Does it get any more Canadian than carving up the ice at an outdoor skating rink? Whether you enjoy a leisurely skate with the kids or lacing up for a quick game of shinny, Wetaskiwin offers plenty of opportunities to get active outdoors in the fresh air this winter.
And if skating isn’t your go-to winter sport, there are other activities for you, too!
After all, we all know it’s important to get our bodies moving – especially after the holidays – and as we continue to navigate the current pandemic concerns, there’s no better place to get active than in the great Central Alberta outdoors!
So bundle up and check out what’s waiting in your own backyard…
Skating, skiing, tobogganing and more!
Here in Wetaskiwin, there are a variety of outdoor ice rinks to choose from.
- Find a boarded rink outside the Manluk recreation centre at 47 Street and 52 Avenue.
- Take the tots to the small kids’ rink, also at the rec centre grounds.
- To the northeast, visit the Garden Meadows Park rink, across from Garden Meadows Drive at 225 Garnet Cres.
- Another rink awaits at Montgomery Park, across from 5206 53 St.
- And for evening skaters, you’ll even find lights at Broere Park, 5405 39 Ave.
The outdoor skating trail at Kinsmen Park, 225 Northmount Dr., is back, bigger and better than ever, and there’s even an adjacent toboggan hill for all manner of cold-weather fun.
If you prefer skis to skates, Peace Hills Park, north of the Wetaskiwin Regional Airport, is your go-to local destination.
Why recreation matters
Not only does being active help you feel your best, it can also reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer, Alberta Health Services notes. In addition, physical activity can be a great booster for your mental health and a great stress-reliever during these uncertain times. And, by getting out and being active as a family, you’re also setting your children up for life-long active living.