Calgarians put winter activities on ice and embrace the warm weather

For the next week, Calgarians will enjoy above average temperatures and a chance to enjoy outdoor activities typically reserved for spring.

Many Calgarians are putting away their skates and considering their golf clubs instead this February as a stretch of warm weather is expected to continue for several days.

Over the weekend the City of Calgary closed some outdoor winter activity facilities due to inclement weather, including the ice trail, curling and Crokicurl rinks and cross country ski trails at North Glenmore Park.

Several people were in the park enjoying activities they wouldn’t normally choose in winter.

“My son’s going for a bike ride so usually we wouldn’t do that because we would usually be in snow gear so would choose something like tobogganing,” said Emiline Poce who was at the park with her family Sunday afternoon.

Ron Johnson has lived in Calgary his whole life but has never held a picnic this early in the year before.

“Best February 1st I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“We’re just amazed at how consistent the warm weather has been.”

Most of the snow is Calgary has melted and toasty temperatures and dry weather are expected to continue all week, with daytime highs forecasted to soar into the teens.

Fox Hollow Golf Course has been getting calls from players eager to hit the course.

“We’re getting some calls in, some people walking through hitting balls in the golf dome saying, ‘can we get out for a quick nine?’,” said Greg Griffith head pro at Fox Hollow.

He said they are hoping the warm streak continues to dry up some remaining wet patches on the course.

“Fingers are crossed the forecasters are correct over the next couple of days and maybe we will get going mid-week.”

He advised anyone hoping for tee times to open up to keep checking the website to see if the course may open this month.