Frozen Thunder is open in Canmore

By Mike Muha — October 21, 2026 2:01am

Share this article

Trail News

Trails

Looking for an early start to ski season? Head to Canmore, Alberta! The Canmore Nordic Centre has opened Frozen Thunder, an early-season ski trail made with snow saved from the previous winter.

Frozen Thunder gives cross-country and biathlon athletes a chance to train and compete before the regular ski season begins. Recreational skiing is also available for intermediate and advanced skiers.

How Frozen Thunder Works

Snow made during the previous winter is stored through the summer in a protected area and covered with sawdust to keep it insulated. In the fall, the snow is uncovered, moved to the trails, and spread out to create the Frozen Thunder track.

The total track length for 2026 has not yet been confirmed. In recent years, the trail has been about 4 km long, with additional snow laid down for biathlon range users.

The track has two loops:

  • High-Performance Loop: Primarily for competitive athletes training at higher speeds and intensity.

  • Recreation Loop: For intermediate and advanced recreational skiers.

This setup gives competitive athletes the training conditions they need while leaving recreational skiers with a dedicated place to ski. Frozen Thunder is not suitable for beginners.

Frozen Thunder is open from October 17 to November 14 in 2026. Opening and closing dates vary from year to year.

2026 Access Rules and Fees

There are some important changes to the access rules this year. Make sure you have the right pass and bib before heading out.

What you need to ski

  • From 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: You must have a Frozen Thunder Season Pass or day ticket, plus a Frozen Thunder bib.

  • From 8:00 a.m. to noon: Morning access is primarily intended for high-performance athletes. A morning bib is required.

  • After noon: Anyone skiing must have an Afternoon Event Bib or Day Bib.

  • After 5:00 p.m.: There is no trail access fee, but you still need an Afternoon Event Bib or Day Bib to use the track.

A morning bib holder can continue skiing in the afternoon, but morning access is restricted to skiers with a morning bib.

Where to buy passes and bibs

Events held before January 31 must also pay a Snow Enhancement Fee to help cover the cost of producing and maintaining the snow.

Important: Anyone caught skiing without the required passes or bib will be asked to leave.

For more information about the volunteer society and the bib system, visit the Frozen Thunder website.

Frozen Thunder Code of Conduct

To keep the track safe and make room for everyone, please follow these rules:

  • Give faster skiers room. The High-Performance Loop is used by competitive athletes training at high speeds. Slower skiers must yield to faster skiers and avoid interfering with their training.

  • Use the right loop. The High-Performance Loop is not recommended for recreational skiing. Intermediate and advanced recreational skiers should use the Recreation Loop.

  • No beginner skiing. Frozen Thunder is not suitable for beginners.

  • No child ski carriers or towed devices. Because of the track's width, these are not permitted.

  • Be aware of national team training. On certain days in November, the National Ski Team will use the High-Performance Loop for training and events. On those days, only invited or registered athletes may use that loop. The Recreation Loop will generally remain open to pass holders unless otherwise announced. Athletes may also use it to warm up and cool down, so stay alert.

  • Bring a headlamp for evening skiing. The track is not lit after 5:00 p.m. Ski cautiously and make sure you can see where you're going.

Evening skiing is free of trail access fees, but the required afternoon or day bib still applies.

Who Pays for Frozen Thunder?

Frozen Thunder is made possible through a partnership between the Canmore Nordic Centre Volunteer Society and the Canmore Nordic Centre, with support from four consortium partners:

  • Nordiq Canada

  • Biathlon Canada

  • Biathlon Alberta

  • Alberta World Cup Society

The Trail Enhancement Fee charged to participants in sanctioned races held from October 15 through January 31 also helps cover the cost of creating and maintaining the track. Without Frozen Thunder's stored snow, many of these early-season races would likely not be possible.

2026 Trail Map and More Information

The 2026 Frozen Thunder map will be posted once the High-Performance and Recreation loops have been confirmed.

For more information, contact the Canmore Nordic Centre Visitor Information Centre at 403-678-2400, or visit the Friends of the Canmore Nordic Centre Volunteer Society's Frozen Thunder website.