Lifestyle & Culture

Rediscovering YEG in winter

Mel shares 7 ways to escape and enjoy the coldest time of the year.

December 12, 2024 By Mel

YouAlberta is written by students for students.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Mel (she/her) is an adventurous first-year PhD student in political science. She is a dedicated yoga practitioner who starts her mornings with yin or vinyasa sessions. On weekends, you’ll often find her exploring the Farmers’ Market or specialty grocery stores in search of new ingredients and culinary inspiration. Mel is an avid fantasy and science fiction reader and supports Edmonton’s arts community. She frequently attends concerts, theatre performances and live shows, from the Citadel to the Edmonton Opera. Mel volunteers with organizations like the Edmonton Global Shapers Hub and the Canuks Autism Network and is currently the president of the Political Sciences Graduate Students’ Association. She strives to publish more articles and ultimately become a professor. Though new to North Campus, you can find her enjoying the natural light in the SUB atrium or unwinding at Dewey’s at the end of a long day.

Though I was born and raised in Edmonton and have 20+ years of experience with Canadian winter, I’m still struggling to readjust after nearly five years of escaping it.

I’ve recently moved back to Edmonton and I’ve been dreading winter. Yet, despite my greatest attempt to learn to control the weather, winter has arrived. I’m trying to make the most of it by rediscovering things to do in the city during these cold months.

Here are 7 of my favourite (so far) winter and holiday activities that might be underrated or overlooked by students:

Support local vendors at the Bountiful Farmers’ Market.

I love a good market. Bountiful is an indoor farmer’s market with 115+ unique vendors. Though it’s a bit further away than the Strathcona Market, it’s open for more days (Friday-Sunday) and is fully indoors. There are so many unique local products available, and it’s a great way to support Edmonton artists and artisans.

Cost: Free entrance, variable depending on your shopping.

Go for a float.

Floating is a great way to relax and reset, especially after a chaotic semester. It’s a form of sensory deprivation that reduces exposure to light, sounds, temperature differences, gravity, touch sensations and notifications for a short period of time (60-75 minutes). It gives you the opportunity to destress and has all sorts of health benefits, including reducing physical tension, fatigue, exhaustion, depression and anxiety, as well as improving blood circulation. Check out either Float House Edmonton, Modern Gravity, or Float Wellness and Massage.

Cost: $50-100. Some health care benefits cover floating as a form of therapy.

Visit the Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective.

Ociciwan is a collective of Indigenous artists and designers. Their mission is to “support Indigenous contemporary art, experimental practices, and innovative research.” The collective hosts art exhibits, events, research, public art and awareness surrounding Indigenous contemporary art. I highly recommend visiting Ociciwan, checking out their events and supporting their wonderful work.

Cost: Free.

Go tobogganing at Gallagher Park (or another hill).

I recently went tobogganing for the first time since I was a kid. I had definitely forgotten how much fun it is zooming down a steep hill and getting hot chocolate afterwards. Gallagher Park is an epic place to toboggan — just make sure there’s lots of fresh snow!

Cost: Free.

Wander down Candy Cane Lane (Dec. 13, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025).

Located in the heart of Crestwood, west Edmonton, Candy Cane Lane started in 1968 and is a magical holiday tradition. However, due to its location, I think many students don’t know about this wonderful event. You can walk or drive down the lane to enjoy homes decorated with twinkling lights, colourful decorations and even ice sculptures. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Edmonton Food Bank (EFB) and place it in the bins available along the lane. Since 1993, 618,000 kilograms of food have been donated to EFB in the spirit of giving and community support.

Access Candy Cane Lane at 148 street from 92 to 99 avenue.

Cost: Free. Sleigh rides are $25/person.

Explore the Muttart Conservatory.

The Muttart is nestled near Gallagher Park and is easily accessible by bus or LRT. This is one of my favourite places to go as the weather gets colder and it gets depressingly dark outside — it makes me feel like I’ve been on a little trip and escaped Edmonton winter!

The pyramids feature more than 700 species of plants in three climate-regulated ecosystems, including arid, temperate and tropical. There’s also a feature pyramid that changes seasonally — right now, it's candy cane-themed with hundreds of white and red poinsettias!

Cost: $14.95 one-time visit or $54.95 for an annual membership (so worth it!).

Take a day trip to Camrose.

I know, this isn’t really an Edmonton activity. But if you’re looking for a fun day trip to get out of the city, visiting Camrose is a great option! In Camrose, you can visit the charming downtown mainstreet that features wonderful local shops, cafes (my fave is FIKA) and restaurants. There are lovely walking trails that are magical in the winter if it’s not too cold. And lastly, head to the Jean and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre or the Bailey Theatre, where you can catch affordable live performances.

Cost: Variable depending on activities.

Of course, there are so many wonderful things to do here in Edmonton during the winter or over the holidays. I’m still rediscovering all that Edmonton has to offer — so I hope you can find something that piques your interest and maybe helps cure some of those winter blues.