Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Early winter conditions. Tracksetting has not yet begun.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Packed. | 25-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Packed. | 25-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Packed. | 25-11-2023: minimal snow depth; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Packed. | 25-11-2023: minimal snow depth; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Packed. | 25-11-2023: minimal snow depth; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Packed. | 25-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Packed. | 25-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Redearth Creek Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Thin snow cover. | 23-11-2023: Icy sections; Cleats recommended; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Early season conditions. | 25-11-2023: Studded tires recommended; Icy sections; Fresh snow; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Thin snow cover. | 30-10-2023: Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Mountain Lookout | Thin snow cover. | 30-10-2023: Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Thin snow cover. | 30-10-2023: Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Thin snow cover. | 30-10-2023: Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Thin snow cover. | 30-10-2023: Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 25-11-2023: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Lake surface not recommended; Open water and thin ice on the lake; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 10-11-2023: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Creek | Snow covered with icy sections. | 10-11-2023: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 03-11-2023: Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Sections of deep snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
“Highline” trail to Paradise Creek | Snow covered. | 30-10-2023: 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. | 30-10-2023: Avalanche risk: Sections of this trail cross avalanche terrain. Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail is rated as Challenging Class 2 for avalanche exposure and travel requires appropriate avalanche training and equipment; Snow covered; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | Snow covered. | 30-10-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Early winter conditions. Snow conditions are variable and depend on current temperature and precipitation. Recent tracksetting : Nov 25 - Great Divide (skate lane only). Nov 20 - Great Divide (classic track only). Nov 19 - Upper Tramline; Lower Tramline. Nov 16 - Bow River Loop; Great Divide; Campground loop.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Not recommended. | 26-11-2023: CAUTION! Roadside vegetation clearing project on Moraine Lake Road has been extended. Track-setting will resume once project is completed. Heavy machinery in operation. ; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Snow covered. | 03-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Tramline | Track-set | 19-11-2023: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Upper Tramline | Track-set | 19-11-2023: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Louise Loop | Not recommended. | 27-11-2023: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Not yet maintained; Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; Lake surface not recommended; Ice is thin, unpredictable and may give away unexpectedly; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Upper Telemark | Snow covered. | 03-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | Track-set | 21-11-2023: Single trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Great Divide trail CLOSED west of the archway due to fire fuel reduction project in effect Nov 20 - late March. Smoke from debris pile burning possible in area. ; Trail will not be maintained west of the Great Divide arch winter 2023/2024.; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | Snow covered. | 03-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | Snow covered. | 03-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Track-set | 16-11-2023: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Track-set | 16-11-2023: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Thin snow cover. | 17-11-2023: Dogs on leash permitted; Trail groomed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Thin snow cover. | 17-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Thin snow cover. | 17-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Thin snow cover. | 17-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Thin snow cover. | 17-11-2023: Thin snow cover over uneven surface. More snow is needed to cover rocks, roots and creeks; Tracksetting has not yet begun ; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered. | 17-11-2023: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
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