Photo via Peter Galleghan/Shutterstock
Have you already skated on Calgary’s 1.5 km ice trail, and you’re looking to try another challenge? This frozen lake boasts the longest ice trail in the whole world, and it’s only a day’s trip from the city.
Lake Windermere Whiteway is nestled in the Columbia Valley, and in 2014 was named the longest skating trail in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. There are cross-country ski paths next to the ice trail, making this a true winter wonderland for those who love outdoor sports.
You can play hockey, cross-country ski, skate the trail, and warm up next to fireplaces placed strategically around the shores of the lake. Plus, you can even glide your way between the towns of Windermere and Invermere.
According to the entry for the longest ice skating trail in the Guinness Book of World Records, “The longest ice skating trail measures 29.98 km (18.63 miles), and it is the naturally frozen Lake Windermere Whiteway, in Invermere, British Columbia, Canada, as measured on 14 Feb. 2014.”
That’s great news for Calgarians, as it’s only a three-hour drive west from Calgary. If you decide to make the trip, there’s a lot more to do nearby than skate. The drive to Windermere Lake will take you past Radium Hot Springs, one of the Rocky Mountains’ most beautiful natural thermal springs.
On the whiteway, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenes of the Columbia Valley as you pass skiers heading down the tracks on either side. This thoughtfully groomed trail is maintained by the Toby Creek Nordic Club, and it’s a hot spot for winter activity amongst the surrounding B.C. mountain towns.
Before you head out there for the day, it’s a good idea to check the trail conditions to see if the ice will hold up when you arrive. Toby Creek Nordic Club provide real-time updates on the status of the lake and trails.
Alberta residents can travel out there in an easy three-hour day trip. It’s worth it to say you skated between two of B.C’s iconic mountain towns!
When: Open seasonally in winter
How to get there: Drive three hours southwest of Calgary via Highway 1 and Highway 93
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