Authentic Indigenous Winter Experiences in Alberta

Winter in Alberta lends itself equally well to getting active or settling in for a much-needed rest. The shorter, colder days of the season are a time of spiritual renewal, connecting with family, storytelling and ceremony for diverse First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in this area.

“Winter is the most overlooked season,” says Tracey Klettl, a descendant of the Cree and Mohawk people from the area that is now Jasper National Park and co-owner of Painted Warriors Ranch. “Seasonality is so important to Indigenous Peoples,” Klettl says. “We don’t fear winter. It’s a peaceful time when you learn to live with the rhythm of the land.”

There’s something special about experiencing a winter in Alberta with someone who is deeply connected to the land. Whether you’re eager to embrace the season and crunch through the fresh-fallen snow with a guide or prefer to indulge in a holistic wellness ritual at a spa or a hearty meal, an Indigenous tourism operator can give you a fresh perspective on winter. 

Here are just some of the best Indigenous tours and things to do in winter in Alberta.

Outdoor winter Indigenous experiences in Alberta

With plenty of blue skies and sunshine here in winter, it’s hard to resist playing outside in Alberta. The list of adventures led by Indigenous tour operators is vast, including traditional activities like snowshoeing and animal tracking, and contemporary adventures like ice climbing and MoonBiking.

Snowshoe treks in Elk Island National Park with Talking Rock Tours

Snowshoeing is one of the most authentic Indigenous experiences you can have. 

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada and Native Americans in the United States have long used snowshoes to travel snow-covered landscapes. More than just footwear, snowshoes were essential to winter survival. They are also a reflection of culture. Traditional snowshoe designs vary between tribes who adapted them to best tackle the terrain they encountered. 

Trekking over deep snow in snowshoes is slow travel that allows you to better connect with the land. 

“Sometimes we get so busy in our lives that we forget about the land,” says Keith Diakiw, a proud Métis man and owner of Talking Rock Tours, the only operator offering snowshoeing in Elk Island National Park, about 48 km (30 mi) east of Edmonton.

“Snowshoeing is a traditional mode of transportation that allows you to connect with the land in an authentic way,” he says. “I love winter snowshoe tours in Elk Island National Park because I see less people and more wildlife.”

Snowshoe tours in the Canadian Rockies from Zuc’min Guiding

If you want to bring your snowshoeing to a higher altitude, try a guided excursion in the mountains around Banff and Canmore with Zuc’min Guiding.

Tim Patterson is a First Nations ACMG-certified hiking guide with winter and wilderness first responder accreditation. It means Patterson can safely lead groups both on and off-trails—while enlightening them with his traditional Indigenous knowledge. His goal? For all his guests get to know the mountains like they never have before. 

Guided ice climbing in Banff and Nordegg with Girth Hitch Guiding

Hoisting yourself up the frosty surface of a frozen waterfall is absolutely attainable with an ice climbing trip in the Canadian Rockies from Girth Hitch Guiding. 

Tim Taylor, the owner and main guide, is a Métis man who believes adventure can be transformational. He doesn’t want his guests to conquer mountains. He wants their time in the mountains to help them conquer their own fears and limitations. 

Tim and his ACMG-certified team believe that the mountains can nurture us holistically and spiritually. Alberta’s mountains provide challenges that allow you to be more and do more. 

Girth Hitch Guiding offers a variety of ice climbing experiences to choose from including half-day, full-day and multi-day tours and classes in Banff National Park and in David Thompson Country, along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Archery, survival skills, snowshoeing and animal tracking with Painted Warriors Ranch

At Painted Warriors Ranch near Sundre, winter is a chance for visitors to try out authentic winter survival skills. In winter, ranch guests can enjoy guided snowshoe tours, animal tracking, survival skills and archery on a vast expanse of private land. There are also cozy heated cabins for overnight stays, plus bonfires, storytelling and stargazing. 

The ranch has seemingly endless wide-open spaces and forested areas and owners Tracey Klettl and Tim Mearns love sharing an Indigenous perspective on the frosty season with their winter guests. 

“Winter is a peaceful time and even though snow covers the ground, the land still has everything we need,” says Klettl.

Speed over the snow on MoonBikes at Rural Rivers

There’s a new winter adventure in Sturgeon County, just outside of Edmonton: MoonBiking. A MoonBike is a bit of a bike-snowmobile hybrid. These ultra-light, quiet electric snow bikes can be rented from Rural Rivers, a Métis-owned and operated business, for use on their large property.

It’s a fun and high-speed way to explore snowy trails, spend a day outside, and earn some rosy cheeks. They also rent snowshoes from their shop in Sturgeon County and they offer guided snowshoe tours for groups. Plus, in early 2026, they will debut beautiful new cabins on the property.

In summer they offer canoe and kayak rentals and guided paddling tours on the Sturgeon River, the North Saskatchewan River and on Big Lake in Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park.

Indigenous Wellness Experiences in Alberta

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada and Native Americans in the United States have a long history of holistic healing that is deeply tied to their cultures. Operators are tapping into traditional knowledge to offer experiences for any guest in need of some rest and rejuvenation.

Sage and Spruce Indigenous Spa at Métis Crossing

Métis Crossing, an Indigenous cultural centre about 90 minutes (120 km, 75 mi) northeast of Edmonton, is expanding in winter 2026 with the addition of new spa and wellness experiences. 

The expansion includes a cedar-infused sauna, cold plunge and massage treatment rooms opening in January 2026. The massage offerings will mix modern approaches with traditional Métis wellness practices.

“The core of our plan is the infinity trail in the shape of our flag, with the west side honouring our First Nations ancestry and the east side honouring our European ancestry,” says Juanita Marois, Chief Executive Officer of Métis Crossing. 

"The pathway will be surrounded with traditional plants and along the trail traditional knowledge such as buffalo teachings will be shared," says Marois. "We can learn a lot from the buffalo. When a storm comes, the buffalo turns and faces it. They walk through it rather than away. This practice teaches us how to face the storms in life."

You can also enjoy cultural experiences led by a Métis Elder and outdoor activities like ice-skating, cross-country skiing and tobogganing. There’s an onsite wildlife park where you can see rare white bison, a historic village and a restaurant. Overnight accommodations include a 40-room lodge and cozy sky-watching domes that allow you to see the night sky—and potentially the northern lights—from the comfort of your bed.

Indulge in a wilderness spa, a real trading post and a trapline tour at the Woods Experience

Surrounded by the northern boreal forest northwest of Edmonton, The Woods Experience is home to a unique wilderness Nordic spa. And it really is wild, with a wood-fired hot tub, a barrel sauna, a cold plunge and a fire lounge all surrounded by the forest. 

The property is owned and operated by Wendy Poseluzny and Kendra Dudzic, a Métis woman and her daughter-in-law, who host retreats and workshops to share traditional knowledge and skills with guests. Accommodations are off-grid, but still luxurious with several cozy cabins and, in the warm months, a traditional tipi.

There’s also the option to participate in a trapline tour that allows you to accompany a hunter/trapper on wild trails in search of game. And, at the onsite Native Wild Trading Post, you can purchase the works of local Indigenous artisans.

Try Indigenous restaurants in Alberta

How can you get a taste of Indigenous culture in Alberta? Indigenous food is a good place to start. Food is a cornerstone of culture, reflecting history, traditions and values.

Have a seat in kokum’s kitchen at Bernadette’s Restaurant in Edmonton

Bernadette’s Restaurant was named for Chef Scott Iserhoff’s kokum (or grandmother). This restaurant in downtown Edmonton evokes the feeling of comfort that comes from sitting at your grandma’s table. 

The menu celebrates traditional flavours and seasonal local ingredients. Menu items like bison cheeks, barbecue brisket and elk carpaccio are served with warm bannock bread (a traditional flatbread that is fried or baked), alongside saskatoon berry jam. A selection of Indigenous wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages is also on the menu.

Try pemmican pepperoni pizza at Little Chief Restaurant near Calgary

Located at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on the Tsuut'ina Nation outside of Calgary, Little Chief Restaurant serves seasonal contemporary cuisine with Indigenous flair. 

Help yourself to warm saskatoon berry soup, bannock tacos, bison steak or Three Sisters’ gnocchi named for a nearby mountain range—all Indigenous-inspired menu items. There’s also a pepperoni pizza made with local honey and pemmican, a high-protein traditional food made with dried meat, rendered fat and berries.

Restaurant guests can stay overnight at the resort and catch big-name concerts and shows, too.