Medicine Hat Winters | Tourism Medicine Hat

WINTER 2024/2025

tourismmedicinehat.com

@TourismMedicineHat

in Canada’s Sunniest City

Handcrafted coffee, tea and delicious baking. We look forward to seeing you!

644 2 ST SE | 403.529.1115 | stationcoffeeco.ca

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CONTENTS

PAGE 5

Unique Winter Dining

14 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Medicine Hat

Winter Wonderland

Holly Jolly Twinkle Trolley Tour

PAGE 6

PAGE 8

PAGE 11

Astronomy in Southeast Alberta

Stay Cozy Indoors

Tongue on the Post

PAGES 12-13

PAGE 18

PAGE 19

Cypress Nordic Ski Club

Elkwater

Hidden Valley Ski Resort

PAGE 23

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

The 2024/25 Medicine Hat Winters Guide is produced and printed for free distribution in Canada by Tourism Medicine Hat. Tourism Medicine Hat is managed by the Medicine Hat Destination Marketing Organization under contract through the City of Medicine Hat. Partners of Tourism Medicine Hat provide information for this guide and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of printing. Tourism Medicine Hat assumes no responsibility for any unpredictable errors, changes and/or omissions. Printed in Canada FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

If you are interested in booking a display ad in future editions, please contact Tourism Medicine Hat. vic@tourismmedicinehat.com

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NOVEMBER 1-21

Farm to Fork celebrates farm-fresh food and drink crafted with the abundance of locally sourced ingredients, grown and raised right here in Southern Alberta. Savour Alberta’s South guides food enthusiasts along Highway 3, introducing our rich culinary heritage and unique dining experiences.

savouralbertassouth.ca For a list of participating restaurants, visit our website.

Sunday Service

Unique Winter Dining Sunday Service Becky Ross, chef of almost 20 years, invites guests into her century-old home to fully see who she is as a cuisine artist, and taste her menu of personal creations. Each recipe changing at every event, guests who attend a Sunday Service will try spontaneous dishes based on Ross’ inspiration, that are exclusive to that specific night. Reserve your seat at creamcult.com Grit City Distillery’s Gin Master Class Master distiller and owner Jen takes the group through the history of gin while sampling different styles of the spirit. Participants will then design their very own gin recipe and add their choice of botanicals. Jen will distill and bottle for pick up at a later date. Visit GritCity.ca to find more events like this.

Travois Ale Works Dinner Series Chef Jordan Abbott is inspired by a new theme each evening he cooks a multi-course meal in the taproom at Travois Ale Works. The Dinner Series is hosted by Brewer Brady, and the dishes are paired with beer brewed in-house. Visit TravoisBeer.com for the next Taproom Dinner Series event.

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Tour Medicine Hat’s brightest Christmas lights on the Sunshine Trolley this December, with time to hop off, capture photos, and take in all the beautiful bright lights. Private group bookings for up to 26 people are available from December 1-23, 2024.

Book your Holly Jolly Twinkle Trolley Tour

This experience is wheelchair friendly.

TourismMedicineHat.com/twinkletours

@sunshine.trolleys

Community support fuels Sunshine Trolley

Our Sunshine Trolley season is winding down. Now is a great time to reflect on the 2024 season and the support we received from the community.

In 2024, we had our busiest spring yet, with 64 classrooms of local students touring Canada’s Sunniest City on the Sunshine Trolley. More classes were able to ride this year thanks to matching $1,500 donations from Sunrise Rotary and Saamis Rotary, which allowed Tourism Medicine Hat to offer lowered rates for educators. During our scheduled city tours we had well over 1,000 people — including visitors from all over the world — take part in a guided tour of Medicine Hat. We would like to give a big thank you to South Country Co-op for sponsoring the Sunshine Trolleys this year with a donation of $5,000 in fuel cards.

Art by Kindergarten Students at Dr Ken Sauer School

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Winter Wonderland Cross Country Ski

Police Point Park and Elkwater in the Cypress Hills are your winter cross-country ski spots. Rentals available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre. Snowshoe Follow the many natural and forested trails through Elkwater in the Cypress Hills and Police Point Park for a snowshoe adventure. Rentals available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.

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WINTER IN CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY

Toboggan Kin Coulee Park is a community favourite. The hill is lit up into the evening and is always perfect on a snow day. Elkwater in the Cypress Hills builds a snow luge each year.

Ice-Fishing Grab a group, a kit, and head to one of many locations in and around Medicine Hat to ice-fish — Rattlesnake, Elkwater, Spruce Coulee, Reesor Lake, Michelle Lake, Cavan Lake, Newell Lake, and 40 Mile Reservoir. Disc Golf If you haven’t played disc golf in the winter, you really need to, and if you haven’t played disc golf at all, then you really, really need to. Find three great courses in Medicine Hat, in Kiwanis Central Park, Leinweber Park, and Gilwell Park.

Skating Find many community rinks around Medicine Hat — check out Kiwanis Central Park for a small skating rink amongst 200 to 300-year-old Cottonwood trees. Find a list of ice skating rinks on page 11. Crokicurl All the things you need to play crokicurl are in Strathcona Island Park, so look up the rules and head out for a round or two. Winter fun, here you come.

Photos by The Connection and Our Village Creative

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I N

M E D I C I N E

H A T ,

A L B E R T A

VISIT MEDALTA.ORG TO LEARN MORE

14 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Medicine Hat The ice conditions listed are updated weekly on the City of Medicine Hat website, but

Celebration Hill Pond 5311 Southlands Dr SE

residents should check signage at the skating surface location for more information before using the ice. Do not skate on the ponds unless they are a minimum six inches in thickness. Outdoor rinks, monitored by city staff, are typically open from December to March, are weather dependent, and rely on volunteers through the Adopt-a-Rink program to assist in making these spaces operational. Outdoor rinks give residents an economical option for fun recreational winter activities.

East Glen Rink 71 East Glen Dr SE

Heald Rink 176 1 St NW Jeffries Park Rink 340 8 St NE Kensington Park Rink Connaught Dr SW & Robertson Way SW Kiwanis Central Park Rink 900 3 Ave SE

Crokicurl Rink Minto Ave SE & 5 St SE

Try your hand at Crokicurl, which combines the board game crokinole and curling! Players attempt to put the plastic curling rocks closest to the bullseye to score points, and try to knock away the other team’s rocks.

Find updates and all 14 Outdoor Rinks

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Stay Cozy Indoors Medalta in the Historic Clay District

Tour this National Historic Site and learn about past-time workers and the century old machinery. Attend a pottery class in the place that once supplied a third of all pottery distributed throughout Canada. Visit medalta.org for the full list of events. Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre Keep an eye open for events, concerts, educational programs, and exhibitions throughout the winter and year-round. Visit esplanade.ca for the full list of events.

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WINTER IN CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY

Indoor Golf There are over a handful of indoor golf studio’s to play your favourite summer activity in the winter. Visit tourismmedicinehat. com/indoorgolf for the full list. Six One Six Entertainment Medicine Hat’s largest entertainment studio features axe throwing, indoor golf simulator, and laser tag. This space is an alcohol-free zone, perfect for families of all ages to spend time together. Watch Editing Luke’s Documentaries Luke Fandrich, “Editing Luke”, released Clay, Creativity, and the Comeback in 2019. The documentary about Medalta in the Historic Clay District shares a strong connection to Medicine Hat’s history and the people who built its creative culture over the years. Watch at fandrix.com. Space Arcaders A family-friendly gaming centre featuring over 5,000 square feet of arcade games. Collect as many tokens as possible, and redeem a prize to take home. Located at 2360 Divison Ave N.

Police Point Park Nature Centre Browse the informative demonstrations related to ecosystems and prairie wildlife in Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta. Family events take place throughout the winter, and the interpreters are always ready to answer questions about the area. Visit natureline.info for seasonal programs.

TREX Space A free, locally curated art gallery featuring Alberta artists. Visitors can create their own piece of art to take home with their workshop stations. Visit trexsoutheast.ca for current art exhibitions. Plant Workshop at Botanicals Inside this boutique plant shop, attend a public workshop or book a private one for up to 14 people. Visit botanicalsmh.com to find more details.

Shop Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown

Located inside century-old buildings are small shops owned by Medicine Hat neighbours. A range of products are found, from Alberta made, to home decor, books, clothing, records, and so much more. Along the way, find coffee shops, bakeries, breweries, restaurants, creative hubs, and fitness studios.

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NOVEMBER 2024 TO FEBRUARY 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

Find more events, or add your own, at TourismMedicineHat.com/events

Sip N Shop From 6-10p.m., visit Homestead Market for an enchanting evening of shopping, handcrafted goods, and festive food and beverages. A Taste of Paradise & The Supermoon Indulge in a three course meal from The Clubhouse at Paradise Valley, and Old Tyme Christmas Fair Enjoy a festive evening of free hay rides, hot dogs, hot chocolate, sitting by the campsite, and photos with Santa Claus. Sip N Shop From 6-10p.m., visit Homestead Market for an enchanting evening of shopping, handcrafted goods, and festive food and beverages.

Savour Alberta’s South: Farm to Fork A culinary festival where local restaurants feature ingredients from Southern Albertan in their dishes, in Medicine Hat and along Highway 3.

then head to Eagle Butte Observatory with Rod DeVries to view the Supermoon.

NOV 28 NOV 15 DEC 12 DEC 5

NOV 1-21 NOV 22

Midnight Madness Shop Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown during this festive and annual celebration, while even more Holiday activities are spread throughout the city’s core.

Police Point Park Christmas Market Check out 10 local endors and crafters who recycle, upcycle, and make products from natural materials at the annual Police Point Park market.

NOV 30

CPKC Holiday Train From 3:15-3:45, American Authors and KT Tunstall will perform in Medicine Hat at Queen & North Railway St. East of CPKC Station.

DEC 8

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WINTER IN CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY

Stars on Ice Featuring olympic, world, and national medalists, light up your holidays with the most spectacular figure skating event of the season. Cocktails & Constellations: A Love Story Take a tour with master distiller Jen at Grit City Distillery, indulge in a cocktail and personal pizza, and then head to Eagle Butte Observatory to view the stars and learn the “The Tale of Orion and The 7 Sisters”.

Tongue on the Post A winter folk festival hosted inside the National Historic Site, Medalta in the Historic Clay District.

DEC 15

JAN 20-26

Food & Beverage Expo Spend an evening sampling

beverages and incredible food at the Medicine Hat Food & Beverage Expo.

FEB 22

FEB 13

NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY

Medicine Hat Tigers Home Games Watch the home hockey team compete inside Co-op Place this winter in Medicine Hat. The Medicine Hat Tigers is a junior hockey team in Western Hockey League that was established in 1970. Tigers games at the Co-op Place are a true community experience from the “Go Tigers Go” chants, to lining up among friends at the concession stand.

Guided Tours Tour Medicine Hat on the Sunshine Trolley to coffee shops, markets, and breweries, or join a guided Historic Downtown tour for sweet and savoury treats and cafe-crafted beverages. Find dates for an Indy Coffee Tour, Bakery Tour, Sunshine Cafe & Market Tour, and Breweries Tour.

Find tickets to a game.

Book a guided tour.

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Co-op Place Shows

Esplanade Exhibitions

Esplanade Shows

Photo by The Connection and Our Village Creative

Astronomy in Southeast Alberta

For some, science is a passing fad. It was when Rod DeVries was young, he looked down, picked up a rock, and noticed the colours, crystals, and size. He looked up, and saw a space that called for life-long learning, “For me, it wasn’t a passing fad. It was forever. I love science.”

his wooden shelf in his observatory. And he’s gone from having one microscope as a child, to now 14 telescopes in his viewing room. He once traveled hours to Idaho to witness a 2 minute and 10 second total eclipse with his own eyes, “and it was totally worth it,” he says. When the sun finally sets in Southeast Alberta, and a sea of stars appear, the amateur astronomer is ready with his telescope as the roof of his observation deck slides back like a mechanical door, normally found on the front of a garage. But not every time is he alone. He often has a group of people he’s presented to before he highlights the sky. Teaching astronomy for over 20 years, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors have listened to him tell stories with liveliness and vibrancy. “My goal is to turn the light on where the bulb already exists, to acquaint people with the sky and stars they see every night, with the stories they tell through constellations,” says DeVries.

Astronomy stories don’t only live in the sky. They’re in our homes — in the songs we sing and the titles of movies we watch. Constellations float far away, but their stories are often spoken by a close family member, mentor, neighbour, or nearby stranger, without us knowing. And DeVries at the young age of four was fascinated by the creations and constellations in the sky, later learning that ‘Jack and Jill’ is about the phases of the moon and ‘Beetlejuice’ is named after the star Betelgeuse. With a suitcase of curiosity and a stack of questions, he’s read thousands of pages to learn the atmosphere. Dozens of books sit on

Book your sky-seeing experience

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WINTER IN CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY

Photo by Travel Alberta

Tongue on the Post

Imagine yourself in a dimly lit beehive kiln, surrounded by old brick that was stacked in 1913, with the sounds of acoustic guitars, lightly played pianos, strong cellos, and a story-telling voice, softly floating off the walls and landing into your ears. Hosted every year at Medalta in the Historic Clay District in late January, Tongue on the Post Folk Music Festival hosts local and Canadian musicians inside the monumental National Historic Site. “Over the last 11 years, we’ve felt Medalta has been a natural home for Tongue on the Post. Both Medalta and the festival are rooted in Medicine Hat, and we’re happy to showcase this crown jewel in the City,” says Rob Pape, executive director of Tongue on the Post for 10 years. Hundreds of people bundle up, and then unbundle to listen to folk music in its simplest form. Being a winter festival, to have a longstanding event like this be presented inside such an impactful and important historic building, is a beautiful experience for people who attend. Tongue on the Post Folk Music Festival will be hosted from January 20-26, 2025.

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Hotel Packages

Ski Package Rates Starting at $179 • Two ski passes for Hidden Valley Ski Resort and one night hotel stay with breakfast. • Add-on extra passes for $20/person. • Save 50% on regular priced lift tickets!

Brewery Package Rates Starting at $159 • Four flights of beer at choice of local brewery

Shop Local Package Rates Starting at $165 • $50 Visa Rewards card and discounts at local Chamber of Commerce businesses. • One-night hotel stay with breakfast included in every package.

All-Season Golf Package Rates Starting at $179 • Two one-hour passes for golf at GolfFuture, Studio Fore or MFlex Golf • One night stay with breakfast. • Save 50% on regular golf rates!

and one-night hotel stay with breakfast.

• Or add-on to any stay for only $30.

Scan this QR Code for the current Best Specials from hotels in Medicine Hat

Cypress Nordic Ski Club With Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park only a 45 minute drive from Medicine Hat, people can find cross-country skiing trails near the city in a forested area. And now there’s a club to introduce people to the sport. Cypress Nordic Ski Club members Gregg Campbell and Linda Johnston are a part of a group who are eager to familiarize people with this exciting, winter activity, in Medicine Hat and surrounding areas. “It’s forest bathing. The trails are all different, and once you find your flow and a good rhythm, it becomes methodical.” The trails in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park are completely immersed in nature, with snowy lodgepole pine and aspen trees surrounding the skiers. The rolling hills bring a nice challenge. “It’s forest bathing. The trails are all different, and once you find your flow and a good rhythm, it becomes methodical,” says Campbell, who’s been cross-country skiing since he joined the cross-country ski team in high school. Johnston teaches the bunny rabbits program “Listening to the kids having fun is just delightful,” says Johnston. “It’s a very affordable and fun way to help develop coordination, balance, and agility, and it helps set them up for success for the next level.” Her lessons with the bunny rabbits teach foundational skill, while also having time to play familiar backyard games on their skis, like ‘what time is it mr.wolf’ and ‘red light green light’. The Cypress Nordic Ski Club has operated for just over a year in 2024, and the interest has been positive. There are close to 70 members who participate in lessons and go cross-country skiing as a group. “If cross-country skiing hasn’t crossed your mind, it really is a welcoming community that is wanting for people to have positive experiences, love winter, and love the snow,” says Johnston. Learn more about Cypress Nordic Ski Club online at cypressnordic.ca and stay updated on Facebook at @CypressNordicSkiClub . with the Cypress Nordic Ski Club, while two other ski club members, Kwan Lee and Marvin Genno, teach the jackrabbits.

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Elkwater Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers a host of winter activities with the convenience of staying close to home. Elkwater is the hub of activity where you will find a cottage community, café, back country huts and hotel. With a 1234m elevation you will be pleasantly surprised by this winter playground that has adventures all over it. In the townsite there is an ice rink to pass the puck around on. While you have the skates you should take a trip round the skating trail. Get some excitement on the backyard luge, toboggan hill and if its cold there is a warm-up facility right there. Try renting snowshoes, cross country skis or skates from the Visitor Centre and hit the trails for some crisp winter air. There are up to 20 kilometers of groomed and track set trails and over 90 kilometers of snowshoe trails all around the park for the family to explore.

Winter Safety Tips • Extreme winter weather conditions can develop quickly, so be prepared for anything. Carry appropriate winter clothing, particularly a warm hat, even on pleasant days. • Carry high energy foods such as chocolate and/or dried fruit, and plenty of water. • Be prepared. Consider duct tape or even spare parts in case of equipment failure. • Frostbite is the freezing of skin usually affecting the hands, feet and face. The signs of frostbite are burning, tingling, itching, numbness or pain in the area. The skin may appear white, feel hard, and is cold to the touch. Warm the affected area using body heat.

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WINTER IN CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY

Hidden Valley Ski Resort Hidden Valley Ski Resort is the major attraction during the winter and has over 200m of vertical to slide down. It boasts affordable family fun with fully certified instructors ready to help improve those skiing and snowboarding skills. The resort has everything you need for a few days away with a café and rental shop. With tall, snow-kissed lodgepole pine and aspen trees and rolling hills that act as mini mountains, this oasis is a must-see in the winter. On the approximate 45 minute drive, view the prairie landscape, and once you take the turn into the Interprovincial Park, you’re suddenly surrounded by forest and rolling hills. The gem of a ski hill features a quad chair, handle tow, and a magic carpet. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose between green, black, and blue level runs to race down. For beginners, there’s the Magic Carpet. And there’s also curated ramps and jumps that are featured on Sidewinder for those wanting to build their skills. “Being located in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Hidden Valley is surrounded by picturesque evergreen forests and vistas overlooking the prairies. Our lifts provide incredible views and our runs are unlike any others in the province. We pride ourselves on offering a unique experience that will leave you counting down the minutes to your next visit,” says Bridget Burgess-Ferrari, Communications and Public Engagement, Government of Alberta. Hidden Valley Ski Resort offers lessons and rentals. It’s the perfect place for beginners who want to experience the winter activity. Never too crowded, there is space for friends and families of all ages to enjoy the scenery around them.

To indulge in an overnight stay and remain in the rolling hills, Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort is a family-friendly spot. You can book a cabin or a room and ice-skate the nearby rink, snow shoe or explore the trails, or stay indoors and relax with the hot tub and swimming pool after spending the weekend at Hidden Valley Ski Resort, located just ten minutes from Elkwater. “Our trails and amenities are diverse, offering something for visitors of all skill and experience levels to enjoy. We believe in creating opportunities for kids to get active and learn to ski from a young age, which is why we do our best to accommodate school groups. We also offer private lessons for kids as young as 2 years old,” says Burgess-Ferrari.

Elkwater Trail Info & Conditions

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WINTER FACILITIES OF Elkwater Townsite

West End Day Use

West Central Day Use

Cross Country Ski Learning Area

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Whispering Pines Camp (private)

Medicine Hat 65 km

Rodeo Grounds

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Elkwater Lake

Elkwater Lake Lodge

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Girl Guide Camp

Hidden Valley Ski Resort

Winter activities and facilities are all weather-dependant. Check at the Visitor Centre for current conditions.

Winter Recreation

Winter Camping Available

Elkwater Services

Land Recreation

Tower Trail

Park Administration

Campground Registration

Cross-Country Skiing

5 Backcountry Huts (Spruce Coulee, Reesor, Graburn, Tom Trott Medicine Lodge) + 2 in Elkwater

Visitor Centre

Camping

Luge / Tobaggan Hill

Hwy 41 Group Camp Spring Creek Trail Head Elkwater Golf Course Spruce Coulee

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Contact Information albertaparks.ca Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Campground

Point of Interest

Reesor Lake Campground Spruce Coulee Hut

Firepit

Accommodations

Emergencies

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Hotel

Park Emergency Line 310.LAND (5263) Visitor Centre (Elkwater) 403.893.3833 ext.5

Highway 41

Map Not To Scale

Paved Road

Experience the beautiful setting of Cypress Hills Provincial Park year-round in the comfort and seclusion of a hut or cabin. Book your hut at shop.albertaparks.ca , or call the Visitor Centre at 403.893.3833 ext. 5 and choose the perfect hut for your next adventure!

Elkwater Trail Info & Conditions

Easy

Freestyle Terrain Slow Zone

albertaparks.ca/hiddenvalley

Snowshoe Trails Parking Resort Boundary

Tickets Snow School Lockers

Magic Carpet Rentals

Beginner Flats

Easiest Way Down

Quad Chair Handle Tow T-Bar

Washrooms

Food & Beverage

Pro Shop Ski Patrol

MOV E T O MEDICINEHAT . C A