Provincial Legislature
Edmonton, Alberta

Pure winter in Northern Alberta and the Canadian Rockies is the place to be. Canada’s Jasper National Park, the largest playground in the Canadian Rockies, is filled with pristine outdoors wilderness and amazing snow. Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city is a hub of culture and commerce year round; however only in winter can visitors enjoy The Silver Skate Festival and celebrate the beauty and fun of the season. Northwest of Edmonton via Highway 43, Grande Prairie anchors the southern region of Peace River Country and the northern reaches of the CANAMEX trade route. GP is convenient to Jasper via Bighorn Highway 40. Northern Alberta is all about winter fun this time of year.

Kick off the New Year with winter fun at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie at the 2012 Grande Prairie Sled Dog Derby. In its second year, Grande Prairie hosts the derby, January 7th and 8th, now an ISDRA sanctioned event. Join the excitement as the new All-Around Champion Musher is crowned for 2012, and the most sportsmanlike musher is selected by those competing. The Grande Prairie Sled Dog Derby gets 2012 winter fun off to a great start.

The Grande Prairie Storm keeps the heat on through February at Canada Games Arena in downtown Grande Prairie. Celebrate the Storm’s 16th year in action with the Alberta Junior Hockey League at a game this winter. With the support of loyal fans from across the Grande Prairie region and the Swan City Hockey Association, cheer the Storm on to 2012 Playoff action. The Storm regular home season schedule ends February 17th and 18th with games against the St Albert Steel.

Jasper hosts one of Western Canada’s premier festivals to initiate the New Year. Jasper in January Festival 2012: Fire and Ice begins Friday January 13th. Join the fun at the Kokanee Kick Off Party setting the tone for the remainder of January. J in J events include snow carving competitions, downtown Jasper’s Family Street Festival and the Polar Bear Dip at Patricia Lake. New for 2012, don’t miss the Yukigassen Canada Snow Battle – watch as teams compete with snowballs to eliminate the competition and capture opposing flags. Jasper in January continues through January 29th.

Ski and snowboarding fans find Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park an ideal spot for bumps, bowls or cruising the powder. Enjoy the natural beauty of Lac Beauvert or Pyramid Lake for outdoor ice-skating on a frozen lake nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Jasper has winter fun covered in one destination.

Jasper National Park offers cross-country ski terrain to suit all ages and experience levels. Beginners, check out the Lake Trail Loop or Moose Lake Trail to get started. The Moab Lake Trail is 18 km of amazing vistas for skiers looking for a challenge. Find the trail head at Meeting of the Waters picnic area south of Jasper along Highway 93A.

Northern Alberta is winter fun.

Calgary Tower, Calgary

Wintertime has arrived in Calgary, and with it Calgary Flames Hockey. The Nordic Center in Canmore is hosting cross-country skiers; and winter downhill fans are flocking to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies for the unmatched terrain and snow. Winter resorts are in full gear from Mount Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village near Banff and Canmore, to Nakiska, the closest mountain to Calgary. Don’t miss the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship Hockey bringing in the New Year - Calgary and Edmonton are the host cities. Speed Skating Canada comes to Calgary as well, with the Essent ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships 2012.

Mark your calendar for a visit to Calgary’s Olympic Oval for the 2012 World Sprint Speed Skating Championships January 28th and 29th. Watch as Canada’s Olympic gold medalist and current World Sprint Champion, Christine Nesbitt leads team Canada in competition against the world’s fastest skaters. Events include men’s and ladies 500m and 1000m competitions followed by the Champions’ Ceremonies.

There’s not a more rousing sport than Canadian Hockey. The Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary hosts home games for the NHL Cargary Flames and WHL Calgary Hitmen. Catch the excitement of Flames hockey through April 7th when the Flames host the Ducks. The Hitmen play through March 17th when they host Kootenay at Fan Appreciation Night in the Saddledome.

Alberta’s Kananaskis region is home to Canmore and unparalleled terrain for winter sports. Mt Norquay Ski Area is arguably Banff’s best family ski resort with runs for all abilities. Mt Norquay also offers the Bow Valley’s only night skiing and lit terrain park. The Canmore Nordic Centre, five minutes from downtown Canmore, offers exceptional tracks for cross-country skiing. Nakiska Ski Area, site of Calgary’s ’88 Olympic Alpine events, is another popular winter resort area.

Nothing says winter like February in Canmore. With events like Knuckle Basher winter climbing festival, Snow Tracks cross-country skiing down Canmore Main Street, and Canmore Winter Carnival, February is continual winter fun. Join the festivities of Winter Carnival February 10th through 20, in and around downtown Canmore.

The Canmore Nordic Center hosts the Canmore Biathlon Cup from February 10th through 16th. Head downtown February 10th through the 13th, enjoy Snow Tracks in downtown Canmore, featuring a ski track on two blocks of Main Street along with the fun of JackRabbit races, Dog sled Races and the Xterra Triathlon. If you’re looking for winter fun, you’ll find it in Canmore.

Banff National Park, west of Calgary in the Canadian Rockies, offers stunning destinations like Lake Louise and the charming town of Banff. In winter Banff National Park is a wonderland. From the extreme excitement of Helicopter skiing to relaxing while enjoying the scenery on a horse-drawn sleigh ride – winter doesn’t get better. You can even play the world's most picturesque game of pond hockey at Lake Louise. Join in, or watch teams February 25th and 26th at the 2012 Lake Louise Pond Hockey Classic.