Visit Fernie for the Griz Days festival
When: March 1 to 3
For more than 45 years, Fernie has been celebrating Griz Days, a fun and wild weekend with activities and live entertainment for the whole family. It’s Fernie’s largest event — think winter carnival with sporting events and zany competitions like snow golf, an outdoor history scavenger hunt, bed races, wing eating contests and more. There are photo ops and programming all throughout Fernie, and the fireworks and Griz Day Parade are not to be missed.
Multiple locations around Fernie, B.C., ferniegrizdays.com
Ride the new chairlift at Marmot Basin in Jasper
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The high alpine terrain at Jasper’s Marmot Basin has long been inaccessible, but now with the new Knob Quad chairlift, advanced skiers and snowboarders can access the peak and expert terrain at Marmot Cirque. The fixed-grip quad unloads at 2,518 metres (the highest point), and will get you to the top in under eight minutes so you can rip fresh lines in the steep bowls and chutes of the upper mountain.
1 Marmot Rd., Jasper, 780-852-3816, skimarmot.com
Watch world-class biathletes compete in Canmore
When: March 11 to 17
This month, Canmore will see 200 athletes from 25 nations competing in the BMW IBU Biathalon World Cup. Come and cheer on the world’s best at the Canmore Nordic Centre as races are free to attend (VIP packages are available as well). Overall globe winners will be awarded, including the Nations Cup Champions.
Canmore Nordic Centre, Canmore, canmorebiathlon.ca
Play games and activities at the Banff Winter Carnival
When: All month
Banff held its first Winter Carnival in 1917 with curling and hockey competitions, broom ball tournaments and swim races. It was a big reason why Banff is now one of the world’s premier winter sport destinations. The event is back and on now until April 1, so head up to the Cave and Basin for winter activities like mini curling and box hockey and to check out all the vintage photos and films from those original glory days.
311 Cave Avenue, Banff, 403-762-1566, pc.gc.ca
Get the outdoor Sugar Shack experience at the Fairmont Banff Springs
When: Until March 31
Nothing says Canadian winter like maple taffy and ice-skating. If you’re heading up to the Fairmont Banff Springs this month, there’s a pop-up Sugar Shack next to the skating rink on the Vermillion Lawn where you can order hot chocolate and warm hand pies to enjoy from Thursdays to Sundays. There’s also a Sugar Shack Dining Series experience featuring maple-infused classic dishes served outdoors in a heated 360° Dome on Fridays and Saturday nights that can be booked in advance.
405 Spray Avenue, Banff, 403-762-2211, banff-springs-hotel.com
Immerse yourself in a multimedia light show at the top of Banff’s Sulphur Mountain
When: Until March 31
Nightrise, the immersive light and sound experience at the Banff Gondola, launched in 2021 and is back for another season. Created by Montreal’s Moment Factory, Pursuit Adventures and the Stoney Nakoda Nation, it’s an unforgettable after-dark sensory experience that blends digital art installations with videos, music and Indigenous storytelling. Nightrise runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ticket prices start at $58.
100 Mountain Ave., Banff Gondola at base of Sulphur Mountain, Banff, 866-756-1904, banffjaspercollection.com
