Your Ski Days Are Numbered
Where to go to enjoy a few more skis this season
Spring is here! While that’s exciting news for many reasons (hello hiking, camping and biking closed highways), we’re also lamenting the fact ski season is almost over — especially in the city.
Yes, there’s often decent downhill and cross-country spring skiing to be had if you’re able to drive to the mountains. But for closer options, your ski days are numbered.
So, to that end, we’ve both been on some fun skis recently. Cailynn marked the first day of spring with a sunny bike and ski at Confederation Park Golf Course. There’s something so delightful about skiing right in the city (and using a bike to get there)!
Cailynn used ski straps to fasten her skis and poles to the back of her bike and used the foot rests on the unoccupied child seat on the front of her bike to hold them in place there. There’s definitely room for improvement to this clunky setup, but hey, it worked for her 15 minute bike ride.
After locking her bike to a nearby pole, Cailynn entered through an open fence on 24th Avenue. (You won’t find bike racks at the golf course parking lot entrance either.) She enjoyed a sunny and slick midday ski, with fast and firm tracks and better snow coverage than she had anticipated — no bare spots as of Monday.
Confederation Park isn’t the only spot you can bike and ski to in Calgary. East Village has a Nordic loop (though we’d recommend putting that on your list for next year) and another option is Shaganappi Point Golf Course. Read our post on the volunteers keeping that storied ski spot running here. It’s located right by the C-Train stop meaning a train and ski is very doable.
Annalise, meanwhile, skied at West Bragg Creek on Sunday, and was surprised at how good the conditions were for mid-March. She (and the rest of her group) were pretty overdressed though…turns out it’s easy to forget how warm cross-country skiing on a super sunny +1 Degree day is after the winter we’ve had!
So, if you’re looking to fit in a few more skis this season in Calgary or nearby — go outside now! And dress appropriately! With warmer temps in the forecast this week, these conditions likely won’t last much longer.
