Fave 5 – Things to do near The Westley Hotel this Winter
November 1, 2021
Updated winter 2021
The winter season has arrived!
While we’re dreaming of candy canes and sleighbells, COVID is still anything but a dream. BUT! Although Corona may have decided to get cozy and stay for a while, there are still plenty of reasons to venture outside to have some COVID-safe fun.
Visit Canada’s National Music Centre
Admission is free through the end of 2021! Spanning over 450 years of music history and innovation, NMC’s collection houses more than 2,000 pieces that help preserve and tell the story of Canada’s musical legacy. Located within Calgary’s downtown core, check out NMC’s website for specifics around vaccine and mask requirements.
Ice Bikes at Bowness Park
You don’t have to be a strong skater to enjoy Calgary’s outdoor rinks. If you know how to pedal a bicycle, then you know how to ice bike! Picture a bike, where the front wheel has been replaced with skates and the back wheel is surrounded by skates. With a wide base, you don’t even have to balance. Just pedal and steer as if you’re riding a normal bike. Learn more and reserve yours through the Bowness Park Skate Shop.
Cross-Country Skiiing & Snowshoing
You don’t have to travel farther than Calgary’s city limits for the most exhilarating and active way to enjoy the beauty of our snow-covered landscapes. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be done in any city park, plus there are several dedicated cross-country skiing tracks available in and around Calgary. The City of Calgary provides a good list of both groomed and ungroomed trails to check out. Ski rentals are also available across the city.
Tubing at Winsport
Located on the original grounds of the 1988 Olympic bobsleigh and ski jumping tracks, Winsport’s tubing park is one of the largest of its kind in Western Canada. Where else can you enjoy a faced-paced, action packed day where Olympic greats once graced the grounds?
Skating at Olympic Plaza
As if one homage to the Olympics wasn’t enough, skating at the outdoor Olympic Plaza is yet another way to revel in Calgary’s illustrious past. The plaza was built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games and features the only refrigerated outdoor ice surface in the city. On winter nights, the plaza comes alive with music, lights, and outdoor skating. Skate rentals are typically available at the nearby Skate Hut, but be sure to read up on any changes due to COVID before you head out.
In fact, one of the greatest features about Calgary in winter are the many local outdoor rinks that reside across the city. Admission is free at most, but not all offer on-site skate rentals. Learn more here and get outside!
Keeping it COVID-Safe
Have a wonderful and safe holiday and winter season. And if you are expecting guests this year, or just looking for a staycation getaway for yourself, the Westley Hotel is the perfect spot for you and your loved ones to relax and unwind in Calgary’s winter wonderland.
