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Cross Country Skiing in Edmonton- A Guide to Edmonton’s Cross Country Ski Trails

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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.

Cross Country Skiing in Edmonton.
Kinsmen Park

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.

Cross country skiing in Edmonton at Riverside Golf Course.
Riverside Golf Course

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.

Cross country skiing at Gold Bar Park.

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.

Cross country skier at Gold Bar Park.

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.

Cross country skiers at Gold Bar Park.

Warm-up Shelter: Yes 

Trail Map: View here


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. 

Cross country skiing at Victoria Golf Course.

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.

Cross country skiers at Gold Bar Park.

Warm-up Shelter: Yes 

Trail Map: View here


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.

Cross country skiing at Royal Mayfair Golf Club.

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.

Cross country ski trails in Edmonton at Royal Mayfair Golf Club.

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.

Cross country ski trails at Royal Mayfair Golf Club.

Warm-up Shelter: No

Trail Map: View here


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. 

Cross country ski trails at Hawrelak Park.

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. 


Warm-up Shelter: Yes 

Trail Map: View here


Kinsmen Park

Kinsmen Park is another place in the river valley that offers trails for cross country skiing. 

Cross country ski trails in Kinsmen Park.

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.

Cross country ski trails by the high level bridge at Kinsmen Park.

Warm-up Shelter: Yes 

Trail Map: View here


Riverside Golf Course

Come winter, the scenic Riverside Golf Course is groomed for both styles of cross country skiing.

Cross country ski trails in Edmonton at the Riverside Golf Course.

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. 

Cross country ski trails at the Riverside Golf Course.

Warm-up Shelter: No

Trail Map: View here


Argyll Park

Argyll Park is a great choice for beginner skiers of both styles thanks to the flat landscape.

Ski trails at Argyll Park.

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.

Cross country ski trails at Argyll Park.

Warm-up Shelter: No

Trail Map: View here


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.

Cross country ski trails in Edmonton at Riverside Golf Course.
Riverside Golf Course

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.

Cross country skiers at Victoria Golf Course.
Victoria Golf Course

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

Cross country skiing in Edmonton at Royal Mayfair Golf Club.
Royal Mayfair Golf Course

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.
Cross country ski trails at Riverside Golf Course.
Riverside Golf Course

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!

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