Mountain Biking Pembina Nordic

You don’t need to head to the mountains to hone your mountain biking skills. One of Central Alberta’s best destinations is just an hour from Edmonton.  The single track trails at the Pembina Nordic Centre offer terrain and routes for all abilities and skill levels. Throughout the trails there are viewpoints and rest stops so you and your family can have some fun, take a break and head out again. The loops are manageable distances and they all circle back to the Pembina Nordic Outdoor Education Centre.

If the single track is intimidating for you the wide ski trails at the centre are also brush mowed for cycling. The nordic trails run alongside the single track trails so you can mix things up by starting on the wide trails and then popping in to do some of the single track trails. The trails at the Pembina Nordic Centre just opened up in the fall of 2024 and are truly a hidden gem in west-central Alberta.

The Trails  

We have 9 km of single track mountain bike trails that are rated green and blue and are a great place to start your mountain biking adventures. There are three main trails:

  1. Toaster – trail to the east of the Outdoor Education Center (3km)
  2. Lost Dog – Accessed by going to the end of the Ridge Winder west of the Old Chalet (4 km)
  3. West Ridge Winder – an out and back west of the Old Chalet (2 km)

If you are new to mountain biking the 15 km of winter ski trails are open for riding during the summer months.  These trails are a great place to start you mountain biking journey.  wide and with very little obstacles. There are:

  1. Ridge Trail – very easy ride not many hills
  2. North Loop- frequent ups and downs
  3. Evergreen loop – long downs and ups
Trail Guidelines: 

  • A day pass or membership is strongly encouraged to access the Pembina Nordic trails on a mountain bike. You can find donation options below. 

  • Biking helmets are mandatory for youth. 

  • Avoid trails when wet, as tires leave ruts on soft trails.

  • Wildlife frequent all trails at Pembina Nordic Centre- you are encouraged to ride in a group.

  • Report any deadfall or trail issues to our Trails Director: pembinanordic@gmail.com

  • In the summer, all trails may be accessed by mountain bike – see our trail maps

Trail Access Points

Single Track trails can be accessed from the Pembina Nordic Centre parking  lot. East and West of the old cabin or at the end of TWP 494 at the bottom of the Evergreen Loop. 

Pembina Nordic members have access to the parking lot 24/7. Non-members can access the trails from the provincial park kiosks.  

Pembina Nordic trail map 2024 of the trails near Drayton Valley

Become a member

Learn More

Our membership helps us maintain the trails, host events and run programs.

Member Benefits
  • $10 off adult nordic ski rentals
  • Member discount rates for Outdoor Education Centre Rental
  • Gate Code for 24/7 parking lot access
  • Week long free summer camping through our Summer Host Program
  • Access to Jack Rabbit Learn to Ski program and child seasonal ski rentals
  • Free rustic cabin rentals
  • Alberta Nordic annual membership

Also as a member you are supporting year round trail maintenance and development. As well as supporting programs at the Pembina Nordic Centre. 

Memberships are annual, and are not prorated. They renew April/May annually. 

Day Use Donations

Donate today

We sure hope you enjoy your time and the use of the Pembina Nordic trails.  Whether that is hiking, biking, snow shoeing, disc golfing or cross country skiing please consider giving a donation to help cover the upkeep of our beautiful trail systems.

Suggested day rate donations:

  • $10 single
  • $15 couple
  • $25 family 

E-TRANSFER DONATION

Email to: pembina.nordic@gmail.com