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:
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.
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