Winter Fun
Outdoor Skating RinksCalgary is an ideal place for outdoor skating in the winter especially when a chinook rolls in and the temperature warms up. Below is a list of some of the best outdoor skating rinks in Calgary but be sure to contact your local community association for information about local rinks in your neighbourhood. Many times they are close by and are maintained by the community association or by volunteers.Bowness Lagoon
This northwest park is one of the city's most beautiful spots to skate in the winter. Open year round, the park turns into a wonderland of ice and snow for the winter. Skate under bridges and through majestic fir trees while enjoying the background music playing on speakers along the lagoon. If you get too cold you can grab a hot chocolate at the Lagoon Cafe & Cappuccino Bar and warm up by one of the fire pits on the ice.
Location: 8900 48 Ave NW Calgary, AB
Olympic PlazaThe Olympic Plaza is an urban park and gathering place in downtown Calgary. It was originally built as the site for the 1988 Winter Olympics medal presentations and as a focal point for a wide range of cultural and social activities designed to enhance the Olympic experience. It is now a wonderful outdoor skating venue in the winter months. It is especially beautiful at night when the area is lit up by downtown city lights.
Location: 228 - 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB Marlborough Community AssociationLocation: 6021 Madigan Dr NE, Calgary ABAdmission: Free
Prairie Winds ParkLocation: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary ABAdmission: Free Tobogganing HillsTobagganing is not only a lot of fun but it is also excellent exercise! However, it can also be a little dangerous! Here are some tips and safety considerations to keep in mind when you go out on the hills!- A snowy hill, free of ice with a gentle slope and long run off area is best.
Cross - Country Ski TrailsThere are several places in the city (snow conditions permitting) where volunteers & city staff provide track-set skiing:
Municipal Golf Courses
Confederation (3204 Collingwood Dr NW) City Parks
Beaverdam Flats (SE) Most of the above parks are either along the Bow or Elbow rivers or alongside Fish Creek. To confirm that the tracks are operational, call 268-3888. Other Trails
Canada Olympic Park Cross- Country Ski Trails
Hawkridge Centre Located 5 minutes west from Spruce Meadows on highway 22X, Hawk Ridge Centre offers a picturesque setting and the best user-friendly cross-country ski trails in Southern Alberta. The complete variety of terrain will satisfy skiers of all abilities. Hawk Ridge Centre has 3 loops for a combined total of 6 kms. All trails are immaculately groomed and track set with the blue and green loops harmonized for classic and skating. After skiing in the lodge and cozy up to the fireplace. Cost: $5.00
Ski HillsCanada Olympic ParkCanada Olympic Park was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics and hosted visitors from all over the world. Situated 15 minutes from downtown Calgary at the gateway to the magnificent Rocky Mountains, Canada Olypmic Park is a short distance away from family winter fun. Canada Olympic Park has all the amenities that one needs for winter sports from rentals and retail to professionally certified instructors.
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Park Road, Calgary, AB
Ski Hills - Surrounding AreaNakiskaNakiska Resort, in Kananaskis Country and home of the 1988 Winter Olympics is located a short 49 minute drive from Calgary, Calgary's closest mountain ski resort.
Mt. Norquay is widely considered to be Banff's best family ski resort.
Norquay has been a family tradition since 1926. Skiers and snowboarders will find terrain for all levels, including groomed runs, bumps and a terrain park. Not only does Norquay have the only night skiing in the Bow Valley but at Norquay, you can ride the only lit terrain park. New this year at Mount Norquay is a tubing area. There are 4, 300 metre long snow tubing lanes near the North American chair lift, including a new tow-rope lift to get you to the top. No more truding up the hill on foot! The cost is $15-$17 for 2 hours.
For 80 years Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort has been serving up what is usually only found in skier's and snowboarder's dreams: endless mountain terrain in the heart of an unspoiled wilderness.
Spectacular scenery awaits at Lake Louise with uniquely beautiful terrain that is both vast and varied. The wilderness is pristine and inspirational. Located in the heart of majestic, historic Banff National Park, Lake Louise is truly legendary and offers world class terrain. With 4200 skiable acres, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski areas in North America. The unique layout allows families and groups of varying abilities to ski together; there are beginner, intermediate and expert runs down from every chair. Beginners and intermediate skiers have access to an abundance of gentle slopes and long cruising runs. Experts can explore endless chutes, glades, gullies and remote bowls in some of the Rockies' most challenging terrain.
Castle Mountain is a ski resort located in the Westcastle Valley of southwest Alberta, Canada in the Rocky Mountains. It is approximately 270 kilometers (168 mi) from Calgary and the Calgary International Airport; 140 kilometers (87 mi) from Lethbridge; and 35 kilometers (22 mi) west of Pincher Creek. The resort is renound for long steep runs and an average 9 meters (30 ft) of snowfall yearly. The resort maintains 67 ski trails, with 15% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% advanced, 10% expert terrain.[2] Six lift systems with vertical rises from 445 to 50 m with the highest vertical being 863 m, are operated on the slopes of Mount Haig and Gravenstafel Ridge. Castle Mountain Resort was opened in 1965. It was the site of the 1975 Canada Winter Games.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort boasts 4,133 feet of vertical spread over 2750 acres. It's a mountain of adventure! With 106 runs, 70 inbound chutes, luxury mountain top dining, and a wide variety of winter activities, you'll discover our best is your best winter story ever. A fresh adventure awaits!
On average 29 feet of snow falls in Fernie each year. That is enough snow to cover a three-storey building. Five enormous bowls; countless glades & chutes Variety of terrain appeals to all levels. Fernie is as steep as you want it to be.
Panorama Mountain Village is an intimate ski-in/ski-out village that puts you steps from unique experiences like sleigh rides, heli skiing, skiing and more!
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