Emilie’s Trans Canada Trail: Morning Cross-Country Skiing on the West Bragg Creek Trail
Written by Émilie Brillon
This winter has given us a truly beautiful start to the season at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, just the way we like it. The snow started falling generously in November, and it just keeps coming! There’s enough on the ground to pull out your sleds, snowshoes… and even your cross-country skis, which isn’t always the case.
Some winters, you have to go to the mountains to find enough snow. But this season, we had everything we needed close to home, from early December onwards.
One morning, my son and I decided to make the most of a fresh snowfall. We put on our warmest coats and mitts, then headed out to brave the cold (–18°C!) and explore a section of the Trans Canada Trail at Bragg Creek on cross-country skis.
Photo credit: Émilie Brillon
Mountain Road Trail in West Bragg Creek
The Mountain Road trail is located in West Bragg Creek Provincial Park. It is part of the Trans Canada Trail linking Calgary, Cochrane, Redwood, Bragg Creek and Canmore, a total distance of over 50 km.
In winter, the road is closed to cars and becomes a snowy playground for outdoor enthusiasts. One side of the trail is groomed for cross-country skiing, and the other is designated for walking or snowshoeing. It’s always nice to cross paths with families, hikers and even dogs enjoying winter in their own way.
This multi-use trail is part of a vast network of cross-country ski trails maintained by Bragg Creek Trails. The Mountain Road trail is 4.1 km one way and is set in an enchanting landscape. You can see the Rocky Mountains in the Kananaskis region in the distance, and there are even a few interpretive panels along the trail.
It’s a great distance for families, even if, to be honest, we didn’t make it to the end of the trail. Our fingers, toes and cheeks were starting to freeze.
On site, you’ll find a small hut to warm up, as well as toilets, which are always handy when you’re with children.
Photo credit: Émilie Brillon
No equipment? No problem!
One of the great things about West Bragg Creek is that you don’t need your own equipment to enjoy the trails. On your way to the park, you can stop at Moose Mountain General Store, a small local business, where you’ll find everything you need for a day of cross-country skiing. They have reasonably priced equipment for the whole family — even the little ones. You’ll need to budget around $25 for a 24-hour rental, and a little less for children.
That’s exactly what we did. The General Store is located in the plaza directly on the road to West Bragg Creek, so you won’t need to make a big detour to rent your skis.
Before you head out, you’ll need to buy a Kananaskis Conservation Pass online, which gives you access to West Bragg Creek Provincial Park. The pass costs $15 per day or $90 for the year and is valid in all Kananaskis Country provincial parks.
Photo credit: Émilie Brillon
After skiing… a well-deserved hot chocolate!
After our cross-country ski adventure, we popped into The Heart of Bragg Creek for a sweet treat. It’s a cozy little cafe, locally owned and 100% vegan, in the heart of Bragg Creek. Their hot chocolates and lattes are delicious. They also have a selection of herbal teas and other drinks, plus homemade pastries, which are always fresh and really tasty.
It was a great way to warm up before taking our gear back to Moose Mountain General Store, just across the street.
Even though it was a chilly winter morning, we had tons of fun skiing together on this stretch of the Trans Canada Trail. It was the perfect way to introduce my son to cross-country skiing. It was only his second time on cross-country skis. He loved it, and we’ll be going back this winter, but next time, we’ll be bringing the whole family.
It’s the perfect family activity, easy to access and free (once you get your Kananaskis Conservation Pass). Cross-country skiing is also the perfect activity for frigid temperatures, because you tend to warm up very quickly with all the movement you’re doing.
So, next time it snows near Calgary, consider Bragg Creek for your next winter adventure!
Photo credit: Émilie Brillon
Emilie is an author and content creator specializing in family travel, and the founder of RoadTripAcrossCanada.ca. She lives at the foot of the Canadian Rockies and travels across Canada on road trips. She shares practical tips and adventure ideas to help parents enjoy the outdoors. Her work promotes the discovery of lesser-known places and the joy of creating family memories in nature.
Find Emilie at https://roadtripacrosscanada.ca or on Instagram @lovelife_abroad.
At Trans Canada Trail, we work to expand access to nature, improve visitor experience and ensure Canadians can safely enjoy outdoor spaces for generations to come. Find the trail section closest to you on our interactive map and find inspiration for more outdoor winter activities!
