Winter Fun & Getaway Guide - 2017

CANMORE PARK (NEW) - 2020 Chicoutimi Drive NW
CONFEDERATION GOLF COURSE - 3204 Collingwood Drive NW
LAKEVIEW GOLF COURSE - 5840, 19 Street SW
MAPLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE - 1240 Mapleglade Drive SE
SHAGANAPPI POINT GOLF COURSE - 1200, 26 Street NW
SOUTH GLENMORE PARK (NEW) - 90 Avenue & 24 Street SW

EDWORTHY PARK - 5050 Spruce Drive SW
FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK - 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
NORTH GLENMORE PARK - 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
WEASELHEAD NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PARK - 66 Avenue & 37 Street SW

Bearberry Nordic Centre (near Sundre)
Canmore Nordic Centre
Chateau Lake Louise
Emerald Lake/Field Trails
Mt. Shark Trails
Peter Lougheed Park
Ribbon Creek
Sandy McNabb (west of Turner Valley)
Smith Dorrien
West Bragg Creek

Outdoor skating rinks in Calgary are weather-dependent and typically open mid to late December through February, except for Olympic Plaza, which is a refrigerated ice surface and is generally open from mid-November to mid-March. Hockey sticks are not permitted, and helmets are strongly recommended.

BIG MARLBOROUGH PARK - 6033 Madigan Drive NE
BOWNESS PARK LAGOON - 8900, 48 Avenue NW
CARBURN PARK - 67 Riverview Drive SE
OLYMPIC PLAZA - 228, 8 Avenue SE
PRAIRIE WINDS PARK - 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE
PRINCE’S ISLAND LAGOON - 4 Street & 1 Avenue SW

Tobogganing and sledding on the hills of Calgary is a thrilling way to enjoy the winter and take advantage of the snow. Several parks and greenspaces offer safe and exciting hills. Safety first! Remember: Helmets on heads! All listings are weather-dependent.

BIG MARLBOROUGH PARK DRY POND - 755 Madeira Drive NE
BRIDLEWOOD - 26 Bridleglen Road SW
CONFEDERATION PARK - 2807, 10 Street NW
DEERFOOT ATHLETIC PARK - 1503, 16 Avenue NE
GLENDALE PARK - 2225, 45 Street SW
HIDDEN VALLEY - 10504 Hidden Valley Drive NW
KINGSLAND DRY POND - 505, 78 Avenue SW
MAPLE RIDGE DRY POND - 1127 Mapleglade Drive SE
MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - 636 Marlborough Way NE
MCKENZIE TOWNE - 160 McKenzie Towne Drive SE
MONTEREY PARK - 2707 Catalina Boulevard NE
NEW BRIGHTON - 1750 New Brighton Drive SE
PRAIRIE WINDS PARK - 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE
RICHMOND GREEN - 2539, 33 Avenue SW
ROYAL OAK - 9100 Royal Birch Boulevard NW
RUNDLE DRY POND - 4120 Rundlethorn Drive NE
SACRAMENTO DRY POND - 10404 Sacramento Drive SW
SCARBORO - 1737, 14 Avenue SW
SIGNAL HILL - 2063 Sirocco Drive SW
ST. ANDREW’S HEIGHTS - 2504, 13 Avenue NW
STANLEY PARK - 330, 42 Avenue SW
THORNCLIFFE/GREENVIEW - 5600 Centre Street NE

Each November, Bass Pro Shops warmly welcomes Santa for the holiday season with a grand entrance including activities for all the girls and boys! For six weeks leading up to Christmas, Santa is available daily for free photos with the whole family! Enjoy free crafts and games or explore the store while you wait to meet the big man himself. Contact the store for Sensitive Santa appointments.

Theatre Calgary’s annual production of Dickens’ classic tale has become a favourite holiday tradition. Let Tiny Tim, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future melt your heart with kindness and rejoice in the music of the season. Tickets start as low as $35.

ZOOLIGHTS is coming back this year with more holiday cheer, festive spirit, and family fun than ever before! Experience over 1.5 million lights, 200 displays, crackling fire pits, steamy hot chocolate, and four fun-filled activity zones (with many new additions!), transforming the Calgary Zoo into a magical winter wonderland. Most magical of all is its ability to bring friends and family together during the holiday season. Takes place from 6 to 9pm.

Join us for our 33rd Annual Waldorf Faire on Saturday, November 25, from 10am to 5pm, at the Calgary Waldorf School (515 Cougar Ridge Drive SW). There will be unique Children’s Activities and Crafts; Artisan Market full of specially-selected, all locally-handcrafted wares; and a Café with Homemade Food and Live Entertainment.

Come celebrate with us at the 36th Annual Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 25 at 11am! For more information, call 1-403-715-2125 or email santaclausparade@fortmacleod.com.

This event takes place 9:30am to 4pm, five weekends leading up to Christmas. Experience the magic of Christmas past with Horse drawn wagon rides, caroling, a visit with reindeer, gingerbread decorating, historic homes dressed up in Christmas style, great Christmas shopping, and a visit and photo with Old Saint Nick make this event one the whole family will enjoy! Reserve early if you would also like to enjoy our Christmas Home-Style Breakfast Buffet.

Celebrate the spirit of the season with a selection of sacred and secular holiday favorites performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Girls’ Choir. The beautiful Grace Presbyterian Church provides the backdrop - a favorite Calgary holiday tradition. Get your tickets early - these performances sell out every year!

Winter-themed games and activities will take place throughout Heritage Park’s Gasoline Alley Museum.

Encouraging and cultivating a love of the art form makes Absolute Dance Calgary’s leading dance studio! Our roster is full of classes for all ages, abilities, and experience levels, including Mom n’ Tot, Children’s, Youth, and Adult classes. Offering high-quality dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. Fitness-based programs including TRX, Pelvic Floor, Box Fit, and Full Body Workouts. We pride ourselves on our enthusiastic staff and great customer service. Free childcare for our daytime adult classes, holiday productions, competitive companies, community performances, and the best birthday dance parties in the city.

Adventurers believe that all children and families have the right to quality, affordable school-age care. All children have the right to be cared for in environments within their community of choice that can meet their needs, and help them grow to their fullest potential. Children learn naturally through play that is developmentally-appropriate. Our program activities and materials are reflective of the varying needs of our children and support children to initiate their own learning experience. Come and join us at one of our nine locations where “being a kid is a once in a lifetime adventure!”

Is your child intelligent, quiet, resourceful, creative, serious, scientific, reflective, and prefer small group experiences? Your child is quite possibly an amazing introvert. Imagine a place designed for introverts to have fun and flourish - their way. Treat your introvert child to a quiet, supportive, and fun experience designed with small group and individual experiences that introverts thrive on. Relaxing, peaceful country location. Reading, artwork, farm animals, music, writing, hiking, exploring nature. Self-esteem and confidence-building.

Looking for activities the family can do together? Check out our special events, low-cost admission specials, family skate nights, and holiday craft workshops. From water parks, holiday day camps, to drop-in sports, Calgary Recreation will keep your family moving and having fun. For more information, visit calgary.ca/recreation. #GetMovingYYC.

Engineering is boring, you say? Engineering For Kids says “No Way!” Science is exciting and EFK wants to prove that to children ages 4 to 14! The focus is on STEM education. Kids won’t even notice that they are learning because they are having fun! EFK is passionate about inspiring children to build on their natural curiosity through classes, camps, workshops, and parties. Their goal is to inspire the next generation of innovators.

Evolutions School of Dance offers a variety of winter workshops, mini classes, and sessional dance class options. Classes include Wee Winter Dance, Itty Bitty Nutcracker, Holiday Hip Hop, and more! With a convenient and central location (just three blocks east of Chinook Centre), your child will be sure to stay warm, learn new dance styles, and have fun!

Estelle Siebens Community Services at Foothills Academy offers year-round programs and services for individuals affected by Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD in the general community. New winter programs begin for Amicus Recreation; individual remedial tutoring (Read/Write and Math); and psychologist-led small group programs, primarily social skills based, for children and youth. Ongoing programs include in-person and online parent workshops; psycho-educational assessments; and counselling. Financial assistance is available.

Jump on the bed much?! We’ve got just the thing… join us for gymnastics! Our programs are recreational-focused and full of cartwheelin’ fun. We specialize in Preschool and Beginner gymnastics programming for ages 10 months to 12 years, and we are proud to receive rave reviews from our community. Our classes fill quickly, so please register online or in person today! *High Five!

Music lessons for every age, level, and style. At Long & McQuade, we believe every person is capable of acquiring the skills and knowledge required to make playing a musical instrument a rewarding activity. We have a wide variety of carefully chosen professional instructors offering year-round music lessons. Private and semi-private lessons, and several group programs such as “Rock Skool” and preschool classes available.

Whether your child wants to sing melodies, or play in an orchestra, the MRU Conservatory has the perfect fit in our world-class facilities. With private lessons, group classes, and specialized ensembles, your child will be introduced to the exciting world of the performing arts while gaining valuable skills and confidence. From Early Childhood Programs (0 to 7 years) to our Academy Program, MRU Conservatory presents music and speech arts education for every stage.

There will be holiday Drop-In Day Camps for 6 to 12 year olds. Skate with Santa! 12 Days of Christmas at the Fitness Centre. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Specials!

Keep your kids active all winter long with University of Calgary Active Living. Our Outdoor Centre offers great programs such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, and wilderness survival. Our indoor programs include gymnastics, swimming, racquet sports, skating, hockey, and track, all designed with children’s physical literacy in mind. Or check out our clubs including karate, badminton, and Minds in Motion science! To browse all programs, visit the website.

Keep your family active at one or more of our seven multi-recreational facilities. Take advantage of $4 Flames Friday Youth Nights (for ages 8 to 17) and free events for the whole family. We offer multi-use facilities, fun and active programs and camps galore! Don’t forget every Grade 6 student in Calgary receives a free Flames supported YMCA membership and active programming.

Visit Airdrie’s artistic hub! The Bert Church Live Theatre is a spectacular space that offers something for everyone. In addition to taking in remarkable live performances, children and families can get in touch with their artistic side by taking one of our performing arts, visual arts, or fashion and costume design programs that are offered for all ages!

Take a Sense-ational journey inside our hands-on Discovery Centre and connect with Alberta’s outdoors! Feel what it’s like to walk on a northern bog; listen for the sounds of a prairie rainstorm; crawl inside a beaver lodge; and look into the eyes of over 20 different fish species in our aquariums. The experience will leave you hooked!

Calaway Park invites your family to enjoy endless fun at Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Family Amusement Park! Enjoy 32 rides, 23 games, live stage shows, a 3D theatre, and tons of treats! Unlimited rides, shows, attractions, and parking are included for one easy admission price. Visit the website for more information on Season Passes and discount day tickets. Your Family Playcation Destination!

Our facilities and programs are innovative with a huge wow factor! Quality instruction in gymnastics, circus arts, trampoline, parkour, and stunt training. Programs for toddlers to adults, beginners to former competitive athletes wanting to bridge the gap to high-level circus or stunt training. Our facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming. We have a full array of circus and gymnastics equipment, several trampolines, climbing wall, and foam pit. Flip Arts has an engineered aerials system, black box performance space, and Alberta’s only trampo wall. Flip Café & Tot Spot is a drop-in preschool gym on our second level. Check us out!

Where friends and families come together to enjoy the good things in life. Granary Road is the most exciting family entertainment, dining, and market destination to ever come to Calgary. There’s something for the whole family! Moms, dads, and grandparents can shop the charismatic Public Market or relax in Calgary’s only indoor rooftop bar. The Active Learning Park will be open weekend days for special Holiday/Winter events.

Play and train at our 55,000 square foot facility! A variety of ninja-inspired obstacles and activities designed for all ages and skill levels under one awesome roof. To reserve your spot or book your next event, visit our website. Trampolines, obstacle courses, climbing, events, programs, café, parent lounges, and more!

The Loose Moose Theatre has produced children’s theatre since 1978 in a unique style that is accessible, participatory, and fun for the whole family. The Loose Moose Theatre Company makes going to theatre an experience that is truly magical for children 4 to 10 years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents.

At Mountain View Bowl, our passion is bowling. Our goal is to offer a place where friends and family can come together for the ultimate in bowling entertainment. We are dedicated to giving you the most exciting bowling experience possible. Our lounge is licensed. We offer 5 and 10 Pin Bowling, Kids’ Birthday Parties, League Bowling, Open Bowling, and Corporate Events.

Please see our full listing under “Supplies & Services.”

Visit our family-friendly ski resorts: Nakiska Ski Area in Kananaskis, AB, and Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and Kimberley Alpine Resort in southeastern BC, providing incredible terrain for all skiers/riders. With top-notch lessons and skill enhancement programs, improve your turns on the slopes! Also try other activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, or tubing at Nakiska and Kicking Horse. The fun is endless; book your ski vacation today!

For 41 years, StoryBook Theatre has been entertaining families from all over Calgary with our award-winning professional, quality shows. We also provide a year-round Theatre School for children ages 6 to 18 which is designed to develop acting skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and stagecraft abilities. Our winter programming includes weekend classes in Acting, Play Creation, and Musical Theatre running January to March, and Winter Camps running Monday to Friday, January 1 to 5 and January 8 to 12.

Looking for expert advice on your next vacation? Lesley Keyter, The Travel Lady, has been keeping Calgarians updated on travel trends every week on Global Morning News for over 20 years! The Travel Lady team offer expertise in customized vacations and cruises, and have personally-inspected and cruised on the top rated ships - from mega large to super small luxury.  You deserve experienced travel consultants working on your very special vacation time.

The Columbia Valley, BC, is the perfect escape and cure for City Stress Condition. Away from the traffic and hectic schedules, Columbia Valley is filled with natural hot springs, family-friendly activities, and skiing. The Columbia Valley is made up of several communities including Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere on the Lake, and Panorama Mountain Resort. We offer stunning views and the friendliest communities who want to welcome you to your home away from home.

Treehouse is a unique place where parents can come and enjoy a comfortable atmosphere while their children play freely in a clean, safe, and age-appropriate playground. We have play structures, games and prizes, air inflatables, rock climbing, game floor, and private party rooms so kids will have a variety of things to do. And parents can easily supervise their children from a comfortable seat in our café area while they have a cup of coffee.

Monday to Sunday, there is something for your family. With pass options as diverse as our community, you can build your pass to fit your family. So get moving together with drop-in fitness classes, open gym, public swim, rock climbing, the fitness centre, and public skate. This is your Family Play Pass, this is your moment for change together - join Gen H!

Calaway Park invites your family to enjoy endless fun at Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Family Amusement Park! Enjoy 32 rides, 23 games, live stage shows, a 3D theatre, and tons of treats! Unlimited rides, shows, attractions, and parking are included for one easy admission price. Visit the website for more information on Season Passes and discount day tickets. Your Family Playcation Destination!

For over 45 years, our co-operative games have been praised for helping people of all ages and all situations develop the skills to play, work, and learn together.

From bountiful gift baskets filled with European delights to party platters from our deli featuring an assortment from 600+ meats, cheese, and antipasti, here at The Italian Centre Shop, we make entertaining easy. Our Massimo’s Cucina Italia brand of ready-made meals and sauces are a time saver - a homemade meal for a crowd in under 30 minutes! Off to a party? We’ve got the perfect hostess(e) gifts and products to excite food lovers of all ages. Proud to be one of your favorite gathering spots. Come, step into Italy. Grocery. Bakery. Deli. Café.

We bring you great prices on your favorite products and services all together under one roof. Discover our great quality and variety of foods, stylish products for your home, and a complete pharmacy to serve all of your family’s needs.

Give the gift of fitness to yourself or someone on your list with our 12 Days of Fitness Pass - on sale starting mid-November, just in time for the holidays. Gift certificates and lots of cool branded items like water bottles, sweat towels, yoga mats, and more!

Please see our full listing under “Winter Programs & Camps.”

We are Calgary’s babywearing and cloth diapering experts - in fact, the only baby store in Calgary specializing in carriers and cloth diapers. If you are looking for the perfect carrier, wading through mountains of options in cloth diapering, or searching for a hard-to-find item like teething necklaces, babywearing accessories or organic skincare, you’ve come to the right place!

At Beaners Fun Cuts, our experienced stylists give the whole family great hair in a fun-filled atmosphere. Maybe it’s the themed chairs, movie screens, video games, or the ball pit, but we love kids, and they love us. We also offer clipper art, ear piercing, up-dos, braiding, baby’s first haircut, and professional hair care products. Book online at one of our four Calgary locations. Experience our haircuts!

Once Upon A Child Varsity offers over 2,500 square feet of top quality new and gently-used kids stuff! We carry clothing Newborn to Size 16, outerwear, sleepwear, shoes, baby and children’s gently-used toys, books, games, and DVDs. Our store also stocks those must-have baby equipment items such as exersaucers, bassinets, bouncy chairs, carriers, playpens, highchairs, swings, and more! Voted the ‘Best Second-Hand Children’s Store’ by Calgary’s Child readers for 12 years in a row!

Want to stay active with your little ones this winter by using your stroller? Polar Stroller has revolutionized how to make that happen! With two new Stroller Ski lines for 2018, they now fit all 4 Wheel Strollers, Bike Trailers, Joggers, and Special Needs devices. Attaching onto your existing wheels in seconds, floating through deeper snow and gliding over the snow-packed pathways, your winter adventures await you. Now Winter and Strollers are fun!