Our Winter Road Trip Itinerary Canada West
If you’re dreaming of a real winter wonderland, there’s no better place than Canada! As the final destination of our world trip, we ventured into this snowy paradise in search of powdery landscapes and the elusive Northern Lights. While we saw plenty of snow, the auroras decided to stay hidden, unfortunately. Below, we’ve shared our winter road trip itinerary through Western Canada, complete with a free Google Maps travel guide Canada West for easy navigation.
TIP: If you want to avoid issues with snow-covered roads as much as possible, stick to the beige route. These roads are best maintained. The beige-and-black-striped route is also doable, but you’re more likely to encounter heavier snow on the route. We kept a close eye on local traffic updates throughout our entire trip. Be sure to check with your car rental company to ensure the vehicle is equipped with winter tires and, ideally, snow chains. In our case, this wasn’t an option, and we ended up driving on a set of all-season tires!
Vancouver (1 day)
Activitities: Vancouver City
Overnight stay: Lisa’s lovely little house, City Gardens Suites B&B
Distance: o km
Our adventure started with a quick exploration of Vancouver. While the city didn’t blow us away, we took a couple of hours to stroll through its streets and tick a few photo spots off our list. You’ll find our favorite accommodations and nice scenic spots saved in our own guide.
Squamish/Whistler (3 days)
Activitities: Whistler Ski Resort, Chief Trail, Blackcomb ascent trail
Overnight stay: Squamish Adventure Inn
Distance: 150 km
We left Vancouver in the rain and arrived in Whistler to a snowy wonderland. While the ski conditions weren’t perfect, there was still plenty of opportunity for skiing and hiking. We split the day between hitting the slopes and hiking to the mountain’s summit via the Blackcomb Ascent Trail. Though this trail isn’t typically accessible in winter, we managed to make it to the top.
Squamish also offers several great hiking trails, including the Chief Trail. It’s definitely worth exploring, but be cautious of slippery rocks. Especially if you end up hiking in the rain!
Kamloops (3 days)
Activities: Sunpeaks Ski Resort
Overnight stay: Best Budget Inn & Suites Kamloops
Distance: 450 km
Sun Peaks Ski Resort is perfect to all levels for skiing, cross-country trails and snowshoe hiking. We stayed in Kamloops to save on accommodation and made the daily drive to Sun Peaks. While Kamloops is practical, the Sun Peaks village itself is incredibly charming and worth a visit. If you are not on a budget, stay in Sun Peaks instead!
Jasper (3 days)
Activities: Marmot Basin Ski Resort, Maligne Canyon, Athabasca Falls
Overnight stay: Maligne Lodge
Distance: 450 km
The drive from Kamloops to Jasper is long but stunning as the snowy landscapes intensify. In Jasper, winter means fewer crowds but also some road closures. Highlights include a trip to Maligne Canyon and the Athabasca Falls. Ski enthusiasts can spend a day or more at Marmot Basin.
NOTE: You’ll need to pay a park entrance fee for Jasper and Banff NP. Instructions will be clearly posted as you enter the park.
Lake Louise (3 days)
Activiteities: Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, Lake Louise (Lake), Fairview Lookout
Overnight stay: HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre
Distance: 250 km
Lake Louise was one of the most breathtaking stops on our winter road trip! We did explore the Ski Resort of Lake Louise, as well as snowshoe hiking at the lake. Don’t miss the stunning views over the lake of Lake Louise from Fairview Lookout.
Banff (3 days)
Activities: Johnston Canyon, Mount Norquay Ski Resort, Sunshine Village Ski Resort
Overnight stay: YWCA Banff Hotel
Distance: 50 km
The short drive from Lake Louise to Banff allowed time for a stop at Johnston Canyon, where a frozen waterfall awaits at the end of the trail. Banff offers two ski resorts: Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village. Mount Norquay has a nice tube park for a fun afternoon sliding down the slopes and is the smaller resort of the two. Sunshine Village is larger and has the most spectacular views on a sunny day.
Calgary (2 days)
Activities: Calgary City Center, Olympic Oval
Overnight stay: Econo Lodge Motel Village
Distance: 150 km
Leaving the snow behind, we arrived in Calgary with clear roads and plenty of time to explore the city. Our visit coincided with the Speed Skating World Cup at the Olympic Oval, where we snagged last-minute tickets. It was a nice experience and the perfect way to end our world trip! If you are flying to Canada, you’ll most likely start or end your trip in Calgary.
