Calgary to Edmonton Road Trip: An Epic 3 Day Winter Adventure
No trip to Alberta is complete without exploring the Rocky Mountains. While many visit the area in the warmer months, I made my way to the province during the winter months. Despite the shorter days and cooler temperatures, I highly recommend hitting the open road. Calgary to Edmonton makes a fantastic road trip whether it’s the dead of winter or otherwise! There are certainly some additional things you’ll need to take into account when driving in the winter so keep reading to see how to make your Calgary to Edmonton road trip an epic one in the winter!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Day Calgary to Edmonton Road Trip Itinerary
The quickest way to get from Calgary to Edmonton is via Highway 2 which is about 280 kilometres and takes approximately 3 hours. Direct flights are available from a number of airlines like Air Canada, WestJet and Central Mountain Air if you’d rather dodge the drive and spend most of your time in these two cities. However by doing so, you’ll be missing out on so much of the province’s beauty! Why bypass the incredible Canadian Rockies? Chances are that’s what you’re here for, right?!
Trust me when I say you’ll seriously be missing out by not exploring Banff, Jasper and plenty of other great destinations between Calgary and Edmonton! Whether you have seven or even ten days in Alberta or just a handful like I did, you have to check out this road trip.
Day 1: Calgary to Banff
Grab your keys and let’s hit the open road! It’s best to get an early start so you can make the most of your day, especially in the dead of winter. You don’t want to waste those short daylight hours! Hop on the Trans Canada Highway for about 1.5 hours and you’ll make it to your first stop, Banff. One of, if not the most popular destination within the Rocky Mountains, Banff has a number of boutiques, shops and eateries along with plenty of adorable accommodations. Though I’d say the biggest draw is the 6,500 square kilometres of national parkland surrounding it!
Explore the Town of Banff
Banff itself is an adorable town and as such, a hot spot for tourism. One of the reasons I visited Alberta in the winter was to try and avoid the summer crowds. However, you’ll still find plenty of people here as skiing, snowboarding and other adventures are abundant! While I didn’t make this my base for the evening as I was just zipping through, there are plenty of great accommodation options if you’d like to spend some extra time exploring the city.
Unfortunately sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate and instead of the iconic blue Alberta skies, you’ll have lots of blowing snow. Don’t let this (or the possible -35°C temperatures) deter you! Enjoy the town and if you need to, duck in and out of the stores to keep warm. You might just find a cute souvenir or two! If you’re unsure of what to do, the tourist information centre is a great resource and the perfect spot to sign up for any tours or excursions.
Ride the Gondola to Sulfur Mountain
Hop on the gondola to the top of Sulfur Mountain. Here you’ll find some walking paths to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Be warned though, if the weather is snowing and blowing as it was for me, the wind can be a bit brutal. If you have more than three days or have time to wait out the weather a bit, I’d suggest waiting for some clearer skies. If you’re like me and don’t have the luxury of returning on a calmer day, be sure to have many layers! You can book your gondola ticket here.
The Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station was established in 1957-1958 for the International Geophysical Year, organized by the International Council of Scientific Unions. As one of Canada’s nine stations, it collected data to learn more about supernovae, stars and our solar system. It stopped operation in 1978 and became a historic site 4 years later. Now you can head up the stairs and enjoy the views from 2283m. Even with the blowing snow, the views were still quite magnificent!
If you’d rather avoid the cold and would like to know more about the rich history of the area, head to Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Here you can learn more about the area and how Canada’s park system came to be and why Banff National Park was created as Canada’s very first national park in 1885. Included with your entry fee are a number of tours which will give you a greater understanding of the area and its importance.
Check Out the Banff Hot Springs
If you’ve heard there are hot springs in Banff, you have heard correctly! You can actually visit two historic sites for the price of one with the Thermal Waters Pass. This gives you access to both Cave and Basin National Historic Site as well as the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Here you can soak in the views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain while soaking your body. There’s a reason this area has been treasured by the Indigenous for millennia for its healing powers.
As you can see, there is so much to see and do in Banff that having just one day isn’t enough. You could easily plan a trip solely around this area! If you’d like to extend your trip, this is naturally a place to do so as I haven’t even mentioned the hikes and excursions within the park itself!
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Tackle the Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Once the sun sets, it’s time for the Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk. Enjoy the calm quiet of the Johnston Canyon in the dead of night. The tour will take you through the Bow Valley Parkway as you make your way to the trailhead. Strap on your crimpers and trek along the steel catwalks in the canyon. It may take a moment for your eyes to adjust, but the views are beautiful! Take in the winter scenes straight out of Frozen as you witness brilliant ice formations and gorgeous frozen waterfalls. You’ll top the night off with a visit to the Lower Falls and then warm up with some delicious hot chocolate.
You can book your Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk online here, however there is an option to do it during the day. If you’d prefer to go that route, book the daytime Johnston Canyon Icewalk here.
Chances are you’ll be tired by this point. As I was looking to cram as much as I could into my stay, I made my way to Lake Louise where I stayed for the night. If you’d rather not drive in the dark or if you feel too tired to drive, play it safe and stay in Banff. Rest up and head to Lake Louise in the morning!
NOTE: You can do Lake Louise as a guided tour if you’d rather not do the driving yourself. There are a number of great tours that leave from Banff so you can stay close to amenities while enjoying the natural beauty of the area!
Day 2: Lake Louise to Jasper
The drive from Banff to Lake Louise is approximately 40 minutes so you have two options. If you’d like to have more time in Banff, you can choose to stay overnight there. Or, you can do what I did and drive to Lake Louise as that will allow you more time to explore here. No matter what you choose, you’ll have a stellar time. If you find yourself driving in the dark, take your time and be careful as the road can be slippery if there has been recent snow.
There are plenty of options in Lake Louise, though I spent the night at the Deer Lodge, one of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts. Unfortunately as I arrived so late, I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the amenities like their sauna or spa. Since my visit, they’ve upgraded their facilities to include a rooftop hot tub offering amazing views of the Victoria Glacier! You can check out these reviews on TripAdvisor to hear more.
Frolic Around Lake Louise
It was an early start for day two of my road trip and I was ecstatic to be greeted by a clear sky. Why? My first stop of the day was the iconic Lake Louise! You probably know her from turquoise blue waters with towering mountains as the backdrop, but your view will be a little different in the colder months. Lake Louise is also home to the famous Fairmont Château Lake Louise, the most iconic hotel in Alberta.
While some of the hikes aren’t fully accessible in the winter, there is one huge perk that you can only enjoy once the temperature drops… a frozen lake! Yes, this means you can actually walk right across it. While I wouldn’t want to be the first person to test the waters, I saw numerous footprints and couldn’t resist following them. Take your time and walk softly while enjoying the incredible views that surround you.
Wonder what other things to do in Lake Louise in winter? Right on the lake itself, you can enjoy the local skating rink. Snowshoeing is always a fantastic option and there are some guided tours you can enjoy. If you’re a stargazer, you’ll love this nighttime snowshoe tour where you can enjoy the beauty of the Rockies with the Milky Way dazzling above them. Cross country skiing is another viable option for exploring Lake Louise. Never tried it before? That’s okay, there are beginner tours available where you can learn!
Looking for more things to do in the winter?
Check out these winter activities that’ll have you embracing the season!
After crossing, I met up with one of the trails that leads around the lake. You’ll wander past a few streams that won’t be completely frozen despite the -35°C (-31°F) temperatures. It’s quite remarkable! Let’s be honest – the whole area is overwhelmingly beautiful. Anyone who has been there can agree with me in that you need to take your time to just stop and take everything in. Personally, mountains are my second favourite element of nature (beat only by waterfalls, obviously), but being on the eastern side of Canada makes them hard to come by. I was overwhelmed with joy at being able to enjoy the mountains again. All I can say is, Lake Louise is a must-visit in the winter!
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Grab a Bite to Eat
By now you’re probably hungry after all that adventuring! Lake Louise is a tourist hot spot so many of your restaurant options are on the expensive side, but never fear. There’s always a way to eat without breaking the bank! Head to Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village for your meal.
Inside you’ll find the Trailhead Cafe where you’ll find sandwiches and wraps, Laggan’s Bakery and Deli which has a number of baked goods including sausage rolls and pizza pretzels, and The Western Bar and Grill which serves both Canadian and Chinese entree options. If you’re looking to eat where the locals do, you’ll want to head to Billy Peyto’s Cafe which has the largest variety of all the options listed above. Don’t forget to gas up (and grab some snacks!) before getting back on the road.
Drive the Icefields Parkway
To get from Lake Louise to Jasper, you’ll be taking the Icefields Parkway. It’s one of the most iconic drives in the world as you travel 232 kilometres, winding along the Continental Divide. You’ll see beautiful mountains, expansive valleys and its namesake icefields. There are a number of great stops to explore depending on how much time you wish to spend here. Even if you just do the drive though, it’s a beautiful one with plenty of gorgeous views to enjoy right from the car.
While this route is well-travelled in the summer, it doesn’t see nearly as much action in the winter months. As a result, you’ll need to be aware of slippery road conditions. A lot of this route is also a no cell-zone, meaning you can be in a bind if you require emergency services. Don’t rush and give yourself plenty of time in case you run into any trouble… like I did.
STORY TIME: I was driving down the highway and saw the turnoff I wanted but unfortuntely a little too late. I tried to turn quickly and with the ice… ended up in a snowbank. I was a little worried as I was stuck and couldn’t reverse. Much to my dismay, a truck with two gentlemen in it saw that whole thing and were laughing. I tried to play it off with a joke about being a terrible driver to hide my embarrassment. Luckily with the help of another pair of men that had just finished some ice climbing, the four of them were able to drag my car out of the snow and get me on my way… and this is why you get the extra insurance.
Driving in the winter, it’s good to note when the sun sets otherwise you’ll be driving in the dark. This normally wouldn’t be much of a problem but it’s something to note when heading to Jasper, your next stop. Sincer Jasper is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in Canada, which is absolutely wonderful for stargazing, it can make driving a bit hairy with little to no light on the roads. I recommend driving in the daylight as much as possible!
Explore Jasper
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Jasper a few times now, however not since the devastating wildfire ravaged the town in August of 2024. While the town is resilient and is constantly rebuilding, some experiences may not return for a few years. Please be patient with everyone during your visit and remember that these folks are doing the best they can.
Depending on how much time you have to explore, there are plenty of things to see and do in Jasper! Here are a few of my top recommendations:
Jasper Brewing Company – Stop in for a pint at Canada’s first National Park brewery! They have a wide variety of brews from their core pilsners and IPAs to seasonals like their blueberry vanilla ale. Personally, I’m a huge fan of their Babe Tangerine Dream but be careful, it goes down way too easy! While it survived the fire, the interior suffered extensive smoke damage so it will not reopen until Spring 2025. However, you can enjoy their beer at their sister location, The Maligne Range!
Take a Winter Wildlife Tour – Experience the pristine wilderness that surrounds Jasper as you spot local wildlife and learn about their resilience. Your guided will share the history, geology and ecology that makes the area around Jasper unique as you keep an eye out for coyotes, deer, elk, moose, wolves and more! Book your tour online here.
Do a Little Shopping – There’s no better way to support the local economy than with some retail therapy! Jasper has a number of shops with plenty of unique items for that one of a kind souvenir. Pop into Magnolia Handicrafts for everything from jewellery to outdoor decor, including authentic Indigenous items as well! There are great outdoor stores as well if you’re looking to upgrade your gear.
Where to Stay in Jasper
There is no shortage of great hotels in Japser, however some were devastated by the wildfire. One of those places was the gorgeous Maligne Lodge, a staple of the town for over 70 years. I loved my stay there years ago with amazing amenities such as an outdoor hot tub and cozy suites with a kitchenette. In the meantime however, you can stay at their sister property on the other side of town, the Tonquin Inn.
This expansive lodge-style accommodation features a variety of rooms including large one and two bedroom suites. I booked the former during my most recent visit to Jasper and absolutely loved it. There was so much space and the kitchenette was great for reheating restaurant leftovers as well as making simple breakfasts in the morning. Not to mention I absolutely loved their two outdoor hot tubs which are clutch after long days of hiking and exploring! Click here to book the Tonquin Inn or see what others have to say about their experience.
Day 3: Jasper, Maligne Canyon & Finally, Edmonton
Depending on when you arrived in Jasper, you may want to spend a few hours exploring the town before tackling the final stretch of this Alberta road trip. If you’re ready to rumble, hop in your car and head to your next stop which is not to be missed during any visit to Jasper.
Experience Maligne Canyon
A short 15 minute drive from Jasper, Maligne Canyon is worth visiting over and over as it will continue to wow you with its natural beauty. Honestly though, I think my favourite time to visit Maligne canyon is in the winter months because it allows you to explore it from angles you can’t access during the warmer months – the canyon floor.
With temperatures of -35°C being a regular occurrence, the water freezes allowing you to walk along it when normally there’s rushing water. When you’re following the trails and come upon a section which runs along the river’s shore, keep an eye out for the semi-frozen waterfall like the one below that I’m standing beside. Chances are you’ll see footprints leading towards the water. Head to the left and you’ll find a path which will take you right to the base of the canyon.
SOMETHING TO NOTE: Winter adventures like this come with inherent risks. Be sure to wear proper winter hiking gear as well as crampons to ensure you’re as safe as possible.
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When you get to the base of the canyon, take a moment and really experience your surroundings in your own way. Whether it’s just sitting down and taking a deep breath, or finding that perfect panorama and spinning in one spot – do it! For me, it was laying down on the canyon floor. I tried to take a photo, but even though a picture is worth a thousand words, it still just isn’t enough to fully convey how amazing it felt to be there! In my opinion, these are some of the best views in Alberta.
While you can do this on your own, I only recommend it if you have a lot of experience hiking in the winter. If you don’t explore in the winter often or you don’t have the proper gear, I highly recommend hopping on a guided tour with SunDog Tour Co. You’ll also get to learn more about the karst topography found within Jasper’s Maligne Valley, the mystery of how Medicine Lake is disappearing, and more.
Once you’ve had your fill of adventure, it’s time to head back to the car. It’s about a 4-hour drive back to Edmonton, so be sure to leave yourself lots of daylight for the drive but enough time to fully enjoy Maligne Canyon. It may mean an early morning but trust me, it’s totally worth it!
Preparing For Your Winter Alberta Road Trip
Ready to tackle this Calgary to Edmonton road trip in the winter months? Here are some planning tips as well as a few things you should know to make the most of your adventure.
Drive from Calgary to Edmonton or Flip the Route – It Doesn’t Matter
This is probably common sense but I’m an over-communicator as it’s better to be safe than sorry! Whether you drive from Edmonton to Calgary or vice versa, it doesn’t matter – you’ll just flip this itinerary. No matter where you start, chances are you’re flying in and my preferred airline is Air Canada. If you’re Canadian, you might want to consider using one of the best Aeroplan credit cards as I love mine since I get perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding!
Check Your Tires
When renting a car, especially in winter, many rental car companies have all-season tires on their cars. This was at least the case for me while renting from Enterprise. All season tires begin to lose grip when the temperature drops below 7°C (44°F), so keep this in mind when taking an exit ramp. Start slowing down early, especially since the average temperature when I was driving was around -20°C (-4°F).
It seems as though Avis is the best rental car company to go with as they have the highest chance of having winter tires on their cars, however you can get winter tires on your vehicle with folks like Enterprise, it will just be an additional charge. I’d still recommend confirming before booking whether or not your rental car has winter tires or not.
Get the Extra Insurance
Make sure you get the extra insurance when booking a rental car. That way if anything happens (like say, a rock flying at the windshield less than 50 kilometres away from the drop-off point), you’re covered. It’ll mean less stress for you. Yes, it adds to the price of the rental, but it was worth the extra ~$20-$25 per day for my sanity. If you’re using a credit card that comes with travel insurance (such as the Aeroplan card I mentioned above!), be sure to look into the requirements for it as you may be able to skip this extra cost.
Grab a Parks Canada Pass
In order to take this route, you need to have a Parks Canada Pass since there is no place to purchase a day pass on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. If you’re caught without a pass, you can be fined up to $25,000. A day pass costs $10.50 per adult, however if you plan on visiting other National Parks or historic sites, you may want to consider a yearly pass.
A yearly Parks Canada pass gives you access to over 80 Parks Canada sites which include Canada’s national parks and historic sites. Since the majority of the sites have an admission cost, chances are it’s worth it to purchase a yearly pass. For 2024, a single person yearly pass is $75.25 while a family pass for up to 7 people in one vehicle is $151.25. Personally, the latter quickly pays for itself as it means you can bring friends with you at any time! Plus a yearly pass is valid for 12 months from the month it is purchased, so you’ll always have a full year to use it.
Beware of No Cell Service
Along parts of the parkway there is absolutely no cell reception, so if something goes haywire you’ll need to depend on the kindness of others (or a very long walk) to get to cell reception and then backtrack to your car. Make sure you always check in with someone and let them know where you are in case anything does go wrong.
If you have a lot of backcountry travel planned or prefer to have that peace of mind while travelling, you can look at purchasing a satellite phone. They are expensive, though it seems like more affordable options like this satellite extender might just do the trick to keep you connected. I haven’t tried it myself but it’s something I would look into for my next trip!
Ready to Road Trip From Calgary to Edmonton?
This 3-day road trip only scratches the surface as there are so many places to visit in Alberta, but it will give you a taste of what the province has to offer. You can easily extend your visit and tackle more hikes and make it a true Canadian Rockies road trip! It’ll also allow you to explore more areas around the two cities and everything in between.
Have you ever taken this route? Is it on your Alberta to-do list? If you’re looking for more amazing Canadian adventure ideas, check out this epic round up from coast to coast!
Disclaimer
This post contains affiliate links where I may receive a kickback on any purchases made through them at no extra charge to you. Read more in IBB’s disclaimer and privacy policy.
Lauren
Lovely post and incredible photos. Really appreciate the tips too. I wouldn’t have realized to get the Parks Canada Pass before setting out on the trip!