Best Winter Activities
A Guide to the Best Winter Activities in Edmonton (2025)
In Edmonton, we don’t just endure winter—we celebrate it! The city transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a huge variety of unique festivals, stunning light displays, and amazing outdoor activities. This guide will show you the best ways to embrace the season and have fun when the temperature drops.
1. Explore the Ice Castles
An annual winter tradition, the Ice Castles are a breathtaking, frozen attraction built by professional ice artists. Explore the massive structure made of hundreds of thousands of icicles, featuring ice-carved tunnels, slides, and stunning LED-lit sculptures. It’s a magical experience for all ages, located in Hawrelak Park.
Vibe: Magical, family-friendly, Instagram-worthy
When to Go: Typically January – March (weather dependent)
Neighbourhood: River Valley (Hawrelak Park)
2. Go Skating at a Magical Ice Trail
Edmonton has some of the best and most scenic outdoor skating rinks in Canada. Forget simple ovals; the city maintains incredible ice trails that wind through the river valley’s beautiful scenery. The Victoria Park Oval and IceWay is a must-visit, with a stunning path lit by rainbow-coloured lights.
Vibe: Scenic, active, quintessentially Canadian
Top Spots: Victoria Park IceWay, Rundle Park, Hawrelak Park Lake
Neighbourhood: Multiple Locations
3. Experience the Silver Skate Festival
As Edmonton’s longest-running winter festival, Silver Skate is a beloved 10-day celebration of art, culture, recreation, and sport. Held in Hawrelak Park, the festival features incredible snow sculptures, live music, winter sports, and a magical folk trail. It’s a true celebration of the winter season.
Vibe: Artsy, cultural, community-focused
When to Go: Every February
Neighbourhood: River Valley (Hawrelak Park)
4. Walk the Flying Canoë Volant Trail
This unique and creative winter festival is inspired by French-Canadian, First Nations, and Métis traditions. After dark, the Mill Creek Ravine is transformed into a magical, illuminated pathway with live music, artistic installations, and storytellers. It’s a beautiful and culturally rich winter experience.
Vibe: Magical, cultural, unique
When to Go: Early February
Neighbourhood: Mill Creek Ravine
5. Ski or Snowboard in the City
You don’t need to drive to the mountains to hit the slopes. Edmonton has several local ski hills right in the river valley that are perfect for a quick afternoon of skiing or snowboarding, or for lessons for the whole family. They offer a convenient way to enjoy some downhill fun without the long drive.
Vibe: Active, family-friendly, convenient
Top Spots: Snow Valley, Sunridge Ski Area, Edmonton Ski Club
Neighbourhood: Multiple Locations
For a complete overview of life in the city, return to the Curated Guide to Edmonton’s Best.
General Real Estate FAQs
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What is the Edmonton real estate market like right now?
As of Fall 2025, the Edmonton market is considered balanced. This is a healthy market where neither buyers nor sellers have a strong upper hand. For buyers, this means there is a good amount of inventory to choose from, while sellers can still expect strong prices for well-marketed homes.
What is the absolute first step to buying a home?
Before you do anything else, you should speak with a mortgage professional to get a mortgage pre-approval. This tells you exactly how much you can afford, which is the essential first step before you can begin a serious home search.
What is the single most important factor when selling a home?
Strategic pricing. Setting the right price from day one is the most critical factor in a successful sale. A home that is priced correctly based on a professional market analysis will attract more buyers, more showings, and ultimately a higher final sale price.
Who pays the Realtor® commission?
In a typical real estate transaction, the total commission is paid by the seller from the proceeds of the sale. This commission is then split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. This means for a homebuyer, the services of a Realtor® are effectively free.
How is a property’s true value determined?
A property’s true market value is determined by what similar, nearby properties have recently sold for. A professional Realtor® determines this value by performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which analyzes recent sales, current competition, and other market data. It is not determined by the city’s tax assessment.
