Winter is here, and while it can be tempting to stay at home bundled in blankets, Edmonton has so much to offer in terms of ways to get active outdoors in the snowy season that it would be a shame to stay inside. Whether you are looking for family-friendly activities suitable for all ages and skill levels, or fast-paced sport and adventure there is no shortage of frosty fun in our capital city!

For lower impact family-friendly activities, take a walk down Candy Cane Lane for an easy and cost-effective way to get moving in the winter. There is no admission fee to admire the lights of the neighbourhood, but there are bins set up for food donations to be accepted along the way. Another free activity the city boasts is the Victoria IceWay skating trail, a unique skating pathway that winds through the Victoria Park in the heart of downtown.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, why not try out snowshoeing? There are several places in the city that offer rentals of snowshoes, and multiple areas in and around the city to use them. Elk Island National Park is just a short drive out of the city and offers scenic terrain for snowshoeing, as well as snowshoe tours! If you prefer to glide rather than walk, cross country skiing may be the activity for you. Again, there are many places to rent equipment in the city and various trails at Elk Island, Hawrelak Park, Victoria Park, Rundle Park, Kinsmen, and many other locations.

Maybe you are looking to try a new winter sport for the first time and are not sure where to start? If you can’t get away to the mountains, try a ski or snowboarding lesson at one of Edmonton’s ski hills: Snow Valley, Sunridge, Rabbit Hill, and Edmonton Ski Club. If you are a student at MacEwan, Sport and Wellness Recreation offers Learn II events in the winter semester, as well as the Winter Road Trip where you can try activities such as dog sledding, and skiing or snowboarding with your fellow classmates. If the great outdoors is not for you in the chilly season, Sport and Wellness also offers several group fitness classes throughout the year to keep you moving, many of which are free with a membership at the facility, like our ever-popular spin classes!

With so much variety in our gorgeous winter city, there are plenty of ways to stay active outside – be sure to dress appropriately for the cold weather to fully enjoy the experience before retreating indoors for hot chocolate by the fire! For more information on MacEwan’s winter activity offerings, check out the MacEwan University Sport and Wellness website for information on recreational offerings, plus fitness and aquatic classes.

Check out other winter-related articles from Sport and Wellness:

https://sites.macewan.ca/sportandwellness/2016/01/28/5-ways-to-stay-on-your-feet-this-winter/
https://sites.macewan.ca/sportandwellness/2015/12/16/winter-is-coming/

by Megan Denholm

Megan is a Bachelor of Kinesiology graduate from the University of Alberta. She is a CSEP-CPT certified Fitness Consultant with the MacEwan University Sport and Wellness fitness team.