Planning a Winter Family Vacation in Canmore

Canmore has it all when it comes to winter family vacations. From outdoor adventure to unique activities that will inspire both athletic and creative kids, the Rocky Mountain town is a perfect destination for family vacations, whether in the heat of the summer or the colder winter months. With no shortage of things to do, families will love filling their winter vacation itinerary with an exciting mix of exploring the beautiful outdoor landscapes and having fun splashing in the pool or creating one-of-a-kind crafts.

If you’re considering taking a winter family vacation to Canmore, this guide can help you plan the perfect getaway.

Where to Stay in Canmore

Booking the right accommodations is one of the most important steps for family vacations in winter. You’ll want somewhere that’s centrally located and makes it easy to get to your planned activities. Good food is key, and having a gym for adults and activities for kids to enjoy is incredibly important, too.

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre ticks all the boxes for your family vacation. Here’s what makes us one of the best hotels in Canmore for families:

• On-Site Restaurant: TABLE Food & Drink has expansive menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a great kids’ menu. It’s located inside our hotel, so a good meal is never far away.
• Hot Tub & Pool: We have a hot tub and large heated pool that kids can enjoy splashing around in.
• Fitness Centre: With a Lululemon mirror, two Peloton bikes, and several machines for weight lifting, you can get a workout in while you’re on your family vacation. 
• Tons of Room Options: Our rooms are family-friendly, so the whole family will have a place to sleep. The Coast Two Queens with Patio room sleeps four, while the Coast Premium King Suite with Soaker Tub has a sofa bed. We have rollaway beds available, as well as connecting rooms, and for families travelling with a baby, Pack n’ Play portable play areas are available at no extra charge.
• Pet-Friendly Hotel: With up to two pets per guest room, you really can bring the whole family along for your winter vacation in Canmore.

Outdoor Activities on Your Family Vacation in Canmore

Canmore is world-famous for its easy access to the incredible Rocky Mountains. Getting outside and enjoying everything the surrounding landscape offers is a goal of most family vacations to the town. With so much to do outside, it’s best to have a plan. So here are a few can’t-miss recommendations for your winter family vacation in Canmore.

Cross-Country Ski at the Canmore Nordic Centre

There are many family-friendly downhill ski resorts within an hour or two of Canmore, but you can also strap on skis and try cross-country skiing at one of the world’s top Nordic destinations on your winter ski vacation.

The Canmore Nordic Centre has hosted World Cup events and world championships and was home to the Olympic Cross-Country competitions at the 1988 Olympic Games. It’s a training centre for elite athletes but is also an amazing place to learn how to cross-country ski and enjoy outdoor time together on your winter vacation. Just a short drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, the Nordic Centre rents fat bikes, snowshoes and cross-country skis, and families can book lessons to learn the basics before they head out onto the trails.

Go Dog-Sledding

What could be more quintessentially Canadian than dog-sledding? It’s the perfect activity for family vacations, and both Howling Dog Tours and Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours provide incredible experiences that will get your family outside to explore the stunning natural landscapes around Canmore. With dog welfare being the top priority and tours of varying lengths available, sitting in a sled pulled by healthy, athletic huskies and racing through the wilderness is an exciting option for your family vacation.

Explore Grotto Canyon

Living like the locals do is an important part of family vacations, and nothing says “Canmore” quite like hiking in the mountains. Hiking in winter can be challenging, though, and safety should always be front of mind whenever you go trekking off into the mountains. With that said, Grotto Canyon is a perfect hike for family vacations in winter. Located just 15 minutes outside Canmore, the canyon is easily accessible and transforms into a genuine winter wonderland in the colder months.

Guided tours are available, like the Canyons and Cave Painting Tour, but it’s also possible to explore Grotto Canyon without a guide on family vacations. It’s strongly suggested that anyone hiking in the mountains and in Grotto Canyon use crampons or ice cleats, as it can get slippery, and nothing ruins a winter family vacation like a bad fall.

Enjoy Fireside S’mores

What could be better on a family vacation than a sweet treat to end the day? Every Friday and Saturday at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, families gather around the outdoor fire pits for hot chocolate and s’mores. If you’re staying at our hotel, just ask the concierge for a S’mores kit!

Indoor Activities on Your Family Vacation in Canmore

While Canmore attracts visitors from all over the world because of its reputation as a top destination for outdoor sports, there are many indoor activities to participate in on your family vacation that will keep everyone warm, engaged and active. Especially when the temperatures drop during winter family vacations, there’s no shortage of indoor activities for both parents and kids of all ages. Here’s a look at just a few:

Explore Elevation Place

Elevation Place would be worth visiting even on a beautiful summer day. On a winter family vacation, though, it’s practically the perfect place for a family to spend an afternoon or morning and is only an easy seven-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. Not only is there a competition-sized swimming pool, but there’s also a lazy river and a 25-person hot tub, a fitness centre and a huge climbing gym where both kids and adults can learn how to climb or challenge their existing skills. However, Elevation Place was designed to be a lot more than just a place for guests to be active. It also contains areas perfect for quiet time on a family vacation.

• The Canmore Art Guild features pieces by local artists and includes paintings, photography and sculptures.
• The Canmore Public Library has a huge selection of children’s books and even if you’re not going to sign any of them out, there are quiet reading spaces and kid-focused events and programming most days that families can enjoy.
• Elevation Place also has child-minding services available.

Paint Some Pottery

Getting crafty is a great way to spend time on family vacations, and Crock A Doodle is the perfect place for everyone in the family to be creative and have a little fun. The pottery studio has programs for kids and adults of all ages, including toddlers, and Crock A Doodle’s focus on “fun, not fine art” means you pick a piece of pottery and let your imagination run wild as you decorate it. Then, you leave the painted piece with the studio and pick it up once it’s been professionally glazed and kiln-fired to a bright, shiny, food-safe finish.

Check Out a Hockey Game

If you want something different and authentically small-town Canadian, consider taking your family to a Canmore Eagles game. The team plays in the AJHL, one of the top junior leagues in the country, and draws hockey-mad crowds to the Canmore Recreation Centre for their games. That’s just a six-minute drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

The Eagles schedule sees them play regular games on weekends in town, and their affordably-priced tickets mean your family can watch high-level hockey without completely breaking the bank. The Eagles have built a great team competing at the top of the AJHL in 2024-25, so there’s real excitement surrounding their chances.

Go For a Swim

Whether your kids need to burn off some energy on your winter family vacation or everyone just needs a little time to relax, the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre’s heated indoor pool and hot tub are perfect. The large pool has plenty of space for kids to splash and play, while the hot tub is the perfect way to kick back and treat yourself to a little relaxation after a long day exploring during your family vacation.

Plan a Fun, Memorable Family Vacation This Winter!

A winter family vacation in Canmore promises to be a magical experience for parents and children of all ages. Whether it’s exploring in the mountains, playing in the pool or living like the locals, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre puts you right in the middle of the action.

Plus, since we’re a pet-friendly hotel in Canmore, you can bring your dog along for the fun, too! Book your stay with us online or call us at 800.716.6199.