Several cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails are now open, though outdoor ice rinks remain closed due to warmer temperatures.
The City of Calgary has several cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, including Bowness and North and South Glenmore parks, and Confederation, Lakeview, McCall Lake, Maple Ridge, and Shaganappi golf courses.
According to Nordic Pulse, a ski grooming report system, Confederation trails is 30 per cent groomed as of Sunday, while Shaganappi hasn’t been groomed since Dec. 2, citing warmer temperatures and windy conditions.
But when there’s more snow, long-time cross-country skier Lindsey Wallis will be ready to go.
“It’s a lot cheaper than downhill skiing,” she told 660 NewsRadio.
Wallis says she has been skiing for 20 years, saying, “As 20-somethings with not a lot of money, it was a really good option.”
She also got her daughter into the activity.
“Now my daughter actually downhill skis,” she said with a laugh. “I do both, but I prefer cross-country skiing.”
“You can get out into nature and it’s really beautiful out there in the winter — especially days like the other day when we had all that beautiful hoarfrost everywhere.”
Conditions have been on the warmer side, and while ski trails are open, Wallis is paying attention to trail reports to find the right time to head out.
Ice rinks in the city are also taking the heat, with all of them still not taking form.
The City of Calgary says temperatures need to be consistently between -7 C and -12 C for flooding, and ice has to be at least eight inches high to remain open and allow for maintenance equipment.
“All our outdoor ice is dependent on colder weather; it’s a bit of a trade-off, we have nice winter days, but right now it’s too warm for our rinks to be constructed/skated on,” a statement reads.
“However, we already have a few things open like the ice trail, Crokicurl and cross-country skiing trails at Bowness Park.”
While Wallis says cross-country skiing is a lot of fun, she admits it’s a “bit of a steep learning curve,” but adds there are plenty of ways to get out and learn.
“The trails around the city, there’s lots of really easy flat places to get your feet under you, and try it out,” she said. “There’s also lots of organizations where you can take beginner intro lessons. There’s lots of YouTube videos to help you too, and it’s a great way to get out and get exercise”
“Or like I did back in the day as a 20-something, you just go out and sort of figure it out.”
As she awaits the right time to pull out her skis to hit the trail, she also says Facebook groups like CrossCountry Skiing YYC have great information for anyone looking for cross-country skiing information.
More information on outdoor park activities and real-time updates on trails, rinks, and amenities being open can be found on the city’s website.
With files from Nadia Moharib