Ski tips, cross country ski gear, xc clothing, waxing tips.

We've compiled some info to help you get started with X-Country skiing. You can download it here:

X-Country Ski Clubs

One of the best ways to get out there is to join a X-Country Ski Club. Here are couple of options to get you started:

  • Cross Country Alberta - regional division of Cross Country Canada promotes cross-country skiing in Alberta - www.xcountryab.net
  • Biathlon Alberta - organizes biathlon (target shooting and skiing) competitions at the provincial level - www.biathlon.ca
  • Alpine Club of Canada - Alberta Sections - there are five section in Alberta some of which organize telemark, backcountry and track skiing and outings and outdoor courses - www.alpineclubofcanada.ca
  • Athabasca Northern Nordic Club - Athabasca - maintains the  - Muskeg Creek Trails
  • Banff Ski Runners
  • Bow Waters Jackrabbits - Jackrabbit programs, adult lessons, biathlon, women's tour, men's tour, loppet participation, hostel weekends, sports day - www.bowwatersjackrabbits.org
  • Calgary Outdoor Club - a variety of events from beginner to advanced - www.calgaryoutdoorclub.com
  • Calgary Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts - hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing - www.corehike.org
  • Calgary Ski Club - Calgary - 80-plus year-old club offers alpine, telemark, xc ski trips & lessons, Jackrabbits and avalanche courses, grooms trails at Calgary golf courses, hosts the Lake Louise Loppet - www.calgaryskiclub.org
  • Camrose Ski Club - founded in 1911 the club is one of the oldest in Canada. The club maintains the Camrose Nordic Centre
  • Canadian Ski Patrol System Nordic Division (Calgary Zone) - provides voluntary first aid, equipment and supplies to sports events and races in the Rocky Mountain region - www.cspscalgary.ca
  • Canmore Nordic Ski Club - Canmore - 400-member club offers Jackrabbits, adult ski programs at Canmore Nordic Centre - www.canmorenordic.com
  • Foothills Nordic Ski Club - Calgary - 35+ year-old club is host of the Kananaskis Cookie Race. Jack Rabbit, youth and adult programs, racer development, biathlon - www.foothillsnordic.ca
  • Norseman Ski Club , Calgary - cross-country, backcountry and telemark ski trips -  www.norsemanskiclub.com
  • Parkland Ski Club, Red Deer - organizes day trips, weekend trips, mountain tours, ski courses and the annual Red Deer Loppet.
  • Pembina Nordic Ski Club, Drayton Valley - cross country, operates and maintains over 20 km of recreational trails along the Saskatchewan River Valley - for information call 780-542-7542
  • Rocky Mountain House Nordic Ski Club
  • Second Sixties, an outdoor club specifically for 50+ enthusiasts - www.secondsixties.ca
  • Rocky Mountain Racers, Calgary - develops young competitive skiers and biathletes - www.rmracers.ca

K-countryX-Country Ski Trails

Skate skiing, groomed trails

  • COP - Easily accessible, Canada Olympic Park is mainly for downhill skiers and it shows. The circuit for Nordic skiing is quite challenging and, quite frankly, a bit boring, the same way running indoors might be boring for some. However, the hardy bunch swear by it, and truly it is the closest place to ski in Calgary.
  • Canmore Nordic Centre - The Mecca of competitive Nordic skiing in this part of the country, it has its problems with snow early in the season, but artificial snow supplements whatever falls early. While the trails in full season are magnificent, with great views and a variety of difficulties, from moderate to welcoming, and the showering facilities require the customer to feed loonies into a slot while showering. However, it is worthwhile to go there, especially mid-week, as there are considerable crowds on the weekend and trails are frequently closed for competition. Check snow conditions and the schedule before you leave Calgary.
  • Mount Shark, Kananaskis - Nice and easy, most of it, but check with the Park office. The trails have snow, usually skiable early and late in the season; however, the trail grooming mid-week may be poor.
  • Moraine Lake, Lake Louise - Up and up you go. come back the same way, thankfully. Tough for skaters, it is usually one of the first trails available for skiers early in the season, but only if Parks Canada decides to groom it, which is not obvious. The trail is usually left in poor shape and icy late in the season.
  • Nipika Lodge, Kooteneys -  Great place for advanced and beginners alike. Skiing is from your lodge. Check ski condition. Invite a crowd and rent a small lodge. Have fun around a fireplace, while you buddies are cooking the meal. A must, at least once in season.

Classic skiing, groomed trails

All of the above plus

  • Peter Lougheed Park - This is the Mecca of the classic touring skier. For some reason, Provincial parks do not like skaters, at least so it seems, because it could be very easy to groom the trails for both, as they are very wide. With many, many trails of various difficulties, the deeper you drive into the park, the more snow you find at higher elevations. Grooming is always a problem, especially early and late in the season as well as mid-week, so check the conditions and even that information might not be adequate, as it is usually downloaded a day or so before you check it.
  • Mount Shark, Kananaskis  - Located at high elevation on the Smith Dorrien Spray Lakes Road, the gravel road between the Canmore Nordic Center  and Peter Lougheed park.   It is usually skiable early and late in the season; however, the trails are not groomed that often so trail conditions vary greatly.  Check grooming reports before you go.  There are both novice and expert trails here groomed for both classic and skating.  This is also the trailhead for backcountry skiers heading in to Mt Assiniboine.
  • Lake Louise –  Both the Moraine Lake road and old Great Divide Highway are groomed for both classic and skating, and there are other side trails connecting those trails to the lake.   The Great Divide is fairly flat (except at west end) and the Moraine Lake road climbs continually and groomed about 10 km up.  Moraine Lake Rd is usually one of the first trails available for skiers early in the season. Trails are groomed regularly by Parks Canada, check trail reports for status. The trail is usually left in poor shape and icy late in the season.
  • West Bragg Creek - The closest major nordic ski area to Calgary (about 40 min from city limits) and groomed by volunteers.  While it gets more snow than Calgary, it is more impacted by warm spells than Canmore or Peter Lougheed Park so check conditions before you go.    When there has been recent snowfall and grooming it can be a wonderful place to ski close to home.  Most trails are groomed for classic skiing and some trails groomed for both skating and classic. 
  • Kananaskis Valley/ Ribbon Creek - When there is enough snow and grooming, excellent and easy for beginners and family.
  • Banff National Park -  inquire with the Park about the trails, usually beginners to moderate.

Backcountry trails, skier set trails 

  • Most of the hiking trails with moderate elevation gain. Lake O'Hara, Skokie, Mount Assiniboine, etc. Check with the Parks

Central and Northern Alberta

  • The Edmonton region has a wonderful Elk Lake Provincial Park trail system. Worth a weekend outing. The trails are easy to moderate. In other regions, check with Cross-Country ski clubs in the area. They usually groom the local trails and can provide information.

X-Country Ski Resorts, Hostels or Retreats

  • Nipika Mountain Resort - a Kootenay Rocky Mountain Retreat for Nordic Skiers - located in the Canadian Rockies beside Kootenay National Park

  • Hamilton House Bed and Breakfast - a Country Inn and Retreat, located 10 minutes SE of Cold Lake Alberta.  There are 15 km of trails through wilderness settings. Equipment is available  with skiing from the door.

  • Silver Star Ski Resort - located at Vernon,  British Columbia.  The Nordic section boasts of 60 km of groomed trails and is known for its early snow.

 

 

Please note: if you are a Nordic ski or related club and we've forgotten you, please contact us so we can include you on our list.