Activities and Recreation during COVID

This is your home for all safe physical and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below you can find out more about local online classes, library services, resources for families, activities to do outside and more.

Things to Do Outside

Outdoor Ice Skating

Heading out to our beautiful National Park lakes for an ice skate? Before you go, make sure you know how to check that the surface conditions are safe for you and your family. For more information, visit: https://www.lifesaving.org/public/download/documents/55506

Frozen surfaces over moving water such as the Bow River and residential storm ponds are not considered safe places to skate. For more information visit: https://www.epcor.com/products-services/drainage/stormwater/Pages/default.aspx.

There are managed rinks around town:

The Banff Avenue Rink at the High School Field. For more information and to register visit: banff.ca/banffrink

Registration is required
Maximum of 40 skaters
no hockey or shinny or passing
Opening time depends on High School use - see registration for available time slots. Closes at 8 pm
May close due to weather or ice conditions
Final day for rink is March 14, 2021, unless warm weather forces earlier closure

The Bear Street Rink is located in the centre of the commercial and service hub on Bear Street, one block west of Banff Avenue. For more information visit: banff.ca/bearstreetrink

Registration is not required
Maximum of 20 skaters - capacity is monitored. Please do not enter rink area if there are 20 people inside the fence area
No hockey sticks or pucks allowed
Open 10 am - 8 pm
May close due to weather or ice conditions
Final day for this rink is March 7, 2021, unless warm weather forces earlier closure

The Fenlands Recreation Centre Meadow Rink is available for Bow Valley residents only.

Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (limited washroom services)
Registration is required via www.banff.ca/register for Saturday and Sunday sessions.
Maximum of 20 skaters

Cross-country Skiing

Want to try your hand at cross-country skiing? Here are some great places to visit in our own backyard:

Tunnel Mountain Campground Cross-country ski trails - free activity! See more information.
Canmore Nordic Centre (fees apply) – visit https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/canmore-nordic-centre-pp/)
Banff National Park trails: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/skidefond-xcski/banff

Other outdoor options:

Local Gear Rental Options

Company Name	Ice Skates	X-Country Package	Snowshoes	Fat Bikes
Ultimate Banff	$12	$20	$17	N/A
Ski big 3 Adventure hub	N/A	N/A	$16	N/A
Snowtips-Backtrax	From $15	From $20	From $15	From 2 hour/$32 Day/$60
Banff Adventure	$15 Locals get 20% off	$20 Locals get 20% off	$15 Locals get 20% off	N/A

Looking to Purchase Used Gear:

Below is a list of local and regional websites for used outdoor gear.

https://www.gearupsport.com/ (Canmore)

https://switchinggear.ca/ (Canmore)

https://www.flamessportsbank.ca/ - free gear for families in need (Calgary)

https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/gearswap - MEC Gear Swap

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1332785430097239 - Facebook used gear exchange

Town of Banff Online Programs

The Town of Banff is please to offer many FREE online fitness classes for Banff residents. To register for an online class visit www.banff.ca/register. You do not have to attend all classes in the series that you register for. You will be e-mailed a ZOOM link prior to the class starting (to the e-mail attached your Banff.ca/register account. If you have any questions regarding ZOOM or classes please call 403.762.7689.

For more information on sessions for those aged 16+ visit www.banff.ca/1024/Free-Sport-Recreation-Sessions.

Online Story Times:

Below are a few links to story time’s that were made outdoor in our local backyard.

https://vimeo.com/403806166 - The Very Nosy Bear

https://vimeo.com/403829893 - The Dot

https://vimeo.com/403795182 - How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends

https://vimeo.com/403816525 - Snowmen at Night

Other Online Programs

Primary Care Network has free classes and workshops:

Banff Theater Collective Puppet Show

https://youtu.be/8UHH2o49r7A

Family Resource Network

Until our reopening, the Bow Valley Family Resource Network has a number of online program offerings available for families. To learn more visit: https://canmore.ca/residents/family-community-services/parental-support/courses-workshops.

Banff Public Library

Banff Public Library is pleased to offer pick-up and home delivery services to patrons within the town of Banff.

Visit https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/ for more details.

Senior's Yoga

Pre-recorded and live yoga classes designed specifically for seniors. https://sacredelders.com