Winter Active

WinterCity Edmonton is a City of Edmonton initiative that draws Edmontonians together to make winter more vibrant and exciting, and to fully embrace our winter spirit. Edmonton’s Winter City Strategy is currently being adjusted as we work through this unique time.

The WinterCity Edmonton website has extensive links to winter events and activities in Edmonton and the surrounding area. Anyone can also take advantage of Edmonton's many opportunities for outdoor sport and active recreation:

If you need winter gear to keep warm and participate in your favourite activity, visit Snow & Ice Active to find what you need to Live Active – even when its colder. Be Fit for Life has produced a free guide: How to Dress for the Weather.

Winter Recreation is an outdoor drop-in program that takes place at City of Edmonton's River Valley parks and skating ovals! These free, family-oriented programs focus on getting people outside and enjoying the outdoors. Come join us after a skate or come check us out and try one of the activities we are focusing on each month. Program will run on Fridays (6-9pm), Saturdays and Sundays (2-8pm), starting on Dec 30th 2022 at specific locations listed on MoveLearnPlay.

Winter Walk Day, Wednesday February 1, encourages people across Alberta to be active outdoors in winter. More than 800 organizations and 100,000 Albertans took part last year.

Two major winter festivals celebrate outdoor activities in Edmonton. The Silver Skate Festival, February 10-20 at William Hawrelak Park, is a winter extravaganza of free art, culture, recreation and sports programming. Activities include Snowshoe Races, Skate Races, a Dead Cold Run, Fat Bike Race, cross country ski events (free equipment rentals) and a Winter Triathlon. The Canadian Birkie Ski Festival, February 10-27, takes place at the Ukrainian Village, Elk Island National Park, and Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. Enjoy a fun cross-country ski festival for all ages and abilities. The Virtual Canadian Birkie follows the local event from February 13-27.

Play Rangers is back and will run from noon to 6:00pm at Whitemud Park from January to March. Get active this winter and take part in some new activities. A complete list of activities is posted on MoveLearnPlay. FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Looking for a Christmas or Spring Break camp? The Sport Council Activity Search allows you to select an activity (sport, recreation or dance) and, after clicking the "Camps (Christmas)" box or "Camps (Spring Break)" box, browse the organizations that are offering that activity during the Christmas or Spring Break.

Starting to think about Spring/Summer activities? Spring/Summer activity registration starts as early as February and can last until the end of June (play can begin in May). Register early, especially for team activities. Use the Activity Search to find an organization offering your preferred activity.