Where to Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Near Calgary This Winter
Move over bikes, there's a new outdoor sports gear shortage — skis!
Hello again! We hope 2021 is off to a good start for you, and that your holidays included some outdoor adventures. From what we’re seeing out there on the trails, 2021 is the year for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing!
Whether you’re new to these activities, or if you’ve been at it for awhile, we have some ideas on where to go this winter, in and near Calgary. But first, a few quick tips:
No matter where you’re headed, on skis or snowshoes, follow these winter safety tips
If you’re new to cross-country skiing and missed our October post packed with info for beginners, you can read it here
Research where you’re going, and be sure to check maps, weather and trail reports, and plan your route before you go
If you’re able, try heading out during the week; we’re finding weekdays are significantly less busy than Saturday and Sunday
Trails in Calgary
Yes, you can stay right in the city and still get out on skis or snowshoes! In fact, with all the snow that came right before Christmas, we found ourselves skiing very close to home over the holidays, in city parks (there was a great loop in Riley Park) and even on pathways.
For groomed cross-country ski trails in Calgary, we recommend Confederation Park and Shaganappi Golf Course (which has the added advantage of being a short walk from a C-Train station), and there’s also a new 1km loop at Fort Calgary. For info on even more groomed areas, including Bowness Park and Maple Ridge Golf Course, check out this info from the City of Calgary.
Looking to try out snowshoeing without leaving the city? The cool thing about snowshoes is you can go pretty much anywhere there is enough snow. Try big urban parks like Nose Hill and Fish Creek, and we’ve also heard good things about Pearce Estate Park’s Interpretive Wetlands. They’re located on the same site as the Bow Habitat Station, which is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but does offer snowshoe rentals when it’s open (details here). Annalise visited Shaganappi Golf Course on skis over the holidays and saw dozens of people on snowshoes also enjoying the area. There’s one big tip for people on snowshoes: stay completely off the groomed ski trails as sunken footprints are a hazard to skiers, not to mention bad outdoor etiquette.
West Bragg Creek
West Bragg Creek is a VERY popular spot for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, in part because it’s just a 45 minute drive southwest of Calgary. With 166 kilometres of total trails, there’s lots to explore —and lucky for us, Bragg Creek Trails has a fancy new website with all the info you need, from trail etiquette to trail maps to grooming reports. The trails are maintained by volunteers and while no parking fee is required, you can bring cash to put in a parking lot donation box or donate online to keep these trails accessible for all.
We love West Bragg for it’s location and the many trail options it offers. Plus dogs are allowed and can be off leash in certain areas — that’s a plus for some people (Annalise, and more importantly, her dog), but for others, like Cailynn, (who has had some bad experiences with unruly dogs at West Bragg), it’s a negative. The other caution about West Bragg Creek is it gets very busy, especially on weekends. A final piece of advice: Annalise recommends stopping by The Heart of Bragg Creek’s takeout window on your way home and ordering the tempeh reuben or caesar wrap (both are so good, Annalise has started making knockoffs at home so she doesn’t have to drive to Bragg Creek and ski to get her fix.)
Sandy McNabb
Fearing the holiday crowds at West Bragg, Annalise visited Sandy McNabb over the holidays. This is the same area we biked in early December and it’s located just over an hour from Calgary, west of Turner Valley and Black Diamond. You can park in a handful of different parking spots, including the Sandy McNabb Campground. The area is home to 37-kilometres of groomed, dog-friendly (on a leash) ski trails. Here is a map. As you can see, there are also several all-season trails, which were busy with snowshoers over the holidays.
Due to its location, conditions can be variable in the Sandy McNabb cross-country ski area, so it’s best to visit after a big snowfall, or to make sure you’re prepared for trails lacking in snow. Lastly, due to recent changes introduced by the UCP government, visitors are now asked to purchase a $10 day or $50 season parking pass from Nordiq Alberta before using these trails (as well as those in Ribbon Creek, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Mount Shark). This new system is voluntary.
Ribbon Creek
Ribbon Creek is in Kananaskis Country, about an hour drive from Calgary, and has groomed cross-country ski trails, designated snowshoe trails and fat biking routes. Find a map here and trail conditions here.
Ribbon Creek offers numerous well-marked trails. There’s mountain views from the parking lot, though the trails themselves are more forested. If you’re looking for a ski or snowshoe in the mountains, without driving all the way to Banff or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Ribbon Creek is a great option.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
This is Cailynn’s favourite place to cross-country ski. It’s vast and beautiful and the conditions are often amazing (it tends to get more snow than the other spots we’ve mentioned). There are also numerous snowshoe and fatbike trails to explore. Find a trails map here and grooming conditions here.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is about 1.5 hours from Calgary, depending on where you park. While it’s a longer drive than other spots, it also presents more options. There are numerous parking lots you can choose from, and it can be a little overwhelming to know which trails to take. Do a little research — for example, SkierBob recommends Spruce Road for beginner skiers, while page 2 of this brochure details elevation gains for the snowshoe trails (very helpful if you’re just starting out). More experienced skiers will have fun on longer trails, like Whiskey Jack, Lookout and Blueberry Hill (where the photo at the top of this post was taken last weekend).
Pipestone
Located less than a kilometer West of the Lake Louise overpass (turn right at the Pipestone Trail Head and follow the road to the parking lot), Pipestone is home to several trails that vary in steepness and allow you to make your day as long or short as you desire. Annalise visited last week and enjoyed a quick 8 kilometer loop and lunch at this snow couch on Pipestone Pond. There are detailed trail maps at most intersections and these trails are dog-friendly (on a leash). While the drive from Calgary to Pipestone is longer than the other areas we've suggested, you'll be rewarded with mellow trails that tend not to get super busy.
Do you have a favourite trail you want to share with others? Do you have a cross-country ski or snowshoe question or tip for beginners? We’d love to hear from you!
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Have you seen anyone using a splitboard to cross country ski?