flavours. Indulge in a visit to Francine's, a French wine bar in the heart of Chinatown. Sip classic cocktails (several can be made non-alcoholic or low-alcohol) and sample French-inspired fare—try the steak frites and cheese puffs.
Fans of brewery and distillery tours are in luck here, as Alberta has an incredible craft beverage scene with diverse spots to visit throughout the province.
To get you started: In Banff, sip an Alberta whisky or a gin cocktail at PARK Distillery, the first distillery in a National Park. In Canmore, go for a tour and tasting flight at Wild Life Distillery.
Pull up a chair alongside friendly locals, sample innovative creations, and bask in the warm ambiance.
