Trail conditions
General conditions
Winter conditions.
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Avalanche season is here!
Know before you go! Please visit avalanche.pc.gc.ca for the latest avalanche conditions. You can consult our staff at the Parks Canada visitor centres for further advice on safe trails. Ice climbers and skiers alike should carefully consider their exposure to overhead terrain.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
RECENT GROOMING - Please note that Sundance Canyon trail will not be trackset this year. – FEB 19: Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails. FEB 17: Redearth Creek (up to Lost Horse Creek). FEB 13: Healy Creek. FEB 12: Cascade Valley Trail (Minnewanka to Cascade River bridge - 6km, and Lake Minnewanka to Upper Bankhead); (Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek). FEB 10: Goat Creek. FEB 9: Spray River West, Spray River East.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Spray River Winter Trails: Spray River West | Good. | 12-02-2020: Double trackset classic and skate; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter Trails: Spray River East | Good. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails (Cross-country ski) | Good. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Trail groomed; Please walk or snowshoe on rows 100, 200, 300 and 400; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Good. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka Parking to Upper Bankhead | Good. | 12-02-2020: Double trackset classic and skate; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka Parking to Cascade River Bridge (6km) | Good. | 12-02-2020: Double trackset classic and skate; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River Bridge (6km) to Stoney Creek | Good. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Trail groomed; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Fair. | 13-02-2020: Double trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Redearth Creek Winter Trail | Good. | 12-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Trail groomed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
Avalanche season is here! Know before you go! Please visit https://avalanche.pc.gc.ca/ for the latest avalanche conditions.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
Avalanche season is here! Know before you go! Please visit https://avalanche.pc.gc.ca/ for the latest avalanche conditions.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Snow covered. | 12-02-2020: Snowshoe packed; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Viewpoint Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 12-02-2020: Snowshoe packed; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Squaw Winter Loop | Snow covered. | 12-02-2020: Snowshoe packed; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 12-02-2020: Snowshoe packed; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 12-02-2020: Snowshoe packed; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails (Multi-use) | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Flat packed; Studded tires recommended; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Flat packed; Studded tires recommended; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Flat packed; Studded tires recommended; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 12-02-2020: Flat packed; Studded tires recommended; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
Cross-Country Ski Trails on the Bow Valley Parkway
GENERAL CONDITIONS: Good. Trail#1 is track set as far as the construction zone only. Regularly track-set every Friday.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Good. | 14-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Good. | 14-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Mountain Lookout | Partially closed, check trail details for additional information. | 14-02-2020: Dogs on leash permitted; Single trackset classic; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Good. | 14-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Good. | 14-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails (Banff National Park of Canada)
GENERAL CONDITIONS: Good.The Pipestone region has re-opened for skiing. The Pipestone loop segment from the parking lot to the Drummond trail intersection is closed. Campground loop - park at the Train Station. RECENT GROOMING: FEB 18: Peyto; Upper Telemark, Pipestone; Hector; Drummond; Merlin. FEB 17: Fairview; Lake Louise surface. FEB 16: Campground; Bow River Loop; Townsite; Lake Louise shoreline. FEB 15: Moraine Lake Rd; Great Divide; Lower Telemark; Tramline.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Good. | 16-02-2020: Parking lot closed due to construction.; Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Good. | 16-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 15-02-2020: Dogs not allowed; Single trackset classic; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Tramline | Good. | 15-02-2020: Dogs not allowed; Single trackset classic; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Good. | 17-02-2020: Double trackset classic; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Good. | 15-02-2020: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs not allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Louise Loop | Good. | 16-02-2020: Double trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Upper Telemark | Good. | 18-02-2020: Double trackset classic; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide | Good. | 15-02-2020: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs not allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Peyto | Good. | 18-02-2020: Double trackset classic; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | Good. | 16-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs not allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Good. | 13-02-2020: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Good. | 18-02-2020: Track set; Dogs on leash permitted; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Partially closed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Good. | 18-02-2020: Track set; Dogs on leash permitted; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Partially closed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Good. | 18-02-2020: Track set; Dogs on leash permitted; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Partially closed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Good. | 18-02-2020: Track set; Dogs on leash permitted; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Partially closed; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails (Banff National Park of Canada)
Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond marked winter trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume you are in avalanche country-your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore | Some icy sections. | 15-02-2020: Dogs on leash permitted; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-02-2020: Dogs on leash permitted; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-02-2020: Dogs on leash permitted; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
"Highline" trail to Paradise Creek | Trees blown down. | 15-02-2020: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; Avalanche Risk rated as Simple Class 1 terrain - at km 1, the trail crosses the runout zone of an avalanche path which rarely runs; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mirror Lake, via Lake Agnes Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-02-2020: Dogs on leash permitted; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Avalanche risk: beyond Mirror Lake, the trail is rated as Challenging Class 2 terrain and travel requires appropriate avalanche training and equipment; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Taylor Lake | Snow covered. | 15-02-2020: Snowshoes recommended; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | Snow covered. | 15-02-2020: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway (Banff National Park of Canada)
Peyto Lake road, upper parking area, trail and viewing platform are CLOSED for construction. Lower parking lot and day-use area OPEN.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Closed for the season. | 05-11-2019: Construction work in progress; Respect all posted notices and signs; | Trail details |