Nordic skiing the terrain in Brazeau County and the region beyond varies from sloped river valleys to flat rivers and frozen lakes.
There are five locations within 40 minutes of Drayton Valley, AB to plan to visit (click text to go directly to the location):
The Pembina Nordic Ski Trails
The Pembina Nordic Ski Trails are located in the Eagle Point Provincial Park, along the high banks of the North Saskatchewan River. They are managed by the Pembina Nordic Ski Club, a dedicated group of local volunteers.
There is nearly 15 km of groomed ski trails.
They are tracked for both skate skiing and classic skiing. Trails can be accessed from different off road access points but for club members access to the trails at the chalet is possible.
Donations for day use or membership purchase is encouraged.
How to get here:
The Pembina River
The Pembina River is a slow moving shallow river linking Entwistle, Brazeau County and Lodgepole. The river is flat, and wide and often ridden by snowmobile enthusiasts once frozen in the winter months.
The Pembina River has many on and off points that can be used for extended day trips or overnight excursions.
The Pembina River Provincial Park between Entwistle and Evansburg
This gives afternoon ski option is from the Pembina River Provincial Park to the Pembina River Tubing access point on RR 74, Entwistle. You can turn around at any point. This is an out and back trip.
Trip distance: approximately 5 km one-way.
Easyford Park to Cynthia Bridge at Hwy 621.
This route is approximately 13km on the river. The Easyford park can be accessed by RR83 or RR85.
This part of the river does have a a number of seasonal and year round residents so please be mindful of private property.
Trip distance: approximately 13 km one-way
Lodgepole bridge at TWP 753 to the Drayton Valley Horse Club
Leaving at the Lodgepole Pembina River Bridge, this 19 km ski is a full day and finishes off at the Drayton Valley Horse Club staging area. The area is unmarked from the river so clocking your trip is a good precaution to take. The next stop point would be the City Service Bridge.
Trip distance: approximately 19 km one-way
The Pembina River is both shallow and deep in areas, be on the lookout for open river areas and free flowing water. Caution is to be taken.
Buck Lake and Rat Lake
Buck Lake and Rat Lake are two bodies of water that are connected at Buck Lake, Alberta.
Buck Lake is a large body of water that is a hotspot for ice fishing during the winter months. It freezes flat and is a great place for an endurance ski.
There are multiple access points to the lake but the best and easiest is at the community campground in the community of Buck Lake.
Rat Lake can be accessed from under the Buck Lake bridge on Lakeshore Drive.
Buck Lake is an open destination and best visited on a warm windless day. Rat Lake is surround by tall grasses that can provide some wind protection.
Rose Creek, Alder Flats
This creek is located just a few minutes west of the Hamlet of Alder Flats AB.
This is a small shallow creek that can be skied once frozen over. Beaver dams are in the area so watch out for open water holes. There isn’t much by way of parking and road shoulders are narrow.
While you are in the area, snow shoeing the Rose Creek ATV trails is also an option.
