Winter is such a magical time of year, and Edmonton is filled with safe and fun places to enjoy this magic outdoors! Bundle up and embrace the snow and cold weather with some of the fantastic ideas on our Get Outside Winter Fun Guide below.
Get Outside Winter Fun Guide
Skating
Skating is definitely one of the top winter activities, and we are lucky in Edmonton to have easy access to dozens of community rinks and skating experiences.
- Downtown Edmonton offers two magical options for an outdoor skate during the winter months at the City Hall Skating Rink and the Ice District Skating Rink.
- Other popular City of Edmonton maintained outdoor skating options include the Meadows Recreation Centre, Castle Downs Skate Rink, Sir Wilfred Laurier Park, and Jackie Parker. City-operated surfaces are maintained and monitored on a daily basis, and will be closed if conditions are unsafe for users.
- In Spruce Grove, the Spruce Grove Central Park Skating Oval is a beautiful skating loop made extra magical in the holiday season when all the surrounding trees are aglow with colourful lights.
- Neighbourhood rinks run by Community Leagues are another fantastic option for outdoor skating. You can find more information on each league’s website, or find them by searching on www.efcl.org. The Glastonbury Community League Ice Trail is our top pick with a leisurely path to skate and several fire pits to warm up at!
Sledding & Snow Tubing
Tobogganing is another exhilarating winter activity when done safely. Small tumbles and spills are all part of the fun, but the best way to ensure a fun day is to stick to designated toboggan hills in neighbourhood playgrounds or larger city-maintained hills. They have safe run-outs, reduced hazards and safety signs. Of course, it’s also always a great precaution to wear a helmet — especially for little ones! Check here for full details and condition updates on these great City of Edmonton-maintained toboggan hills:
- Emily Murphy Park | 11624 Saskatchewan Drive NW, Edmonton
- Gallagher Park | 9505 96 Avenue NW, Edmonton
- Government House Park | 9938 Groat Road NW, Edmonton
- Queen Elizabeth Park | 10380 Queen Elizabeth Park Road, Edmonton
- Rundle Park – ACT Hill | 2903 113 Avenue, Edmonton
- Rundle Park – Walton’s Mountain | 2903 113 Avenue, Edmonton
- Whitemud Park North | 13204 Fox Drive NWW, Edmonton
For even bigger thrills, try Snow Tubing at one of the local ski hills. We absolutely love this option because it comes with the convenience of a motorized lift option to take you and your tube back up to the top of the hill!
- Edmonton Ski Club | 9613 96 Avenue NW, Edmonton
- Rabbit Hill Snow Resort | 20715 57 Ave SW, Edmonton
- Sunridge Ski Area | 10980 17 Street NW, Edmonton
Skiing & Snowboarding
And, of course, you can also ski or snowboard at our local ski hills! We are so lucky to have FOUR amazing options right within the city. These hills all offer rentals and lessons, making them the perfect spot for beginners and more experienced riders to let loose for a day of fun on the slopes!
- Edmonton Ski Club | 9613 96 Avenue NW, Edmonton
- Rabbit Hill Snow Resort | 20715 57 Ave SW, Edmonton
- Snow Valley | 13204 Rainbow Valley Road NW, Edmonton
- Sunridge Ski Area | 10980 17 Street NW, Edmonton
Cross-County Skiing & Snowshoeing
For those who prefer cross-country skiing, the Strathcona Wilderness Centre and The Broadmoor Recreation Complex in Strathcona County both offer up picturesque groomed trails. If you are brand new to the sport, Strathcona Wilderness offers lessons and rentals, as well as snowshoe rentals.
Parks, Pathways & Playgrounds
No matter what the weather, you can’t go wrong with a brisk nature walk on our local trails or time spent at a playground! Kids and dogs will love exploring the changing wintery landscape, and parents can hopefully appreciate a few moments of quietness that only the calm of winter can bring.
For added fun, you can also check out the City of Edmonton Play Rangers free drop-in programs on most Saturday afternoons. You can join specially trained program leaders in local parks for rotating outdoor adventures like orienteering, scavenger hunts, snowshoeing, fire building, and more!
We hope our Get Outside Winter Fun Guide has given you some great ways to enjoy the cold months with your family and friends! No matter what activities you choose, Family Fun Edmonton wants you to have a safe and fun winter.
Ice Slide in Fort Saskatchewan
The FREE ice slide is back in Fort Saskatchewan’s Legacy Park! This impressive 115 ft-long marvel has been built by Activate Arts Alberta and is unofficially Canada’s longest ice slide. The slide is open and ready to ride throughout winter, weather permitting. Check out the Activate Arts Alberta website for more upcoming ice creations!
Winter Fun at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Enjoy a variety of fun winter activities at the new Skating and Snow Sport Area in Group Use Area 6 at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park! You can use the equipment provided to skate or play hockey on the full-sized rink, try crokicurl (a mix of crokinole and curling) on the court, or have fun on the new hockey putt course. Afterward, warm up by the wood stove in the picnic shelter or build your own outdoor fire. Firewood is supplied, but availability may vary. Miquelon Lake also has backcountry trails and maintained winter paths for cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and more. Powered campsites are open all year if you want to try winter camping. Remember to check trail and amenity conditions before you visit.
