Your neighbours’ favourite winter places.

Readers weigh in on city’s snowy gems

Edmonton is full of secret gems in the winter, from quiet Beaumaris Lake in the city’s northeast, to riverside trails and the Narnia-style fountain in Glenora.

More than 110 Edmonton residents submitted descriptions of their favourite winter places for a Journal mapping project this fall. What emerged is a crowd-sourced guide to the city, full of tips from neighbour to neighbour on how to survive and thrive when the snow falls.

The map can be found at edmontonjournal.com/ wintermap, and will be available all winter to read and add to.

The exercise highlighted several spots that otherwise get little public attention, such as the fountain in the Glenora neighbourhood at 133rd Street and 103rd Avenue.

Laura Bachynski called the Glenora fountain “one of the prettiest places to visit, especially in the winter.

“The trees so heavily laden with snow and the soft street lighting at night bring to mind a scene from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” she wrote.

Stephanie Brown said she likes to buy a cup of hot chocolate with her boyfriend and walk from Oliver to Glenora, “especially when fat flakes of snow are falling. Wandering around the Glenora area, looking at people’s lights and decorations is fun, romantic, and inexpensive! The holidays aren’t the holidays without it.”

Beaumaris Lake, near 153 Avenue and Castle Downs Road, is another favourite but littleknown spot, with cafés nearby to offer a chance to warm up.

It’s the largest stormwater pond in the city, surrounded by a wide, paved pathway and with mature trees with alcoves and benches, “where it’s common to see people enjoying the sun on a bright winter afternoon,” wrote Barb Buckley.

“Whether you are out for a run or a leisurely amble, it’s a welcoming place.”

Both Hawrelak Park and the Victoria Park oval emerged as early favourites for skating.

For Keltie Barbutza, it’s a generational tradition. Her father skated at Victoria Park when he was young, then brought his children and grandchildren.

Barbutza brought him one last time on his 80th birthday. It was “the last time he was able to skate because of failing health. So many great memories,” she wrote.

For young nature lovers, the pathway under Groat Bridge, where Emily Murphy Park and Hawrelak Park meet, was been mentioned twice as a fantastic place to feed chickadees.

The small birds with black caps on their heads stay in Edmonton all winter. They’re often tame enough to eat sunflower seeds from

“Whether you are out for a run or a leisurely amble, it’s a welcoming place.”

BARB BUCKLEY ON BEAUMARIS LAKE

an outstretched hand.

Diana Cox recommends taking the horse-drawn wagon tours through historic Highlands, which start from Mandolin Books many Friday nights.

As for tobogganing and cross-country skiing, it’s impossible to identify a favourite spot. So many people recommended their neighbourhood toboggan hill, places that had just enough variety to accommodate everyone from toddlers to young dare-devils.

Juliette Champagne was one of many who recommended great ski trails, and won the random draw to receive a free two-night stay at the Jasper Park Lodge.

The Kinnaird Ravine is a perfect ski getaway that descends into the river valley from near 82nd Street and 111 Avenue. “It has ... three kilometres of slightly rolling descent, which terminates in a winding chute into the eastern end of Dawson Park,” she wrote.

“For me and my dog, this our Edmonton paradise.”

ESTELLA BAI The cold adds excitement to this polar bear dip on the University of Alberta campus, a fundraiser for the United way. “Winter is more exciting on the campus because of the cheerful students,” says Estella Bai.

NAOMI IWATA Naomi Iwata sent a photo from her favourite river bank view. Winter is when Edmonton shows its unique face, she says.

BRENDA SCHNEIDER Brenda Schneider nominated Hermitage Park, which is great for kick sledding with her dogs. “A covered picnic area is at one end, which is a good stop for hot chocolate,” she says.

VICKY FAUSTMANN Vicky Faustmann planned to help her twoyear-old son take his first steps on skates on the smooth ice of the Victoria Park Oval this winter.

CHRISTOPHER CHAN The soft-falling snow creates havoc on the roads, but Christopher Chan took this image on a river valley trail. “Every time I go out on my skis, I fall in love with winter again, and the city I live in.”

CURTIS CARTER/ SUPPLIED Curtis Carter and his family feed the chickadees all winter near the Groat Bridge. The birds are often tame enough to eat sunflower seeds from your hand.