Soft Adventure

Edmonton offers ample opportunities for experiencing year-round indoor and outdoor recreation, along with adventure activities in and around Edmonton.

ACTIVITIES

 
MP Stables: MP Stables is open year round and proudly offers formal carriages for special events: hay, wagon, cutter and sleigh rides. Horseback riding services are available anywhere in Edmonton and surrounding areas, or drive out to MP Stables and enjoy the picnic and bonfire areas that provide a peaceful, picturesque country location.

Telephone: 780.973.3352
Website: www.mpstables.com  

Stay to Golf: Edmonton is fast gaining a reputation as a premier golf destination in North America. With over eighty courses to choose from in Edmonton and surrounding area, every golfer, at every skill level, will find a suitable and appealing course to play. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself at courses rated in the top one hundred of Canada, or play a tranquil game with a few buddies at a serene and secluded riverside course, the choices are vast and abundant.

Website: www.staytogolf.com  

Sherwood Park Archery Lanes: Sherwood Park Archery Lanes is located near Edmonton in neighbouring Sherwood Park. Being the second largest archery shop in Canada there is a wide selection of archery equipment and supplies, plus clothing and accessories. Sherwood Park Archery Lanes has one of the best onsite shooting lanes in Western Canada. School and private bookings are available.

Telephone: 780.464.0017
Website: www.sherwoodparkarcherylanes.com  

Urban Uprising Climbing Complex, University of Alberta: The Urban Uprising Climbing Complex is a leading-edge climbing facility, consisting of dynamic climbing structures that are among the highest in the country. There is a wide variety of climbing experiences including bouldering, top-rope climbing and lead climbing for recreational and high performance climbers.

Telephone: 780.492.2767
Website: www.physedandrec.ualberta.ca/climbing_complex.cfm  

Vertically Inclined Rock Gym: Indoor climbing gyms take the challenge and fitness benefits of climbing and remove the unpredictable nature of the mountain environment to offer a truly alternative form of active recreation. Vertically Inclined Rock Gym (VIRG) is one of North America's premier climbing facilities. VIRG was created to bring the fantastic sport of rock climbing out of the fringes and make it more accessible to the general public.

Telephone: 780.496.9390
Website: www.verticallyinclined.com  

IN THE AIR

 
E-Z Air Helicopter Tours: There are three options for one to enjoy flying. Book an Island Heli-Picnic for two and enjoy flying up to a remote island on the North Saskatchewan River and enjoy a picnic before returning. More hands on, try the Simulator party that includes up to four people and learn about flying, including 30 minutes in a helicopter simulator. Or, if you are really serious about flying become a student and take a 1-hour initial lesson with a Chief Flight Instructor.

Telephone: 780.453.2085
Website: www.e-zair.com  

Eden North Parachute School: Enjoy the thrill of skydiving at Eden North Parachute School where you can fly to new heights either with a Solo First Jump, a Tandem First Jump, or by enrolling into the Advanced Freefall (AFF) Program. AFF is a program designed to take you from a first jump graduate to a safe, capable solo skydiver.

Telephone: 780.489.9000
Website: www.edennorth.com  

Windship Aviation: Windship Aviation offers hot air balloon flights over Edmonton and surrounding area from March to December, twice a day, seven days a week, weather permitting. The total experience takes approximately three hours, including a one hour flight. In addition, each passenger receives: a personalized flight completion certificate in an attractive folder recognizing each passenger as an official aeronaut, traditional imported champagne toast served in silver goblets by the Pilot and Crew upon landing, a colour photograph of the balloon that the passengers have flown in, a hot air balloon lapel pin, and return transportation from the landing area to the launch site.

Telephone: 780.438.0111
Website: www.windshipaviation.com  

ON THE GROUND

 
North Saskatchewan River Valley: One of Edmonton’s greatest attractions, the North Saskatchewan River Valley park system provides a natural corridor for all-season recreation and relaxation. The river valley is the longest expanse of urban parkland in North America at 7,400 hectares – 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park – with golf courses, 22 major parks and over 160 kilometres of maintained multi-use trails for walking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and more. A number of festivals take place in the parks along the North Saskatchewan River, including the Folk and Heritage Festivals; and several attractions are located along the river valley including Fort Edmonton Park, the Valley Zoo, and the Muttart Conservatory.

Website: www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks-river-valley.aspx  

Elk Island National Park of Canada: Located less than an hour away from Edmonton, Elk Island National Park protects the wilderness of the aspen parkland, one of the most endangered habitats in Canada. Second only to Africa’s famed Serengeti for wildlife viewing opportunities, Elk Island is a beautiful oasis home to herds of free roaming plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer, and elk. Also boasting over 250 species of birds, the park is a bird watcher's paradise. Be it for wildlife viewing, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking or overnight camping, there is something for everyone.

Telephone: 780.992.2950
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/elkisland  

ON THE WATER

Black Gold River Tours: Black Gold River Tours operates with seasoned crew members that have an abundance of river jet boat experience. Ride in a custom 22’ river boat featuring the most up to date technology, low decibel rating, all-weather canopy and heater for added comfort. Black Gold River Tours uses two main launch sites: at Devon Voyageur Park in Devon and at Edmonton's Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park. While en route your crew will share their knowledge, leaving you with a new sense of the North Saskatchewan River, its history, geology and inhabitants.
Telephone: 780.987.0410
Website: www.blackgoldrivertours.ca  

Edmonton Canoe: Edmonton Canoe offers a series of canoe programs for active minded individuals looking for outdoor activities and fun on the water in and around Edmonton. Choose from guided and unguided trips on the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca Rivers or on a quiet lake in Elk Island National Park. Perfect for families and individuals are the popular weekend day trips down the river between Devon and Edmonton, or the Sunday afternoon paddle along Edmonton’s river valley. Create your own wilderness getaway and Edmonton Canoe can provide the canoe and transportation to and from the canoeing destination of your choice.

Telephone: 780.470.5352
Website: www.edmontoncanoe.com  

Get Hooked Fishing Adventures: Let an award winning professional Alberta fishing outfitter and his guides introduce you to the thrills and challenges of fishing the Edmonton area. The North Saskatchewan River and local lakes challenge anglers with: Walleye, Northern Pike, Goldeye, Sauger and Sturgeon. Trips are for one to three guests per boat for a half or full day of exciting fishing. Get Hooked Fishing Adventures is Alberta's first and only Certified Freshwater Angling Guide!

Telephone: 780.963.4279
Website: www.gethookedfishing.com  

Go Sailing Edmonton: Welcome to a beautiful day of sailing on the “healing waters” of Lac St. Anne, just 40 minutes west of Edmonton. For those who have always been interested in learning how to sail but have never sailed before, a half day introductory sailing course is ideal. For more experienced sailors who just want to get on the water for an afternoon, rent or charter one of the sailboats.

Telephone: 780.499.4295
Website: www.gosailing.info  

Klondike Jet Boats: Klondike Jet Boats offers city tours on the North Saskatchewan River for individuals, groups, company picnics, or any special occasion. Enjoy the historical view of Edmonton or the excitement of running in just inches of water in a specially designed version of the Hamilton powered jet boats.

Telephone: 780.486.0896

Northern Alberta Sailing College: The Northern Alberta Sailing College is a non-profit organization that operates on Lake Wabamun from both the Wabamun Sailing Club and the Edmonton Yacht Club. A variety of sailing programs based on age, sailing experience and location are available.

Telephone: 780.445.4594
Website: www.northernalbertasailingcollege.com  

Reel Angling Adventures: Reel Angling Adventures has all inclusive guided fishing tours and outdoor adventures on some of Alberta’s finest lakes and rivers within one to five hours of Edmonton. Explore and experience the great fishing on the Athabasca River, Calling Lake, Rock Island Lake or the many other lakes in the Athabasca region. Cabins by the Athabasca River fishing package includes: two night’s accommodation in a beautiful handcrafted log cabin on the Athabasca River with a fire pit and barbeque, two full days of guided fishing with use of all fishing gear, a shore lunch for your day out fishing.

Telephone: 780.961.3726
Website: www.reelangling.com  


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 

Kelly Bertoncini
Travel Media Relations Manager, External Relations
780.969.0481
kbertoncini@edmonton.com

Bin Lau
Director of Communications, External Relations
780.969.0463
blau@edmonton.com

Jenifer Christenson
Executive Director, External Relations
780.917.7890
jchristenson@edmonton.com