Okay, so it's been a little cold out lately, but that's why you have gloves and a toque, silly!
It's the perfect time to get outdoors; it's so pretty outside with the frost on the pines and all that ice just waiting for you to practice your double axel or play a game of shinny.
So on that note, let's start with some of our surrounding ice surfaces. The Red River Mutual Trail is now officially open at The Forks (to make if official they drove a zamboni right through the red ribbon #zambonibeatsscissors), while this year they have over 1 km of on-land skating trails and the groovy Canopy Rink. The Canopy Rink is located at The Forks Plaza, and there is a spot to rent skates right inside the adjacent doors.
Artist Kalbarteski's inspirational writing on The Forks' Canopy Rink (The Forks)
The Canopy Rink looks absolutely brilliant this year with local artist Kal Barteski's uplifting messages painted below the surface, while cool events are often put on at the rink like Soul on Ice, where you can get your groove on (on skates!) to some jams from DJs Hunnicut & Co-op.
Curling fanatics should also register their team today for Canada's best fundraising bonspiel, the Iron Man (February 5-6) which raises funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and takes place right on the river in front of The Forks Market.
At Assiniboine Park, The Riley Family Duck Pond is arguably more charming than when your kids try to make and serve you breakfast in bed (which 'Lil has tried only once; her pancakes were awful, but the coffee wasn't half bad, and I tell you that kid can cut an orange slice... no idea where she learned that one). The pond is a popular place on the weekends when families all take to the ice, while there is also a toboggan run right nearby. Plus, you have the the Qualico Centre, which is hugged by the pond, which is an excellent spot for breakfast or lunch so you can fill up your belly with some hot food before you get your skate on.
Snowshoeing at FortWhyte Alive is a great way to spend a day (@FortWhyte Alive)
Frozen's Olaf would be in his element at FortWhyte Alive as that magical place is a snow and ice lovers dream. Throughout the winter months you can take the kids ice fishing on up to four lakes, snowshoeing through their numerous tree-lined trails (with rentals available on-site, only $3 per pair) and skating on the frozen ponds.
And last but not least is The Great Ice Show at The Forks, which will have its grand opening on Monday, January 25th. Based on the spectacular Harbin Ice Festival in China, featuring the creations of 40 its ice sculpting artists, this is going to be one spectacular display.
They'll even have iguanas at The Great Ice Show (@thegreaticeshow)
There will be igloo mazes, giant life-sized dinosaurs and bears, fireworks displays, and an ice bar and mini restaurant serving crepes by the fine folks from Mon Ami Louis. For activities, they have bumper cars on ice, huge toboggan runs, and even music from DJs so you can have a little dance party (I'm not normally one to guess, but surely "Ice Ice Baby," and Foreigner's "Cold as Ice," will make the playlist at some point. I for one will be requesting Fleet Foxes' "White Winter Hymnal").
Tickets are $15 for kids and $25 for adults, and you can purchase them now both on-site and from Ticketmaster.
Note: the lede image, Skating on the duck pond at Assiniboine Park, is by Gerald Laggo
