Calgary Sports & Outdoors

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Golf courses are only open half the year in Calgary, so during the winter, some cross country clubs take over the courses to provide tracks for their members to enjoy skiing within the city. The Calgary Ski Club is one such club that maintains tracks at the Shaganappi Point Golf Course. Although free of charge to any enthusiast, there is the expectation that users will stick to the tracks and minimize any impact to the underlying golf course.

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Cricket is almost unknown in Calgary but the Calgary and District Cricket League has been playing for over 100 years. The 300 members play at Riley Park on weekends from late May to September. Admission is free but bring your own seat unless you’d prefer to sit on the grass.

Calgary’s golf season runs from April until October. That’s not a lot of time, but dedicated golfers make the most of it. There are ~60 courses in or near the city. Eight of those courses are run by the City of Calgary and offer computerized booking allowing you to book over the phone up to four days in advance. Club rentals are available at some courses, but check in advance when booking a tee time. During the off season, there are in door driving ranges and simulators to keep your game from going into the rough.

For all the yogis and yoginis coming to Calgary - Heaven's fitness has a great facility and lots of variation in classes, including Hatha, Ashtanga styled classes, as well as Pilates fusion. I'd recommend the Ashtanga classes with Rob Nicholls. There is also another studio several blocks down, named Yoga Passage, which is also suitbale for Power-Vinyasa styled classes. Both are located just south of downtown, about a 10 minute walk from the 7th Ave LRT.

Please see the Heaven's website for more information as well as photos.

Equipment: If you are looking for yoga gear, we have a Lululemon located on the SE corner of 17th Avenue and 4th Street SW.

If you'd prefer a more boutique sort of feel I love YuDu in Kensington 233,10 Street NW (easy access from downtown - get off at the Sunnyside stop). Lixin, one of the owners is awesome - lots of colors and cuts. The sizing is NOT generous and I don't think they carry over a 14. I love this shop, however unlike Lulu, Yudu does not have any hemstresses on staff to take care of the really long yoga pants.

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Shaw Millennium Park is one of the largest outdoor skateparks in the world and it’s free. Although largely concrete, it is surrounded by grass and trees to give it a more park-like atmosphere. The park provides different areas so that novice through to expert can be challenged and enjoy the facility.

If you like tennis, there's no reason to miss a game in Calgary. There are approx 160 free tennis courts located all over the city, and it's first come, first served. As a courtesy, if there's others waiting, people limit their game to 30 minutes. However, if the court is busy, there's usually more tennis courts in the area if you look.

If you need an equipment rental for your sport, the Outdoor Centre Equipment Rental in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary offers the most cheapest rates. For example, if you want to try hiking, they rent out hiking boots and backpacks. Also, they offer outings as well, so if you've never gone hiking, or canoeing, or kayaking, you can learn how, or if you know how, and don't have anyone to go with, you can go with a group. I've found the leaders knowledgeable and friendly. For a complete list of the equipment they carry, go the website below.

If you're into rock climbing, or want to try it, they also have an indoor climbing wall.

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With snow on the ground and sun in the sky, every kid’s heart turns to tobogganing. What greater joy than hurtling downhill on a metal/plastic/wood sheet intent on going as far and as fast as possible. Looking for a good safe hill? The hill near the Richmond Green Golf Course is high and steep enough to be exciting but runs out into what is a baseball field during the summer so is fairly safe. Just watch out for the other sliders and you should have a great day.