Tuesday, November 13, 2018

A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids

I'm back with another one of my annual holiday gift guides, and this year I've decided to keep the theme more general, focusing on fun gifts to keep our kids active all year long, outside (and even inside on those cold winter days.)

Get the kids outside year round to be active, happy, and healthy

I've organized gift ideas below by category/sport.

All links go to the product or company website. A few links go to the Amazon website (If you choose to purchase anything off Amazon I might make a few pennies off the purchase, but please feel free to shop wherever works for your family.

You'll also find many links for products off the All Out Kids Gear website and the Kids Bikes Canada website where I'm an affiliate partner.


Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids


Kids on Bikes - Gift ideas for kids who love mountain biking and cycling


The BIG Gift: A New Bike


Prevelo Bikes ships their bikes for free (including to Canada,) and they make amazing bikes (engineered specifically for youth!)

You can read all about my son's Prevelo Zulu Four here: What to Look for in your Child's Next Bike (and what to skip!)  - note I previously partnered with Prevelo Bikes as an Ambassador

My son is currently as of 2020 riding a 26" Cleary Scout bike and it's been amazing for a combination of cross-country and downhill riding. You can buy Cleary bikes locally from Kids Bikes Canada.

We ordered my son's Cleary bike for Christmas 2019 and it was delivered to our door from Kids Bikes Canada. They provided amazing customer service and we felt good knowing that we were supporting a local family business.

A new bike makes for a fabulous Christmas gift!


Other recommended bikes for children and youth:


And it's your choice if you want to put the bike together for the big "Christmas morning reveal" or if you want to wrap the box (which would make for one very large present to be opened.)

Invest in quality mountain bikes for active kids who love to ride

Other Gifts for Kids Who Love Biking




And a few tips for getting the kids out on bikes year round:

First, consider renting fat bikes for a day (or a weekend) from Kananaskis Outfitters at Kananaskis Village. 

Biking can be a fun activity year round 

Or, visit B-Line, Calgary's indoor bike park where you can bike for the entire day for $30. (Much cheaper than a ski lift ticket.)


Conquering the beginner jump line at B-Line Indoor Bike Park


Kids on the Trails - Gift ideas to keep kids hiking year round 



The BIG Gift: A New Backpack 


All out Kids Gear has a great assortment of backpacks from kids' starter packs up to hydration packs and overnight packs for backpacking.

My son uses a small hydration pack for our day hikes but has a Deuter Fox 30 for overnight trips. We love this backpack and are pleased with the amount our son can carry with it.


See the full collection of backpacks at All out Kids Gear here


Backpacks make excellent Christmas gifts for active kids


Other Gifts for Kids who Like Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Backpacking




Get the kids some snowshoes and enjoy year round hiking!


And check out Lori Beattie's Guidebook: Calgary's Best Walks: 45 Urban Jaunts and Nature Strolls 

This is the second edition of this book and it has been fully updated and expanded.

My son loves the colorful maps in the first book and reads it regularly while eating breakfast as he plots out new routes we should walk around our city.

It's a great guide if you like geocaching too!

The book will be available in stores on November 27th, 2020.







Winter Kids - Gift ideas to keep kids happy and warm all winter long



Check out the suggestions below for kids who want to play outside all winter long while staying warm



Dress the kids warm and get out to play! 

Crag Kids - Gift ideas for kids who love rock climbing (inside or out)




Here are a few of my top suggestions here:

Climbing shoes make great Christmas gifts

  • Climbing shoes (We swear by the Mad Rock Mad Monkey shoes.)

  • A climbing harness (great for kids who've been renting at the gym and would like their own)

  • A climbing helmet (great for kids who've been using bike helmets for outdoor climbing) 

  • A chalk bag for a stocking stuffer 
Shop all climbing gear for the whole family from All Out Kids Gear.

And for a BIG gift: Build the kids a basement climbing wall! (could be hard to keep as a surprise, but it would be an awesome gift!)





Climbing helmets are great for scrambling and hiking too!

Ski Kids - Gift ideas for kids who enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing


The BIG Gift: New Skis and Boots


This is the obvious choice, right? Seriously though, a pair of skis makes for a great Christmas gift if your family wants to get into cross-country skiing. Buy the skis, boots, and poles, and then you're set with free skiing the rest of the winter. 

Buy adjustable poles to cut down on one cost (one pair will last for years and can be used for both cross-country and downhill skiing along with hiking as well.)

And if you're buying downhill skis, consider Roces adjustable ski boots that expand to fit your child for several years.


And need to save a few pennies? Check out the local consignment stores. Your child likely won't care if their skis or boots aren't brand new. I bought my son's cross-country boots second hand from Trail Blazers in Cochrane this year.


Get the kids on the slopes with new ski gear for Christmas 

Other Gifts for Kids who Love Skiing


  • Any of the clothing items above under the "winter kids" section

  • A new ski helmet

  • New ski goggles! (it's always a treat to have goggles without scratches!)

  • A new thermos for the ski hill (hot lunches are the best!)

  • Any of the ideas in this gift guide from last year: A Ski Family's Holiday Gift Guide


Ski goggles make an excellent Christmas gift

Little Campers - Gift ideas for kids who love camping



I have lots of suggestions for you here:

  • A new headlamp (we're always losing ours!)

  • A new sleeping bag (kids grow, right?)

  • A slackline for car camping trips next summer

  • A hammock for next season's camping trips (kids LOVE playing around in hammocks!)

Shop all camping items above from All Out Kids Gear.

  • Down hut booties! (the best thing for winter hut trips) - my son has a pair of XS hut booties

  • A fun camping themed water bottle 

  • A fishing rod! (Something my son just discovered he enjoyed this summer while backpacking) 

A fishing rod is a great gift idea for active kids 

Active Kids - General gift ideas



Below are some random ideas I had for year round active play:

  • A new sled! (sleds get cracked, broken, etc. Then there's just the "it's a new sled!!!" factor

  • Fitivities, the board game that moves you - "Each individual or team competes against each other by completing the number of repetitions of a given exercise, which are determined by the spin of the arrow."

    "Fitivities is part board game, part workout, and all fun."

  • And check out these ideas for active toys from the Active for Life Gift Guide. 

Activity trackers make great holiday gifts for active kids


The Gift of Experience and Fun - Gift cards, ski discount cards, and more!



Want something that's less about collecting "stuff" and more about family bonding and fun adventure?

Gift cards for local indoor playgrounds, indoor bike parks and climbing gyms


Below are some of my top picks for the Calgary area:

B-Line Indoor Bike Park - Calgary's Biking Playground! Enjoy bike park and BMX style riding year round. There are levels of progression for all riders and you can rent everything you'll need (including bikes.)

Read more: B-Line Indoor Bike Park Review


Give the kids a gift card for B-Line Indoor Bike Park in Calgary

Calgary Climbing Centre - Take the kids to one of the Calgary Climbing Centre's Climb Parks for an hour of fun on creatively-themed climbing walls. There are two locations in the city and no experience is necessary thanks to the auto belay system that's used on every wall in these parks. Learn to climb and have fun doing it!

Read more: Rocky Mountain Climb Park Review

Read more: Hanger Climb Park Review

Give the kids a gift card to use at a Calgary Climbing Centre climb park



Ski Discount Cards, Tube Park Passes, or lift tickets for your local ski hill 


Below are a few suggestions here:

  • Ski discount cards make great Christmas gifts. Buy a Lake Louise Plus card for adult and teen members of your family and kids will get discounts every day they come with you.

    Read: 7 Days of Big Mountain Skiing for less than $400.00

  • Tube park passes make another great stocking stuffer. And the Servus Tube Park at WinSport's Canada Olympic Park is a lot of fun!! (It's one of the fastest tube parks in the area.)

  • Pick up some lift tickets and surprise the kids with a ski day at one of their favourite hills. Most hills have incentives for multi-day skiing or provide discounted pricing if you purchase lift passes online. 

Tube park passes make a great stocking stuffer gift


Check out my complete set of holiday gift guides




A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids 







Big Thanks to all sponsors of this year's holiday gift guide!

- All Out Kids Gear

- Altitude Sports

- B-Line Indoor Bike Park

- The Calgary Climbing Centre

- Trail Blazers

130 comments:

  1. Amazing ideas Tanya. Thanks for always giving us reasons to get the kids outside!!! No excuses!

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  2. Great job Tanya,
    Favorite hiking trail - why just one? Any trail that's not too crowded, has a variety of terrain and a destination sounds great to us.
    Fav. family winter activity - downhill skiing.
    Kids like biking...anywhere, no complaints yet
    Clothes/gear still needed... a balaclava and maybe ski poles, haven't checked them yet
    Kids have tried rock climbing outside and at a climb park - one definitely likes it, one kid thinks it's too much work though they both thought the climb park was fun.

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  3. Such a great gift Guide as always Tanya!

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  4. Fav. hike - black prince cirque
    Fav. winter activity - snowshoeing in the ravine
    Fav. bike trails - any around town and Peter Lougheed
    Gear still needed - cross country skis for my youngest
    Tried rock climbing - yes, both kids, they loved it and were great at it!
    Been to a climbing park - yes, I was amazed at the amount of walls for kids

    Thanks for the opportunity! Fingers crossed :)

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  5. Favourite family hiking trail - Grassi Lakes or Troll falls
    Kids love biking at COP!
    My boys love the climbing centres - looking to sign up for classes!

    Great post Tanya!

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  6. I got my kids (4 & 6 yo) into a couple of climbing classes at the MRU, but we've yet to hit a climbing park since. Thanks for the reviews and contests!

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  7. Thanks for all the great ideas! Still need a couple pairs of winter boots at our house. Our kids have tried climbing but I’m sure they’d love some lessons.

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  8. Fave hiking trail with the kids so far is troll falls! Perfect distance, terrain, areas to play in and of course the waterfall ! Our kiddos have never tried climbing and I’m sure would love to over the winter!

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  9. Favourite local hike - Juan de Fuca trail
    Winter gear needed - ski boots and paddling gloves
    Favourite winter activity - skiing

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  10. The Twitter account for Altitude Sports is wrong. The correct one is https://twitter.com/altitudesports_ :)

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  11. My family's favourite winter activity outside is cross country skiing.

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  12. Our favourite hike is Ptarmigan Cirque!

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  13. Our favourite hiking trail is troll falls.

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  14. Our favourite winter activity to do as a family is downhill skiing.

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  15. We like to bike at b-line and chestermere family bike park!

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  16. We love sledding in the winter!

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  17. We like biking on highway 66 in the spring.

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  18. We have never been rock climbing but something we would love to do.

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  19. We still need toques and wool socks.

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  20. Never been to the climb park before. I’m sure my kids would love it.

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  21. We like rock climbing, especially outdoors.

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  22. We haven't been to the climb parks yet.

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  23. What a fantastic list! I tend to think of things throughout the year and then totally forget when it comes time to pick up gifts.

    Favourite family hike - Last year we did Jumpingpound Summit and really enjoyed it.
    Favourite winter activity - Our youngest son discovered snowboarding last year, so this year I'm taking lessons too so we can enjoy it together.
    Favourite bike trails - we really miss Paskapoo Slopes! Our favourite rides have been in Nelson, BC. We've also really enjoyed taking the lift up to ride at Winsport
    Gear we still need this year - definitely some better base layers for the kids
    Have we tried climbing and what do we think - Yes! We've only done indoor climbing, but it's always been a good time. I'm looking forward to the day when my kids can belay for me!
    Have we visited a climb park before - We had our sons birthday party at the Hanger climb park a couple years ago, everyone loved it and a few friends have since had their party there too!

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  24. Favourite hiking trail - Troll Falls

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  25. Favourite winter activity - sledding

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  26. We haven't biked much other than around our home.

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  27. We still need base layers!

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  28. We tried rock climbing when my daughter was younger and she was not a fan. Maybe she would enjoy it now she is a little older.

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  29. Great giveaways to put under the tree!

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  30. We have yet to visit a climb park in Calgary.

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  31. We have yet to visit a climb park in Calgary.

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  32. Lots of great giveaways! We are bikers more than hikers and our current favourite trail would be the Valley of the Five in Jasper. We love to cross-country ski in the winter and both kids could could really use some good wool base layers. We also need a new pair of cross-country skis for one child. I really wish we lived closer to Calgary as the bike park and climbing gym passes would be awesome too!

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  33. Favorite hiking trail - The Hoodoos in Drumheller
    Favourite winter activity outside - skating

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  34. All Out Kids Gear Giveaway + Our favorite trail is at Exshaw, Alberta. It is at the far north east corner of the town. Although most trails out of town lead up the hill and seem to connect.

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  35. We love the Tiger Lily Loop at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park for a short, nearby outing!
    My kids are really starting to enjoy cross country skiing this winter, and I'm thinking we may need to get them their own gear!
    They like to climb - they do it at school - but we haven't tried a climb park yet!

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  36. Altitude Sports Giveaway = We love snow hiking with our dogs. Tobogganing is fun too

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  37. Trail Blazers Giveaway = As the children grow...what don't we need :)

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  38. Calgary Climbing Centre Giveaway (Hanger Location) - no we have not been to a climbing centre but are willing to try

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  39. Our favourite is hiking the Chief in Squamish!

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  40. Its mild here so we still like Geocaching!

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  41. I second the trails at Glenbow Ranch for some easily hiking (especially with a toddler in the winter). We love to cross-country ski in the winter (excited for some snow closer to Calgary so we can get out soon). Our little guy is just getting ready for his first biking adventures (so far he's been confined to the Chariot but he's been going to get his strider bike out of the garage so I think he's almost ready for his own wheels). We're always looking for new mittens - something that is going to be warm and stay on! We haven't taken the family to a climb park yet (and the little guy hasn't tried climbing yet - but I think he's going to like it) but this winter might be the perfect time to go.

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  42. Elbow Falls would be our favourite Family hiking Trail

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  43. So you are aware, the Twitter account you have linked to in your form isn't Altitude Sports... It is an individuals accounts... I do believe you want us to follow this profile: https://twitter.com/AltitudeSports_

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  44. Our favorite outdoor winter activity would be cross country skiing.. Growing up in a Norwegian family, it is just something you do.. it is in our blood.

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  45. My son loves rock climbing and actually just invested in his first harness!

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  46. Troll Falls was fun this summer !

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  47. Skiing and sledding , looking forward to more ice time this year to lace up the skates

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  48. need another set of baselayers!

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  49. haven't tried rock climbing yet, hope to do so when my son is older

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  50. our fave hike is Bruce Trail.

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  51. Our favourite hiking trail is Cape Split in Nova Scotia. Great for families and the end view is amazing (as long as you don't go on a foggy day!)

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  52. Our favourite winter activity...I guess it'd be skiing (downhill and xcountry), although we're hoping to get fat bikes this winter, and I can see that quickly becoming our favourite!

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  53. Our favorite hiking trail is in Pinery conservation area.

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  54. Our favourite family activity is to ski.

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  55. We love cross country skiing as a family. We live in the Northwest Territories and it only takes 5 Mins of walk with our skiis and chariot to toll our toddler to the skidoo and dog running trail where we can ski. It's great fun and exercise for us!!

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  56. CHIAO-LING Elaine Weng16 November 2018 at 19:22

    One of our favourite hiking trail is the Heather trail in EC Manning Park in BC.

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  57. We hike at Prince Albert National park on numerous trails.

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  58. Our favourite winter activity is skiing.

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  59. Our favourite family hiking trail is Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

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  60. Our favourite family hiking trail is a small conservation area near our home - Enniskillen

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  61. our favourite activity in winter is hiking and snowshoeing

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  62. We like the grassi lake trails near canmore

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  63. My kids love to go sledding in the winter.

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  64. My kids have done the rock climbing wall at places like cobb's adventure park/corn maze but nothing bigger than that before.

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  65. We have never visited an actual rock climbing park before but i think my boys would have a blast! Thanks for the chance.

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  66. Our favorite hiking trail is on our property in No9rth eastern Ontario.

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  67. Our favorite outdoor winter activity is ice skating. We build a rink in the backyard every year.

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  68. Our favorite outdoor activity in winter is snowshoeing

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  69. Our favorite trail is the Pine Point trail in MB

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  70. I like hiking the trails at Birds Hill Provincial Park. Thanks

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  71. We like going tobogganing and skating in the winter.

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  72. We loved hiking up Mount Robson together - beautiful views! Enjoy many local trails closer to home as well.

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  73. We like to build snow forts and snowmen in our yard!

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  74. My favourite trail is around Kathleen Lake in the Yukon. Such Great views!

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  75. My family loves to go skiing. This year, we are going to try snowmobiling. :)

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  76. Fav. hike - our go to are Fullerton Loop and Prairie Mountain. Love Grotto Canyon in the winter
    Fav. winter activity - Cross Country skiing
    Fav. bike trails - Fish Creek
    Gear still needed - Under layers for winter and cross country skis for my girls
    Tried rock climbing - Yes, been lots and they love it! They prefer real rock to gyms but love gyms too.
    Been to a climbing park - Yes, such a fun time!

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  77. Favourite hike - We enjoy troll falls.
    Favourite winter activity - skiing.
    Favourite bike trails - around our neighbourhood or fish creek park.
    Gear still needed - baselayers, kids keep outgrowing theirs.
    Tried rock climbing - we love rick climbing!
    Been to a climbing park - so much fun

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  78. Great gift guide! I'd petsonally like everything on the list!!! :) And I love the smiles in the fishing picture.

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    1. all credit to you for the smiles in the fishing picture. And all credit to you that there's a photo of a fish on my blog!!!

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  79. Fav hike = Ribbon lake to Galatea lake
    Fav winter activity = sliding on snow
    Fav family bike trail = Teen Spirit in Fairmont (you were right!)
    Gear needed = base layers, new ski helmets
    Tried rock climbing, both kids love it--one says it's her favorite summer activity
    Been to several climb parks--good times!

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  80. Love, love your Xmas guide! So many great outdoor related ideas for the whole family! Thanks for putting this together and for the opportunity at some fantastic giveaways!

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  81. Fav. hike - ptarmigan cirque
    Fav. winter activity - cross country skiing
    Fav. bike trails - Napika Mountain resort
    Gear still needed - pedal bike ski goggles for my youngest
    Tried rock climbing - yes
    Been to a climbing park - yes, but my oldesFav. hike - black prince cirque
    Fav. winter activity - snowshoeing in the ravine
    Fav. bike trails - any around town and Peter Lougheed
    Gear still needed - cross country skis for my youngest
    Tried rock climbing - yes for mama only.
    Been to a climbing park - yes, but my oldest didn’t take to it the first time so want to try again!

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  82. So far, our favourite hiking trail with our 5 year old has been Ptarmigan Cirque.

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  83. We could not pick a favourite outdoor activity in the winter - we love them all! Skiing, skating, sledding, trail walks - winter is awesome!

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  84. Our 5 year old progressed to single track riding this summer and loved Fish Creek Park

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  85. For winter gear - our daughter needs cross country skis and boots.

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  86. We have absolutely loved living calgary and have grown a deep love for the local Rocky Mountains. We love skiing hiking camping and entering into the hiking world. Our three little ones have learned with us creating an amazing family bond we are pumped to grow in.

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  87. A favorite hiking trail is tough to choose! I think we love Troll falls for the quick reward. We really like Hector Lake and camping out there.

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  88. Fave hike - Larch Valley
    Fave winter activity - downhill skiing
    Fave bike trail - Fish Creek
    Gear still needed - cross country skis for both kids
    Tried rock climbing - yes, they loved it and want to go again!
    Been to a climbing park - yes... they especially loved the kids area and jumping off

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  89. MY kids are still in need of a one winter jacket, mitts for skiing and larger buffs for their ever growing little selves.

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  90. Love the mixture of ideas, will definitely be using the idea of an item with an activity this holiday. Thanks for sharing!

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  91. Lake Louise Tea House is our favourite hiking trail.

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  92. My son needs skates and my daughter still wants new cross-country ski boots

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  93. Our favourite outdoor activity in the winter is cross-country skiing.

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  94. My daughter was at the climbing centre earlier this week on a school trip and she loved it and wants to go back

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  95. Chester Lake is our favorite hike.

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  96. Our family loves x country sking

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  97. Might need to get new ski boots as my son's feet kept growing.

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  98. Such an awesome read! We are still not a very outdoorsy family but the kids would be all over the biking and climbing activities. I entered those giveaways :) Thanks!

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  99. Grassi Lakes in Canmore, Alberta

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  100. We love cross country skiing in the winter.

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  101. My son needs a new hockey stick as he has grown to tall for his.

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  102. My kids have never tried but both want to try it.

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  103. Our favourite hiking trail is Grotto Canyon in the winter, spike up, sled down!

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  104. Our favourite winter activity is hiking up icy trails then sledding down!

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  105. Our kids still need new ski gear for the year as they outgrew last year's!

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  106. My kids have tried rock climbing and they LOVE it!

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  107. I first went to the Climbing Centre two weekends ago, the kids and I loved it! My arms were sore for days though, lol

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  108. Fave family hiking trail: the local ones in MA we can get to most often!

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  109. Fave family winter activity: cross country skiing so far - hoping to get the little one into downhill this winter!

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  110. My kids love biking around the neighbourhood. We’ve tried a couple local outdoor bike parks - they are tentative but starting to get braver!

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  111. The kids love the climbing - my injuries don’t allow me to do it anymore! It was fun back in the day!

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  112. The kids love sledding - they can do it for hours - and on their own! Win-win!

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  113. We love the trails in K-country! Nearby and beautiful scenery!

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  114. our fav hiking trail is Taylor Creek because its close to home and goes clear across the city of Toronto east to west and you are still in a natural area

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  115. My son needs a larger size of snow pants this winter season.

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  116. Grassi Lakes Trail is our family's favorite place to hike. It's gorgeous!

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  117. Our favorite winter activity is sledding! So many laughs & a great workout, too!

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  118. We love the hoodoos trails near Fairmont

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  119. Our favorite winter activity is tobogganing

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  120. We love to go ice skating outside

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