Planning a Visit to Kananaskis Country
Kananaskis Country is a network of provincial parks and public land covering more than 4,000 square kilometres of the Canadian Rockies, directly west of Calgary. It sits outside Banff National Park, so there is no national park entry fee — but there is a provincial Kananaskis Conservation Pass for parking. Most visitors base themselves in Kananaskis Village, home to Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, with Nakiska ski resort a few minutes up the road.
~55 min
From downtown Calgary via Highway 1 and Highway 40.
Kananaskis Village
The lodge, the Nordic Spa, dining and trailheads.
Nakiska
1988 Olympic alpine venue, closest ski resort to Calgary.
Conservation Pass
Per-vehicle provincial pass required to park.
The Main Areas of Kananaskis Country
- Barrier Lake — the first stop after turning south onto Highway 40, with a visitor information centre, a reservoir popular for paddling and easy lakeside walks.
- Kananaskis Village — the accommodation and dining hub at the base of Mount Kidd, with Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, the Nordic Spa and the Kananaskis Country Golf Course close by.
- Nakiska — the ski area on Mount Allan, just north of the village.
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park — the largest protected area in Kananaskis Country, centred on the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, roughly 20 to 30 km beyond the village.
- Spray Valley Provincial Park — the backcountry corridor between Canmore and the Kananaskis Lakes, home to Mount Engadine Lodge.
Where to Stay: Kananaskis Lodges
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is the main full-service resort in Kananaskis Village and the property most visitors are heading to — it hosts leisure guests, ski groups, weddings and a steady calendar of corporate retreats and conferences. The Kananaskis Nordic Spa, with outdoor hot pools, steam rooms and mountain views, is part of the same resort.
Beyond the village, options range from Mount Engadine Lodge in the Spray Valley to Sundance Lodges near the Kananaskis River, provincial campgrounds in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, and private cabins and vacation rentals throughout the valley. Canmore, about 25 km away, adds a much wider choice of hotels for visitors who want a town base.
Things to Do in Kananaskis
Summer (late May to September)
- Hiking — from the short family walk to Troll Falls to Rawson Lake, Chester Lake and the alpine meadows of Ptarmigan Cirque.
- Paddling — Barrier Lake and the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes.
- Golf — the 36-hole Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette.
- Mountain biking and fishing — trails that connect directly to the village, and trout in the lakes and the Kananaskis River (an Alberta angling licence is required).
- Wildlife — elk, bighorn sheep and deer are common, and bears are active from spring through fall. Keep your distance.
Winter (December to March)
- Skiing at Nakiska — the closest major ski resort to Calgary, with groomed runs suited to families.
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing — groomed Nordic trails around Kananaskis Village and in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
- The Nordic Spa — at its best when the surrounding mountains are under snow.
Seasons, Weather & Winter Travel
Summer brings long daylight and the best hiking, while winter turns the valley into a quieter alternative to the Banff ski areas. Mountain weather changes quickly in every season, so pack layers and rain or wind protection even in July.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Kananaskis Country uses a provincial pass system rather than a Parks Canada pass. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is a per-vehicle parking pass required whenever a vehicle parks at a provincial park or public land site in Kananaskis Country or the Bow Valley. It is linked to a licence plate rather than displayed on the dashboard, and is not needed if you only drive through without parking. Requirements and pricing are set by the Government of Alberta, so check the official Kananaskis Conservation Pass page at Alberta.ca before your trip. How the pass applies to hired vehicles is covered in our Kananaskis transportation planning guide.
Distances & Nearby Destinations
- Downtown Calgary → Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge: ~80 km · ~55 min
- Kananaskis → Canmore: ~25 km · ~20 min
- Kananaskis → Banff: ~55 km · ~45 min
- Kananaskis → Lake Louise: ~105 km · ~1 hr 20 min
Drive times from other parts of Calgary are in how far Kananaskis is from Calgary. Many visitors pair a lodge stay with a few nights elsewhere in the Rockies:
Getting to Kananaskis
There is no scheduled public transit into Kananaskis Country, so visitors either drive or book a private transfer. Which transfer page you need depends on where your trip starts.
Travelling from Calgary?
Private door-to-door service from Calgary hotels, homes and offices to any Kananaskis lodge — for couples, families, corporate groups and resort guests.
Flying into YYC?
Airport pickup, flight tracking, waiting time and direct transportation from Calgary International Airport to your lodge.
Moving on to Banff after your stay? See Kananaskis to Banff private transportation.
Kananaskis Travel FAQs
What is Kananaskis Country?
Kananaskis Country is a network of provincial parks and public land in the Alberta Rockies, directly west of Calgary. It includes Kananaskis Village, Nakiska, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Spray Valley Provincial Park.
Do I need a pass to visit Kananaskis?
You need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park a vehicle at a provincial park or public land site in Kananaskis Country. It is a provincial pass, separate from the Parks Canada pass used in Banff. Confirm current rules on Alberta.ca before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Kananaskis?
June to September is best for hiking, paddling and golf. December to March is best for skiing at Nakiska, cross-country skiing and the Nordic Spa. Shoulder seasons are quieter but trail and road conditions vary.
Where should I stay in Kananaskis?
Most visitors stay at Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis Village. Mount Engadine Lodge, Sundance Lodges, campgrounds and private cabins are the main alternatives, and Canmore is 25 km away if you prefer a town base.
Is Kananaskis closer to Calgary than Banff?
Yes. Kananaskis Village is roughly 80 km from downtown Calgary, while Banff is about 130 km — which is why Kananaskis is a popular day trip and a short-notice weekend escape.
How do I get to Kananaskis without a car?
There is no scheduled public transit. Book a private transfer from Calgary to Kananaskis, or if you are arriving by air, a Calgary Airport to Kananaskis transfer.
