7 Charming Small Towns In Alberta That Will Transport You To A Magical Winter Wonderland
All the Hallmark vibes! 🎄❄️
Mountain in Banff. Right: Town of Banff in the winter.
The holiday season is upon us and if you're looking for a day trip to give you those festive vibes, there are a ton of small towns in Alberta that look like they've been plucked straight out of a Hallmark movie.
You can stroll through twinkling streets illuminated by colourful lights, taking in the breathtaking mountain views and embracing the small-town charm in these spots.
These small towns have Christmas lights, cozy cafes and tons of cute stores to take care of any holiday shopping and they're all gorgeous to visit when it's snowing, too.
If you're itching to get into the holiday mood and want those Hallmark movie feels, then now is the time to visit these adorable small towns in Alberta.
Banff
Why You Need To Go: Most towns in Alberta don't get quite as festive as Banff. The town is surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains with tons of amazing winter hikes, and loads of holiday activities and events to visit. You can also head to one of the town's many cafes or restaurants and just watch the world go by.
Lacombe
Why You Need To Go: This Central Alberta spot is packed to the brim with pretty vintage buildings with tons of unique shops, restaurants and cafes. A walk down Lacombe's historic main street in the snow is basically like being in your own movie.
It's technically a city, but it's brimming with all the small town charm you could need this season.
Jasper
Why You Need To Go: This gorgeous mountain town is a must-visit if you love being outdoors in winter with tons of activities like skiing, skating and snowshoeing. It's also a huge dark sky preserve so you might even catch the Northern Lights.
Sylvan Lake
Why You Need To Go: Throughout winter, the town of Sylvan Lake is covered in thousands of twinkling lights for the perfect evening walk. You can grab a hot chocolate and check out the displays or try out one of the town's glowing ice rinks.
Canmore
Why You Need To Go: Canmore has tons of cute little boutiques and cafes to visit throughout the winter, all surrounded by stunning mountains. You could also stay the night at one of its many hotels and some even have outdoor hot tubs so you can relax and take in the views.
Bragg Creek
Why You Need To Go: Just under 45 minutes from Calgary, the town of Bragg Creek feels like a world away. In winter, it's one of the best spots for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing around. If you like to explore all year long and are up for snowy adventures and winter beauty, this is the spot to go.
Camrose
Why You Need To Go: Just outside of Edmonton, Camrose is a beautiful place to visit in the winter. Downtown has a ton of unique stores, historic buildings and spots to explore. There are also outdoor skating rinks and a luge track if you love winter sports.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on December 3, 2022.
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