XC Skiing Near me

There are five different locations to check out for xc skiing near me. Edmonton and its surroundings have such gorgeous cross-country ski trails. We are really fortunate to have wonderful groomers maintain our trails and keep our tracks in amazing condition throughout our winter season.

The St. Albert Nordic Ski Club, north of Edmonton is a wonderful place to ski with different scenery while enjoying a variety of terrain. Skiers are always happy to be outside and say hello. Devon has nice easy trails on the golf course with some moderately difficult trails along the outer edge. Goldbar Park in the centre of Edmonton offers steep uphills and downhills in some sections and easier flat surfaces for beginners or those striving for a good stride. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot and Strathcona Wilderness Centre are to the east of the city of Edmonton and offer many kilometres of skiing. If you’re wondering, check out What are the Benefits of Skiing? Fresh air and endorphins will result in your happiness. Plus you get the chance to spend time with your family or partner outside while skiing.

St. Albert Nordic

Parking: After a quick 30-minute drive from Edmonton (depending on where you live), park at Red Willow Park at Kingswood. It’s a big enough parking lot that might look full when entering it but keep driving as some unseen parking spaces might have been vacated.

Washrooms: Washrooms can be found inside the pavilion.

Fee: Donations are appreciated to help the St. Albert Nordic maintenance team keep the cross-country skiing tracks in great condition. Click here to donate online.

Sturgeon Road

From the parking lot, you can either head left or right. If you head left, you’ll find a path for skate skiing between two sets of classic cross-country skiing tracks. Along Sturgeon Road (further southwest, not on the map), you’ll find classic cross-country skiing tracks on either side of the trees beside the road. There is room for skate skiing to the right of the classic tracks in either direction. It’s a nice place to glide and get your stride, especially when beginning and needing a flat space to practice.

Kingswood Park

If you choose to go to the right, you’ll pass the pavilion and skating area and arrive at Kingswood Park (#10 on the map). Many classic tracks are located at the bottom of the hill to practice your gliding skills. St. Albert Nordic offers youth and adult classes in that area and Lower Riverlot to learn to cross-country ski or to improve their skiing techniques. A loop goes up a hill to the left of Kingswood Park and gradually downhill on the other side. For more excitement, do the loop counter-clockwise and to go down the hill for some added fun.

Lower Riverlot

Cross into the woods to the lower Riverlot (#1 and 9 on the map). This area offers a bit more excitement travelling through the forest on ups and downs for classic and skate skiers. It’s perfect for beginners wanting to try something a bit more difficult or for more advanced skiers who enjoy more challenging terrain. There is only one set of tracks in this area. There aren’t signs indicating who has the right of way. Typically, skiers skiing downhill appreciate the right of way. Exercise caution and be kind when meeting each other.

Tip: Rule of thumb: classic skiers have the right of way when the tracks are on their right side. Once the tracks are on the left side, skiers coming towards you have right of way. It’s much faster to glide in the tracks than out of them. Feel free to use the left side track but as a common courtesy, if someone is coming in your direction, it’s appreciated if you get out of the track to give them the right of way and then hop back in after the skier has passed.

River Loop

Past the lower Riverlot, a crossing leads to the river loop (#2 to 8 on the map) that goes on and around the river onto fields. Depending on the snowfall accumulation, grass might poke out of the tracks in certain areas. But, it’s a gorgeous area to ski and enjoy the scenery, especially on a beautiful sunny day when it’s worth it to manoeuvre around these spots and continue the relatively flat ski around the river bend. There is good visibility all around you in this area. This is a perfect place for beginners to practice their glide and not have to worry about steep hills.

Tip #1: Bring sunglasses if it’s sunny outside. Otherwise, your eyes will have difficulty adjusting to the sunlight reflecting off the snow.

Tip #2: Keep an eye out for coyotes as they can be seen occasionally in wide open spaces.

Tip #3: Skiers with snow pants were seen on this part of the trail. If possible, try to avoid thick clothing when cross-country skiing. Skiers tend to warm up quickly, which will cause overheating and sweating to occur. This could potentially lead to getting chilled. Instead, layers are suggested. It’s always easier to add or remove layers rather than relying on only one heavy layer.

Bonus

My absolute favourite part of this trail, the added bonus, was finding red chairs on the trail! That was a cool find! Totally unexpected and sitting there beautifully in the field. Pictures had to be taken; it was a must!

This location offers a variety of terrain and different scenery for xc skiing near me. It’s a wonderful place to ski and so close to home! It’s so easy to get a couple of hours of exercise into a day without having to drive too far. The maintenance team does a tremendous job keeping the tracks in awesome condition. I highly recommend checking out this place.

Devon

Parking: After a quick 30-minute drive southwest of Edmonton (depending on where you live), there is a small parking lot for skiers. It can fill up quickly so to ensure you get a parking spot, arrive in the morning. Otherwise, you might be waiting for a skier to finish skiing to park your vehicle.

Washrooms: There is an outhouse provided for your needs.

Fee: Donations are encouraged to help the team at Devon Nordic Ski Club maintain their trails and equipment.

Another awesome skiing location is Devon Nordic Ski Centre for xc skiing near me. This area is split into three different sections: Lions Park, River Trail and the golf course. Note that these trails are one-directional as indicated by signs. The volunteers do an awesome job keeping the tracks in amazing condition for skiers of all levels. This location offers a great couple of hours of exercise surrounded by a happy community of skiers and gorgeous scenery.

Lions Park

To the right of the parking lot, tracks can be found throughout Lions Park campsite. Soon after crossing the road, you’ll be given the option to continue straight or go upwards to the right. If you proceed upwards (loop near #2 on the map), you’ll head towards the road and back doing a small loop for some additional exercise.

After descending the small hill to your initial intersection, you’ll have access to picnic tables as you ski in this area. You’ll pass a playground (near #1 on the map) followed by multiple parallel tracks on flat terrain where classes are hosted to teach people how to ski and improve their technique. Further along, a trail branches off to a more difficult section leading uphill toward a neighbourhood.

Tip: The trail is narrow with a track in the middle which could make it difficult when snow plowing down this section. It might be easier to snow plow with new snow, but it could get dicey if ice is on the hill. If deciding to ski this section, make sure you’re steady on your skis and can stop with ease in a narrow environment to prevent injury.

If a skier chooses to avoid climbing up the steep track, they’ll continue making a loop and come back out to the parking lot.

River Trail

The river trail (#3 on the map) is accessible just north of the parking lot. Two signs will indicate that Lions Park ski track is to the right (where you might have already explored) and the river trail will be to the left. The river trail starts out narrow with one single track indicating to continue in that direction. This is a multi-use trail. Walkers are encouraged to walk beside to the right of the ski tracks on their own path but sometimes forget. They might need a gentle reminder not to walk on the tracks to avoid creating foot holes along the pristine tracks.

Trees overhang on that part of the trail resulting in debris (including pine needles) from the trees that scatter the trail and could potentially stick to the underside of your skis if grip wax has been applied. Be cautious when on that part of the ski tracks. Eventually, there will be an intersection that encourages beginners to exit to the left and reconnect with the golf course tracks.

Steeper Section

If skiers choose to continue straight, the trail gets steeper and a herringbone pattern will be required when skiing uphill on the incline (#4 on the map). This trail joins with the blue (more difficult trail) higher up along the edge of the golf course. It adds some additional fun with steeper hills to ascend and descend for the more advanced skier.

Tip: When choosing this route, there isn’t an easy way to abort and return back to a beginner green track. It could feel intimidating if you’re a beginner with no way out other than to complete the one-directional loop.

Golf Course

The beginner green golf course loop starts at the parking lot and signs (#8 on the map) direct skiers to where they need to go. Blue (more difficult) sections are available between the green tracks for skiers looking for added difficulty. These blue tracks go up and down for an added workout as skiers maneuver their skis in winding tracks. Green loops are mostly on a nice flat surface on the golf course. Even for an advanced skier, the easy tracks offer the opportunity to go faster while getting a workout and practicing their glide. It’s a gorgeous area to get some exercise and enjoy the scenery. As indicated above, an additional blue loop is found on the south side of the golf course (#4 on the map that links to the river trail) for added hills and turns for the more adventurous skier.

If you’re thinking you might be lacking all the right gear for cross-country skiing, here are 6 Stocking Stuffers for X-Country Skiers to help you get equipped for a great outing in Devon. This place offers a nice easy ski with a few adventurous trails for those looking for some additional skiing fun. Choose where you want to go for different scenery and a variety of skills needed on the trail. The tracks are in great shape thanks to a dedicated team. You can’t go wrong with this gorgeous ski area.

Goldbar Park

Parking: After a quick 20-minute drive in Edmonton (depending on where you live), a skier will arrive at the large parking lot.

Washrooms: They can be found inside the building.

Fee: Donations by mail are encouraged to help Edmonton Nordic Ski Club at Goldbar Park maintain its trails and equipment.

Easy and intermediate xc skiing near me is offered throughout the open space and forested areas of this park for classic and skate skiers. Most of the trails are one-directional as indicated by signs. The park offers many flat trails throughout the park except near the Strathcona refinery. There is a steep uphill followed by a steep downhill into the forest. The smells aren’t the best in that area so quickly continue to a different area of the park. Once out of that section, it’s a gorgeous place for xc skiing near me with a variety of uphills, downhills and flat surfaces depending on your skiing ability and what you’re interested in doing that day.

It’s a gorgeous area to ski that is well-maintained by the crew. It’s another place I suggest checking out. It offers a variety of trail difficulties for all levels of skiers.

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot (Waskehegan)

Parking: This location is a one-hour drive east of Edmonton (depending on where you live). They have a lot of space to park your vehicle.

Washrooms: There are outhouses available for your needs at the parking lot and throughout the park.

Tip: Bring some toilet paper with you as the outhouses along the trails aren’t always stocked with toilet paper.

Fee: Donations are encouraged to help maintain the trails and equipment for the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival hosted by the Canadian Birkebeiner Society, a non-profit organization. They promote cross-country skiing at Cooking Lake-Blackfoot (Islet Lake, Waskehegan and Blackfoot).

Waskehegan is a gorgeous place for xc skiing near me. They offer one hundred and seventy kilometres of wonderful classic cross-country ski trails and thirty-five kilometres for skate skiing. Waskehegan and Islet Lake have classic tracks on both sides. The loops can be skied in both directions. The Blackfoot staging area has skate skiing. There are many different loops offering a variety of difficulties depending on your skill level and what you hope to accomplish that day. Warming huts are available throughout this region to get warm and take a break from the cold weather and eat lunch.

There are so many places to ski in this gorgeous region; never a dull moment! Every time you go, new trails with a variety of terrain are available to check out. Here are 10 Reasons to Love Cross-Country Skiing and try it out for yourself.

Dress in Layers

To have a Happy and Warm X-Country Ski make sure to dress in layers to avoid being cold while skiing. The temperature and wind conditions can change between the morning and the afternoon. It’s always best to have more clothing available in your backpack in case you need additional layers or space in the backpack in case you need to remove some layers. Have snacks, lunch, and water to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Parking: This location is a one-hour drive east of Edmonton (depending on where you live). They have some parking in two parking lots but it’s a popular place and those parking lots fill up quickly. Drivers tend to park on the side of the road.

Tip: Make sure not to park too close to the shoulder and need a tow truck to pull you out!

Washrooms: They are inside the heated building.

Fee/Admission: $7 for an adult day pass, $2.75 for a child and $3.25 for youth. Check more info here.

XC skiing near me includes Strathcona Wilderness Centre for the magnificent twelve-kilometre tracks they maintain with the money received from the daily or season passes. Hikers and dogs aren’t allowed to walk here in winter so you never have to worry about foot holes or poop wrecking the ski tracks. Hikers are asked to walk at the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail during the winter months. Snowshoers are allowed here on dedicated snowshoeing trails.

The trails are always in pristine condition. Regular updates provide track conditions. Children and adults can take lessons offered for a multitude of skill levels from beginners to advanced skiers. They also offer first-come first served equipment rentals (no reservations) for up to three hours for your convenience. Prices start at $13 for children and youth and $16 for adults. Here is the listed pricing.

Come enjoy a beautiful community dedicated to getting couples and families outside cross-country skiing.

Final Thoughts

XC skiing near me offers a variety of beautifully maintained locations in and around Edmonton. Each community puts so much effort into caring for its trails and making sure the tracks are always in great condition. We are blessed with so much beautiful scenery and a variety of trails to explore for beginners and advanced skiers. St. Albert, Devon, Goldbar Park, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot and Strathcona Wilderness Centre allow us to enjoy being outdoors with our families and/or partner cross-country skiing. We are truly lucky to have so many places available to us.

If you end up liking cross-country skiing a lot and looking for skiing adventures abroad, Cross-Country Skiing La Féclaz in France is a beautiful place to check out.