Top Ten Things to Do in Calgary This Winter

When winter's winds blow it isn't all that tempting to go5. Slip sliding away - what is winter without the thrill of
out and explore a city, but in Calgary there is so muchsledding? Calgary has dozens of great sliding and
to do that it becomes difficult to stay indoors!tobogganing hills, and most offer good parking and free
Of course not all of the city's top ten activities takeruns. Check out Edworthy Park, Confederation Park,
place in the great and snowy outdoors, but they are allDeerfoot Athletic Park, Rundle Dry Pond, Canyon
the more enjoyable because of the seasonalMeadows, Stanley Park, Elliston Park and the Fish
conditions. From January through March all of CalgaryCreek Escarpment.
is bursting at the seams with great activities, and6. The National Pastime - hockey is definitely one of
among the most preferred are:Canada's dominant sports and the Pengrowth
1. Fireside dining - you don't have to stay at home toSaddledome is the official home of the Calgary
enjoy a cozy meal beside the fire. There are manyFlames Hockey Club. The award winning team has an
restaurants in Calgary that serve hearty fare inenormous fan following, but tickets can usually be
spaces gently lit and warmed by large fireplaces.found for upcoming games.
Some have scenic views and park settings, while7. Skiing - Alberta is chock full of world class skiing,
others are set on the areas lakes or rivers. Try suchwith some less than three hours from Calgary. There
restaurants as the Q Haute, The Ranche, Newport Grillis also the Canada Olympic Park for skiing and
and River Café.snowboarding as well.
2. Salsa Dancing - there are literally dozens of dancing8. Festivals - the winter months are not shy on
classes and schools in the city focusing on the highlyfestivals, and some of the city's favorite events take
active ballroom dance style known as salsa. It is aplace between January and March. There is the
great way to really stay fit during the long winterCalgary Fringe Festival, the $100 Film Festival, the
months.Calgary Winter Festival and Zoolights among many
3. Get out on the ice - Calgary has some great skatingothers.
rinks, including the Olympic Plaza and Westside9. Cocoon - why not take in an on demand video or
Recreation Center, as well as several others. A few,hop out for a quick video rental, order up some
such as the Westside, are indoors and also offer fulltake-away food and nestle down in the warmth and
fitness facilities including a track and aquatic center.coziness of the sofa or, even better, the bed.
4. Museum, museums, museums! - feel like taking in a10. Pretend that winter is gone - Calgary has two large
museum? Calgary has galleries and museums galoregreenhouses that make it easy to forget that winter is
as well as the fantastic Glenbow Museum and theeven occurring. The Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden
ever popular Telus World of Science where visitorsand the Devonian Gardens are excellent cold weather
can become human "batteries".escapes!