What to Pack for a Winter Getaway in Alberta

Winter in Alberta means cool temperatures and plenty of snow, but don’t let that stop you from venturing outdoors. The season can be tons of fun, it just takes a little planning and preparation — especially when it comes to choosing the right clothing and accessories. The weather can also change quickly, and you won’t want to be caught off-guard. Keep reading for tips to help you pack all the essential items for your winter getaway in Alberta.

Wardrobe essentials

The activities on your winter itinerary will greatly influence the clothing you need to pack, whether you’re skiing in the Canadian Rockies, ice skating on a frozen lake or planning a winter city getaway.

In the city

Edmonton, Alberta’s capital, is known as a winter city with plenty to see and do during the snowy months — like festivals, skating, exploring the North Saskatchewan River Valley and catching the Edmonton Oilers in action for an NHL game. Winters there are typically cold and dry, with average temperatures hovering around -4°C (25°F) between November and February. Calgary is also lively in the winter with its own calendar of festivals and activities, and average temperatures are slightly warmer at -1°C (30°F). Calgary experiences chinooks, which are warm, dry, westerly winds that blow down from the Canadian Rockies. The weather warms up during a chinook and can lead to temperatures above 0°C (32°F).

But temperatures in both cities can dip quite low — down to -30°C (-22°F) — so it’s important to be prepared with lots of warm layers and proper footwear. You’ll also hear weather reports in Alberta mention the wind chill, which can significantly impact how cold it feels outside.

If you’ll be spending lots of time exploring city walking trails, skating or sledding, pack warm base and mid-layers along with waterproof pants and shell jackets. You’ll also want waterproof boots, mittens and a warm hat.

If your city plans include only short amounts of time outdoors, you can get away with layering sweaters or sweatshirts under a puffer coat or winter parka. Sidewalks may be slippery, so wear boots with sturdy tread (skip the high heels). It’s also still a good idea to wear mittens, a scarf (or neck warmer) and a hat, especially if there’s a high wind chill value.

For the great outdoors

Packing for outdoor activities in the Canadian Rockies or other parts of the province will be similar to the city, which means lots of layers. Merino wool tops and leggings are essential to your base layer. Mid-layers should include an insulated or fleece jacket, and you’ll top it all off with a waterproof and windproof shell jacket and pants. Waterproof boots with good tread are a must-have, plus thick, warm socks. Keep your hands warm with waterproof and windproof mittens (bonus points for adding glove liners), and don’t forget a hat. Bring along an extra pair of mittens in case one pair gets too wet.

Accessories and other essentials

These accessories are equally important for your winter getaway in Alberta. The province is one of the sunniest places in Canada, and this holds true throughout the winter months — the sun also reflects off the bright snow, which can contribute to burns. This means you’ll still need to bring sunscreen, UV-blocking lip balm and sunglasses. The climate in Alberta is very dry in the winter, so moisturizer is a necessity, and it can be helpful to have a smaller tube to keep in your jacket pocket to reapply throughout the day, especially on your hands.

Travelling sustainably helps preserve the beautiful landscape of Alberta for generations to come, and every small change counts. Pack a reusable water bottle to avoid relying on single-use plastic bottles. The tap water in Alberta is very safe to drink, and you’ll save yourself some money along the way.

Don’t forget a backpack or daypack to store all of your essentials and to hold layers of clothing if you need to shed them as the day warms up.Keep a small first aid kit in your pack that’s stocked with all the basics, just in case. Finally, throw some foot and hand warmers in your backpack to keep your fingers and toes extra toasty.

Where to rent gear

You don’t need to pack a ton of gear to enjoy winter in Alberta, especially if you’re arriving by plane. Below are some of the many rental companies that can get you outfitted and on your way to making the most of your time here.

Calgary and Edmonton

University of Calgary Outdoor Centre: You’ll be hard-pressed not to find what you need at this rental centre, which has been operating for nearly 40 years. It’s accessible from the TransCanada Highway, which is one of the main routes to the Canadian Rockies. You can rent ski and snowboard gear, cross-country skis and boots, hiking boots, crampons, snowshoes, fat bikes, hockey skates and even winter hiking equipment and backcountry gear.

Totem Outdoor Outfitters: This has been a local go-to in Edmonton for more than 30 years. You’ll find alpine skis and snowboards, cross-country skis, skates and hockey gear available to rent here.

River Valley Adventure Co.: Stop by River Valley Adventure Co. for everything you need to explore Edmonton’s expansive North Saskatchewan River Valley, like snowshoes, fat bikes (plus a helmet and lock) or you can even take a winter Segway tour. The company also has a Calgary location, found in the city’s East Village neighbourhood.

Canmore and Kananaskis

GearUp Mountain Sport and Rentals: In Canmore, stop by GearUp Mountain Sport and Rentals for ski and snowboard rentals, plus hockey skates, snowshoes, backcountry gear and even avalanche kits.

Kananaskis Outfitters: Visit this shop in Kananaskis Village to rent ice skates, hockey sticks (plus pucks and tape), snowshoes, cross-country skis, fat bikes and even winter boots.

Banff National Park

Snowtips-Backtrax: This company knows the outdoors and has been outfitting enthusiasts since 1979. Get everything you need to spend a day (or several) skiing and snowboarding.

Jasper National Park

Locals and visitors have sourced outdoor gear from Totem Ski Shop for more than 100 years. You’ll find ski and snowboard rental packages, cross-country ski packages, snowshoe rentals and icers to keep you sturdy on the trails.

You’ll also find ski and snowboard rentals at any of the ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies.