Can I find groups for sledding or ice skating?
Calgary has a developed community sports ecosystem with municipal ice rinks, hundreds of volunteers, Meetup communities, and long-standing clubs. This means that you can skate on your own, but there are also dozens of organized groups for figure skating, speed skating, and shinny, as well as group sledding trips to the best hills in the city. Below is a detailed guide to options for all ages and skill levels.
1. Organized skating clubs
1.1 Speed skating
Calgary Grizzlies Speed Skating Club Training for ages 3 to veteran masters at the YMCA Rocky Ridge and Olympic Oval.
Cubs, Development, and High Performance programs with elite Olympic coaches.
Calgary Speed Skating Association (CSSA) Based at the Olympic Oval; welcomes children ages 6 and up and adults who are young at heart. Regularly hosts Try Speed Skating days with equipment rentals.
1.2 Figure and recreational skating
Calalta Figure Skating Club – A non-profit club in operation for 60 years, offering programs from CanSkate to international seniors, including adult groups and an inclusive program for LGBTQIA2S+.
1.3 Adult shinny and public ice
| Format | Where to play | How to join | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in shinny 16+ | Hundreds of slots every week at city arenas (Rose Kohn, Village Square, etc.) | Drop-In Hockey YYC app: reserve a spot, bring your gear | $12–16/session |
| Shinny at Olympic Oval | Ice rink + hockey rink | Oval Public Skate online calendar; helmet required | $7 adults, $4.75 youth |
| Themed night skating | Pride & Glide, Skate with Santa | Check Oval Events for announcements | Free or donation |
1.4 Roller and inline skating alternatives in winter
- Queer Calgary Rollerskating Night at House of Skate every Thursday — a friendly LGBTQ group, rental $8, admission $18.
- Calgary Roller Skate / Fresh Rollers organizes dance workshops and disco nights in gyms when there is too much ice for road skating.
2. Group sledding
2.1 Official hills and group outings
City bylaws only allow sledding on 22 approved hills. The most active community can be found at:
| Hill | Organizer | Meeting format |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Heights (NW) | Community Association | Every weekend “hot-chocolate meetups”, you can rent a “skate room” for parties |
| Prairie Winds Park (NE) | Local families via the Facebook group “YYC Sledding Families” | Evening “plane-spotting & sled” runs (slope under the runway) |
| Confederation Park (NW) | Calgary Playground Review Meetup | Joint rides + Lions Festival of Lights holiday lights tour |
2.2 Charitable sled community
Bold Athlete Sledathon: corporate teams push weighted sleds in the Father David Bauer Arena, with $1 per push donated to the Owen Hart Foundation. A great way to meet people and help out.
3. Find groups through online platforms
Meetup.com
- Stampede City Ski & Snowboard Club — 1,800 members; in winter, they organize sledding days on nearby hills for beginners and après-skate socials.
- Calgary Exercise & Socialize — regular “stairs & sleds” outings at Memorial Stairs with coffee after the workout.
Facebook / Instagram
- hashtags #YCShinny, #YCSledding — quick announcements about evening hockey games or group sledding.
- Local association pages (Edgemont, Mahogany): often post community sled days.
Speed Skating Alberta Club Finder — map of all clubs in the province, two organizations in Calgary itself.
4. How to choose and join
| Criteria | Skates | Sleds |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Learn technique → choose a club (Grizzlies, Calalta) | Socialization and fun → look for neighborhood pages |
| Age | From 3 years old (Cubs) to 70+ Masters | No restrictions: family events and adult meetups |
| Cost | Club season $250–600; drop-in $7–16 | Free (city slopes), sometimes $5–10 for cocoa/hall rental |
| Equipment | Own skates/helmet or on-site rental | Helmet + sled (own); some Meetups have “shareable” sleds |
| Safety | Helmets are mandatory in most programs; quick instruction | Skating only on official hills, helmet and trail inspection recommended |
5. Additional opportunities for volunteers
- Adopt-a-Rink / Adopt-a-Hill: become part of a team that floods the ice or tamps down the slope; the city provides tools and training.
- Officials Pathway in speed skating: Calgary Grizzlies and CSSA invite those interested in learning how to referee.
6. Tips for beginners
-
Start with a drop-in. One evening of shinny or group skating will show you if this is your thing.
-
Book online. Popular skating sessions at the Olympic Oval fill up 48 hours in advance.
-
Check ice/hill conditions. The City of Calgary updates the status of skating rinks and toboggan hills daily.
-
Insurance. Clubs include basic Skate Canada or Speed Skating Canada insurance in their membership fees.
-
Public transportation. Most arenas and hills are easily accessible by C-Train (Banff Trail → Oval, Sunnyside → Memorial Stairs, McKnight → Prairie Winds).
Conclusion
Yes, it's easy to find sledding and skating groups in Calgary. There's a wide range of options, from structured clubs with licensed coaches to casual Meetup communities, from charity sled-athons to family outings to official hills. Joining is easy: sign up for a club or group on social media, reserve your spot online, and bring a helmet and some hot chocolate. Riding with others is not only safer and more fun, it quickly turns cold winter evenings into warm connections and bright memories.