Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail: Winter Guide & Tips

If you’re looking for a snowshoe trail in Kananaskis with a great payoff for your effort, Chester Lake is one of the best options. The Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail starts with a steady climb through the forest, but you’re rewarded with a beautiful open meadow, deep snow and incredible views of the surrounding mountains. It’s a very popular winter trail in Kananaskis, and for good reason!

As Canmore locals, we’ve explored plenty of Kananaskis snowshoe trails over the years, but Chester Lake remains our all-time favourite. We return almost every winter, and it’s the mountain scenery that keeps us coming back. There’s something special about reaching that wide-open meadow after the climb, with snow-covered peaks towering above you. We also love getting off the packed trail and playing in the deep snow.

The Chester Lake snowshoe is a moderate winter outing, with most of the elevation gain coming in the first part of the trail. Once you’ve finished the climb, the terrain becomes much easier, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery on your way to Chester Lake. Depending on the snow conditions, you can also do Chester Lake as a winter hike with microspikes, although we prefer snowshoes for exploring the deep snow in the meadow.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about snowshoeing Chester Lake, including the trail distance and difficulty, where to park, what to expect along the route, and whether snowshoes or winter hiking boots are the better choice. We’ll also cover the optional side trip to Elephant Rocks and some important winter safety considerations.

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Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail: Quick Facts

How Long is the Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail?

The Chester Lake snowshoe trail follows a different path than the summertime Chester Lake hiking trail. The total there-and-back distance of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail is 7.4 km. If you add on a visit to the nearby Elephant Rocks, the total round-trip distance becomes 8.4 km.

How Much Elevation Gain Is There?

You will get all the uphill sections of the Chester Lake snowshoe out of the way in the first 2.8 km. Over this span you will gain 310 m in elevation. The first 1.7 km is fairly steep, but it’s manageable if you’re in reasonable shape and wearing snowshoes or appropriate winter hiking traction devices.

Once you’ve made it past the first 2.8 km of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail, the rest is either flat or downhill.

Visiting the Elephant Rocks will add an additional 30-35 m of elevation gain to the overall Chester Lake snowshoe.

How Difficult Is the Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail?

We have done the Chester Lake snowshoe trail with a wide variety of people, ranging from our kids (aged 4 & 6) to grandparents. The 310 m incline over the first 2.8 km can be a bit tough on people who aren’t accustomed to mountain hiking.

That said, everyone we’ve gone to Chester Lake with has made it to the lake and back, so it’s do-able for most people. We’d rate Chester Lake snowshoe trail as a moderate Kananaskis snowshoe trail.

How Long Does It Take to Snowshoe Chester Lake?

It should take a typical adult about 2 hours to snowshoe the full there-and-back distance of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail.

When we recently did Chester Lake snowshoe with our kids we were a bit slower, completing the full distance in 3.5 hours.

Alternatives to the Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail

As much as we love the Chester Lake snowshoe trail, the climb through the forest can be challenging, especially for beginners or families with younger kids. If you’re looking for an easier snowshoe trail in Kananaskis, there are several great options within a short drive of Chester Lake.

Here are three of our favourites:

• Hogarth Lakes Snowshoe: This 4.2 km loop is one of our favourite easy snowshoe trails in Kananaskis. With only 109 m of elevation gain, it’s much easier than Chester Lake, but you still get excellent mountain views, snowy forests and frozen lakes. It’s a great option for beginners and families with kids. The trailhead is at the nearby Burstall Pass Day Use Area.
• Sawmill Loop Snowshoe: Just down the Smith-Dorrien Highway from Chester Lake, this 5.1 km loop has 216 m of elevation gain. You’ll snowshoe through beautiful evergreen forests, alongside frozen creeks and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. There are a few uphill sections, but overall it’s a more manageable option than Chester Lake.
• Shark Lake Snowshoe: If you’d prefer a flatter trail but don’t mind a longer outing, Shark Lake is another great option. This 8 km return snowshoe has only 190 m of elevation gain, with mostly gentle terrain through the forest. We’ve done this one with our kids, and it’s a fun way to enjoy the deep snow without a long, steep climb. The trailhead is near the Mount Shark Day Use Area.

All three trails are accessible from the Smith-Dorrien Highway, making them convenient alternatives if you’re already planning to visit Chester Lake. Keep in mind that even an easy snowshoe trail can feel challenging after a big snowfall, especially if you’re breaking trail through deep snow.

For even more options, see our guide to the best easy Kananaskis snowshoe trails, where we share more of our favourite beginner-friendly winter outings.

What to Expect on the Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail

Snowshoeing Through the Forest

The first half of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail runs through a dense evergreen forest. The snow-covered branches give the trail a magical wintery feeling, while the fluffy snow-covered rocks and tree stumps on the ground complete the winter ambience. Most of the steep portions of trail occur within this forest.

The Chester Lake Meadow and Mountain Views

After the climb, the Chester Lake snowshoe trail opens into a beautiful meadow surrounded by mountains. This is one of our favourite parts of the trail. The snow surrounding the trail can be incredibly deep and fluffy, making it a fun place to explore on snowshoes.

The wide-open trail through the Chester Lake meadow provides excellent views of the surrounding mountain peaks. If you visit on a day with a clear-blue sky, you’ll be treated to some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Canadian Rockies. We especially enjoy the massive rock wall created by Mount Chester along the right-hand side.

Chester Lake and Elephant Rocks

Having a picnic lunch along the shores of Chester Lake is one of our favourite things to do in Kananaskis. When you reach the lake, watch for a small log bridge which crosses Chester Creek. This leads to a nice little patch of forest alongside the lakeshore.

A visit to the nearby Elephant Rocks is a fun extension of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail. These huge boulders are actually especially nice when they are covered with fluffy snow. The side trail to the Elephant Rocks can be found on the north-west side of Chester Lake.

Chester Lake: Snowshoes or Winter Hiking Boots?

Most people think of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail as a place to go snowshoeing, but it’s also a great option for winter hiking when conditions allow. So, is it better to snowshoe Chester Lake or hike it with winter boots and microspikes? We’ve done both and enjoyed each, but there are some important pros and cons to consider before deciding which is best for you.

Chester Lake Snowshoe: Pros and Cons

The best part of snowshoeing Chester Lake is playing in the deep snow off the main trail in the wide-open meadow near Chester Lake. The Chester Lake meadow often looks like a pile of giant marshmallows. If you love snowshoeing through deep, fluffy snow, this is one of our favourite places in Kananaskis to do it.

One downside to snowshoeing Chester Lake is that it’s such a popular winter trail in Kananaskis that the snow is often packed down by other hikers and snowshoers. When the trail is hard-packed, snowshoes aren’t usually necessary, and winter hiking boots with microspikes may be a better option.

Snowshoes still provide excellent traction, but their biggest advantage is allowing you to explore the deep snow off the main trail, especially in the open meadow near Chester Lake.

Chester Lake Winter Hike: Pros and Cons

The best part of doing Chester Lake as a winter hike is having smaller (and lighter) winter hiking traction devices on your winter boots instead of big, bulky snowshoes. As mentioned above, unless you are the first one on the Chester Lake trail after a heavy snowfall, you likely won’t need snowshoes to manage any deep snow.

Shop Kahtoola MICROspikes

One of my favourite parts of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail is playing in the deep snow in the upper meadow. Without snowshoes, you could sink waist-deep into the snow, making it difficult to get back out. If you aren’t the type to play in the deep snow, you can probably skip the snowshoes and use some microspikes for the Chester Lake winter hike.

Overall, I’d recommend doing Chester Lake as a snowshoe trail. Snowshoeing in the deep snow in the meadow near Chester Lake is one of the most fun things to do in Kananaskis in winter, and it makes wearing snowshoes worthwhile.

Chester Lake Snowshoe Trailhead, Parking and Directions

The Chester Lake snowshoe trail starts at the Chester Lake parking lot in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, within Kananaskis Country.

The fastest way to get from Calgary to Chester Lake is to turn south on Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40) and drive all the way to the winter gate, where you turn right on Kananaskis Lakes Trail. In a few minutes you’ll make another right onto the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (Highway 742). This very scenic drive should take you almost 2 hours.

As Chester Lake is in Kananaskis Country, you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park here.

Staying Near Chester Lake: Mount Engadine Lodge

Given the drive from Calgary to Chester Lake is nearly 2 hours, consider treating yourself to a weekend at the outstanding Mount Engadine Lodge. This remote mountain lodge is the only place to stay for miles around, but it is remarkably close to a lot of our favourite Kananaskis winter activities.

If you drive out Friday night, you’ll enjoy a short 8 minute drive to the Chester Lake snowshoe trail on Saturday morning. In addition, some of our favourite winter activities in Kananaskis are only minutes away from the Mt. Engadine Lodge, including the Rummel Lake snowshoe, the Shark Lake snowshoe trail, Watridge Lake / Karst Spring multi-use trail and the Hogarth Lakes snowshoe trail.

Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail Map

If you’re like me, you’ll want to have a map of this snowshoe trail on your phone. Within the AllTrails app, the trail called “Chester Lake and Elephant Rocks” correctly shows the winter snowshoeing hiking trail. Be sure to download the snowshoe map for offline use as you will not have a cell signal anywhere along the trail.

The Chester Lake snowshoe trail is well marked with the familiar bright orange triangle signs found on most Kananaskis snowshoe trails. These orange signs are posted at frequent intervals, but there are a few unmarked intersections, so having a map on your phone helps you stay on track.

Snowshoeing Chester Lake with Kids

Chester Lake isn’t on many lists of kid-friendly Kananaskis snowshoe trails due to its moderate difficulty. But in our experience, if your kids are fairly active then they will probably enjoy snowshoeing to Chester Lake, just budget a little more time.

We’ve found that our kids get bored faster snowshoeing than they do hiking in summer. They can’t run around as easily, and many of the little treasures they enjoy finding on hikes are buried under the snow.

If you can keep your kids motivated on the first 2 km of this Kananaskis snowshoe trail, then you’ll have it made. The first 2 km is the steepest part and it’s relatively easy from then on. Once you reach the open meadow at the top near Chester Lake, they’ll have a ball snowshoeing in the deep snow around the meadow.

Another fun activity to do while snowshoeing Chester Lake with kids is to look for animal tracks in the snow – find as many different kinds as you can and try to guess which animal made them.

Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break

Our favourite place to stop for lunch is right beside Chester Lake. When you reach the lake, cross the small wooden bridge on your right. You’ll find a sheltered patch of trees along the lakeshore where you can take a break and enjoy the mountain scenery.

There are no picnic tables or benches around Chester Lake, so a winter picnic blanket is a nice treat if you have room in your day pack. We always seem to forget ours and we end up with cold butts every time!

Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail Safety and Conditions

Kananaskis Wildlife Safety

Bears should be hibernating during the middle of winter, although it’s worth being cautious in early winter and spring. Other wildlife, including wolves, cougars and elk, can still be active, so keep your guard up. Take a few minutes and read “Living with Wildlife” by Alberta Parks.

Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail Conditions and Closures

It’s always a good idea to check the Chester Lake snowshoe trail conditions before you leave home. Alberta Parks publishes a Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail Report which details any area closures, known animal risks, etc.

Note: This shouldn’t impact snowshoers, but the Chester Lake Trail is closed from May 1 to June 29 every year.

Chester Lake Avalanche Risk

One of the top reasons why the Chester Lake snowshoe is so popular is the incredible mountain scenery around the lake. The snow-covered peaks of Mt. Chester (3,054 m), Mt. Galatea (3,185 m) and Gusty Peak (3,000 m) are beautiful, but being so close to these mountains comes with a risk: avalanches.

We highly recommend consulting the Kananaskis Avalanche Danger Report published by Avalanche Canada before you go. The snowshoe up to Chester Lake and the Elephant Rocks are in the “Below Treeline” zone, but there is “Alpine” territory just beyond the trees. I recommend paying attention to the avalanche forecast for both zones on this trail.

As you snowshoe through the meadow, you’ll see evidence of avalanche tracks on the NW slope of Mt. Chester which reach all the way to the eastern shore of Chester Lake. You can also see avalanche tracks on Mt. Galatea which have taken out large chunks of forest. This is not a risk to take lightly.

We are not avalanche experts, so please educate yourself and make smart decisions while enjoying the beauty of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail in winter.

Chester Lake Snowshoe Trail Logistics

• There are toilets at the trailhead. There is also a porta-potty along the trail as you near Chester Lake. It’s about 100 m away from the lake on the left-hand side.
  
• There are no drinking water facilities, so fill your hydration packs before you leave home.
  
• There is no camping or fires allowed in the area.
  
• Fat biking is not allowed on the Chester Lake snowshoe trail, but there are other fat biking trails in Kananaskis that leave from the Chester Lake parking lot.
  
• Dogs are allowed on-leash.

What to Wear and Bring for Snowshoeing Chester Lake

It’s really tough to decide how to dress for snowshoeing in Kananaskis.

The first 3 km of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail is hard work, so you’ll get hot and will likely want to shed some layers of clothing. You’ll also generate a ton of internal heat if you play around in the deep snow in the upper meadow.

On the flip side, the remainder of the Chester Lake snowshoe trail is relatively flat and easy, so you won’t generate a ton of your own heat. If you shed some layers earlier, you’ll probably need to put some back on.

The winter sun sits low in the sky, casting beautiful shadows across the mountains. But when you move into the shade, you’ll notice how quickly the temperature drops. Keep an extra layer handy so you can warm up when needed.

Not sure how to dress in layers for winter weather? Our winter packing list explains our recommended layering techniques to stay warm and comfortable throughout your winter activities.