There are many Xcountry Skiing trails in and around Calgary. South Glenmore Park and Bowness park are maintained by the City of Calgary parks department.

There is also cross country skiing at some City of Calgary golf courses (stay off the fairways/greens and on the designated trails - if people abuse the golf courses they will no longer stay open to winter activities):

Maple Ridge Golf Course - tracks set by skiers, sometimes by the City.

Shaganappi Golf Course - trails at Shaganappi are maintained by volunteers from the Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club. Grooming for skate skiing will be done a minimum once a week, more frequently depending on volunteer availability.

Confederation Golf Course - maintained by Foothills Nordic Ski Club volunteers

Calgary has many sites that are ungroomed and open to the public but do not recieve tracksetting. Parks and schoolyards offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Some ungroomed areas include:

• Weaselhead Natural Environment Park
• Edworthy Park
• Fish Creek Provincial Park
• North Glenmore Park

The province of Alberta has unlimited numbers of Xcountry ski trails. The following natural areas typically offer good terrain, varied ski trails and optimal snow conditions:

• West Bragg Creek
• Ribbon Creek
• Bearberry Nordic Centre (near Sundre)
• Sandy McNabb (west of Turner Valley)
• Canmore Nordic Centre (Day and season passes can be purchased at the Daylodge)
• Peter Lougheed Park
• Mt. Shark Trails
• Smith Dorrien
• Chateau Lake Louise
• Emerald Lake/Field Trails

Skier Bob Facebook page offers up to date information on ski conditions in Calgary, Kananaskis, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Yoho, and West Bragg Creek. Check out his website for ski conditions http://www.skierbob.ca/   He also offers information such as which trails allow dogs on and off leash.

Facebook Group Cross Country Skiing YYC is a fantastic source of shared information. A group to ask questions and get tips, share trip reports and trail conditions, and anything else related to cross country skiing in Calgary and the Rockies.

Note: Some ski areas now charge user fees. Please check before you head out.

Best beginner Xcountry skiing around Calgary - great list by Rockies Family Adventures 

Walkers and those snowshoeing must stay completely off groomed trails, as any sunken footprints are a hazard to skiers, and also make the snow melt faster in low snow conditions.

There are many stores that rent cross country equipment - Google "renting cross country skiis Calgary" to find one nearest you.

The city of Calgary has several skating locations that are nicely maintained for leisure skating. 2020 brought two skating trails as a trial (at Bowness and North Glenmore Park).  In addition to these parks, most communities in Calgary maintain an outdoor skating rink. Many have both a rink with boards as well as a small leisure skate area.

Outdoor rinks may open or close on short notice, it is best to check current ice status before you head out.

Big Marlborough Park

Skating rink.  Address:6033 Madigan Dr. N.E.

Skating hours: 5 a.m - 11 p.m. daily

Bowness Park

Lagoon and new ice trail.  Address:8900 48 Ave. N.W.

Skating hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Rentals: available;  skates, ice bikes, helmets (rental availability may differ from skating hours)

Carburn Park

Skating rink.  Address:67 Riverview Dr. S.E.

Skating hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

North Glenmore Park 

New ice trail and skating rink (small square in the middle of the skating loop).  Address:7305 Crowchild Tr. S.W. 

Drive into the park, all the way to the West end. Several parking lot locations around the loop.  Skating hours:  11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

Olympic Plaza

Skating rink. Address:228 8 Ave. S.E.

Skating hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily

Prairie Winds Park

Skating rink.  Address:223 Castleridge Blvd. N.E.

Skating hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Thomson Family Park

Skating rink.  Address: 1236 16 Ave. S.W.

Skating hours:  5 a.m - 11 p.m. daily

Leisure skating rinks:

The City has over 50 adopted pleasure skating rinks which volunteers help flood and maintain throughout Calgary. Check out this list of locations. 

A fantastic map overview of outdoor skating in Calgary created by reddit user trollolhah:

With December sales of 1,199, this is the highest December total since 2007. “Housing demand over the second-half of 2020 was far stronger than anticipated and nearly offset the initial impact caused by the shutdowns in spring. Even with the further restrictions imposed in December, it did not have the same negative impact on housing activity like we saw in the earlier part of the year,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. Attractive interest rates along with prices that remain lower than several years ago have likely supported some of the recovery in the second half of the year. However, it is important to note that annual sales activity declined by one per cent compared to last year and remain well below long-term averages. New listings in December increased by 11 per cent. However, the number of sales exceeded the number of new listings in December contributing to further declines in inventory. Reductions in supply and improving demand in the second half of the year have contributed to some of the recent price improvements in the market. However, the recent gain in the benchmark price was not enough to offset earlier pullbacks as the annual residential benchmark price in Calgary declined by one per cent over last year. The pandemic has resulted in a significant shift in economic conditions, yet the housing market is entering 2021 in far more balanced conditions than we have seen in over five years. This will help provide some cushion for the market moving into 2021, but conditions will continue to vary depending on price range, location, and product type. More information about the 2021 housing market forecast for Calgary will be available at the CREB® Forecast on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

December 2020 Calgary Real Estate Market Full Report.

CREB "City of Calgary - With December sales of 1,199, this is the highest December total since 2007. “Housing demand over the second-half of 2020 was far stronger than anticipated and nearly offset the initial impact caused by the shutdowns in spring. Even with the further restrictions imposed in December, it did not have the same negative impact on housing activity like we saw in the earlier part of the year,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. Attractive interest rates along with prices that remain lower than several years ago have likely supported some of the recovery in the second half of the year. However, it is important to note that annual sales activity declined by one per cent compared to last year and remain well below long-term averages. New listings in December increased by 11 per cent. However, the number of sales exceeded the number of new listings in December contributing to further declines in inventory. Reductions in supply and improving demand in the second half of the year have contributed to some of the recent price improvements in the market. However, the recent gain in the benchmark price was not enough to offset earlier pullbacks as the annual residential benchmark price in Calgary declined by one per cent over last year. The pandemic has resulted in a significant shift in economic conditions, yet the housing market is entering 2021 in far more balanced conditions than we have seen in over five years. This will help provide some cushion for the market moving into 2021, but conditions will continue to vary depending on price range, location, and product type."

December 2020 CREB Calgary Real Estate Full Report