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The Ultimate Avant-Ski Destination: Calgary, Alberta

Before hitting the slopes, visitors can get in some warm-up runs without even having to leave the city. Calgary is the perfect place to try out new winter activities – some that visitors may have never even heard of.

The Ultimate Avant-Ski Destination: Calgary, Alberta

WinSport, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics, offers lift tickets and rentals for skiing and snowboarding all winter long.

Those not yet ready to strap on their skis or board can satisfy their need for speed at WinSport’s Tube Park, the largest of its kind in Western Canada.

A photo in the yellow and green striped bobsled is a must-do – the bobsled is the original from the 1993 Disney movie Cool Runnings, which was filmed at Winsport and is based on the Jamaican bobsleigh team at the ’88 Winter Games.

Any Calgary visitor would be remiss not to explore the city’s culinary scene.

With countless award-winning restaurants – and new hot spots opening all the time – Calgary has established itself as a foodie haven.

River Café has been celebrating over 30 years of success and sustainability, and still lands on the most prestigious awards lists – in 2022, they were named #10 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants.

Since opening their doors 40 floors above ground in 2021, Major Tom has received top accolades as Canada’s Best Cocktail of the Year (EnRoute, 2022), and Best New Restaurant (Canada’s 100 Best, 2022).

After dinner, visitors can take a seat on Dandy Brewing Co‘s outdoor all-season patio, where local craft beer made with water from the mountains and barley from regional fields have outdoor wood-burning fire pits guarantee warmth and coziness amidst a winter wonderland of snow.

Fat biking on studded winter tires is a great way to explore the city’s pathways – Calgary is home to the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America, with over 1,000 kilometres (621 mi) of regional pathways and 95 kilometres (59 mi) of trails to explore.

Other winter experiences include ice biking on a frozen lagoon at Bowness Park, and an Indigenous snowshoe program with Painted Warriors – a ranch that reconnects guests to the land through wilderness education, hands-on training, Aboriginal traditions, and stories.

Whoever said relaxation is only for après-ski? An escape within the city, Cedar & Steam is a unique boutique spa specializing in sauna, steam and massage.

For those wanting a stop-over on the way to their ski destination, Kananaskis Nordic Spa is an alpine sanctuary with five outdoor pools, four steam and sauna cabins, heated hammocks, fireside lounges and treatment rooms.


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