This article on skiing in Edmonton originally appeared in our Info Edmonton Fall/Winter Guide. Read the full digital issue for the best in arts, culture, dining, shopping, and more!
When you’re a four-hour drive from the Rocky Mountains, people don’t expect you to have killer spots to ski and snowboard. But snow enthusiasts in the Edmonton area have been strapping wood to their feet and tumbling down river valley slopes for decades. Find out where to satisfy your need for wintry speed in the city.
The closest ski hill to downtown Edmonton was also the city’s first. Established in 1911, the Edmonton Ski Club operates out of Gallagher Park near the Muttart Conservatory, with terrain for both beginners and experts to develop their skills—and an incredible view of the downtown skyline from atop Connors Hill. The 17-acre hill includes four surface lifts (including a new carpet lift), a terrain park with progression jumps and rails, and a tubing park. Season passes, equipment rentals, and both group and private lessons are available. Canadian Olympian Jennifer Heil learned how to freestyle ski on this very hill before going on to win her first gold medal in 2006, and then silver for Canada’s first overall medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In 2020, ESC made further history with the Alpine Club of Canada when they opened Edmonton’s first ice wall on-site, offering drop-in climbs, intro lessons, and rental gear for the three-storey high climbing wall. | 9613–96 Ave., 780-465-0852.
If you’ve driven the busy Whitemud Drive freeway, you’ve most likely driven past this popular urban hill. In the summer, Snow Valley is well known for camping and a towering aerial park, while the winter months attract avid skiers and snowboarders looking to fit in a few runs after work or on a gorgeous weekend. While a private ski operation existed on-site starting in the 1940s, the city annexed the land in 1960 specifically for park use—and the Snow Valley Ski Club was officially established in 1961, with early skiers using two electrically driven rope tows. Now, the state-of-the-art facility features four lift systems, including two magic carpets and a one-of-a-kind high-speed ‘pulse’ quad chair created specifically to accommodate the hill’s unique off-loading zone. On-site amenities include a two-storey day lodge, tuning and repair services, various rental packages, private and group lessons, two terrain parks, and eight hill runs. Many runs here are suitable for beginners. | 13204 Rainbow Valley Rd., 780-434-3991.
Sunridge Ski Area was first created along with the Strathcona Science Provincial Park in 1980 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Province of Alberta. Several stages of development occurred over the years, including new lifts, snowmaking capabilities, and expansions. The 72-acre resort now features 12 runs of varying difficulties and 3 terrain parks, including the only Skier/Snowboard Cross Course in the Edmonton area. In 2007, they also installed a piece of history from one of the oldest ski hills in North America, Red Mountain Resort in British Columbia; Sunridge purchased the used quad chair to replace two of their T-bars and replaced all the critical components, such as the motor, hydraulics, and electronics, before installation. Its popular snow tubing park includes a dedicated tubing lift, three groomed chutes, and specialized Sunridge tubes. You can book a two-hour timeslot in advance or even rent out the entire tube park for a private tubing party. | 10980–17 St., 780-449-6555.
About 15 minutes southwest of the city, near Leduc County, is one of the largest terrain parks in Northern Alberta and an award-winning snow school. Rabbit Hill Snow Resort includes 11 runs and 3 terrain parks, complete with various jumps, ramps, rails, and pipes to work on your tricks and freestyle skills. Individual group lessons for beginners run daily and must be booked a minimum of two days prior, or you can book a Freeride Private Lesson to help master the terrain parks. New for 2021 and opening in December is their new Tube Park. On weekends and over the Christmas break, a dedicated Rabbit Hill Bus runs with select pick-up and return locations in St. Albert, Edmonton, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Devon. | 20715–57 Ave., 780-955-2440.
