Outdoor Activities

Fall is when you'll first arrive at the University of Alberta, and there is lots to jump into:

• See the fall colours! During September and October, many of trees in the Edmonton river valley (adjacent to the UAlberta north campus), begin to change colour. It's a beautiful time to go out for a walk and see the stunning hues of red and gold.
• Nearby Elk Island National Park is a great day trip if you want to do some hiking or see some wildlife. Every fall there are large amounts of waterfowl migrating through the park.

Even though it's cold, winter is a great time to enjoy the outdoors - although UAlberta also has a lot to offer if you're interested in indoor possibilities:

• Try downhill skiing or snowboarding: there are four ski resorts located in the Edmonton area (Edmonton Ski Club, Snow Valley, Sunridge, and Rabbit Hill), and there are many world-class mountain resorts located in the Rocky mountains (about 3 to 5 hours away, by car or bus).
• Ice-skating is beloved by many Canadians, and it's a great, relaxing way to get outside. The City of Edmonton operates many public skating rinks, and at certain ones you'll be able to rent ice skates.
• Check out the winter city guide to see everything that's going on during winter

As the weather warms up, the snow melts, and the days get longer, it's easier to spend more time outdoors. Here's a few ideas to help you make the most of your spring in Edmonton:

• Go for a walk or run on some of the public trails near the UAlberta campus. There are hundreds of kilometers of both paved (asphalt) and unpaved (gravel or dirt) trails located all around Edmonton.
• Participate in a drop-in class or event, organized through the faculty of Physical Education and Recreation

Summer is a time of long, sunny days, festivals, and limitless possibilities. Some ideas include:

• Go hiking in the Rocky mountains. There are six mountain national parks within a day's drive of Edmonton, and the UAlberta Outdoors Club frequently organizes trips.
• Try camping! There's no better way to connect with nature, and Parks Canada has some great information for those who have never camped before.
• Edmonton has four outdoor swimming pools; these are a fantastic way to cool off during the summer heat