It’s a new year and the perfect time to try snowshoeing as a family if you haven’t already. Snowshoeing is exploding in popularity because of its low learning curve and affordability. You won’t need lessons for this sport; simply strap on a pair of snowshoes and go for your family hike as you would any other time of year.
You can rent gear to try it out or easily find second-hand gear to get your family started. Kids will be able to use the same snowshoes for years and you don’t need to buy special boots that need to be replaced every time their feet grow! Add a cheap pair of poles if you want and you’re set with the winter clothing you already own. There’s no fancy clothing requirement for this sport and nobody is judging you on the trails if you haven’t purchased the latest model of ski jacket or pants. Snowshoeing is outdoor play, plain and simple - in whatever warm outdoor gear you already have on hand.
A great place to try snowshoeing for the day is Kananaskis Village. You can rent snowshoes from Kananaskis Outfitters inside the Village Centre. Trails start right from the village near the playground and you can hike for minutes or hours until you get cold and want to return to warm up beside the fireplace in the Delta Kananaskis Resort. You’ll find sofas, tables, a coffee shop and a deli inside the Delta - perfect for the après-hike snack.
Great beginner trails:
Village Loops Snowshoe Trail - Kananaskis Village (two loops totalling 3 kilometres).
Troll Falls via the Hay Meadow Trail - Ribbon Creek below the Village (4-kilometre loop to a beautiful set of frozen waterfalls).
Note: You will be sharing this trail with X-country skiers and it will be groomed/track-set so please stay to the side of the trail.
For more information on renting snowshoes, visit the Kananaskis Outfitters website at www.kananaskisoutfitters.com
You can also rent from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) or the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre. For detailed information on snowshoe trails at Kananaskis Village and Ribbon Creek, visit the Alberta Parks website at www.albertaparks.ca/evan-thomas/information-facilities/trails.aspx
More family-friendly snowshoe trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park:
Canyon Snowshoe Trail - 1.7 kilometres one way from the Canyon day-use area
Penstock Loop - 4.5-kilometre loop from the Canyon day-use area
Lower Lake Trail - 2.8 kilometres one way from the Canyon day-use area
Elkwood Loop Snowshoe Trail - 4.1-kilometre loop from William Watson Lodge
Marsh Loop Snowshoe Trail - 1.3-kilometre loop from William Watson Lodge
Hogarth Lakes - 3.9-kilometre loop from the Burstall Pass day-use area
Chester Lake - 3.4 kilometres one way from the Chester Lake day-use area (good for families with school-aged kids and teens)
For information on trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, visit the Alberta Parks website at www.albertaparks.ca/peter-lougheed/information-facilities/trails.aspx
Tanya loves hiking, camping, skiing and all things mountain-related. Tanya is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, www.rockiesfamilyadventures.com and the creator of the Calgary Family Adventure Community on Facebook.
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