Another summer is upon us and the trails are finally dry at the Eastlands area of Canada Olympic Park.  It seems like everyday there are more people on the trails enjoying the long days.  I have also started to see a lot of #savetheslopes signs springing up in Cougar Ridge as well.  Don't forget to check out www.savetheslopes.org and sign the petition to keep the Eastlands area the way it is now vs the retail and housing development that is proposed.

With the leaves green and the trails dry it is a great time to be biking, hiking or walking your dog in the Paskapoo Slopes area.  We moved to Cougar Ridge so that we could be closer to this area.  The trails that are available are so easily accessed in Cougar Ridge that it really adds value to the community.   Where else can you pop your garage and ride your bike to a lift-accessed downhill mountain bike park?  Typically we jump on the trails where 85st meets the ski jump and then head northeast in the direction of the intersection of Sarcee and Highway 1.  The difference in trails from the top of the hill to the benchlands provides a good variety of riding and running.  The upper slopes are wooded and feel enclosed while in the benchlands the trails are more open and prairie esq.

Not only do you have access to Paskapoo slopes from Cougar Ridge but in 19 June Canada Olympic park will be open for mountain biking.  Featuring the only lift accessed downhill mountain biking inAlberta; having this nearby is amazing.  The trails are designed with some of the trail builders from Whistler and are really fun to ride.  We tried to go ride them the other day but there are enough closure signs and obstacles that it makes it nearly impossible to ride and hardly worth it.  We just can't wait until 19 June.  The skills park is another great venue at Calgary Olympic Park.

We purchased seasons passes this year for COP and are excited to go mini-golf.  With a seasons pass the mini-golfing is free.   Fun!  We will probably check that out a few times, way better than watching tv.

If the Paskapoo Slopes area is starting to get a bit repetitive for you try checking out Edworthy Park.  It has a great off the leash dog park where we often take Trango to play with other dogs.  The park is great and there are lots of good trails lower down closer to the river as well.  With some fun single track trails and great hills for training we often head down to Edworthy once a week in the summer.

Cougar Ridge is one of the best communities in Calgary for outdoors activities.  The cross-country biking, downhill biking and trail-running are great.  I look forward to seeing you out on the trails!