Question: I'm planning a trip to the Canmore Nordic Centre. How do the trail passes there work?

Answer:

• Canmore Nordic Centre is an amazing facility for cross-country skiing and winter activities.
• To maintain this park, there are fees for trail use (cross-country skiing and fat biking).  
• Want to visit the Canmore Nordic Centre for other winter fun? Bring your toboggan for the sled hill or ice skates for the rink.  You can play winter disc golf; bring your own or rent some here.  All these facilities are free to use.
• Hinton Nordic Centre at William A. Switzer Provincial Park also has fees for cross-country skiing.  Cross-country skiing at all other parks is free.

Interesting Tip! If you're a new Canadian, you can use your Cultural Access Pass for a day of free skiing at Canmore Nordic Centre.

Question: I want to get out into parks this winter. Where can I rent sports equipment?

Answer:

Some parks offer rentals to help you stay active and try something new.

• Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park: Trail Sports rents cross-country ski equipment (skate or classic), child and toddler sizes, pulks (sled to carry child), snowshoes, ice skates and fat tire bikes.
• Cypress Hills Provincial Park: Rentals include cross-country skis, kicksleds, saucer style toboggans, snowshoes, pulks and chariot adapters (sled for carrying child) skates and GPS units.
• Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park: Cross-country skis and snowshoes (free to use)
• Miquelon Lake Provincial Park: Snowshoe rentals
• Crimson Lake Provincial Park: Snowshoe rentals
• Kananaskis Village Centre: Cross-country skis, snowshoes, ice skates and other outdoor equipment
• Winter sports equipment can also be rented in cities and many towns near parks.

Question: Alberta winters are cold! How can I stay warm in the park?

Answer:

Dress for success! Wearing the proper clothes for cold weather will make your day at the park more comfortable and enjoyable.

• Layers are a must for a day of winter fun so you can adjust your clothes to your temperature throughout the day.
• A synthetic base layer will help wick away sweat and keep you dry.
• For your feet, well-fitting boots that are waterproof and insulated are best.
• Mittens are warmer than gloves.
• A hat and scarf will help prevent heat loss from your body.

Check the facilities available at the Alberta Park you'll be visiting.  Some sites offer warm up shelters, fire pits or Visitor Centres. There's even a cafe at the Canmore Nordic Centre!  Fun ways to stay warm? Plan a winter fireside cook out or learn something new at a Visitor Centre display.

Question: Is there parking available where I want to hit the trails?

Answer:

• Most parks have parking available from a day use area, visitor centre or trailhead/staging area parking lot. Please consult the park’s map or trail guide to find the parking lot nearest the trail that interests you.
• Are you looking to get off the beaten path? Parking and access to backcountry areas, natural areas or rustic provincial recreation areas varies. Consult the park’s web page for designated parking areas.
• To get to a park's website, check "XC Skiing" on the Activities Map, then select a park.  Any maps for that park are included at the bottom of its landing page.
• Please be a good neighbor.  If using an access point with no formal parking, please leave your car in a safe and discrete place.

Question: I've read about the six ski centres profiled. Where else can I ski in Alberta's parks?

Answer:

• Six ski centres are profiled in this cross-country skiing section: Canmore Nordic Centre, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, Kananaskis Country, and Cypress Hills, Vermilion and William A. Switzer parks.
• There are other great places to ski in Alberta's parks too! In the Southwest, try Beauvais Lake Provincial Park near Pincher Creek or Chinook Provincial Recreation Area in the Crowsnest Pass. Check the Beauvais Lake live grooming report or the Allison-Chinook ski report (by Crowsnest Pass Cross Country Ski Association).
• Central Alberta has plenty of kilometres of cross-country ski trails. Enjoy an afternoon skiing along the shoreline at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park or wind through the 20 km of backcountry trails. You can even skijor here (skiing with dogs)! Check our trail info and trail report. Miquelon is about an hour from Edmonton or 40 minutes from Camrose.
• Aspen Beach Provincial Park also has cross-country ski opportunities - approximately 7 km of groomed trails and a waxing/warm-up hut.  The park is located on Gull Lake, about 1.5 hours south of Edmonton or 30 minutes north of Red Deer.
• Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is also central - about 1.5 hours from Edmonton, less from Red Deer.  The park has 10 km of groomed cross-country ski trails - great for beginners but also a relaxing ski opportunity for more advanced skiers.  Check the Pigeon Lake Nordic Ski Club's trail conditions.
• Winter Trails at Crimson Lake Provincial Park, just outside Rocky Mountain House, are maintained for multi-use - walking, snowshoeing, fat-biking and cross-country skiing.
• Cross-country ski trails in Lakeland Provincial Park are located in the Shaw Lake area, about a 20 minute drive from Lac La Biche.
• In the northwest, ski at Lesser Slave Lake, Moonshine Lake, Winagami Lake or Young's Point provincial park.
• To find other parks with cross-country skiing opportunities, check "XC Skiing" on the Activities Map.

Question: How do I find out about trail conditions at a park?

Answer:

• Check trail reports for conditions at parks across the province.  
• Kananaskis trail reports cover many areas.
• Some volunteer groomers and local ski clubs also offer trail condition info. Check
• Vermilion Provincial Park - trail conditions report by Vermilion Nordic Ski Club
• Hinton Nordic Centre (located in William A. Switzer Park) - ski conditions report by Hinton Nordic Skiers
• Allison-Chinook ski report by Crowsnest Pass Cross Country Ski Association
• Pigeon Lake Provincial Park - ski trails groomed and set by Pigeon Lake Nordic Ski Club  

Question: What kind of wildlife can I see in winter?

Answer:

• You can still see many of our animal residents in winter! The snow provides the perfect opportunity to test your tracking knowledge and see track evidence of life in the park.
• You may see deer, moose, coyotes, fox and big horn sheep, to name a few. Winter is also a great time to look for birds. With no leaves on the trees, it's easy to spot birds wintering in the park!
• Although winter seems like a quiet time of year, the animals are still active.  This includes cougars and even bears (who are denning - they're not true hibernators).
• Take the same precautions as in summer season.  Please review our safety around wildlife tips.  

Question: Can I camp in the winter in Alberta parks?

Answer:

• Yes! Winter camping is a whole new way to see and appreciate the nature and environment of Alberta Parks.
• If you love camping and are looking for a new challenge, try one of our winter camping locations!