Glide into Greenview for cross-country zen and apres comfort
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Where to find the winter action and apres on a Grande Prairie getaway
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It’s easy to get swept up in the action in Grande Prairie. With the return of the Alberta Winter Games to Grande Prairie for 2024, local outdoor venues will be thrumming over Family Day weekend this February.
But Grande Prairie is so much more than a one-time sporting destination; there’s a reason it was chosen as the venue for the province’s biggest amateur winter sports event. Grande Prairie is a winter sports paradise and prime destination for cold-weather fun.
Whether you visit for the games weekend or any time over the winter, a city loaded with culture, art, outdoor fun and good times awaits.
Here's the intel on where to find the action, and the apres, on a Grande Prairie getaway.
Where to find the action
As a former host of the Alberta Winter Games in 2010, Grande Prairie already has the robust winter venues needed to make your winter adventures here top notch.
Cross country skiing at Wapiti Nordic Ski Club
For those who enjoy the rhythmic glide of cross-country skiing, the Grande Prairie Nordic Ski Club offers immaculately maintained trails that wind through peaceful forest settings.
Photo:
Jeremy Derksen
The Wapiti Nordic Ski Club is now a two-time host venue for the Alberta Winter Games.
Snowshoe, hike the local trails
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and traverse the pristine trails for a unique perspective on the natural beauty of Grande Prairie. You can rent snowshoes at Nitehawk and walk the ridge trail to a lookout, or head over to Wapiti, which also has snowhsoe trails.
A view from the ridge overlooking the Wapiti River, along the snowshoe trail from Nitehawk.
Another beautiful spot for a winter walk is through Muskoseepi Park, in central Grande Prairie.
Skiing, snowboarding and tubing at Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park
Nitehawk dips into the Wapiti River Valley, with big sweeping views that you can enjoy as you cruise the slopes on skis or board for a few hours. Once you've had your fill of skiing and snowboarding here, hit the tube park for a unique night tubing experience filled with lights and music.
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PRO TIP: between Grande Prairie and Grande Cache lies hundreds of kilometres of wilderness, for those who like to get beyond the city and explore. Check out this story for more.
Where to find the après
After an invigorating day of winter sports, it's time to unwind and bask in the warmth of Grande Prairie's vibrant downtown scene and après hot spots.
Explore Grande Prairie downtown for arts, culture
Grande Prairie is a bustling hub of culture and entertainment. A few must-do stops: check out the the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, one of the largest, free admission galleries in Western Canada, with a wide collection of Alberta, Indigenous and modern art.
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie celebrates Indigenous art and culture in its collections.
For those attuned to natural history, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum—a 30-minute drive west from downtown to Wembley, AB—is also a highlight (for dino lovers, it’s the gateway to an epic #dinotrail road trip!).
The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum brings natural history to life, in a space that features major paeleontological finds.
Hit the Grande Prairie apres scene
For your final stop of the day, explore breweries, craft distilleries and a regionally-infused culinary scene. A few local faves include Grain Bin Brewery, Broken Oak Distillery and 92 Beverage Co.
From winter sports thrills to après chills, Grande Prairie is a destination that promises a snow-filled retreat alternating excitement and relaxation.
When you go
Grande Prairie is a 4.5h drive from Edmonton via AB-43N.
For tips on where to stay, eat and play, check out Grande Prairie Regional Tourism.
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