Winter’s dandruff, pow-pow, the polar quilt — whatever you choose to call it, Edmonton finally received a blanket of the white stuff and transformed into a picturesque winter wonderland, much to the delight of winter enthusiasts — and to the frustration of drivers — everywhere. Now is the opportune time to fully embrace all that the season has to offer.
Is there anything more quintessentially Canadian than tobogganing down a treacherous slope with nothing more than a winter jacket, toque and $80 of plastic underneath you? If you’re hoping to induct your kiddos into this time-honoured tradition, here are a few of our favourite spots for hitting the slopes.
2903 113 Ave, Edmonton
This spot is actually a double feature. With two great hills to ride, the ACT Hill is contained by straw bales and offers ample parking at the base, meaning you only have to lug your kids’ GT Snow Racers once you arrive at the hill, not on the way. While this ride might not be long lasting, it is fast and perfect for young and old alike.
The other offering at Rundle is Walton’s Mountain. West of ACT Hill, this toboggan run offers a longer, steeper ride for the more adrenaline-seeking of the group.
Keillor Road and Fox Drive, Edmonton
Who could resist the opportunity to take in all the scenic splendour of the river valley (and Whitemud Drive, too!) while racing down a hill at 40 km/h (okay, maybe it’s more like 10 km/h)? Not us. That’s why this toboggan hill at Whitemud Park North is top of mind for when we’re fancying a little slippery sledding.
9505 96 Ave, Edmonton
OK, we admit it. Edmonton’s pretty flat. It’s probably not a contender for the toboggan world cup. (Is that a thing?) But if Edmonton did host a tobogganing contest, it would almost surely be at Gallagher Park. The home of folk fest in the summer, this steep (by our standards) hill offers a wide open playground for sledding that is surely in the running for fastest and funnest slopes in the city. There’s also a playground at the base if the kids are feeling a little sled-averse.
It’s been a tough year for the skier. If you’re an alpine two-planker like me, you’ll know from one glance at social media that this year’s been rather sparse — even as far west as the Rockies. But the same has been true for our nordic skiing inclined friends, who have been forced to make their own snow and endure less than ideal conditions for far too long. But, fear not, thanks to the recent snow dump, new tracks have already been set and conditions are as good here as anywhere in Scandinavia.
Those in the know recognize the east side of Edmonton is the place to be when it comes to cross-country skiing. Gold Bar, Capilano and Tiger Goldstick parks in Hardisty offer some of the best urban skiing in Canada with groomed and well-lit trails that are great for those looking to classic or skate-ski their way through the snow day or night.
Do you ever look at Edmonton’s golf courses and just think, “Man, I would love to just stroll through this idyllic landscaping without being pummelled with golf balls or chased off the grounds by security?” No? Just me? Well, even if you haven’t had that thought, you can still meander through some of the most beautiful real estate the city’s country clubs have to offer during the winter when Victoria, Riverside and Royal Mayfair Golf Club all offer cross-country skiing on their pristine, mostly one-to-three kilometre long trails. And the best thing about skiing these tracks? No dress-code required.
Walking in the winter is kind of like having a stuffy nose; it makes you reminisce about all the times you didn’t have to walk in two-and-a-half-foot deep snowbanks just to get to the bus stop in the morning. But those snowbanks are no match for the triumphant snowshoe — the ingenious (and stylish?) invention that makes walking through the snow look even funnier (I grew up snowshoeing on the old leather-and-wood versions, so I’m allowed to make that joke).
Snowshoeing is permitted in any park in Edmonton, but honestly, they’re not much more than a burden if you’re not trotting over some virgin pow-pow, so we recommend the following areas for getting the most out of your tennis-racquet shoes.
Terwillegar Park is big and wild enough that off-trailing here can be a good option for those looking for a little urban-park solitude or just for the intrepid snowshoer who lacks access to a vehicle and doesn’t want to lug around hiking gear on regional transit.
For those with a set of wheels, Elk Island National Park has some beautiful trails just 34 kilometres east of Edmonton. Snowshoers have free reign of any trails in the park (though, Parks Canada asks that you not start any fights with the Gore-Tex-clad cross-country ski crowd by walking over the nordic ski tracks) and you can even rent snowshoes from the park if you’re just starting to get into the sport.
Even closer than Elk Island — just 16 kilometres from Edmonton — is the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., you can rent snowshoes here for a three-hour period. If you already own a pair, though, exploring the snowshoe, multi-use and shoreline trails throughout the wilderness centre are absolutely free of charge.
