Photo via SnowDays/Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Long after Christmas ends, Canadians have dark winters to contend with. This magical ice festival is the ultimate way to beat those winter blues, and it’s just a short hop, skip and a jump from Calgary.
Banff and Lake Louise will come alive this January with SnowDays, a vibrant celebration that is set to transform the streets of the mountain resort town into a true winter wonderland.
There will be larger-than-life snow sculptures and dazzling ice creations at Lake Louise’s Ice Magic. New this year, you can experience an exciting ice carving competition in the heart of Banff. Plus, there’s skijoring, a hot chocolate trail, beautiful lights, and a lively play area.
It’s the ultimate family-friendly mountain celebration, bound to bring some lively cheer to your January and February. Take a look at what else to expect!
North America’s fastest growing sport, Skijoring, is a breathtaking exhibition of horse-riding, trick-riding and ski stunts. From Jan. 17 to 18, you can see this incredible showcase for free in the afternoons at Banff High School Field.
Head to Banff from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on these dates to see teams of athletes and horses from Skijor Canada perform tricks that will thrill the crowd.
You’ll experience the magic of ice artistry in the heart of Banff from Feb. 6 to 8, when Bear Street transforms into a winter gallery. Twelve world-class carvers will showcase their talent and creativity while going head-to-head in Ice Battles. The event will wrap up with thrilling speed carving challenges, pushing these artists to their creative limits.
Guests at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be treated to a feast for the eyes at Ice Magic 2026. Hotel guests can marvel at the breathtaking ice sculptures that will transform the landscape into frozen galleries.
Watch global carvers bring creations to life in front of your eyes. Massive snowy blocks will be sculpted into intricate designs. Grab a hot chocolate, bundle up and follow the trail of snow sculptures for free throughout downtown Banff from Bear Street to Central Park.
It’s bound to be the ultimate winter escape in the nearby mountains of Banff National Park. Beat the blues with this frosty outdoor festival — just be sure to bundle up.
When: Friday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Time: TBD
Where: Multiple events and locations
Tickets: Free and ticketed options available
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