Winning At Winter In East Village

UPDATE: Jan 20, 2020 - The Hygge Hut and firepits will reopen as a approved AHS activation on Friday, February 5th (weather permitting).

The East Village Nordic Loop is now officially OPEN! We ask that you please abide by all outdoor recreation and gathering COVID-19 protocols as outlined by the Province of Alberta. Use your best judgement on crowds; if the loop feels too busy, then it probably is and we ask that you come back at another time. If you can touch another user with your ski pole, you are too close. Let's all work together to make sure this space is enjoyable and safe for all who want to use it.

Hello, winter! We’ve been expecting you.

Cold weather and shorter days can make winter feel extra long, and in light of new restrictions announced in Alberta this week, we also have a new appreciation for how important it is to create safe and physically-distanced ways to play outside in our community.

We’ve reimagined what winter experiences can look like in East Village in a COVID world and we’ve got some exciting and possibly unexpected things lined up.

Are you one of the many Calgarians who is dusting off your grandma’s cross-country skis with grandiose plans to embrace your Nordic-self this winter? It’s anticipated that cross-country skiing will be to winter what biking was to this past summer. It’s one of the few activities that checks all the boxes when it comes to aligning with COVID-19 physical distancing policies and protocols; for one, it’s outdoors, and for another, you almost have to be 2 metres apart if you’re doing it right.

This December, we’re opening East Village Nordic Loop - a groomed 1km free cross-country ski track, in partnership with Fort Calgary and Foothills Nordic Ski Club. Grab Life by the Poles and enjoy cross-country skiing (and snowshoeing) in the city!

Strap on your skis at the Fort Calgary lands, an area that has been a great gathering place for thousands of years. Take in views of both city and nature, and right in our own backyard. The confluence of the rivers on one side of the loop and the bright lights of the city on the other.

All skill levels are welcome and encouraged. BYOS (bring your own skis) and take advantage of the waxing station on site. East Village Nordic Loop is intended as an outdoor recreational activity for a family or individual. Please abide by the latest outdoor recreation and gathering protocols as outlined by the Province of Alberta.

We‘re aiming to open the track on Friday, December 4, dependent on snowfall. Follow along with the local forecast and our social channels for confirmation. Time to start wishing for snow!

Along with cross-country skiing, we’re also bringing a bit of cozy to East Village this winter with our outdoor Hygge Hut. Located just off RiverWalk Plaza east of the Simmons Building, and also opening December 4, Hygge Hut is like a big warm East Village hug (safely distanced, of course). This outdoor Scandinavian-style hut is inspired by the Danish idea of Hygge, which means a special kind of well-being—it’s a cozy, easy togetherness enhanced by the glow of a fireplace, a warm drink and maybe a blanket. The snuggle vibe, in short. As you’re enjoying a physically-distanced walk, take the opportunity to warm your hands at our crackling fire or warm your heart by watching rays of sunlight dance and play on the ice in the Bow River. The Hygge Hut and firepits will be open and lit on Fridays, 3-7pm, Sat & Sun, 1-7pm.

Hygge Hut is also home to a winter wonderland-themed photo wall which comes complete with a backdrop of the Three Sisters mountains, mountable sleds and vintage ski poles.

Come to Hygge Hut and get cozy with winter.

Stay tuned for future programming announcements at the Hygge Hut, which will be organized in compliance with COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

In addition to these new experiences, we’ve decided to clear the snow from The Bounce throughout the winter for all your gaming needs. We know there are lots of hardy basketball players out there who will be looking for continued opportunities for safe outdoor gaming.

And finally, Curling at St. Patrick’s Island is back again this year! Our synthetic curling sheet is the perfect way to live out all your wildest Canadian dreams! Find it at Confluence Plaza, near the island washrooms and Calgary Zoo parking lot. The curling stones will be sanitized daily, but remember to bring along your hand sanitizer and keep your cohort together and safely distanced from others.