Edmonton 
Make the most of winter in Alberta and take a day trip outside of Edmonton. You can easily make a quick escape to several spots around central Alberta for family-friendly recreation, small-town festivals, and beautiful snowy scenery.
Elk Island National Park
Many provincial park areas offer cross-country ski trails, wide-open areas for snowshoeing, or maintained trails for winter hikes.
In some of these more remote areas, you’re likely to run into smaller wildlife along your trails or views overlooking rivers, lakes, and valleys. On Family Day Weekend, there are many places to visit within a couple of hours of Edmonton, where you can explore, take advantage of free skating, or partake in winter carnivals/festivals.
1. Snowshoeing, Stargazing, and Bonfires
Elk Island National Park
One of the quickest ways to escape from Edmonton’s city noises is to head east toward Elk Island National Park. Day or night, the park offers winter experiences for the whole family. You can snowshoe in the winter sunshine, sign up for a nighttime guided snowshoe tour, or simply head out for an evening fire and stargazing.
2. Participate in Alberta’s Free Family Fishing Weekend
On Family Day Weekend each year, Alberta hosts a Free Family Fishing Weekend. Families are encouraged to get out on the ice, make the most of the end of winter (we hope), and possibly catch a few fish. There are several places to go ice fishing around Edmonton, with many of the Provincial Park lakes permitting ice fishing. Sylvan Lake near Red Deer also offers an entire ice fishing experience with the hut included, and someone to drill the hole for you! Free Family Fishing Weekend also means you are not required to have a license for any ice-fishing. (with the exception of National Park lakes and rivers).
Where to go ice fishing near Edmonton:
3. Strathcona Wilderness Centre
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
What sort of winter excursion are you looking to experience? At the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, you can try out the more intense cross-country skiing, with pole and ski rentals available. For a less intense outing, you can rent snowshoes to take out onto their trails (just avoid the groomed ski areas!). The Centre is also a great place to take the family for a winter walk- and you could run into some small wildlife.
4. Hinton Nordic Centre
Hinton Nordic Centre
Escape to the foothills west of Edmonton this winter and see both the prairies and the Rockies all at once. There are many views to take in from the Hinton Nordic Centre and its 35km of groomed cross-country ski trails. The Centre also offers lessons for all sorts of skill levels and constant live webcam updates for trail conditions on their website.
5. Winter Experiences at Metis Crossing
Metis Crossing
Each year, Metis Crossing, just east of Smoky Lake and Edmonton, is increasing its winter offerings and ramping up its outdoor experiences! You can purchase general admission tickets to simply explore or access their riverside skating rink. Or you can enhance your experience with guided tours, riverside snowtubing, and workshops that teach you about Metis culture, heritage, and traditions.
6. Eagle Provincial Park & Pembina Nordic Ski Centre
There are three main trail systems around here that are perfect for a winter hike or snowshoe, all while birding and wildlife viewing. The area is especially wonderful for cross-country skiers, too, with the Pembina Nordic Ski Centre on-site. Within the Nordic Ski area are 20km of groomed trails that can lead to beautiful views of North Saskatchewan.
7. Winter Fun in Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is a great getaway destination for many reasons this winter, and it is a simple day trip from Edmonton. The lake is open to skating and ice fishing all winter, but you can visit for The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby. You can participate in the Derby for a chance at a grand prize or visit on family day weekend for the Ice Dragon Boat Festival.
8. Long Lake Ski Area
Downhill skiing in Alberta doesn’t have to come with a Rocky Mountain type of price tag. For an albeit less extreme but still thrilling ski or snowboard trip, you can drive north to Long Lake (near the Provincial Park). It is one of the few prairie ski hills around central Alberta, and it also offers picnic areas and winter hiking trails.
9. Crimson Lake Winterfest
Alberta Parks
The annual Winterfest at Crimson’s Day Use Area provides a whole day of outdoor fun, entertainment, and winter recreation. Public skating will be open, and there will be a variety of carnival games, sleigh rides, food, and a Polar Bear Dip. Crimson Lake Provincial Park’s winter trails are also open if you feel like more recreation after Winterfest ends.
How much: free
10. Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer
The Canyon Ski Resorts boasts itself as one of the largest non-Rocky Mountain ski hills in Alberta. The hills lead down toward the Red Deer River valley and provide exceptional views all around the hill. Canyon now also has a Snow Tube Park adjacent, with lift tickets and tube passes being sold separately.
25 Things to Do in Red Deer during Winter
11. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot PRA
The seemingly endless expanse of trails within the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot region offers several ways to enjoy the snow. The area is groomed for cross-country skiing and has trails where you can snowshoe, hike, and watch for wildlife. If you’re on the south side of Edmonton, this could be a fairly short drive out to the wilderness!
12. JJ Collett Provincial Natural Area
JJ Collett Natural Area Foundation
At over 630 acres of land, and over 18km of maintained walking trails, the JJ Collett PNA is the perfect way to get in a family walk- away from the city. The area is only about an hour south of the city and is a quick turn off of the QEII. Dogs are welcome but need to be on a leash. There is a quick 6.6km loop around the natural area, too, if you don’t have time to explore all 18 km.
12. Half Moon Lake Natural Area
Explore the areas north of Edmonton this winter for serene winter scenery and explore a few different ways! The Half Moon Lake Natural Area sits directly north of Edmonton and offers places to snowshoe, cross-country ski, or take a winter hike. The lakeside trail may even take you to the perfect sunset viewing area.
14. Whitecourt Family Day Winter Carnival
The one-day Winter Carnival in Whitecourt is conveniently placed over the Family Day long weekend, likely giving you plenty of time to turn it into a family day trip from Edmonton. There are tons of family-friendly things to explore at the Carnival, like pond and ice games, free barbecue and hot chocolate, sleigh rides, public outdoor skating, and cheap movies at the local theatre.
How much: free
15. SnoMo Days at Alberta Beach
Alberta Beach
The northwestern areas of Alberta are home to avid snowmobilers and some of the best trails in Canada. And you don’t need to drive far from Edmonton in this direction to find trails, rentals, or the enthusiasts. Join them at Alberta Beach on the February long weekend to celebrate the sport with the Snowmobile and ATV parade, barbecues and ticketed meals, fireworks, lake skating, snow sculpting, and several other smaller games/activities.
How much: free
