Family Day right is around the corner. Thanks to COVID-19 regulations, many of us have had the better part of a year spending time with immediate family. And with options for activities and socializing seriously limited, one could be forgiven for thinking there’s nothing new left to do on Family Day with our families to mark the occasion.

Not so fast. We’ve compiled a smattering of locally-based, COVID-safe Family Day activities to inspire you to seize the day and celebrate your family bubble.

Stettler, Castor and area

Stargaze 

For millennia, people have been captivated by the mystery of the stars. On Feb. 15, bundle up with your bubble, pack a thermos of hot chocolate, a flashlight and head far from the city lights where the dark sky makes the stars and planets much more visible to the naked eye. In the Stettler area, you can find that dark sky nearby, on the beautiful Willow Canyon hiking trails adjacent to the village of Donalda. If you’re really lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the Alberta night sky.

Celebrate your community

Take a family photo tour of Stettler, snapping shots of your favourite sites, folks and locales for the Town Life Photo Contest. Contest winners will receive $100 Heart of Alberta Dollars to be spent in the community. Photos can be submitted to townoffice@stettler.net until the deadline of February 26, 2021. Judging will take place at the Stettler Trade Show in April.

Settle in for story time

Cuddle up with your wee ones and take in the Stettler Public Library’s Read and Rhyme time live at 10:30 am on Read and Rhyme Facebook. Call 403-742-2292 for more information. 

Camrose, Wetaskiwin and area

Toboggan at Tuck’s Hill

Grab the sleds and head to Tuck’s Hill at Golden Jubilee Park in Camrose for some tobogganing. Follow it up with a hot beverage at one of the many fantastic Camrose cafes.

Skate in a winter wonderland

Pack a winter picnic and head about 25 minutes north to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park where, weather permitting, you’ll be greeted by a pristine winter landscape filled with frosted aspen, fir and birch. Lace up and glide along the 600-metre skating path. If you stay into the evening, you can savour a clear view of the February celestial wonders, more visible in Miquelon’s dark sky preserve. 

Not in the mood to venture out for skating? There’s plenty of great skating nearby. Check out the skate trails and rinks in Wetaskiwin here. In Camrose, there are ten community rinks available for public skating.

Hit the slopes

Just a short drive from Camrose and Wetaskiwin is Gwynne Valley Ski Hill, a great option for Family Day fun, without the usual heart-stopping lift ticket price tag. Full day lift passes are just $20.25 for adults, so you can take the family skiing or snowboarding without breaking the bank. Make sure to purchase your passes online — Gwynne Valley now has a mandatory online lift pass booking system. https://www.gwynnevalley.ca/

Vegreville, Two Hills and area

Snowshoe and stargaze

Take your sweetie on a Parks Canada guided snowshoeing tour of Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park after dark. The park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a perfect place to experience the stars and planets above. Times 7 pm to 9 pm. Cost: $29.80 per person with a valid park pass. Includes: guide, snowshoes rental, warm snacks and refreshments. Call 780-992-2965 to register or email pc.interp.elkisland.pc@canada.ca.

Only in Vegreville

Skate under the world’s largest Pysanka on the spacious Elks Pond rink on 43 St. Plenty of room for social distance here.

Peace Country

Hit the slopes for free

Manning Ski Hill is offering free lift passes from Feb. 13 – 15. Enjoy five perfect runs from beginner to expert and warm up afterwards with coffee and hot chocolate inside. North of Secondary Highway 691 on Range Road 224

Be Canadian

Bundle up, lace up the skates and take your family for a glide on an outdoor skating rink. It’s a rare Peace Country town that doesn’t have an outdoor rink. In Peace River, the offerings include Riverfront Park Skating Area on 100 Avenue, Spruce Court Skating Area on 98 Street and the Baytex Energy Centre Outdoor Rink on 73 Avenue.

Dine under the stars

Pack up the family unit, ice auger, fishing rods, licenses, lantern and a big thermos of cocoa and head out to one of the Peace Country’s deep lakes for some ice fishing. Grill up your catch with a Coleman grill to enjoy fresh fish under a dazzling skyscape of stars and aurora borealis. Stocked lakes include East Twin Lakes, Figure Eight Lake, Ole’s Lake, Running Lake, Stoney Lake (Montagneuse Lake), and Sulphur Lake. For more information on stocked lakes, go to https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/fish-stocking/stocking-maps.aspx?listing=1

Cross your hearts

Take in the magic of a quiet, winter forest. Strap on your cross-country skis and enjoy the groomed public-access trails at Cummings Lake and the Sand Hills (20 km of trails altogether), which are maintained by the Dunvegan Nordic Ski and Cycle Club.