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Waterton Lakes National Park

Winter in Waterton

Waterton during the winter months, a quiet season when visitors can experience the park blanketed in snow, has much to offer.

It is an excellent time to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery and the peacefulness of the park, and it offers many opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast.

There are options for wildlife viewing and photography; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; ice climbing and ice skating; or even just enjoying a walk and a picnic on a beautiful day.

The winter season begins in November and usually stretches into April. During this time most of the facilities in the park are closed (heated washrooms and running water are available, at the Firehall in the village). For more information on the facilities, see the accommodation and amenities link below.

Waterton is a great place to enjoy winter outdoor activity so why not come and find out for yourselves. Here is a list of activities and other information for the winter vistitor to the park:

Ask An Expert
Top 10 Winter Activities in Waterton
Map: Winter in Waterton
Accommodation and Amenities

Park Access

The entrance road leading to the village remains open year-round while the Akamina Parkway is maintained to the Little Prairie picnic site. The Red Rock Parkway and the Chief Mountain Highway are closed to vehicles during the winter months. How To Get Here

Weather

Waterton has highly variable mountain weather - it can change quickly. Winters are mild and snowy, with frequent warm spells caused by chinooks. Wind is the most important climate factor in the park. In fact, Waterton is the second windiest place in Alberta. Highest winds blow in January and November, with gusts of over 150 km/hr recorded in the main valley.

There are also big differences in moisture levels from west to east across the park. Cameron Lake, at the continental divide, receives an average of 152 cm annually while the townsite receives 107 cm and the park gate receives only 76 cm. Current Weather Forecast

Travel Conditions

Be prepared for conditions ranging from warm to extreme cold. Poor visibility, icy roads and drifting snow can occur frequently. In the event of falling or drifting snow, maintenance of the road to and in the village is the priority for the park road crews. Please obey parking zones at Little Prairie picnic area. Snow-clearing equipment operates daily and requires sufficient room to safely pass parked vehicles and turn around.

Information

More trail and winter program information is available on signs at the park operations building, at cross-country ski trailheads or here on the website, follow the links from this page. Personal information is available at the park operations building.

Waterton Lakes National Park: 403-859-2224 (weekdays 8am-4pm).
Waterton Lakes National Park Warden Service: 403-859-5140 (weekdays 8am-4pm).
Emergency: 403-859-2636 (24 hours).

Winter Activities

Cross-country Skiing

	Winter Camping Pass Creek, located on the park's entrance road, five kilometers from the village, offers a sheltered winter campground, free of charge. Services include a kitchen shelter, wood stove and toilets. Heated washrooms and running water are available at the Firehall in the village. Opportunities for random winter camping are limited and available only by prior arrangement only. For further information and to make bookings, call the park. More
	Cross-Country Skiing Cross-country skiing is a great way to enjoy Waterton in the winter. The best snow conditions often exist along the upper Akamina Parkway, and two cross-country ski trails are accessible in this area - the Dipper trail and the Cameron trail. The ski season in Waterton generally extends from December to March. Ski trail reports are updated regularly here on the website as conditions change. Please note: Dogs are prohibited on designated ski trails. Ski Trail Report
	Snowshoeing Whether you are interested in taking a short stroll around the village or accessing more remote locations in the backcountry, Waterton can be a great place for snowshoeing. Many locations are good for this activity but Cameron Lake and Crandell Lake are two of the most popular destinations. When snowshoeing in areas with designated ski trails, please preserve the trail by snowshoeing beside the ski tracks, not on them.
	Sledding/Tobogganing Bring a sled and take advantage of Waterton's slopes and drifts. Be careful to stay off avalanche paths. Some of the favourite spots are on the Prince of Wales hill, around the village and the Bertha Lake trail head.
	Winter Photography & Wildlife Observation Winter can be the best or worst time for watching wildlife in Waterton - depending on winds and snow. Elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, river otters, red squirrels, snowshoe hares and marten can all be see in the park during the winter months. A rare highlight would be sighting one of the park’s wild cats (cougar, bobcat or lynx). More
	Ice Climbing There are a number of locations in Waterton suitable for ice climbing. Please call the park for information about the best locations, weather, avalanche conditions and general advice. More
	Ski-Touring Depending on snow conditions, excellent opportunities for ski-touring exist on or off the park's trail system. Popular trails include Crandell Lake (easy-moderate), Rowe Trail, Akamina Pass, Summit Lake and Wall/Forum Lakes (all difficult). These trails are not marked or maintained and may be subject to avalanche hazard. More
	Winter Birding There may be fewer birds around in winter, but with no leaves on the trees, they are easier to see! Chickadees, grouse and woodpeckers roam wooded areas, while ravens, and eagles soar above, and dippers and goldeneye are in open waters. Meet other birders by participating in the annual Christmas Bird Count held in mid-December. More
	Picnicing Bundle up and come for a picnic! Kitchen shelters with stoves are available but you must supply your own wood and bring your own supplies (no grocery store is open in the village in the winter). Each picnic area includes an outhouse. Water and barrier-free washrooms are available at the Community Firehall.
	Ice Skating On occasions the ice on the lakes in Waterton turns into a spectacular skating rink. Skating on natural ice in the Rockies can be a wonderful experience, but it also involves some serious risk. Parks Canada does not mark off places for safe skating or potential hazards. If you choose to skate on natural ice, you do so at your own risk. If you are not sure if the ice is thick enough, stay off it. Never skate alone and don't skate in the dark. The Red Cross recommends an ice thickness of at least 6" for safety.

What to Bring / Planning

Make sure you have what you need to enjoy a safe trip. Here, we list essentials for a winter trip to Waterton:

Extra clothes, including extra hat and gloves. (Use the layering system. Peel off or add layers of synthetic material, silk or wool as needed to stay dry and warm.)
Map, compass and guidebook
Full water bottle or thermos
High energy food - carry extra
Sunscreen and sunglasses
First-aid kit
Lightweight emergency blanket, candle, and lighter or waterproof matches
Head lamp or flashlight
Snowshoes / skis, poles, cleats
Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
General repair kit, pocket knife

Study the trail description and map; choose a trail suitable for the least experienced member in your party.

Check the weather forecast, current trail conditions and daily avalanche report
Travel with a friend or group
Tell someone where you are going and your expected return time
Be prepared for changes in weather and for emergencies

Avalanches

Almost any slope, under the right circumstances, may release its snowy mantle in an avalanche. Even small avalanches can be deadly. Most backcountry trails in Waterton traverse avalanche-prone terrain and require skills for evaluating avalanche risk. All backcountry travellers are responsible for their own decisions and safety and should be well informed about the type of terrain they will encounter.

Waterton Avalanche Bulletins
Backcountry Avalanche Information

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