Cross-Country Skiing

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Edmonton’s River Valley is home to a large number of cross-country ski trails. These trails are accessible, open to everyone and regularly groomed and to accommodate different levels of skiers.

If you need a little help getting started, cross-country skiing programs and lessons will be available at MoveLearnPlay.

Ski Trails

Discover YEG Map

Explore Edmonton's parks, trails, bike routes, boat launches, off-leash areas and more.

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Argyll Park / Mill Creek

Argyll Park / Mill Creek Trail Map

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Amenities

Parking
Skijoring

Trail 1

Length: 1km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: The trail begins from the west side of the main parking lot and heads southwest.
Description: The trail traverses the flat field, looping around the baseball diamonds back onto itself.

Trail 2

Length:1.3km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: The trail begins from the east side of the main parking lot and heads northeast.
Description: The trail travels on the flat field around the sportsfield, looping back along the tree line, heading up towards Millcreek, with a final loop back towards the Velodrome.

Capilano Park

Capilano Site/Trail Map

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Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Warm-up Shelter

Trail 3 - Capilano East Loop

Length: 1km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: Capilano Park on the west side of 50 Street past 109 Avenue

The trail follows 50 Street, turns west on 109A Avenue and ascends a long gradual climb along Capilano Crescent. At Hardisty Drive, the trail forks west along Hardisty Drive (#4 Capilano West Loop) or east down a long gradual hill back into Capilano Park.

Trail 4 - Capilano West Link

Length: 1.6km
Rating: Intermediate classic and skating
Trailhead: Capilano Park on the west side of 50 Street past 109 Avenue

Heading west along Hardisty Drive, a panoramic view of Edmonton can be seen from a lookout along the trail.

Goldstick Park

Goldstick Site/Trail Map

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Amenities

Grooming - Edmonton Nordic Ski Club
Night Ski
Parking
Restrooms
Warm-up Shelter

Trail 7 - Creek Crossing

Length: 1km
Rating: Advanced classic and skating

At the south end of the park, look for the “advanced” trail signs that lead into Goldstick Ravine. The trail crosses Gold Bar Creek and goes up the very steep ESSO hill. Halfway up the hill, turn right onto a hilly trail that re-crosses Gold Bar Creek, leading back to flat terrain in lower Gold Bar Park.

Trail 8 - Switchback

Length: 1.9km
Rating: Advanced classic and skating

Continue up ESSO hill into rolling hilly trails along the trees in Goldstick Park.

Trail 7 - South Loop (Closed due to slumping)

Length: 1.1km
Rating: Advanced classic and skating

This trail leads south into even more hilly terrain before it winds back toward Gold Bar Park. Steep uphill, downhill and tight corners challenge even advanced skiers.

Gold Bar Park

Goldbar Site/Trail Map

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Amenities

Grooming - Edmonton Nordic Ski Club
Night Ski
Parking
Restrooms
Warm-up Shelter

Trail 1 - North Shore

Length: 1.4km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

A flat trail that follows the north shore of the lake.

Trail 2 - Two-way Lake

Length: 1.1km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

A flat trail in the centre of lower Gold Bar Park that circles the lakes in the park. A grid of classic tracks for lessons is set on the lake by the warm-up shelter.

Trail 5 - Wood Cutters' Loop

Length: 1.2km
Rating: Intermediate classic and skating

At the south end of the park, the trail leads up into hilly terrain on the west side of the River Valley. The trail travels through steep and rolling terrain north through the forest. Where the trail drops to the park's flats, a fork leads to the park pavilion.

Trail 6 - The Hadhirgaan (50 Street)

Length: 1.8km
Rating: Intermediate classic and skating

The trail continues north through rolling terrain and trees to 50 Street, looping back to the park pavilion in Gold Bar.

Kinsmen Park

Kinsmen Site/Trail Map

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Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Warm-up Shelter

Trail 1 - Servold's Loop

Length: 2km
Rating: Moderate classic and skating
Trailhead: The southeast corner of the Walterdale Loop

The trails on Kinsmen Park’s “Pitch and Putt” (south of the Sports Centre) follow along the gentle and steep hills of the golf course. The loop is ONE-WAY only.

Trail 2 - Walterdale Loop

Length: 1.5km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: The bottom of the field area

The trail follows the outer perimeter of the lower field. A grid of classic tracks for instruction, practice and training is on the football field at the west end of the park.

Northeast River Valley Park

Northeast River Valley Park Site/Trails Map

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Amenities

Parking
Restrooms (Lakefront Lodge)
Portable Toilet
Skijoring

Trail 1 - Park Exterior Loop

Length: 4km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

Weaves from the main parking lot, around the exterior of the park, throughout the upper lawn, and connects to the Lakefront Lodge.

Trail 2 - South Lakeside Connector

Length: 0.75km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

A short connection ski trail between the Lakefront Lodge and Lower Lawn. Access via the existing trails required from the parking lot.

Riverside Golf Course

Riverside Golf Course Site/Trails Map

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Amenities

Parking
Portable toilet

Trail 1 - Inside Loop

Length: 2.1km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

Flat trail that starts at the clubhouse and loops around the golf course.

Trail 2 - River's Edge Loop

Length: 2.7km
Rating: Easy classic and skating

Flat trail follows the river's edge north. A few gentle rolling hills are found along the south edge of the loop.

Victoria Golf Course and Park

Victoria Park Site/Trails Map

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Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Warm-up Shelter

Trail 1 - West Loop

Length: 1km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: Flat trail begins and ends at the driving range, it loops around the golf course.

Trail 2 - East Loop

Length: 2.5km
Rating: Easy classic and skating
Trailhead: Flat trail begins south of the Cricket Clubhouse and continues along the golf course toward the Royal Glenora Club, looping around the base of Victoria Park Hill and returning.

William Hawrelak Park

Hawrelak Park Site/Trails Map

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Hawrelak Park and its amenities remain closed, however the exterior trail is open, accessible from Emily Murphy Park (recommended) or Buena Vista (no ski trails, only walking paths).

Safety and Etiquette

Respect groomed ski trails – foot, paw and bicycle prints damage ski tracks
Observe directional signage – many ski trails are one-way for your safety
Yield to skiers traveling downhill
Signal to others when passing – call “Track”
When stopping, step out of ski tracks and off the trail with your equipment so others may pass safely
Use trails that are suited to your ability and fitness level
Never ski on rivers or creeks
Watch for signs of frostbite, hypothermia and fatigue
Keep clear of grooming equipment – operators cannot see or hear skiers well
Dogs are not permitted - please leave your dogs at home

Skiing Styles

Most trails in the River Valley are set for both classic and skate skiing cross-country techniques.

Classical Skiing

This refers to the skiing motion of diagonal striding along a snow track in an exaggerated walking motion. The skier steps down and kicks back one ski and glides forward on to the other ski.

Skate Skiing

This resembles ice-skating. A skier kicks off the edge of one ski and glides on to the other ski, resulting in a “V-shaped” footprint.

Travel Time

The length of time it takes depends on snow conditions, trail difficulty, weather and the skier’s ability. To ski for one hour on groomed trails, you will travel:

Family with young children 2-4km
Novice or beginner 4-6km
Intermediate 6-8km
Advanced 8-14km