Fewer Crowds, More Magic: A Winter Staycation in the Canadian Rockies for Families With Toddlers

Ice skating on Lake Louise

During the winter months, infamous Lake Louise freezes over and you can go ice skating on it. Don’t worry about traveling with ice skates if you’re flying in or have a long road trip ahead—you can rent ice skates (alongside other winter sports gear) from “Chateau Ski and Snow Rentals” located inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Experience the SnowDays Festival

Every January, Banff and Lake Louise come alive with their annual SnowDays Festival. See larger-than-life snow sculptures in the streets of downtown Banff, watch Lake Louise sparkle with stunning ice creations during “Ice Magic,” keep warm by choosing between 30 restaurants and cafes participating in the “Hot Chocolate Trail,” watch the “Art of Ice: Carving Competition," and more!

Embark on an easy winter hike

Trails like Johnston Canyon and Peyton Lake are short, easily accessible trails even your little ones can complete that also offer a gorgeous view.

Ride up the Banff Gondola

The whole family will be in awe as your gondola cabin takes you on a scenic ride up Sulphur Mountain. At the top, marvel at the view, explore the “Above Banff Interpretive Centre” interactive exhibit, or enjoy a meal with a view at one of the three mountain-top restaurants. Not to mention, children under 5-years-old get free admission up the Banff Gondola with a paying adult ticket.

Drive the Icefields Parkway

With the cold Canadian weather, you can still enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Canadian Rockies without leaving the warmth of your car. The Icefields Parkway is a scenic 232 km (144 mile) highway that spans between Banff and Jasper National Parks, one-way. You absolutely do not have to drive the whole thing in one day—unless, of course, your plan is to spend a couple days up north in Jasper as well.

Rather, you can drive as far north as you feel comfortable, enjoy the scenic views in the warm of your car, pull-off the highway at any of the various view-points along the highway to get some photos, and turn around whenever you’re ready to head back to your hotel or start another activity.

Relax & enjoy the mountain views from your hotel or chalet

The views of Banff are an experience in themselves. I highly recommend booking a hotel room with a mountain view (or, at the very least, a hotel that offers mountain views from their common area) so you can relax, read a book, play a card game with the kids, and marvel at how beautiful the view truly is.

• Farm & Fire: Popular for their farm-fresh, wood-fired menu, Farm & Fire offers a “Spring Chickens” (12 and under) menu with a flexible variety no matter your little one’s palette. All dinner items off the “Spring Chickens” menu also come with an ice cream sandwich.

• Bear Street Tavern: Find pizzas, sandwiches, and even mac & cheese at this casual, family-friendly restaurant. They also have daily specials if your family is traveling on a budget.

• YAMA Onigiri: If you have a little one with a more adventurous palette, YAMA Onigiri offers a pretty unique experience for a quick lunch or snack. Serving Japanese rice balls, known as onigiri, try one (or more) of their various flavors from their vending machine at the front of the store (which is refilled throughout the day), place a pick-up order to take it as a mid-adventure snack, or sit inside of their restaurant. Their restaurant seating area is smaller so I’d recommend taking your order to-go if possible.

• The Old Spaghetti Factory: You can never go wrong with the family-friendly, casual dining menu from Old Spaghetti Factory. With their "It's All Included" and Italian-inspired casual fares, the whole family will leave full and happy. Their kid's menu also has quite the variety, so whether your little one wants pizza, chicken fingers, or to choose between their different pastas offered, there is bound to be something they'll enjoy.

• BeaverTails: If you are visiting from outside of Canada, you absolutely have to stop and grab yourself a BeaverTail for a midday snack or dessert. BeaverTails are deep-fried dough shaped like a beaver’s tail and coated in sugar, then topped with a variety of sauces, spreads, and toppings of your choosing. It is an indulgent, must-try treat.