Skiing Pembina Nordic
For the best cross country skiing facilities just one hour from Edmonton look no further than the trails at the Pembina Nordic Centre. The Pembina Nordic Centre offers a variety of terrain for families and competitive skiers alike. From our easy stadium loop, to hilly terrain the trails at the Pembina Nordic centre grow with you and your family. The facilities are one of Alberta’s top nordic ski destinations this side of the Canadian Rockies. The Pembina Nordic ski trails are managed by the volunteers of the Pembina Nordic Club. Volunteers groom the trails for skate skiing and classic tracks. With over 15 km of trails you can easily turn a day trip into a weekend destination.
For new skiers we have waxless adult ski rentals, we also run the Jackrabbit Learn to Ski Program for kids ages 4 and up. More information is found below.
The Pembina Nordic Ski Trails
The trails at the Pembina Nordic Centre are groomed for classic tracks and skate skiing throughout the winter months. The trails range in ability from green runs to advanced blue runs.
The facility includes:
- a wood heated rustic cabin with outdoor facilities
- Outdoor Education Center with indoor facilities and a wood heated waxroom
- Adult ski rentals
Trail Conditions and Updates
Trail conditions are updated throughout the winter months on the Pembina Nordic Ski Club Facebook page.
Faceook: @pembinanordic
Hours of Operation:
There are no set hours of operation for the Pembina Nordic Centre.
If you arrive at the facility and find the gate locked. You can park across from the “Red” club gate and walk on to the facility. You can also access the trails from an entry point on TWP 494 and Range Road 71.
Pembina Nordic Club members will receive a gate code upon payment and they can use this code to access the facility for the member year.
Cabin Host: During the winter months members of the Pembina Nordic Club organize volunteer to cabin host on the weekends. This is very much dependent on volunteer manpower and not every weekend has a host.
Cabin hosts are there to help you with navigating the trails, as well as keeping the the warming rooms warm.
Trail Etiquette
During the winter months when the Pembina Nordic Ski Trails are groomed for skiing there are some guidelines that need to be followed:
- All groomed ski trails are off limits to foot traffic and pets.
- Don’t skate over the classic tracks.
- If you need to stop along a trail, step aside so you don’t block the trail.
- Don’t stop at the bottom of a hill where other skiers might have trouble avoiding you.
- Do a shoulder check before stepping out of the classic track or moving laterally across the trail so you don’t interfere with a skier approaching from behind.
- Because skiers on the downhills have less control, they are generally considered to have the right of way over skiers climbing.
- If you are tucking on the downhills, make sure your pole tips point down.
- If you are the last person to leave the parking lot lock the gate on the way out.
How to Get Here
Location: 7010 Township Rd 494. Approximately 10 minutes North of Drayton Pembina Nordic Ski Club members can use their gate code to access the parking lot at the Pembina Nordic Ski Club. If the gate is locked non-members can access the trails from entry points along Township road 494.
Jackrabbit Learn to Ski Program
The Pembina Nordic Club offers learn to ski programs for children age 5 and up based on the programs developed and supported by Cross Country Canada.
The Bunnies Program is the first level of the Active Start stage of development (children 5 years of age and younger). Program materials include an enrolment kit, a kid-friendly, age-appropriate booklet and skill award stickers. The objective of the program is to introduce cross-country skiing and the healthy lifestyle associated with it through organized activity and active play.
Goals of the Bunnies Program:
- Help children develop a positive self-image.
- Be fun.
- Provide children with the opportunity to make ski-friends.
- Develop fundamental movement skills.
- Help children develop an awareness and appreciation of our natural environment
The Jackrabbit Program is designed for the “FUNdamentals” stage of development (children 6 and up) This is the second level of the skill development program.
Program materials include an enrolment kit, a toque, a booklet which provides a comprehensive record of the young skier’s ski career, and program award stickers to chart the different levels of achievement. The objective is for children to learn basic cross-country ski`skills (both classic and skating) and to instill a lifelong interest in the sport, thereby enhancing their quality of life and health.
Goals of the Jackrabbit Program:
- Encourage FUN and participation,
- Develop Agility, Balance, Coordination and speed.
- Frequent cross-country skiing during the season.
- Good technique habits developed through repeated practice using the Jackrabbit program awards
- Utilize games and ski playgrounds to develop technique, speed skills and fitness.
- Well structured programs.
- Develop linear, lateral and multi directional speed.
- Develop a team/social atmosphere.
- Introduce competition in a team environment.
- Encourage inter-club social, skill and fitness orientated ski activities e.g. camps.
Program Registration
Program registration can be found on zone4.ca. Search: Pembina Nordic
The 2024-2025 program year begins December 1 and runs until the end of February.
Adult Ski Rentals
We have a wide selection of adult ski rentals. Rent for the day and try nordic skiing at the amazing Pembina Nordic Ski Trails.
Rental packages include, boots, skis and poles. All adult rentals are waxless and so are easy to get on and get out on the snow.
Drop In Option: Saturday and Sundays (weather permitting)
- Weekend drop in rentals available Saturday and Sunday
- Rental room time 10 AM -12PM Saturday and Sunday.
- All rentals must be returned by 4:00 PM on the rental day
Pre-book Option:
- Pre-booked rentals need to be booked by 4:00 PM the day before
- Rental room is open for payment and pick up Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM – 12 PM.
- All rentals need to be returned by 4:oo PM on the rental day.
Rental Rates:
- $20/set for Pembina Nordic Club Members
- $30/set for non-members
For rental inquiries or to pre-book rentals contact: PembinaNordicRentals@gmail.com
Payment options: Cash, Credit or Debit.
Become a member
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
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