Winter finds most of the Tri-Region transformed into a snow-covered wonderland, a massive parkland absolutely perfect for the outdoor explorer. If you’re looking to find more ways to go adventuring out in the country, we’ve got you covered. There’s plenty of locations in Parkland County, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain that are a godsend for cross-country skiers, regardless of your experience. Here are a few spots in the Tri-Region noted for their cross-country skiing prowess and their gorgeous scenery. Break out your skis!
Links at Spruce Grove
One of Alberta’s premiere golf courses located just west of Edmonton in Spruce Grove, the Links turns into quite the snowy spectacle during the winter. Featuring plenty of tree-lined groomed trails, this is a great, convenient choice for both locals and Edmontonians looking for some fresh powder.
Clifford E. Lee Natural Area
A hiking-suitable marsh/wetland by fall and a cross-country skiing paradise by winter. The park is a whopping 28 acres of gorgeous habitat that doubles as a nature sanctuary, so keep your eyes out for wildlife such as snowshoe hares, deer, beavers or coyotes on your ski trips!
Parkland Cross Country Ski Club
Armed with some of the most breathtaking scenery in Parkland County, the Parkland Cross Country Ski Club is all ski all the time. Being a member of the ski club is joining a community of like-minded cross-country skiers and gaining access to amazing ski tours and trips all across Western Canada. For those who want to ski like their life depends on it, here’s the group to do it with.
Stony Plain Golf Course
Like our friends at Links, the Stony Plain Golf Course undergoes a remarkable transformation each winter, opening up a new set of freshly groomed linked trails for snowshoe and ski fans. The trails are set up as a series of loops around the edge of the golf course, providing plenty of challenge to experienced skiers and newcomers alike.
Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area
Boasting 14 kilometres of carefully maintained cross-country trails with a variety of single and double tracks, even skating lanes, Chickakoo Lake is a scenic park with plenty to explore. Take a rip down the Indian Ridge Trail and check out the sights past Dog Leg Pond or cut through Cranberry Corner and make your way through rigorous woodland forest trails. Word of note, this area also comes with a warm-up chalet for skiers, making this site a winter essential.