Winter adventures incoming, including a great last-minute Christmas idea!

Searching for the perfect last-minute Christmas gift for that special child or grandchild in your life? How about a Kids’ Citizen Science kit? Plus other great adventures...

Winter in the Crowsnest Pass. Happy holidays from everyone at AWA!

If your December has been anything like mine, I can imagine you may be still searching for that perfect unique Christmas gift and wondering where, oh where, all the shopping days magically disappeared to.

Speaking of magic, at AWA we might have the perfect answer to that search. We're excited to announce the kickoff of a adventure series aimed at young explorers and budding scientists that will be running throughout 2022, with one adventure each month:

Kids’ Citizen Science Adventure!

Each monthly installation will cover fascinating topics including coyotes, grizzly bears, squiggly snakes and water bugs. Getting us started in January, the first topic will be all about snowflakes, snow and water!

All registrants to this Adventure will receive a Citizen Science Kit that comes in a special container and includes a story book, a specially branded Adventures for Wilderness pencil and all the craft supplies to make their own snowflake. So if you're still searching, there's still time! How about a fun snowflake kit for that special scientist in your life? (Kits will arrive in time for the adventure which will be held online in late January.)

Of course that's not our only offering for 2022. We have snowshoe trips, skating outings, and we're already gearing up for the spring and summer seasons with a couple of sneak-previews of adventures to be held later in the year. Read on for more!

From all of us at AWA, happy holidays and

~ ~ ~ Happy Adventuring! ~ ~ ~

Jan 29: Kids’ Citizen Science (January): Snowflakes!

Snowflakes is the first of ten adventures being offered in the Kids’ Citizen Science Adventure series for 2022. Our January Adventure is all about snowflakes, snow and water! You will learn about Wilson Bentley – the Snowflake Man, the beauty of a snowflake and the importance of snow for our water.

The perfect Christmas gift for a young budding scientist!

Jan 15: Family Nature Skate

Make the most of the winter season by joining AWA for a fun family skate at the Bowness Park Lagoon in Calgary. After the skate, join us around the firepit for some hot chocolate & s’mores, and a chat with and a fireside chat with a naturalist and story teller .

Join us for some winter fun

Feb 2: Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe Trip

This flat, forgiving circuit in Kananaskis is perfect for beginner snowshoers, offering some outstanding views and opportunities for striking winter photography. The main attraction will be the Hogarth Lakes loop with the addition of a loop taking in the First Burstall Lake and the Burstall Pass Trail. The trip is planned for early February, when we will be able to take advantage of “Wilderness Wednesday”: the first Wednesday of every month when a pass is not required to visit Kananaskis.

Strap on some snowshoes

Sneak Preview of some Summer Adventures...

Jun 25-26: Bikepacking the Cowboy Trail

This weekend-long bikepacking trip will take us from Calgary south to the Porcupine Hills along the Cowboy Trail. In this two-day adventure we will spend a day taking in the fantastic views and history of Alberta’s front ranges. Then we’ll camp overnight among the wildflowers of the Porcupine hills before returning to town the second day. The adventure will be led by an experienced bikepacker and we will have support on-hand to cover any eventuality.

Get ready for an epic ride

Jul 16: Rae Glacier

This hike will take us very close to or onto 2 small glaciers on the north side of Mount Rae in the Elbow Lake/Highwood Pass area. The first two thirds of the hike is on clear trails, the last third is on scree and is stony underfoot. The scenery in the area is spectacular.

This is a reprise of the Rae Glacier hike scheduled in October 2021, which had to be postponed on account of weather. If you were registered on the October hike, you are automatically registered in this one. If you weren't but would like to come along, we have more spaces, so please sign up!

It’s never too early to think about the Summer

What is Adventures for Wilderness?

Adventures for Wilderness is AWA's annual program to engage Albertans in wilderness conservation. We believe an Adventure can be anything from climbing a mountain, to walking by the river, to enjoying the beauty of nature in your own backyard (literally YOUR own backyard!) Visit our website to learn about the Adventures this season and how you can support Alberta Wilderness Association.

Learn more