What is Frozen Thunder

Frozen Thunder is an early season 4 kilometre long ski track allowing training on snow for high performance athletes as well as public skiing for Early Season Pass holders. The track is made of stored machine-made snow, to allow biathlon and cross-country high-performance athletes and skiers to start training in October. Snow made the previous winter is stored for the summer in protected locations and covered in sawdust. In the fall, the snow is spread onto the trail to create the Frozen Thunder Loop.

Timeline

• October 18 - November 14 (Date varies each year)
• Reserved Track Times are Monday to Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Anyone using Frozen Thunder during the Reserved Track Times needs to purchase (and wear) a bib and Trail Pass.
• Bibs can be purchased on Zone 4 starting October 8. $115/all access, $35/day.
• No bib is required to ski Frozen Thunder after 12:00 p.m. each day. A Trail Pass is still required.

Zone 4 - Bib Purchase   Trail Passes

Details

Frozen Thunder is financed and operated through a partnership agreement between: Nordiq Canada, Biathlon Canada, Alberta World Cup Academy, Biathlon Alberta, Nordiq Alberta, a grant from Alberta Tourism and Sport and the Alberta Government, with support from the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Frozen Thunder Reserved Track Time

• Monday-Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Skiers must purchase and wear a Bib to use Frozen Thunder during Reserved Track Time (available for purchase online through Zone 4), as well as a Canmore Nordic Centre Trail Pass, which can be purchased at the Day Lodge or online. Anyone not wearing a bib or without a Trail Pass during reserved scheduled times will be asked to leave the Track even if they are a member of a funding partner.

Reserved Track Time Periods

• Have high performance athletes training at high speed and intensity.
• Slower skiers MUST yield to faster skiers so as not to interfere with or impede this training.
• This period is NOT recommended for recreational skiing. Plus, child ski carriers or any other skier towed device not directly used for training, coaching, or health and safety response are NOT allowed on Frozen Thunder during this time.
• Some days in November are scheduled for National Ski Team high performance events during the reserved Frozen Thunder track time. Only users invited or registered to participate in the events will have access to Frozen Thunder High Performance Loop on those dates. The Recreation Loop will remain accessible for those athletes that have purchased a bib.

Non-Reserved Frozen Thunder

• Monday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Users do not require a bib to ski during this time period. A Canmore Nordic Centre Trail Pass is required to ski between 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Use of Frozen Thunder after 5:00 p.m. is free. Please note that Frozen Thunder is not lit at night. If you wish to access the track after 5:00 p.m., bring a headlamp and ski cautiously.

The “Red High Performance Loop” will open October 18 on trails similar to previous years, about 2.1km in length, and include the biathlon shooting range. Most of the expanded trail distance is the Recreation Loop, looping around from the Biathlon Stadium to the original storage area and back (on Banff Trail and Banff Loop). Preparations for the “Green Recreational Loop” will start as soon as the High-Performance Loop is complete and is anticipated to open on Saturday October 25. The new trail network will meet the needs of the national teams, the training centres in biathlon and cross country and provide opportunities for recovery and recreational level skiing.

Bibs and Scheduling Track Time

Cost for Bibs during the reserved Track times are:

• $115 for All Access (4+ days of skiing)
• $35 for Single Day Access
• All bibs are purchased online through Zone 4 starting October 8, 2025. No bibs will be sold in person.
• There is a $20 bib deposit fee. The deposit will be refunded upon return of the bib. Bib refunds will not be accommodated after December 20, 2025.
• Bibs must be ordered by 12:00 p.m. the day prior to the pick up date so they can be properly packaged and prepared. Bibs to be picked up Saturday or Sunday must be purchased by 12:00 p.m. on the Friday. Bibs can be picked up/returned at the Nordiq Canada Office during business hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Bibs are picked up from and returned outside the Nordiq Canada office located at the Canmore Nordic Centre (100, 1995 Olympic Way).

Frozen Thunder Trail Information Map Trail Report

More Information / Assistance

Nicky Williams
High Performance and Athlete Services Coordinator
Nordiq Canada
[email protected]