The dreary winter months feel like they stretch on endlessly sometimes, but an escape from the city can be just the thing to shake it up. A getaway to a dreamy small town in Alberta can leave you feeling like you escaped into a Hallmark movie, with their cozy cafes, picturesque streets, and mountain views.
These Alberta small towns are as charming as it gets and come alive during the winter months. They make for the ideal day trip from Calgary — all less than three hours away — so you can spend your weekend afternoon exploring.
Get your road trip playlist ready, because here are nine quaint small towns in Alberta to visit this season.
Sylvan Lake
In the summer months this small town is filled with beach-goers, but when the lake freezes over the shoreline is lit up under twinkling lights that transform it into a wintry village.
Less than two hours from Calgary you can spend the day here ice skating at one of the three rinks, wandering around town shopping, or trying your hand at ice fishing.
The cold weather is really embraced here because every year in mid-February there's a giant ice slide that you can try out and snow karts you can rent to channel your inner kid. After going for a ride you can head into one of the ice fishing shacks on the lake, or go explore one of the snowshoeing trails.
Kananaskis Village
This small community is the place to go to escape the crowds that come with some of the resort towns in Alberta. Even in the winter it's perfect for exploring, with lots of natural beauty.
The real draw here in the colder months though is Kananaskis Nordic Spa. Just a 45-minute drive from Calgary and you'll be at this mountain retreat, perfect for winding down after the busy holiday season. Go through the thermal circuit here and breathe in the mountain air while you're at it.
Banff & Lake Louise
The small town of Banff and the nearby village of Lake Louise are situated in the beautiful Banff National Park. If you live in Alberta you likely are familiar with Banff, since it's pretty iconic and only an hour and a half from Calgary.
It deserves every bit of the praise that it gets though as one of the most recognized destinations in the province. You've got cozy small-town vibes but with a ton of restaurants and shopping, and then the outdoor adventures are unbeatable. You can ski, go dog sledding, skate, or just roam around town and take in the views.
Canmore
This small town was ranked as one of the top 'detour destinations' in the world, known for having fewer crowds than Banff but just as much beauty.
The trademark peaks here are the Three Sisters Mountain, which is the stunning backdrop for the town. The bustle of city life will melt away here as you explore the stunning nature, pop in and out of the local shops, and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
Cochrane
You can take a step back in time in this little town with its historic buildings around its downtown area. It has Western roots and is nestled in a beautiful landscape of rolling foothills and mountains in the distance.
Just 30 minutes outside of Calgary the town is a hot spot for visitors, with lots of shops and restaurants you can explore.
Camrose
Around three hours away from Calgary this small town involves a bigger journey, but is well worth it. Camrose is actually a city but has a historic downtown area and a charming church that makes it feel like a tiny town. It's an idyllic spot with a calm lakeside, cozy coffee spots, and rows of cute shops.
The downtown area is vibrant with beautiful murals around, making for a perfect afternoon spent just strolling around. There are also 10 outdoor skating rinks here and lots of beautiful winter-friendly trails to get out and explore. The Camrose Heritage Railway Station & Park is also a cool place to stop by with its historic buildings and gardens.
Small-town exploring awaits!
6 dreamy small towns less than 3 hours from Calgary to explore this winter
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