3 minute read
The Canmore Nordic Centre
Built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the Canmore Nordic Centre boasts over 65 km of cross-country ski trails, fat biking trails, an ice rink, snowshoe trail, 8-hole disc golf course, and tobogganing hill. It’s our multisport playground where you can play all day and all evening, with 6.5 km of ski trails illuminated for night skiing daily.
We meet at Cornerstone Café, in the Day Lodge for lunch. With rosy cheeks, the girls tell me about the snowman they built and how fast they skied back. They want to play in the snow “more!” so we swap skis for sleds and hit the toboggan hill. When the kids can’t run up the hill anymore, we relax with hot cocoa by the fire. The perfect ending to a perfect day!
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Biking at the Nordic Centre
Courtesy of Canmore Kananaskis Tourism
Cross-Country Skiing
Snow sparkles in the sunlight as I glide along pristine crosscountry ski tracks. Conditions are fantastic between Mother Nature, manmade snow, and world-class grooming. I ascend Beckie’s Hill, a tough climb where Olympian Beckie Scott earned Gold in the 2005 World Cup 15 km race and am thankful I got my wax right. It’s quiet, save for the occasional fat biker whooping for joy on a sweet single-track in the trees. The descent is steep and winding; my favourite kind of trail. I catch my breath in front of the Day Lodge, then do it again.
Meanwhile, my family are skiing Banff Trail to the Chandra Crawford Hut, picturesquely situated in a meadow. Only 2 km from the Day Lodge, it’s a comfortable distance for young skiers - and a cozy spot for a snack. With spectacular views of Mount Rundle to the south and the Bow Valley to the north, the warming hut is worth a visit whether or not you are cold.
Courtesy of Matthew Clark @stirlandraephoto
More Fun Things to Do
Disc Golf: Eight holes (1-4 & 15-18) are open in the winter. Get a map and scorecard from the Day Lodge.
Early Season Skiing: Start your ski season in October thanks to Canmore Nordic Centre’s snow storage system! The 2 km “Frozen Thunder” track is open to the public on weekdays after 12 noon and all day on weekends.
Fat biking: Canmore Nordic Centre has six single-track trails and one double-track trail for snow biking. EKG is one of the more popular trails: an intermediate-level trail with a berm, bridge, and lots of ups and downs. Start on the EKG East and travel in a clockwise direction.
Night Skiing: Ski for free after 5 pm! 6.5 km of trails (Lynx, Banff Trail, Banff Loop, and Bow Teardrop Loop) are lit up until 9 pm each night. Bring a headlamp and bear spray.
Orienteering: Three orienteering courses are available yearround. Purchase maps and rent timing chips from Trail Sports.
Skate Skiing: All groomed ski trails are wide and suitable for it.
Snowshoeing: Start behind the Bill Warren Training Centre, follow the orange snowshoe markers in a clockwise direction to Lookout Cliffs. The 3 km loop is kid-friendly.
Special Events: The centre hosts international events and is the training facility for both the National Cross Country and Biathlon Teams, if you’re lucky, you may see some of Canada’s best on the trails! Check the Alberta Parks’ events calendar for upcoming ski race dates.
Tobogganing: The easy slope behind the Bill Warren Training Centre is groomed for it. Bring your own sleds and helmets.
Courtesy of Canmore Kananaskis Tourism
Amenities
The Day Lodge has an information counter (purchase ski passes and pick up maps here), fireplace, washrooms, lockers, showers, and lots of seating. Open 9am - 5:30pm daily; the information counter and showers close at 5pm.
Need a bite to eat? Cornerstone Cafe, located inside the Day Lodge, is the spot for coffee, fresh baking, and hot meals.
Spare your kitchen floor and take advantage of our two wax rooms. They’re open to the public except on race days. Ski stands available. Bring your own iron and wax.
For equipment rentals, lessons, and tours, stop at Trail Sports, they’re located across from the Day Lodge.
By Karen Ung
Know Before You Go
Trail use fees are in effect from 9am - 5pm for skiing only. Night skiing is free from 5pm - 9pm.
Biathlon range passes are available to athletes in recognized team or club programs.
Dogs are not permitted on cross-country ski or fat bike trails in the winter.
