The Best Winter Activities Near Me for a Marvelous Season

Here are the best winter activities near me for a fantastic season outside. Winter can be long when you stay inside and don’t make the best of the season. If you find a few different activities that you like, winter can be tolerable and even enjoyable. There are so many different skating and cross-country skiing locations in and around Edmonton. You can find a variety of tobogganing spots and head snow tubing at Sunridge Ski Hill for some added excitement. In addition, during December, there are many outdoor Christmas events to enjoy the holidays. Walk along Candy Cane Lane or head over to enjoy the Christmas lights at the Legislature. Zoominescence is also a great way to spend time outdoors looking at festive lights and viewing animals.

Skating

There are so many wonderful places to go skating in Edmonton and its surroundings, including Spruce Grove and St. Albert. Check out the amazing places our city has to offer.

Edmonton

In Edmonton, here are my three favourite places where I like to skate: Victoria Park, Rundle Park and Castle Downs Park Pavilion. Check more details below.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park, just south of downtown has a lovely oval with Christmas music playing over December from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. There is a skating path that leads a bit further away if you want to skate within the snow-covered trees and get a break from the potentially busy oval full of skaters. This path tends to be quite a bit bumpy, so keep that in mind when heading in this direction. At dusk, diverse coloured lights creating fancy designs illuminate the skating path and provide additional light to make it back to the main oval under floodlights. Pack your Christmas desserts with you to eat at snack time. They can be kept in your cold car or in the heated building where you laced up your skates. Lockers, fountains and washrooms are available in the building for your convenience.

There is a small parking lot here on a first-come-first-served basis. It tends to get extremely busy and can be hard to find parking. Additional parking can be found in the east lot and at the Victoria Golf Course parking lot. Note that you’ll need to walk approximately ten minutes from Victoria Golf Course to the skating rink. This could make things a bit more difficult in you need to carry many items back and forth.

Rundle Park

Winter activities near me include a skating path that intertwines in the snow-covered trees at Rundle Park. It’s a beautiful landscape that leads to a big skating rink to play hockey. Covered open-air pavilions and picnic tables are available to cook a meal on a fire for you and your partner. When dusks arrives, the lights along the skating path make you feel like you’re in the magical world of Mary Poppins.

Some parts of the path can be a bit bumpy depending on how the ice sets that year.

Tip: Make sure to take it slow the first time you explore this skating area, so as not to be caught off guard if the ice isn’t super smooth. You can adjust your speed once you know the areas or corners you must watch out for.

Kris loves his K2 F.I.T Men’s Ice Skates when skating outside. K2 developed skates for cold temperatures. They provide warmth for the entire foot as it fits like a boot with ankle support, unlike hockey skates.

There is a large parking lot here so you never have to worry about not finding a parking spot, even during busy times of the day. The pavilion provides a warm place by the fire to lace up your skates, warm up and have a snack. Heated washrooms are also found in this building. They also rent skates if you don’t have your own.

Castle Downs Park Pavilion

Castle Downs Park Pavilion has a skating rink in the middle of the area to play hockey. It’s surrounded by a skating path that goes all the way around. An additional skating rink is available for another hockey game if needed. There isn’t a warm place to lace up your skates. You’ll need to do so outside at the picnic tables. For additional comfort, ensure you have an insulated seat by bringing your MEC seat cushion to sit on. There is a large parking lot so you won’t have to worry about finding a parking spot.

Tip: It can get cold with limited tree cover. Bring many layers including your Merino 250 Top Base Layer 1/4 Zip Long Sleeve and your Merino Pant Base Layer.

St. Albert

An awesome skating rink in St. Albert is Rotary Park located at 2 Rodeo Drive. It’s a close drive to those living in Edmonton’s northwest or west side.

Rotary Park

This skating rink has an oval in the centre surrounded by a loop on the outskirts of the field. If you want to skate on a different path, an additional loop is available at the end. It’s a nice lengthy oval for skating to feel like you’ve made some distance while exercising. There isn’t a pavilion provided to lace up your skates so you’ll be required to do so at the picnic tables outside. There are no washrooms on site. Unfortunately, the porta potties are closed as of September 30, which isn’t so convenient when skating. They provide fire pits close to some picnic tables if you want to have a hot dog or marshmallow roast. It’s a gorgeous place to observe the sunset if you are skating with your partner later in the day.

Spruce Grove

Jubilee Park in Spruce Grove is located at 510 Grove Drive. It’s a lovely place to skate.

Jubilee Park 

There is lots of space to skate with your partner at Jubilee Park without feeling claustrophobic. I haven’t found it to be super packed like Victoria Park. It’s a long oval for skating around many times. Many picnic tables are available to sit and lace up your skates. Fire pits are provided as well for your needs. If you go later in the day, you will appreciate the lights. There is ample parking so you won’t have to worry about fighting for a parking spot.

Hawrelak Park is an awesome place to skate. However, it’s currently closed and set to reopen in 2026 after the renovations are complete. For other locations in and around Edmonton, check out Places to Skate Near Me.

Cross-Country Skiing

Winter activities near me must include cross-country skiing! Chickakoo and Cooking Lake-Blackfoot are excellent locations to ski outside the city.

Chickakoo

This area is a multi-use trail offering cross-country skiing on one side and walking on the other side as shown in the picture above. Unfortunately, note that sometimes the cross-country ski tracks are broken due to hikers walking all over them. Chickakoo is a great area thirty minutes west of the city to spend three hours cross-country skiing. The trails offer a range of easy to harder trails depending on your ski level. It’s awesome to feel the fresh air and be out in nature for a morning or afternoon. Outhouses are provided at the parking lot.

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot 

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot provides one hundred and seventy kilometres of wonderful classic cross-country ski trails and thirty-five kilometres for skate skiing. There is so much area to explore and new trails to try every time you’re out for a new adventure. They have warm-up shelters in case you get cold or need a place to relax and eat your lunch. Outhouses can be found at numerous places along the ski tracks. It’s such a wonderful place to get exercise and only an hour away from the city of Edmonton. The fresh air feels so good when breathing in the cold air while exercising. It’s a great way to spend a day with your partner.

Read my XC Skiing Near Me post for cross-country skiing details about St. Albert, Devon, Goldbar Park and Strathcona Wilderness Center.

Snow Tubing

Snow tubing at Sunridge is so much fun for couples! It costs $20 per person for two hours. Book online to choose your desired time slot. It’s recommended to rent a helmet as well to protect your head on the fast and steep hill. The tubing is open from noon to 4:30 P.M. on weekends and it’s open a bit later until 8 P.M. on Fridays. The beauty of snow tubing here is that you get pushed at the top by one of the attendants and a conveyor belt brings you back to the top. This activity is dedicated to fun instead of exercise.

Tip: Ask the attendant to wrap the tube straps together between your tubes to head down as a couple. If you want, you can request to be spun down the hill. We chose to head down without the spin and it’s just as fun without having the fear of developing queasiness.

Tobogganing

There are numerous hills in Edmonton to go tobogganing including Emily Murphy Park Hill, Gallagher Hill, Government Park Hill, Rundle Park, and Whitemud Park North Hill. Depending on the length of the hill you might need to do more exercise to get back up to the top but know if it’s a longer walk back up, you’re guaranteed to have fun going down for a length of time. This activity is free as long as you own your own toboggan or sled. It’s fun to slide down with your partner, eat some homemade snacks and drink a hot chocolate to warm up once you’re done.

Monthly Winter Events

If you’re looking for winter activities near me over specific months, here is the breakdown.

December

For those of you who are specifically looking for winter activities near me in December, here is a list of events happening during this month.

CP Holiday Train

Although the CP Holiday Train isn’t stopping in Edmonton this year, it will arrive close to us in Camrose on Dec 7 from 1 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. and Wetaskiwin from 3:25 P.M. to 4 P.M. It’s always cool to see the train all lit up in Christmas lights and enjoy a musical performance. This year, the Anyway Gang will entertain visitors. Check the full schedule here.

Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane is a wonderful event to see houses lit up and yards decorated at night along 148th Street from 99 Avenue to 92 Avenue from December 8 to January 1, 2024. It’s a nice forty-five-minute romantic walk with your partner up and down the street on the sidewalk. If you prefer no cars on the road, dedicated nights are closed to vehicles on Saturday, December 9, 16 and 23. On those days walking, biking, sledding or skiing are encouraged. Dogs are also welcome.

Tip #1: It can be cold depending on the night you choose to walk. Make sure to dress in layers. Sometimes, fires are set up to help warm up pedestrians throughout the night.

Tip #2: Bring a non-perishable item to donate to the food bank.

If you prefer another method of transportation, $25/person sleigh rides are available. Grab your ticket here.

Walk around Legislature Lights

The Legislature grounds are lit up at night with Christmas lights from December 8, 2023, to January 31, 2023. Enjoy walking around and seeing the beautiful light display. Celebrate the Season at the Legislature offers musical performances inside the rotunda in front of the staircase to provide a break from the cold and to enjoy the sounds of Christmas from December 8 to 23. Listen to the different groups on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Zoominescence

Zoominescence at the Edmonton Valley Zoo runs from December 1 to January 3, from 4:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. See different light displays across the property while observing a variety of animals inside and outside. You can warm up with a hot chocolate or if you’re near a warming station, but ensure that you have enough warm layers so you don’t get cold while walking outside. You could easily spend two to three hours in the outdoors enjoying the scenery, animals, and lights with your partner. The tickets ($15.95 and under) can be purchased once you arrive at the Zoo but since it’s a popular event, it’s recommended to purchase them online.

January

The exciting event in January is Ice on Whyte.

Ice on Whyte

Ice on Whyte provides a viewing of different ice carvings at Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park. Last year the event was held from January 24 to 26, 2023 and should be around the same dates in 2024. Edmonton’s International Ice Carving Competition will take place from January 18 to 20, 2024. Ice slides and snow mazes are also in the vicinity for your entertainment. Many restaurants and coffee shops are located nearby in case you need a bite to eat or something hot to drink.

February

The Flying Canot Volant is a popular event that happens every February.

Flying Canot Volant

Flying Canot Volant located at La Cité Francophone and in Mill Creek Ravine occurs from January 31 to February 3, 2024. This event celebrates French Canadian, First Nations and Métis culture with music, dancing, bannock-making, and storytelling in the tipis. The event typically happens when the weather is super cold. Make sure to dress warmly with your toque, mitts (hand warmers if necessary), tubular headwear, and a jacket.

Silver Skate Festival

The Silver Skate Festival runs from February 9 to 19, 2024 at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park. This event includes skating, music, snow and fire sculptures, culinary events and much more. You can purchase tickets to their culinary events through their website. It’s an awesome way to spend time with your partner outdoors. If the weather is favourable, you can head for a walk around the park too.

March

Cabane à sucre also known as Carnaval des Sucres is a popular event in March.

Cabane à Sucre

Winter activities near me include Carnaval des Sucres. Eat maple sugar on a stick if you have a sweet tooth! Partake in music and dancing too if you’d like. This event has been held at different locations in the past including La Cité Francophone and Fort Edmonton Park. The location hasn’t been released yet for 2024.

Final Thoughts

I hope all these winter activities near me provide you with enthusiasm and a desire to spend time outside throughout the winter season. There are many different opportunities from which to pick. Do you prefer cross-country skiing, skating or snow tubing? Do you want to spend time around other people who are invested in the holiday season to get you excited about Christmas? Or do you prefer alone time with your partner at the Legislature looking at lights on your own? It doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as it makes you and your partner happy. Select options that suit you and go make the best of our winter season. I bet once you find some joy in a specific winter activity, winter won’t last as long and you’ll be happy you chose to have fun outside! Get inspired to explore outside!

Additional Links

• 28 Ways to Spend Time Outdoors This Winter
• 9 Extraordinary Winter Wonderland Banff National Park Activities
• Happy and Warm X-Country Ski
• 5 Awesome Outdoor Skating Rinks
• 14 fun Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day