Cross country skiing with your family is a fun, easily accessible, and inexpensive Winter activity.

As a ski instructor, people often ask me “ at what age can my child start xc skiing?” My answer: kids can physically ski anytime after they can walk … but really it depends on how much patience you have.

This may not be the straightforward answer you were looking for, but it really is different for every family. My son was 2.5 his first time on skis. It lasted about 5 to 10 mins and we traveled about 6 feet. But it was fun, and we took some adorable photos to send to Grandma and Grandpa.

“When you are skiing with very young children I find it’s the parents’ desire and a massive amount of patience that really dictates whether or not skiing with your child is possible.” 

As your child gets older, they will get bigger and stronger and will be able to last longer and go further. 4 to 6 is a great age to get out on the trail, but remember every child grows and develops differently so don’t get caught up in ‘age restrictions.’

So you’re ready to embark on your first family xc ski, now what?

What To Wear

You want to be comfortable because no one is happy if they are cold or wet. If you live in Canada, your kids are probably already equipped with snowsuits, good mitts, and a toque.

Most people OVER dress for xc skiing. Remember this is an active sport, you will be moving most of the time.

What to Pack

Ski Gear

If you are new to xc skiing you will probably want to rent for the first while. You will need skis, boots, and poles. Our ski package includes all these items for $15/2 hours for children and $25/2 hours for adults. Daily rates are available as well. Don’t worry about what size of equipment you need, the friendly team at Kananaskis Outfitters will sort that all out for you.

Babies and Toddlers

If you’d like to ski with your baby/toddler we also rent “pulks.” Our pulks are Chariot strollers with skis on them instead of wheels. They glide atop the snow very nicely and allow you to get out with your family of all ages. (Note: babies should be 1+ years for the pulk)

Where to Go

Kananaskis has many options for skiing. There are 3 main areas: The Ribbon Creek Trails (or Kananaskis Village Trails), Peter Lougheed Trails, and Mt.Shark Trails. Each of these areas offers machine groomed trails. Machine groomed trails make skiing easier with a smooth consistent surface for your skis to glide on. They also offer tracks that keep your skis going in the direction you want and increase glide. For first-time skiers, I recommend the Terrace Loop or Aspen Loop, near the Kananaskis Village. These 3 km and 6km loops respectively are walking distance from Kananaskis Outfitters so you can rent skis and walk right over to the trailhead. The Terrace Loop is comprised of easy terrain, and if you don’t want to do the full 3 km you can do a shorter out and back.

The Village trails are also great for your first adventure from a safety perspective, they are near to public facilities with heat and bathrooms and within cell coverage. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the local trail map and know where you are going.

OK, so. You’ve got all the right gear. You are on the trail, skiing along; now what?! Remember to keep it fun, and that children require LOTS of short breaks. Set achievable goals like “when we make it to the junction we’ll have a treat.” Racing each other is fun and keeps everyone moving along. Play I-spy as you move along the trail or point out the shapes the snow-covered trees or clouds make. If everyone is unhappy, change your strategy or go inside for a break and try again a little later. Don’t forget, hot chocolate is always a hit

Finally, lessons are worth every penny!

Book your family into an xc ski lesson with one of our certified instructors; they will give you lots of tips and tricks to make your outings fun and successful.

We hope these tips help get you and your whole family out on the trail. 

Ski you later,
Michelle

 

 

 

 

One of the things I get asked on a daily basis is ‘what is the warmest product?’

We could go on for days looking up specs on a line of product or brand, but when it comes down to it, layering is the best policy. Now to clarify, I don’t mean rummage through your closet and load everything that fits over each other to give yourself the marshmallow effect in a crazy way to stay warm. Dressing like a marshmallow may leave you feeling overwhelmed and trapped within your supposed cozy bubble of heat. Furthermore, once you hit the slopes, charge that cross-country trail, or stroll down that glistening mountain route, you will find yourself overheating, and in turn becoming cold! There is a reason for this…your body will naturally work harder to keep warmer in the cooler elevations. The more layers of miss-matched fabrics you put on, the less breath-ability your body has to release the sweat you are producing. So now that you know the marshmallow effect is the wrong way to layer, let’s look at it the right way.

Start yourself off with a snug-fitting, moisture-wicking base layer. Avoid cotton! Cotton is warm, which will get you sweating, which is going to get you wet and stay wet against your skin all day since cotton does not dry quickly and is not meant to wick moisture. When you sweat, your body is robbed of its heat and that is not going to help you stay warm in the long term! Here at Kananaskis Outfitters, we believe in merino wool, as the choice base layering product. The sheep that produce merino wool live in the mountains and their wool insulates, wicks moisture, and is anti-microbial. This wool will keep you cool when it’s warm and keep you warm when it is cold. Bonus: Merino wool is not itchy. This fabric is incredibly breathable and resists odor naturally! So that ‘bottom of the gym bag’ smell your polyester gear acquires after chasing winter’s bliss all season, stays in your gym bag!

Next, pick out a fleece or thick wool mid-layer. This will help keep in the warm air but still allow your skin to breathe through the sweat caused underneath your shell or outer layer. I like to go with a Patagonia pullover made with Polartec Thermal Pro fleece or the luxurious Kuhl Flight Jacket which features a zip-in hidden hood, Italian fleece, and thumb loops to keep my sleeves from riding up as I am out exploring the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Also, this jacket is by far the most lavish and soft material, leaving me feeling as if I am wrapped in a warm pillow!

Finally, it’s time to think about a shell: your outer shell jacket will resemble a rain jacket, but jacked up (pun intended )! Primarily, these are built of materials offering breath-ability, water resistance, and wind protection in even the most unfavorable conditions. There are many options available to you, and they may get a bit confusing as to what all of them are intended for, and what jacket is going to be best for your activities. Well, let me help a bit. Here are the basics: Softshell, Hard Shell, and Insulated Jacket. Softshell jackets are made of a breathable, flexible material that may be water-resistant, but not waterproof. Some may be windproof, but generally they are more breathable. A hard shell is waterproof and windproof, but not as breathable and usually not as stretchy. An insulated jacket will combine a thick insulation layer with a hard shell making a beautifully balanced warm and waterproof piece to complete your winter adventure outfit. All of the options above are also available for your bottom half. I prefer softshell pants like Kuhl’s Frost pants, to keep my range of movement maxed while enjoying adventures in the snow.

Remember, the ability to remove layers and add layers as needed is important for the outcome of your mountain adventure. With the right setup, you can heighten your experience and elevate yourself in any conditions Mother Nature may throw your way.           

 Written By: Kora the Explora

 

 

 

 

Below is our library of links to help you plan an amazing vacation or day trip in Kananaskis.

 

 

 

 

Beginning June 1, 2021, you will need to pay to enter Kananaskis Country. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is set up similar to the National Parks pass and helps pay for:

Personal vehicles will pay $15/vehicle/day or $90 annually which allows you to register two vehicles. You will need a pass if you are stopping in the park, however, if you are traveling through you will not require a pass.

Passes can be purchased online or at the Barrier Visitor Information Center, Peter Lougheed Discovery Center, Canmore Nordic Center, or Elbow Valley Visitor Information Center.

Alberta Parks has also arranged some free days they are calling “Wilderness Wednesdays”, on the first Wednesday of every month starting July 7, 2021.

Other 2021 free days include:

To Buy a Pass or find out more information follow this link.

 

 

 

 

We feel pretty honoured to be included in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine article about Fat Biking in Canada.

“…A winter pastime that’s steadily gained traction over the past five years, fat biking is now available in every province from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island. From adrenaline‑pumping single‑track trails in the mountains to flat and picturesque pathways across the Prairies, there’s a route for every age and skill set. But where to venture? We’ve rounded up the top trails for fat biking in Canada. No matter which one you choose, you’ll satisfy your need for fresh air and a little heart‑pumping activity wherever you find yourself this winter…

…Shinrin, Kananaskis, Alberta — Newly built for fat biking in the winter, Shinrin (from “shinrin‑yoku” or “forest bathing” in Japanese) has a similar feel to a single‑track mountain bike trail and is perfect for experienced fat bikers. The narrow adventure trail mostly runs through the forest but also features scenic lookouts over Ribbon Creek. If you want a guide, turn to Claude Faerden at Kananaskis Outfitters, who rents bikes and hosts fat‑bike tours. You may even wish to spend the night at nearby Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and relax tired muscles in the Nordic Spa on site…”

That was an excerpt from the magazine article, written by Andrea Karr for enRoute.

To read the full article follow this link.

 

 

 

 

On October 30, 2020, Alberta Environment and Parks announced a partnership with Nordiq Alberta to resume Winter trail grooming in Kananaskis for the 2020-2021 season.

You may remember this February when Alberta Environment and Parks announced funding cuts which included the trail grooming program. This was devastating news for the Kananaskis business community and local skiers. Our magnificently groomed ski trails attract thousands of visitors each Winter. Many of our children skied for the first time on these trails, numerous school and senior groups come here every week, and aspiring athletes and Olympians train on these very trails.

The economic impact associated with the loss of the grooming program to our business, all other Kananaskis businesses, surrounding ski shops, and supporting businesses would have been great. This paired with the pandemic, which has hit the Tourism industry extremely hard was setting the stage for a difficult winter season. This announcement brings the Kananaskis business community great joy and relief.

“Nordiq Alberta is proud to be able to represent the voices of our member clubs and skiers, as well as trail users, business owners and residents to advocate for continued cross-country ski trail grooming in Kananaskis. We are grateful for the support we have received to make this program a reality. Whether by purchasing a parking pass or volunteering, we can each do our part to keep cross-country ski trails maintained in Kananaskis.” – Chris Reitz, chair, Nordiq Alberta

What does this partnership look like?

Nordiq Alberta will sell parking passes online and in select retail locations, including Kananaskis Outfitters. The money collected from these parking passes will be remitted to Alberta Environment and Parks to fund the grooming program.

You can purchase a seasons pass for $50, or a day pass for $10. This applies to your vehicle and not to each user. Your pass is valid for skiing and fat biking in the Village/Ribbon Creek area and skiing at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Mount Shark, and Sandy McNabb. Compared to many other groomed ski areas this is very affordable.

How can you support?

Nobody likes user fees. But if we have to choose between groomed tracks and a $10 – $50 fee. We’re fine to pay, and we hope you will be too.

L-R: Minister Nixon, MLA Whitney Issik, MLA Jeremy Nixon, MLA Miranda Rosin,  Michelle Faerden – Kananaskis Outfitters, Chris Reitz – Nordiq Alberta.

Live Grooming Report Links

 

 

 

 

Alberta’s five national parks and extraordinarily varied landscape—rolling prairie in the east, the Canadian Rockies in the west, and lunar-like badlands in between—inspire wanderlust in every type of traveler. Whether winter adventures or world-class festivals and museums ignite your imagination, make Alberta’s 10-Must-Have Experiences the launchpad for an unforgettable journey.

Read the full article here.