Edmonton 
There are new ways to enjoy the riverside Sir Wildfred Laurier Park this winter.
Credit: Winter City Edmonton
During any month of the year, this Edmonton park offers great views of the North Saskatchewan River, access to trails leading in all directions, and pedestrian bridge access for crossing the river. During the winters, the park is a perfect starting point for snowshoeing or winter hiking, picnics, sightseeing, and fat tire biking.
For winter 2024, the City of Edmonton, along the Winter City initiative, have provided even more reasons to visit the city park this winter. First, Sir Wilfred Laurier Park is yet another place for ice skating in Edmonton. This makes the park the fourth riverside skating area in Edmonton, along with Victoria, Hawrelak (closed), and Rundle Park.
Credit: Bernadette Gallagher
The new and rather spacious outdoor rink in Edmonton offers many amenities to make the day or visit more enjoyable. There is ample parking along the ring road, which surrounds the rink. Also surrounding the rink are numerous picnic shelters, picnic tables, and cookstoves. And while the park does not (yet) have a warming shelter, it does have a public washroom beside the rink. And with the new rink comes the second reason to make a trip to the park this winter: the addition of ice bikes!
Sir Wilfred Laurier Park is the only place in Edmonton where you can try ice biking. And this new winter activity is free! The ice bikes have one back wheel and two front blades. They are sturdy on the slippery ice and come as one-, two-, or three-seaters. This makes it easy for parents to help young ones try the ice bikes. Additionally, ice biking creates a way for those who don’t skate to enjoy the ice.
Ice bikes are available until March 30, 2024, on Fridays, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free hot chocolate will be available after 6 p.m., making it a free date activity.
With all the new ice at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park, the city will be able to host the 2024 Silver Skate Festival while Hawrelak Park remains closed. The Silver Skate Festival runs from February 9-19 with a huge array of outdoor art displays, plenty of skating, and kids’ activities. Silver Skate is also the place to catch Canada’s only outdoor film festival in which the movies are screened on a smoothed block of ice.
Planning your trip – Ice Bikes at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park
What:
Ice bikes are bikes on frames, with the front wheel removed and runners along the bottom, so that people can ride on the ice. They are stable and offer an accessible activity to those who cannot skate. The ice bikes will offer a new ice experience for everyone and in particular for individuals who cannot or are hesitant to skate and/or those who have a physical disability. Group rentals for the ice bikes will also be available for a fee.
Location: 13221 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton
When:
December 30, 2023 – March 30, 2024, Skating: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ice bike rentals available on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons
Fridays, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Free hot chocolate and warming fires starting at 6 p.m.
Cost: free, unless ice bikes are needed for a group rental
Email: cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca
