Camrose Ski Club
The Cross-Country Skiing Experience in Camrose, Alberta
When you think of cross-country skiing in Alberta, heading to Camrose, in the heart of Alberta’s agricultural country is unlikely to be the first place that comes to mind. So what a pleasant surprise it was to find well-groomed, beautifully kept cross-country ski trails thanks to the Camrose Ski Club, one of the oldest ski clubs in Canada.
The Camrose Ski Club – founded in 1911
Camrose, according to Hazel Cail, Executive Director of Tourism Camrose, has strong Scandinavian roots – so back in the early days skiing and ski jumping was popular with the majority of residents. The original ski jump, built in 1911 is long gone and so is the one lost to a fire in 1921. The present ski jump dates to 1932. As one story goes, there is tell of skiers doing their jumps and one landed far out into the snow and just kept sinking…. right into a pig manure pit from the pig farm existing right next to the ski hill.
Fortunately the manure pit is long gone. What you’ll find now are approximately 18 kilometres of ski trails following the Stoney Creek Valley. Don’t expect a wilderness feel to the trails that form a loop at the north end. In fact, some lucky residents can ski right out their back door onto the trails. But at the south end, away from the homes, you’re skiing in an area that feels far removed from civilization.
The north end of the trail system is closer to homes
Look for coloured bird houses along the trail
Really pretty skiing in the trees
The ski trails take you behind the ski jump; it doesn’t look like it’s been used in awhile
Skiing under a trestle bridge – one that’s still in use today – was one of the highlights of my ski tour. The first was built in 1910 and because of fires, it’s been rebuilt twice. Hazel tells me that at one point up to eight through-passenger trains arrived daily in Camrose from Calgary – along with freight trains.
Ski under an old wooden trestle bridge
Ski trails heading south into a wilder section of the ski area
All the trails at the Camrose Ski Club are well marked.
You’ll find signage at any major trail intersection; often the choice lies between taking the easy, valley route or climbing one of the hills. I opted to climb hills wherever I could and was surprised at the steepness of many of them and how tiring it actually was if you climbed them all. You can get a serious work-out here if that’s what you’re after.
Mostly empty trails – even on a long weekend
More skate skiers than classic skiers on the trails
Beautiful vistas on the southern section of trails
Ski through a tunnel of trees
There’s the odd picnic table that makes a great lunch spot
You feel like you’re finishing a race when you come full circle
Located at the end of the southern trails is a Biathalon range. The bang of a gun could be heard in the area though I don’t know if it’s actually used for races anymore.
This weekend the annual Ole Uffda Loppet takes place – and there’s still time to sign up. Race lengths vary from 1.5 to 22.5 kilometres – so this is one family-friendly event. I asked who Ole Uffda was and learned that it’s a Scandinavian mascot designed for the 1990 Winter Games. When Ole isn’t living in the Viking Shop at the Visitor Centre, Ole shows up in parades and likes to start races.
The annual Ole Uffda Loppet takes place on February 21st this year – Photo credit: Sand L Photography
Ole Uffda – the Scandinavian Mascot – Photo credit: Tourism Camrose
Camrose Ski Club report 1929