Town of Banff

Ice Skating

Indoor Ice Skating

The Fenlands, Banff's new recreation centre, offers two indoor ice sheets for skating and hockey, as well as a four curling sheets. Drop in and league play available.

• recreational public skating
• casual shinny hockey
• organized hockey for all ages and levels
• curling leagues
• figure skating
  

To check ice schedules, including public skate hours, call 403.762.1235

Outdoor Ice Skating

New in 2012 - Snow Days Skating Rink in Downtown Banff
Located on the grounds of the Banff High School, the new outdoor skating rink is operated by the Town of Banff for visitor and resident enjoyment. The rink is open daily until 10 p.m., conditions permitting, for casual skating only - no hockey pucks please. Skate rentals are available at outlets listed below.
 
The Town of Banff also offers outdoor skating at The Fenlands, Banff Recreation Centre, on Norquay Road has an outdoor rink that is open for free public skating during the winter months. Skate rentals are available on-site. For more information call the recreation centre at 403.762.1235

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel operates the Waldhaus Rink, located just below the Waldhaus restaurant behind the hotel. The rink is most easily accessed from the Bow Falls Parking lot (off Spray Avenue). The rink features a warming hut and bonfire. It is not patrolled.

• Please call Community Services at 403.762.1251 to check on other outdoor rinks

At Lake Louise, there is a cleared rink with a bonfire area in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise from November through April.

Ice skates can be rented through:

• The Fenlands, Banff Recreation Centre, for use at the facility only
  
• Snow Tips/Backtrax, located on Bear Street in downtown Banff
  
• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
• Wilson Mountain Sports at Samson Mall in Lake Louise
  
• Monod's Sports in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Natural Ice Surfaces

When conditions permit, an oval is cleared for skating on the Bow River, accessible from Central Park in downtown Banff as part of the Mountain Madness race. Note that this is not a maintained rink, and that river flow may impact the ice's thickness from day to day. Other natural ice surfaces include:

• Forty-Mile Creek to Vermilion Lakes
• Johnson Lake
• Two Jack Lake
• Lake Minnewanka
  

None of these areas are maintained or patrolled. Be aware of ice thickness and use at your own risk. If you are thinking about skating outdoors on a frozen body of water, the Parks Canada Website provides detailed information about the risks of outdoor skating, and suggestions for how to be prepared.