The holidays have come and gone, it’s a brand new year and winter still lingers. But, don’t be discouraged, there are plenty of winter activities to keep you occupied before spring is once again upon us. Below is a list of quintessential winter activities for you to choose from.
- The ICE District Plaza skating rink is conveniently located in the heart of downtown and is now open to the public from 10AM to 10PM daily pending on weather and availability the use of the rink during these times is free to the public. The best feature of this spot is its proximity to all of the ICE District’s top tier businesses. After you skate circles around the competition, grab a bite to eat at Canadian Icehouse or try your luck at the Grand Villa Casino. You can also pick up some iconic Oilers merchandise at ICE District Authentics.
- The Victoria Park IceWay is arguably the most picturesque spot to go skating. This scenic path snakes through Victoria Park’s trees, with colourful lights projected onto the ice surface. Warm up your skating skills with a couple laps on The Oval, a large and expertly maintained rink that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. But make sure to check the rink’s opening hours before heading out! You can also stay warm with the on-site heated pavilion equipped with washrooms, lockers, and a useful spot to fill up your water bottle.
- Rundle Park is located in northeast Edmonton and includes almost two kilometres of IceWay, a shinny pond, a larger skating rink, and a smaller family rink. Public skating is open daily from dawn to dusk, and parking is available at the main Family Centre parking lot.
- You can explore Edmonton’s winter wonderland via snowshoeing at any Edmonton park, but below are some highlights as to where you can enjoy this activity.
- Terwillegar Park is scenic with plenty of space to explore nature’s natural beauty in the winter. Terwillegar Park is located on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River at the end of Rabbit Hill Road. This gorgeous park boasts numerous multi-use trails and an expansive off-leash area . The park also has a 262-metre-long footbridge that links the park to Jan Reimer Park (formerly Oleskiw River Valley Park) on the north side of the river.
- If you are feeling more adventurous, head to Elk Island National Park which is located 34 km east of Edmonton. The Amiskwuche and Lakeview trails are recommended as great snowshoeing trails. Canada’s first federal wildlife sanctuary is home to bison, elk, moose, deer, lynx, and more than 250 species of birds making it the perfect adventure for nature lovers.
- Strathcona Recreation Area is located 16 km east of Edmonton and is home to great snowshoeing as well as cross country skiing. You can rent snowshoes for children and adults. While there is no charge to use the trails to snowshoe there is a charge for the equipment rentals.
- Prefer to slide down a hill like you did as a kid? Grab your toboggan or flying carpet and trek to one of these epic sledding spots: Emily Murphy Park (Emily Murphy Park Rd. & Groat Rd.), Gallagher Park (97 Ave. & 92 St.), or Government House Park (Groat Rd. & River Valley Rd.).
-
This is only the tip of the iceberg! Find more skating rinks and stay up to date on ice conditions here.
