Enjoy drinks outdoors at Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant’s Ice Bar
When: February 2 and 3
There’s nothing like enjoying a patio in the middle of winter. As part of SnowDays, a celebration of all things winter in Banff, Aperol is taking over the outdoor patio at Three Bears. Stop in at the Ice Bar for a shooter cocktail and beers before you check out the ice carving and live street entertainment on Bear Street. Then take a stroll through downtown Banff from the Whyte Museum to Banff Avenue Square to see all the snow sculptures on display.
205 Bear St., 403-985-8038, threebearsbanff.com
Check out Exposure Photography Festival events in Banff and Canmore
When: Multiple dates in February
Calgary’s Exposure Photography Festival runs throughout February, and there are a few events taking place in the mountains during that time. On Friday, February 2, the Three Sisters Gallery and Canmore Art Guild Gallery are hosting a shared opening reception for the Friends in Focus photography show. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Elevation Place in Canmore, and you can check out the exhibit throughout the month. In Banff, check out the Yixing Teapots exhibition featuring the work of Calgary photographer Ray van Nes at the Willock & Sax Gallery from February 4 to 25.
Elevation Place, 700 Railway Ave., Canmore, 403-678-8920, canmore.ca; Willock & Sax Gallery, 210 Bear St., Banff, 403-762-2214, willockandsaxgallery.com; exposurephotofestival.com
Drink craft beers at the Jasper Beer and Spirits Festival
When: February 9 to 11
Kick off your Super Bowl weekend and become a beer expert at the Jasper Beer and Spirits Festival. There will be beer seminars, keynote speakers and tasting events at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Try some of the best locally crafted beers and ones from across North America and pair your drink samples with delicious food prepared by the Jasper Park Lodge chefs.
1 Old Lodge Rd, Jasper, 780-852-3301, albertabeerfestivals.com
Be among the first to hit the slopes in the morning at Panorama Resort
When: February 16
Ski or snowboard along untouched snow on freshly groomed trails before everyone else at Panorama. New for the 2023-24 winter season, First Tracks is an early lift and guided ski program where you can carve the pristine powder for an hour in the morning with guided access to terrain on the Mile 1 Chairlift with Panorama Ski + Ride School pros, and then enjoy a hot beverage at the Fireside Cafe.
2050 Summit Drive, Panorama, 250-341-4240, panoramaresort.com
Watch outdoor films at the Fernie Mountain Film Festival

When: February 16 and 17
This month, head to the Fernie Community Centre for the 17th annual Fernie Mountain Film Festival. Catch more than a dozen films that include features and shorts highlighting the outdoors, mountain culture, adventurers and passionate global explorers. This year’s features films include Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge, which is about a rock climbing journey, and Bringing the Salmon Home, the story of three Indigenous Nations working to reintroduce salmon in the Columbia River.
Fernie Community Centre, 6 Ave., Fernie, ferniefilmfestival.com