Embracing the winter season is something Edmonton does best, with its famous festival lineups continuing even during the coldest, snowiest months.
1. Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival
February 10–27 | Multiple start locations | canadianbirkie.com
This epic cross-country ski saga is one of only three in the world, based on a Nordic legend depicting the rescue of an infant prince. According to the tale, a civil war endangered the baby heir, sparking the actions of two brave Birkebeiner warriors (or Birchlegs, based on their distinctive use of birch to keep out snow and protect them in battle) to spirit him away across mountain ranges. They travelled on skis for 55 km—impressive even without a baby. When the prince was later crowned the King of Norway, he was instrumental in ending the civil war that almost killed him.
The first inspired marathon took place in Norway in 1932, and Edmonton began its own rendition in 1985. The festival has since grown to become the largest classic-style cross-country ski event in Canada, attracting more than 2000 skiers from around the world every year (pre-pandemic).
The main event, of course, recreates the legend by strapping a 12-lb (5.5 kg) pack to participants for their imitation princely cargo before they trek the 55-km journey through the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. You can also try the same trek without a pack or even a range of recreational events as short as 500 metres.
Celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the Vikings’ Feast—a cutlery-optional buffet that includes carved roast beef, chicken, roasted potatoes, and pasta—or the official Birkie Baby, selected each year by nomination to represent the rescued heir. There are plenty of activities so that people of all ages and athletic abilities can join in on the fun!
2. Winterruption
January 25–29 | Multiple venues across Edmonton | winterruptionyeg.com
It’s more than a concert series; it’s local, national, and international artists sweeping across 11 Edmonton stages for music, comedy, drag, wrestling, and all things winter. The lineup for this third annual festival includes local acts Girl Brain, wihtikow, Dual Nature, and Faunts, as well as Polaris winner Pierre Kwenders, Calgary’s Exit Division, Philadelphia’s Ron Gallo, and Treaty 6’s Dump Babes. To round out the festivities, there are various outdoor activities at multiple venues, including a pre-game skate in the ICE District Plaza on January 28 in collaboration with the Edmonton Oilers!
3. CHISELED
January 24–26 | ICE District Plaza in front of Rogers Place, 10220–104 St. | iceonwhyte.ca
Formerly known as the Ice on Whyte festival, CHISELED is bringing Edmonton’s prestigious International Ice Carving Competition—one of only three major ice carving competitions in Canada—to the downtown ICE District. Come watch teams of expert artists craft crystal-clear ice into masterpieces before your eyes. These eight teams from around the world will have only 34 hours to finish their 15-block sculptures, and then everyone gets to vote on their favourite! These works of art will remain in the plaza during the district’s activities and festivities throughout February.
4. Flying Canoë Volant
February 1–4 | Mill Creek Ravine & La Cite Francophone | 8627 rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury (91 St.) | flyingcanoevolant.ca
This nighttime festival takes its name from a French legend shared with First Nations peoples. In the legend, a French nobleman loved to hunt so much that he skipped Sunday mass and was cursed to wander the night skies forever in a flying canoe pursued by howling wolves. Perhaps you’ll spot him as you wander the Mill Creek Ravine, enjoying music, bannock roasting, and Indigenous art.
5. Silver Skate Festival
February 10–20 | Hawrelak Park, 9930 Groat Rd. | silverskate.ca
Not only is this Edmonton’s longest-running winter festival, it’s chock full of free winter activities for the whole family. Fun in the park includes traditional Silver Skate races, figure skating presentations, birkie ski races, sleigh rides, live musical and theatrical entertainment, snow and fire sculpting, and free snowshoe, skate, and ski rentals. Plus you can try the classic Canadian treat of maple taffy, and watch movies on the big screen with the partnering annual International Festival of Winter Cinema, the world’s only free outdoor winter film festival.
This article appears in the January/February 2023 issue of Info Edmonton.
