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This Calgary realtor is taking a very short break away from my usual research for clients who are looking for homes for sale in Calgary for a cross-country skiing weekend. Hopefully, I’ll get to catch the Alberta World Cup live!

Off the top of my head, I’m darn psyched about the World Cup because:

1. The Alberta World Cup is the last of World Cup races before the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia—that’s a good year and a few months between major contests
2. I’ll have front row, center seating (or standing nearby is the likelier scenario) watching 200 professional cross country skiers from 20 countries compete on Canmore’s famed trails
3. The race venue’s just an hour’s drive away—give or take a few miles—from this Calgary realtor’s home
4.  I’m not spending for plane tickets or hotel rooms, I can watch the competitions for free!
   

 

A few things about the Venue

Canmore, where the Alberta World Cup’s going to be, is a charming little town at the foot of the Banff National Park. For you sports buffs out there, I have some interesting facts for you. Canmore was the site of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and, for this year’s World Cup, it has pulled all the stops. They’ve scheduled a lot of cultural events, sightseeing activities, and shopping venues for residents and tourists alike.

Still, the star of the long weekend is cross country skiing, which, I must say, is one of my passions and my best idea for burning calories every winter. If you’re going to attend (and I highly suggest that you do), bring your poles, skis and warmers and take part in the open-to-the-public cross country skiing. And if you’re in town this week looking for houses for sale in Calgary, please take time to mosey over to Canmore and watch the games live—or even in the many video screens that’ll be broadcasting the races.

Getting into the sport 

Even if you’re a complete beginner, don’t hesitate to take part in the cross-country skiing. There’ll be lots of groomed trails, I expect, and during the races the skiing will be free. If you want to practice before the big weekend, there are several groomed trails here in Calgary for your use. There are the golf courses (Shaganappi, Confederation, and Maple Ridge) and the Canada Olympic Park which are ideal for beginners. An alternative, if in case you want to learn directly from an experienced instructor, is to visit the Calgary Ski Club, Calgary Nordic Training Club, and Foothills Nordic Club—all of which have programs for children and adults that you might want to look into. It will only take you a day at most to learn the basics. And it’s an inexpensive sport in terms of equipment. You can rent everything you need from a gear store or on site.

Burning calories in the snow

I can’t extol the benefits of cross country skiing enough. Simply put, the health benefits are huge. You can burn as much as 612 calories for an hour of brisk skiing. Power cross country skiing will get you spending 1,122 calories but I suggest you stay off the hills and moguls while you’re starting out as they acquire intermediate skills. By the way, if you’re curious, the calorie burn for brisk walking is at 442. Cross country skiing also works all your major muscle groups, from neck to feet, so you get limber from the cardio workout.  And of course, post-exercise, nothing beats the endorphin rush it brings—you’ll be upping the happy and beating stress in an enjoyable way.

Forget hunting for Calgary houses for sale this weekend and let’s go see the Alberta World Cup! What do you know, you might stumble upon this Calgary realtor along the many cross country skiing trails in Canmore. And don’t forget to check out the shopping and live broadcast feeds downtown.

 

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Author Bio:

Bryon Howard is a top producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad & is crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.