Christmas Tree Cutting

Permits are available online December 1st-24th. Please contact the Cypress Hills Provincial Park Visitor Centre if you have any questions or for additional information.

Cross-Country Skiing

• Find info on all our cross-country ski trails (using "ski" as the Search term).
• Check the Cypress Hills ski trails grooming report.
• Spring Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail System offers 10 kilometres of excellent variety for beginner and novice skiers.  There are warm-up shelters at the trailhead and at Willow Creek Group Use Area.
• Spruce Coulee Cross-Country Ski Trail System (east of Elkwater) is suitable for both experienced and novice skiers.  This system consists of Highline Trail, Ridgetop Trail, Rodeo Loop Trail and Spruce Coulee Trail.
• In total, the park has about 30 km of groomed ski trails. There are also non-groomed backcountry ski trails.
• Cross-country ski rentals are available at Cypress Hills Visitor Centre - full-day and half-day rates.
• Check our Winter Trails Guide.

Downhill Skiing

• Hidden Valley Ski Resort is located in the park.

Ice Fishing

• Ice fishing is allowed at Elkwater Lake (pike and perch), Reesor Lake (rainbow trout) and Spruce Coulee Reservoir (brook trout).
• Check the Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations for details on regulations and restrictions.
• For your safety
  • It is extremely important to check ice conditions before walking on the ice. 
  • According to the Canadian Red Cross, ice should be at least 20 centimetres thick for group activities.
  • Use caution on ice! Hazardous and thin sections can exist at any time during winter. 
  • Go prepared for weather changes, wild animals, equipment breakdowns and accidents.
  • Review winter safety tips. 
• For information on road accessibility to Reesor Lake and Spruce Coulee Reservoir, check Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park News or phone the Visitor Centre at 403-893-3833 ext. 5.

Kicksledding

• Kicksledding is an alternative to cross-country skiing that offers more stability.
• Kicksleds work on compacted snow or ice.   
• You can use one alone or with a child sitting up front or standing on the runners. 
• Rent a kicksled from the Visitor Centre.

Kicksledding instructions:

• Hold onto the kicksled handles while standing behind a chair that sits on two runners.
• Place one foot on a runner and push off with the other foot to power the sled.
• Keeping your weight on your supporting foot on the runner, use long kicks and let the sled slide.
• Steer the kicksled by putting your weight on one side and turning the handlebars.
• Change the supporting leg often, every five kicks or so.

Skating

• The Old Baldy Campground loop is turned into a 1.5 km long skating track. Parking at the Lakeview Shower-house, across the road from the campground entrance. Weather dependent, please call the Visitor Centre at 403-893-3833 ext. 5 for further information.
• Elkwater has an outdoor skating rink located on 7th Avenue.

Sledding/Snow Luge