| Mountains and snow – two reasons Calgarians can spend their winter doing more than complaining about the weather. And because there are thousands of other opportunities in Calgary to make winter more than just bearable, Fast Forward’s Winter Guide highlights some of the best ways to enjoy the frosty season – from hittin’ the lanes at the Bowladrome to hitting the slopes on a crazy carpet. So pull out our Winter Guide, pin it to your bulletin board and make it your best friend this winter.
Attempting to list every winter activity would be impossible, so this guide focuses on non-profit organizations and public parks and facilities that everyone can enjoy. Now get out there and enjoy winter.
EVENTS (OUTDOOR)
12 Days of Christmas
Nov 15 — Dec 21, Heritage Park, 268-8500
Airdrie Festival of Lights
Nov 28 — Jan 2, 948-7774
Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk
Dec 6, Eau Claire Market, 410-1114
Zoo Year’s Eve
Dec 31, Calgary Zoo, 232-9300
Chinese New Year’s Celebrations
Jan 23 — Jan 25, Chinese Cultural Centre, 262-5071
Calgary Winter Festival
Feb 6 - 16, Prince’s Island, Eau Claire Market, COP, Olympic Plaza, Devonian Gardens, 543-5480
Toshiba Celebrity Ski Invitational
April 16 - 17, Lake Louise, AB
Coca-Cola "Crazy Canuck" Challenge
April 18, Lake Louise, AB
EVENTS (INDOOR)
17th Annual Art Market Art & Craft Sale
Nov 20 - 23, Telus Convention Centre, www.artmarketonline.com
International Christmas Market
Nov 21 — 23, Spruce Meadows, 974-4200
Discover Devonian Brown Bag Lunch Series
Wednesdays until Dec 10, Devonian Gardens TD Square, 12 - 1 pm
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra - Handel’s Messiah
Dec 11 & 12, Jack Singer Concert Hall, TM
Motorcycle Show
Jan 9 — 11, Stampede Park, 245-9008
Big Rock University Lecture Series
Food, beer and thought provoking lectures from University of Calgary professors. Topics include "The Search for Extraterrestrial Life" (Dec 3), "Who’s Winning the Food Fight" (Feb 4), "Entertaining the Cowboy When the Whorehouse Bells Ain’t Ringin’" (Feb 25) and more, 720-3239.
Glenbow’s After Hours with Singles and Friends
Nov 27, Jan 29 & Feb 26 - intriguing lectures and performances by Calgary experts and entertainers followed by conversation, cocktails and connections, 268-4110
Calgary Soccer Centre
Soccer Saturdays — live men’s women’s and minor soccer games 5 — 9 pm. 279-8453. www.calgarysc.com
Festival of Trees
Nov 28 - 30, Telus Convention Centre. Activities for all ages include ongoing entertainment, Gift Shoppe, Sweet Shoppe, Children’s World - crafts and games, Gingerbread Hamlet and decorated trees, 283-1333
Festival of Crafts
Dec 4 - 7, Calgary Stampede, 261-0101
18th Annual High Performance Rodeo
Jan 7 - Feb 1, Big Secret Theatre, 264-3224
National PlayRites ’04 Festival
Annual Festival of new Canadian Plays, Jan 28 - March 7, Martha Cohen Theatre, 294-7475
A Christmas Carol
Nov. 27 — Dec. 24, Theatre Calgary, 294-7440
The Nutcracker
Dec. 16 — Dec. 21,. Alberta Ballet, 245-4222
Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Slide show series on Alberta Parks and Protected Areas Jan 15, Feb 19 & March 19, Fish Creek Park, 297-5293
All Breeds Dog Show
Jan 30 — Feb 1, Big 4 Building, 261-0101
Boat & Sportsmen’s Show
Feb 12 - 15, Round-Up Centre, 245-9008
World of Wheels
Feb 20 - 22, Calgary Stampede Roundup Centre, 261-0101
Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre Information presentations
Slide shows and information on the natural areas throughout southern Alberta including "High Plains Survivor - The Lower Milk River" (Jan 14), "Caribour Mountains Wildland Provincial Park" (Feb 11), "Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park" (March 10). 297-7927.
CLASSES
University of Calgary, Continuing Education
Offers relevant short courses, seminars and workshops, on a year-round basis including Adult Education/Lifestyle Programs, Business and Professional Programs, Science and Technology Programs, Language Programs, Information Technology Training for Industry, Avid Learner's Academy and more. 220-5110, www.ucalgary.ca
Canada Olympic Park
Offers courses in skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. 247-5452, www.coda.ab.ca/COP/
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Continuing education courses in Accounting, Communications, Culinary Arts, Electronics, Health & Wellness, Multimedia and more, 284-7248. www.sait.ab.ca
Calgary Parks & Recreation
Offers numerous courses in Art, Dancing, Fitness and more, 268-3888. www.gov.calgary.ab.ca/recreation/
Mount Royal College
The Faculty of Continuing Education & Extension provides practical, strategic and up-to-the-minute professional development in a variety of areas, including business, small business development, information technology, environmental science, health and complementary health. 240-6111, www.mtroyal.ab.ca
The Cookbook Company
Offers cooking classes throughout the year. 265-6066.
Mountain Equipment Co-Op
Various outdoor activities throughout the winter months. www.mec.ca/Apps/events/events.jsp
MULTI-USE AREAS IN CALGARY
Southwest
Edworthy Park & Douglas Fir Trail
Access north on 45 St SW to Spruce Dr
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Access at various points in SW and SE, 297-5293
North Glenmore Park
Access via 37 St SW or Crowchild Tr S
Prince’s Island Park
1st Ave & 4th St SW or Memorial Dr & 3 St NW
Richmond Green
Access off 33 Ave & 25 St SW
River Park
Off 14A St between 38 Ave & 50 Ave SW
Sandy Beach & Natural Area
Down the hill from 14 St & 50 Ave SW
South Glenmore Park
Access of 90 Ave & 24 St SW
Stanley Park
42 Ave & 1A St SW
Weaslehead Natural Area
Access off 37 St & 66 Ave SW
Southeast
Beaverdam Flats Park
Access off of 18 St at 66 Ave to Lynview Rd SE
Carburn Park
Off of 18 St at Rivervalley Dr to Riverview Dr SE
Centenary Park
Off Memorial Dr & Baines Bridge
Elliston Regional Park
17 Ave & 60 St SE
Northwest
Bowmont Park
Silver Valley Blvd & Silver Crest Dr NW
Bowness Park
8900 - 48 Ave NW
Confederation Park
Off 10 St N at 24 Ave NW
McHugh Bluff Natural Area
between Centre St & 10 St NW
Nose Hill Park Natural Area
Off 14 St between John Laurie & Berkshire Blvds NW
Riley Park
800 - 12 St NW
Shouldice Park
Bowness Rd & 56 St NW
Northeast
Prairie Winds Park
Off Castleridge Blvd NE
MULTI-USE AREAS NEAR CALGARY
Banff National Park
Canada's first national park is home to a variety of distinctive natural features and cultural and historical sites. Mountains, glaciers, icefields, alpine meadows, mineral hot springs, deep canyons and hoodoos compose the natural landscape.
General information: (403) 762-1470. www.worldweb.com/ParksCanada-Banff/
Kananaskis Country
A 1600-square mile, four-season, multi-use recreation area 90 kilometers west of Calgary. K-Country includes Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Canmore Nordic Centre, Bow Valley and Bragg Creek Provincial Parks. Also encompasses Sibbald, Barrier Lake, Ribbon Creek, the Elbow River and Sheep River Valleys, and the Highwood and Cataract areas.
www3.gov.ab.ca/env/parks/prov_parks/kananaskis/
General information: 403-673-3985. Canmore Nordic Centre: 403-678-2400.
TOBOGGANING RUNS
Southwest
Glenbrook Hill
45 St & 25 Ave SW
Kingsland Dry Pond
behind Rose Kohn/Jimmy Condon Arena, 502 Heritage Dr SW
River Park
4500 - 14A St SW
Richmond Green
33 Ave & 25 St SW
Richmond Park
22 Ave & 45 St SW
Scarboro
15 Ave & 15 St SW
Scirroco Point Site
Scirroco Dr & Signal Hill Heights
Stanley Park
4011 - 1A St SW
Strathcona
277 Strathcona Dr SW
Turtle Hill
45 St between 17 Ave & 26 Ave SW
West Glamorgan
4207 - 41 Ave SW
Southeast
Erin Woods
20 Erinwoods Dr SE
Elliston
60 St & 17 Ave SE
Maple Ridge Dry Pond
Mapleglade Close SE
Northwest
Confederation Park
2807 - 10 St NW
St. Andrew's Heights
2504 - 13 Ave NW
Northeast
Deerfoot Athletic Park
1604 - 14 Ave NE
Calgary Marlborough Community Association
636 Marlborough Way NE
Marlborough Park Community Association
6021 Madigan Dr NE
Monterey Park
Catalina Blvd and 28 Ave NE
Prairie Winds Park
223 Castleridge Blvd NE
SKI RESORTS
Banff Mount Norquay
Mt Norquay Road, Banff, (403) 762-4421, www.banffnorquay.com
Canada Olympic Park
88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, 247-5452, www.coda.ab.ca
Castle Mountain Resort
Pincher Creek, AB, (403) 627-5101, www.castlemountainresort.com
Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie, BC, (250) 423-3555, www.skifernie.com
Fortress Mountain
Kananaskis Country, AB, 244-6665, www.skifortress.com
Kimberley Alpine Resort
Kimberley, BC, (250) 427-4881, www.skikimberley.com
Lake Louise Ski Area
Lake Louise, AB, 244-6665, www.skilouise.com
Nakiska
Kananaskis Village, AB, (403) 591-7777
Panorama
West of Invermere, BC, 1-800-663-2929, www.panoramaresort.com
Sunshine Village
Banff, AB, (403) 760-5200, www.skibanff.com
Wintergreen Ski Resort
Bragg Creek, AB, 949-5100, www.skiwintergreen.com
PUBLIC POOLS AND FITNESS CENTRES
Southwest
Canyon Meadows Pool & Fitness Centre
89 Canova Rd SW, 281-6984
Glenmore Pool
5330 - 19 St SW, 287-3363
Killarney Pool
1919 - 29 St SW, 246-1737
Lindsay Park Sports Centre
2225 Macleod Tr S, 233-8393
Southland Leisure Centre
2000 Southland Dr SW, 251-3505
Southeast
Acadia Pool & Fitness Centre
9009 Fairmount Dr SE, 252-6336
Acadia Recreation Complex
240 - 90 Ave SE, 255-1252
Alberta Chinese Recreation Centre
132 - 3 Ave SE, 264-1237
Beltline Pool & Fitness Centre
223 - 12 Ave SE, 221-3519
Bob Bahan Pool & Fitness Centre
4812 - 14 Ave SE, 273-2944
Family Leisure Centre
11150 Bonaventure Dr SE, 278-7542
Inglewood Pool
1527 - 17 Ave SE, 269-1422
Northwest
Foothills Pool
2915 - 24 Ave NW, 282-6002
SAIT Campus Centre
1301 - 16 Ave NW, 284-8457
Shouldice Pool
5303 Bowness Rd NW, 221-3864
Sir Winston Churchill Pool & Fitness Centre
34 St & Northmount Dr NW, 289-7890
Thornhill Pool & Fitness Centre
6725 Centre St N, 221-4282
University of Calgary
Kinesiology B-Complex, 220-7241
VRRI - Recreation Department
3304 - 33 St NW, 284-2231
Northeast
Renfrew Pool & Fitness Centre
810 - 13 Ave NE, 276-7340
Village Square Leisure Centre
2623 - 56 St NE, 280-9714
OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS
City of Calgary of Calgary rink info line:
268-2300
Southeast
Olympic Plaza
228 - 8 Ave SE
Northwest
Bowness Lagoon
8900 - 49 Ave NW
Northeast
Marlborough Park
6021 Madigan Dr NE
Prairie Winds Park
223 Castleridge Blvd NE
INDOOR ARENAS WITH PUBLIC SKATING
Southwest
Jimmie Condon Arena
502 Heritage Dr SW, 268-2300
Optimist/George Blundun
5020 26 Ave SW, 268-2300
Southland Leisure Centre
2000 Southland Dr SW, 268-2300
Northwest
Murray Copot Arena
6715 Centre St NW, 268-2300
Olympic Oval
University of Calgary, 220-7890
Shouldice Arena
1515 Home Road NW, 268-2300
Northeast
Stew Hendry
814 13 Ave NE, 268-2300
Village Square Liesure Centre
2623 56 St NE, 268-2300
INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES
Southwest
Glenmore Velodrome
5300 - 19 St SW, 268-3850
Source Skatepark
2732 Falise Ave SW, 802-1200 (former CFB Currie)
Southeast
Calgary Soccer Centre
7000 - 48 St SE, 279-8453
Calgary Climbing Centre
6, 7130 Fisher Rd SE, 252-6778
Four O Three Skatepark
510 — 77 Ave SE, 255-7433
Northwest
Stronghold Indoor Climbing Centre
140 - 15 Ave NW, 276-6484
University of Calgary
Kinesiology B-180, 220-5038
Volleydome
2825 - 24 Ave NW, 284-3663
BOWLING
Southwest
Mountain View Bowl
11, 3919 Richmond Rd SW, 249-0858
Chinook Bowladrome
Chinook Centre, 252-5747
Southeast
Clayburn Bowl
1820 - 52 St SE, 248-4664
Frank Sisson’s Silver Dollar Bowl
1010 - 42 Ave SE, 287-1183
Paradise Lanes
3411 - 17 Ave SE, 272-4570
Toppler Bowl
7640 Fairmount Dr SE, 255-0101
Northeast
Bowling Depot
901 - 64 Ave NE, 275-1260
Let’s Bowl
2916 - 5 Ave NE, 569-2695
Fairview Bowling Centre
1010, 999 - 36 St NE, 289-2571
Thorncliffe Greenview Community Assoc
5600 Centre St N, 274-5574
LIBRARIES
Southwest
Alexander Calhoun
3223 - 14 St SW, 221-2010
Memorial Park
1221 - 2 St SW, 221-2006
Shaganappi
3415 - 8 Ave SW, 221-2020
Signal Hill
5994 Signal Hill Ctr SW, 221-2000
Southwood
924 Southland Dr SW, 221-2082
Southeast
W.R. Castell Central Library
616 Macleod Tr SE, 260-2600
Fish Creek
11161 Bonaventure Dr SE, 221-2090.
Forest Lawn
4807 - 8 Ave SE, 221-2070
Glenmore Square
7740 - 18 St SE, 221-2080
Shawnessy
300, 333 Shawville Blvd SE, 221-2072
Northwest
Bowness
7930 Bowness Rd NW, 221-2022
Georgina Thomson
51 Cornell Rd NW, 221-2040
Louise Riley
1904 - 14 Ave NW, 221-2046
Nose Hill
1530 Northmount Dr NW, 221-2030
Northeast
Thornhill
6617 Centre St N, 221-2050
Village Square
2623 - 56 St NE, 221-2060
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Alpine Club of Canada - Calgary Section
A club providing members of all skill levels with rock, snow and ice climbing courses as well as regular climbing outings, bouldering sessions, social events and much more. 242-7657.
Alpine Club of Canada - National Office
Canada's national mountaineering organization. Offers backcountry accommodations, camps, training courses, and provides environmental and access advocacy. (403) 678-3200. E-mail: alpclub@telusplanet.net
Alberta Association For Disabled Skiers
286-8050
Banff Centre for Mountain Culture
Promotes understanding and appreciation of the world's mountain places and creates opportunities for the international mountain community to share experiences, ideas and visions. Program highlights include: Banff Mountain Photo Competition, Book Festival, Film Festival and Summit. (403)762-6369. E-mail: cmc@banffcentre.ab.ca
Calgary Bobsled Club
Formed in 1984 to promote the sport of bobsleigh. E-mail: calbob@cadvision.com
Calgary Five Pin Bowlers Association
23b, 6020 - 2 St SE, 252-5879
Calgary Hash Harriers
Hashing is a non-competitive cross country run through varied terrain – Hashing is to competitive running what slo-pitch is to major league baseball. If you enjoy good times and a few (or many, many) cold beers, you're hasher material. 243-9014. http://onon.org/asm/
Calgary Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts
An all-season outdoor club offering hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, cycling, backpacking and other outdoor activities. Members can participate in social events. 288-5714. E-mail: core_1999@hotmail.com
Calgary Outdoor School Consortium
COSC consists of the Kiwanis Club of Calgary, Rocky Mountain YMCA and the Silver Creek Ranch. It offers high quality outdoor programs (residential and day trips) to 12,000 students per year. 777-7117. E-mail: nklba@cadvision.com
Calgary Parks & Recreation - Outdoor/Nature Services
Offers outdoor pursuits and natural history programs as well as information on natural areas, outdoor recreation activities and Calgary's pathway system. It also provides organizational and program development services for non-profit organizations. 974-3111. E-mail: kforster@gov.calgary.ab.ca
Calgary Science Centre
Pass the time with the Super Sky Show in the Discovery Dome, K’NEXhibition or Friday Night Stargazing. 268-8331, www.calgaryscience.com\
Calgary Singles Council - Outdoor Group
Providing opportunities for single adults to meet new people while enjoying outdoor activities. The group's activities include hiking, biking, rafting, camping, cross-country skiing and skating. 248-4097 or 288-8810 (24-hour activity line).
Calgary Sport & Social Club
Co-ed sports leagues, tournaments and events for active people in their 20's and 30's. Winter season starts January 27th. Co-ed leagues include volleyball, soccer, basketball and floor hockey. Divisions range from recreational to elite. 244-PLAY, www.calgarysportsclub.com
Calgary Ski Club
Offers a variety of recreational and social activities year-round such as downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and cycling. Promotes education and safety awareness while having fun. 282-4122. E-mail: office@calgaryskiclub.org
Calgary Weekend Hikers
A casual hiking club for all levels offering weekday, weekend and overnight trips. 295-0605.
Hostelling International - Southern Alberta
An international organization which provides a network of safe, friendly and affordable accommodations and services to more than 5000 hostels in over 70 countries. 283-5551. E-mail: sab@hestellingintl.ca
Petroleum City Ski and Social Club
A downhill ski and social club offering day and weekend ski trips as well as social activities for both skiers and non-skiers. For 30 years this club has arranged camping, skiing, hiking, volleyball, social dining and many other activities. 269-6591. E-Mail: duncan_mcmaster@murphyoilcorp.com
Rocky Mountain Ramblers
A club offering ambitious hiking and cross-country skiing trips as well as social events for outdoor enthusiasts. 282-6308. E-Mail: ramblers@ramblers.ab.ca
Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies
Non-profit organization provides annual guided hikes from established base camps in the Rocky Mountains. Also promotes appreciation and conservation of Canada's national parks. (403) 289-6272. E-Mail: skyhiker@telusplanet.net
University of Calgary - Outdoor Program Centre
Provides outdoor courses, rentals and educational trips in outdoor recreation. 220-5038 or 220-6800. E-Mail: askrasti@ucdasvm1.admin.ucalgary.ca
In compiling this guide, we made every effort to include as many festivals, establishments and organizations as possible, but we know the list is not complete. If we missed your organization or event, we apologize. Please send us the name, phone number and/or e-mail, and a brief description, and we’ll include it in next year’s guide. |
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