2022 has been a busy year for us and that’s part of why this space has been a bit quieter than usual. We figured we’d put together a quick recap and look back on what we’ve been up to!
2022 Year In Review
Alberta’s New Kananaskis Conservation Pass
The Alberta Government budgetrecently announced a new $15/day or $90/year Conservation Fee for access to Kananaskis Provincial Park. Kananaskis is a favourite playground of a lot of Albertans and many Calgarians consider it to be an extension of their backyard. It’s important to conserve the area, but this plan will not achieve that goal.
We’ve written many times about the beauty of Kananaskis, including fantastic hikes like Tent Ridge, larch hikes in the fall, some of the great cycling opportunities, incredible cross country skiing, or more challenging backpacking trips like Northover Ridge. Seriously, I could go on, but the point is that Kananaskis has long been one of Alberta’s prized gems. It’s important to conserve Kananaskis for future generations and we’re happy to contribute financially to our Parks, but this fee is not the right approach.
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All About The Tent Ridge Hike
The Tent Ridge hike is a relatively easy hike in Kananaskis Country that delivers extraordinary views without a huge amount of effort. This hike, also referred to as the tent ridge horseshoe as it follows a horseshoe-shaped loop along the ridge, is likely one of the best hikes in Kananaskis and is well worth your time. The trail follows an open ridge which means you have fantastic views for almost the entire duration of the hike. It belongs on any hiker’s bucket list, read on to learn more about hiking Tent Ridge.
6 Simple Actions to Protect Alberta’s Rocky Mountains
The Alberta Government continues to roll forward with changes to Alberta Parks. While they have conceded on some items and are now saying that no parks will be closed, there are still lots of questions the Government is not answering about their “partnerships. ” Keen-eyed reporters have also noticed that a handful of parks were mysteriously missing from the list of parks that “Won’t be closed”, and critical parts of Alberta’s environmental regulations are still being changed. For instance, the UCP rescinded Alberta’s 1976 Coal policy and are now selling strip mining rights for coal on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
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6 Great Winter Activities in Calgary
Looking for great winter activities to do in Calgary? There are so many great things to do in Calgary in the winter, and with the current pandemic and lockdown, everybody’s looking for ways to get out of their house and spend some time outdoors. Those of us in Calgary are lucky to have the beautiful Rocky Mountains nearby, but sometimes you don’t want to spend a day driving and just need an easy activity within city limits. Here are some great ideas for winter activities in Calgary!
7 Beginner Cross-Country Ski Trails Near Calgary
Looking to get outdoors during the pandemic and curious about cross-country skiing? Alberta boasts some fantastic cross-country skiing and most shops have been having a hard time keeping gear in stock this year. So with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of the best beginner-friendly cross country ski trails near Calgary to ease you into the sport and help you get comfortable on your skis.
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In Defense of Alberta’s Parks
We don’t often get into politics on this blog, but as avid parks users in Alberta, we feel that recent changes to our Provincial Parks require addressing.