Fun winter activities in Alberta

From mushing to ice angling, there’s lots to see and do around Alberta this winter

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1. Tour Lake Louise by dogsled.

Not only will you participate in an hour-and-a-half dogsledding adventure along the Continental Divide, you will also have time aplenty to enjoy the beauty of the famous lake. This trip, operated by Kingmik Dog Sled Tours, takes guests to the Alberta-British Columbia Great Divide – a distance of about 16 kilometres. This adventure is for those really wanting to experience the thrill of mushing, as guests are even encouraged to drive the team on the home stretch, which includes an opportunity to snap a great shot of the north face of Mt. Temple. The cost is $333.90 per sled or $165 per person, and tours, which run late November through mid-April, are not operated on Thursdays. At the end, tours return to Lake Louise, the perfect spot to sight see, skate on the lake or visit the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. For more information or tickets, visit kingmikdogsledtours.com/tours.

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2. Board a train for a half-day Rocky Mountain tour.

Who says train travel is a thing of the past? Why not stay warm and enjoy the sights of the Canadian Rockies during a half-day tour with Sundog tours. The route heads west on Via Rail’s Skeena line from Jasper, Alberta, to Harvey, B.C. Participants then derail and make the return trip with a friendly driver via a comfy touring vehicle along the Yellowhead Highway, with lots of chances to wildlife watch on the way back to Jasper. Tour durations are five to six hours, with departures at noon Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Adults pay just $99 for the round trip and tickets for kids under 12 are $55. For more information or to book a tour, visit sundogtours.com.

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3. Sleep with the fishes (and hopefully catch some, too).

Halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, Gull Lake is a prime Alberta ice fishing spot. Adventure Ice Fishing offers anglers the opportunity to even stay overnight to take advantage of the best biting times. Adventure Ice Fishing is the only outfitter in the province that provides overnight huts with four bunk beds per hut, propane furnaces, propane stove and light, kitchen counters and an outhouse. Fishing holes are pre-drilled, so all participants have to do is watch for the northern pike to bite. Rods, gear, bait, an ice scoop, tip-ups, a barbecue, dishes, utensils, pots and pans, and a table and chairs are all provided in huts. The company offers daytime ice fishing adventures as well. The cost for the overnight excursions starts at just $90 per person. For more information, visit adventureicefishing.com.

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4. Catch the waves at West Edmonton Mall.

The West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark offers surfing lessons for participants 10 and older. Lessons, which are 90 minutes, are offered once the waterpark closes to the general public on Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The cost, which includes the use of a board, is $75 per person, and payment is required at the time of booking. The Surf Club also offers drop-in lessons Monday and Wednesday, 30 minutes after closing, at a cost of $30 per drop-in or $120 for a six-visit pass. Completion of a private surf lesson is a requirement to join the Surf Club. For more information, call 780-444-5313 or visit wem.ca.

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5. Do some horsing around in Calgary.

It’s always a good time for a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride, so why not head to Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park for a whisk around its winter wonderland. Horsin Around offers seasonal horse-drawn sleigh rides every weekend starting at noon (weather permitting) for $5 per person (kids under two years are free). Located in the southwest close to Fish Creek Provincial Park, Horsin Around’s sleigh is an open deck with straw bales, and seats up to 20. The 15-minute ride is a perfect opportunity to sing carols as a family or to just sip hot chocolate and catch up with your sweetheart. For more information, call 403-238-6665.

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