Snowshoe and Stargaze

Come take part in two unique experiences at Elk Island National Park: snowshoeing and stargazing! A short guided snowshoe hike around the shore of Astotin Lake takes you atop the snow like a snowshoe hare while stars twinkle overhead. As you march along, the welcoming crackle of a campfire eclipses the soft sounds of nature surrounding you. With a park interpreter and the Big Dipper as your guide, gaze up into a sky full of stars and learn to navigate the night sky of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Without the glow of city lights you’ll see more than you knew existed!

When, where and how to register:

Dates: Saturdays – January, February 2021Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pmLocation: Astotin Day Use areaCost: $29.80 per person, plus valid park passCall 780-992-2965 or email pc.interp.elkisland.pc@canada.ca; beginning November 15 Registration is required, max of 20 participants. Registrations are managed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact us on one of those days, send an email, or leave a message and we will get back to you on the next booking dayThese events sell quickly! They're such an affordable way to get out an experience something new at the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, and are an incredibly kid-friendly way to explore the night sky. Interpreters are on hand to enthusiastically answer any of the questions that our kids have had through the experience, and you'll stay warm by campfire.TIP: Find more inspiration for exploring Alberta, here.Here's what you should know before you go: 

• There is no age limit mentioned in this year's event, but we suggest kids 6+ with an interest in the night sky to ensure that they're going to be engaged enough
• Bring a thermos of hot cocoa with you to enjoy and keep warm, as well as dressing in layers, bringing chairs and blankets, to keep everyone comfortable while you view the night sky
• Download the Night Sky app, where you can engage kids and they can learn more on the way home about the constellations in the night sky that they just had the chance to view.
• It's a late night, so consider dressing younger children in pyjamas, so they can sleep on the way home from Elk Island National Park, and you can easily transfer them into bed at the end of the night.

Learn more at www.pc.gc.ca.