Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
60 km east of Edmonton, albertaparks.ca/cooking-lake-blackfoot
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Elk Island National Park
48 km east of Edmonton, parkscanada.gc.ca/elkisland
Skate!
Bring your skates and glide around the island on Astotin Lake. Skating loop opens in January (weather dependent).
Explore!
Cross-country ski and snowshoe on our many trails. Snowshoes can be rented from the Astotin Lake Theatre, 9:30am – 4:30pm, 7 days a week.
Stargaze!
As part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the newly designated Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, Elk Island National Park is an exquisite spot to view the wonders of the night sky. Feel the warmth of a campfire as you gaze up into a night sky filled with twinkling stars!
Camp!
Winter camping creates unforgettable memories for those who conquer cool winter conditions. First-come first-served sites are available at the Astotin Lake Campground Oct 19, 2018 – Apr 22, 2019 (fees apply).
Events
Saturday, Dec 22, 2018 Free Admission Day
Saturday, Dec 22 & 29, 2018 Snowshoe and Stargaze
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2018 Friends of Elk Island Society Annual Bird Count
Saturdays in Jan & Feb 2019 Snowshoe and Stargaze
Monday, Feb 18, 2019 Family Day
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
70 km southeast of Edmonton, albertaparks.ca/parks/central/miquelon-lake-pp/
Cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, skijoring
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
16 km east of Edmonton, strathcona.ca/wildernesscentre
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, equipment rentals
University of Alberta Botanic Garden
The garden continues to welcome guests during the winter. Check the Botanic Garden website for full details.
January 21 – March 5, 2023
The garden will be open during the weekends, from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Patio Cafe will be open for coffee and snacks, the three showhouses will be open, fires will be lit in the Leaf Plaza, and dogs will be allowed on leashes. Guests can also go kicksledding and take cross-country skis or snowshoes, as the pathways beyond the Leaf Plaza will not be cleared of snow.
