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There are so many great winter activities in Edmonton but if cross country skiing is your sport of choice, luckily the capital city offers plenty of groomed trails for your enjoyment.
Places to Go Cross Country Skiing in Edmonton
With several places to go cross country skiing in Edmonton, from city parks to river valley golf courses, there’s a trail for everyone no matter your ski style or experience level. Here are some places you’ll find cross country ski trails in Edmonton.
Goldbar, Goldstick, and Capilano Parks
One of the best (and most popular) places to cross country ski in Edmonton is at the adjoining Goldbar, Capilano, and Goldstick parks.
Here there are 12 kilometers of trails maintained by the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club that are groomed for classic and skate style skiing. There are also training grids for practicing your skills.
Of the nine connected ski trails, three are rated easy, three are intermediate, and three are considered advanced (the advanced trails are in Goldstick Park). There are trails that pass by frozen ponds, go through open meadows, and venture into forested areas.
In addition to the large ski area and scenic variety, another benefit of skiing here is that the trails are frequently groomed- typically four times a week. The trails are also illuminated for night skiing.
Before skiing here, take note of the directional arrows on the map and signs because the routes are for one-way skiing.
Victoria Golf Course and Park
Another popular place for cross country skiing in Edmonton is the Victoria Golf Course and park. Here you can enjoy a beautiful cityscape as you ski in the heart of the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
There are two easy, flat trails for classic and skate skiing totalling about 3.5 km. The west loop begins at the driving range and circles around part of the golf course. The east loop is the longer route, starting at the cricket clubhouse then looping back near the Royal Glenora Club.
Royal Mayfair Golf Club
The Royal Mayfair Golf Club is an attractive, peaceful location for cross country skiing in Edmonton. Big, beautiful trees frame the fairways/trails and not a lot of people come here to ski, especially when compared to the nearby Victoria Golf Course.
There are approximately 3 km of ski trails that loop throughout the golf course, starting at the north parking lot. Trails are groomed for classic skiing, are double track, and rated easy.
Even though this is a members only golf club, you don’t have to be a member to ski here. As part of the club’s lease agreement with the city, they are required to provide public access to the ski trails.
Hawrelak Park
Hawrelak Park is a popular hub for winter recreation thanks to the availability of ski trails, skating rinks, and more.
For skiers, Hawrelak Park offers about 6 km of flat trails on two routes. The inner loop is 2 km long and travels through the interior fields and along one side of the pond. The outer loop is 2.6 km and travels around the perimeter of the park. The inner trail is groomed for classic and skate skiing but the outer trail is set for classic only.
From Hawrelak Park you can also ski to Emily Murphy Park via the 1.5 km connector trail. This forested trail links the northwest corner of Hawrelak’s outer loop with the west parking lot at Emily Murphy Park. It is groomed for classic skiing.
One downside of cross country skiing at Hawrelak Park is that the tracks get trampled on by walkers more often than at other Edmonton cross country skiing locations.
Kinsmen Park
Kinsmen Park is another place in the river valley that offers trails for cross country skiing.
Here there are two loops for classic and skate skiing that equal 3.5 km of trail. The Walterdale Loop is 1.5 km, rated easy, and travels around the perimeter of the lower field. Servold’s Loop is 2 km, rated moderate because of the hills, and travels around the pitch and putt golf course. This loop is to be skied in one direction only.
Riverside Golf Course
Come winter, the scenic Riverside Golf Course is groomed for both styles of cross country skiing.
With nearly 5 km of trails, you can ski up and down the tree-framed fairways and along the river’s edge. The trails are rated easy, but there are some gentle undulations.
Argyll Park
Argyll Park is a great choice for beginner skiers of both styles thanks to the flat landscape.
There are two trails at Argyll Park that loop around the sports fields. One goes around the baseball diamonds and the other travels the perimeter of the large field in between the Velodrome and Mill Creek Ravine. In total, the two loops equal 2.3 km.
Review of the Cross Country Ski Trails in Edmonton
Edmonton has a lot of great ski areas to choose from, especially in the beautiful river valley. Most cross country ski trails in Edmonton are groomed for both styles of skiing, so you’re not limited where you can go.
The natural scenery and quiet atmosphere at the Royal Mayfair and Riverside golf courses is hard to beat. For the most variety, both in trail distance and difficulty, head to Gold Bar and its adjoining parks. If you like to enjoy views of downtown while you ski, then check out Victoria Golf Course and Kinsmen Park.
No matter where you decide to go cross country skiing in Edmonton, you’ll be keeping fit and having fun while enjoying one of the best winter activities in Alberta!
Tips for Cross Country Skiing in Edmonton
Trail Conditions: For grooming reports and trail conditions for cross country ski areas maintained by the City of Edmonton, visit this page on the city’s website.
- For ski areas maintained by the Edmonton Nordic Club (Goldbar, Goldstick, and Capilano), visit this page on their website for grooming reports.
- The Royal Mayfair Golf Club doesn’t post trail conditions or grooming reports on their website.
Accommodations in Edmonton
For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Edmonton. Please consider booking your Edmonton accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!
More Winter Guides
You may also like these other Alberta winter activity guides:
- Ice Skating in Edmonton- The Best Edmonton Outdoor Skating Rinks
- Things to Do at Pigeon Lake in Winter- The Best Pigeon Lake Activities for Winter Fun
- Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles- How to See the Frozen Bubbles in Abraham Lake
- Cline River Falls Hike in Winter- David Thompson Country
- Alberta Ski Resorts- The Best Ski Area in the Rockies
- Johnston Canyon Winter Hike- Banff National Park
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