Kananaskis is renowned as the ideal winter playground with unmatched opportunities available for skiing, snowshoeing and of course a Canadian favourite, ice skating!

Outdoor skating season generally begins in November and can continue into early spring. Conditions need to be cold enough to keep the ice frozen but warm enough to keep snow away, meaning that skating opportunities can change from week to week.

From accessing maintained ice on the Village Pond to wild ice skating on Spray Lakes, finding a place to skate in K-country is a matter of decisiveness rather than availability. Here is a guide to Ice Skating in Kananaskis, including tips on finding a skating spot, what to do in an emergency, where to find rentals, and even how to scope wild ice.

1. Before You Go

As with any outdoor activity, especially during the winter months, preparation is key. Ensure that your skates are sharp and you have any other equipment you might need – including hockey gear, gloves, and maybe even a helmet. Ice Skate rentals are available in Kananaskis Village at Kananaskis Outfitters for both adults and children. Be sure to wear clothing that keeps you warm but allows for activity, and bring lots of water to stay hydrated – you can’t melt the ice to drink it!

2. Getting There

Maintained ice skating opportunities are predominantly in Kananaskis Village, which is only about an hour’s trip on winter roads heading west out of Calgary on Hwy/AB-1 W before taking exit 118 onto the AB-40 S. Be sure to check road reports and ensure conditions are appropriate for skating. If you have decided to brave the unknown and explore wild ice skating, be extra vigilant in checking weather reports beforehand to make sure the area you’re heading to is open, safe, and accessible. 

Those visiting without their own vehicle may need to stick to more well-known skating spots that have alternate transportation options available. Thankfully, options include the Brewster Bus – which can drop you off right in Kananaskis Village.

3. Finding a Spot

As we said earlier, finding a spot to skate can be more of a matter of decisiveness than availability. That being said, it’s crucial to consider the skill levels of yourself and any other ice skaters along with current conditions. Inexperienced or first-time skaters may want to stick to maintained ice – it’s much easier to learn to skate– or perfect your skating skills– on smooth ice. 

Here are some of our picks for skating spots, maintained and wild, in Kananaskis:

Maintained Ice Skating:

Kananaskis Village Pond

The Village Pond is nestled within the heart of Kananaskis Village near Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Nordic Spa, Forte Restaurant and more. This option is the most accessible for those getting to Kananaskis without a car – just grab the Brewster Bus, get dropped off right in the village, and start skating!

Kananaskis Village Ice Skating Rink

The maintained Ice Skating Rink is also located in Kananaskis Village, and is a complete Ice Hockey Rink –offering players a chance to experience a unique hockey experience with the peaks of the rocky mountains as a stunning backdrop. It too can easily be accessed by the Brewster Bus.

Wild Ice Skating:

Barrier Lake

Barrier Lake is only about an hour’s drive from Calgary, its winter sprawling icescape resting beneath the peaks of Mount Baldy and Yates Mountain. Access the lake’s preferred skating spot by starting at the day-use area.

Wedge Pond

Wedge Pond is also located only about an hour from Calgary, and boasts stunning views of alpine waters encircled by forest. To access the pond, take Kananaskis Trail from Kananaskis Village. Wedge Pond is very close to the Village, so you can even warm up afterwards at Forte Restaurant or Two Trees Bistro.

Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes

Both Upper Kananaskis Lake and Lower Kananaskis Lake are a bit more than an hour’s drive on winter roads from Calgary. The upper and lower portions are divided by an array of walking paths, hiking trails, and day-use areas, making this the ideal spot to spend an afternoon skating, exploring, and overall enjoying K-country’s snowy season.

Spray Lake Reservoir 

As the largest lake in Kananaskis, Spray Lake reservoir is undoubtedly an iconic skating spot. With over 19 sq km to skate on, the ice notoriously reflects the skies above, treating visitors to the experience of skating on clouds. Located just under a 2-hour drive from Calgary, it’s worth the journey.

4. How to Check the Safety of Wild Ice

Checking the ice is an impossible-to-ignore part of preparing for wild ice skating. Being unable to do so due to circumstances or equipment issues should, unfortunately, mean that nobody goes skating. It is incredibly important to check the ice before you skate out onto it to prevent an emergency. Make sure to follow all Canadian Red Cross Guidelines when accessing wild ice.

Location:

Ice safety is primarily determined by the location of the ice in question. Some areas will never produce ice that is safe to skate on, whereas others contain prime conditions for freezing thick slabs of ice. It is safest to skate on still bodies of water, like lakes and ponds. Streams, rivers, and any other flowing water sources should not be used for skating; even if they look frozen there is likely still flow underneath. 

Use extra caution when skating alongside the edge and in the centre of your ice source, as these two spots are the weakest. Lastly, remember that ice thickness won’t be consistent, and continue to use your observation skills as you skate.

Weather:

Current weather conditions have a significant impact on ice skating opportunities, and a spot that was safe to skate on one day could be significantly more dangerous the next. If the temperature has recently swung above 0 c, even briefly, consider the impact this may have had on the integrity of the ice.

Inspect:

You need to determine if the ice is thick enough to support you. Do a visual assessment and look for any cracks, and note the colour of the ice. As a general rule of thumb, darker or clear blue ice is strongest, and grey ice means water. A visual assessment is a great way to do a first analysis of your skating site, but taking a measurement is essential to guarantee ice thickness. Make a hole in the ice using a tool such as an ice pick, shovel, or auger and take the measurement. Only skate on ice that is 20+ cm, or 8 inches, thick.

5. In Case of an Emergency

Spend the day thanking all the effort you put into your health by cycling through the Hydrotherapy circuit at Kananaskis Nordic Spa. With hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, hammocks, and even an exfoliation cabin at your disposal, you will find it hard to engage in anything but relaxation.  The spa’s mantra is “Hot, cold, rest, repeat,” based on the ancient Nordic wisdom behind the wellness benefits of alternating between hot and cold.

Massage treatments are also available, including an aromatherapy massage, custom Relaxation or Therapeutic massage, and time-together massage. During the fall months, enjoy the yellowing mountain scenery as you lay back in a hammock while sporting a luxurious tartan robe. Keeping in the theme of self-appreciation, cap off your day of pampering with a visit to Two Trees Bistro to enjoy Canadian-sourced sharing platters, wines, and craft beers.

This winter, sharpen your skates, grab a stick and puck and discover why Kananaskis is a frozen ice skating paradise!