Best places to escape the Edmonton winter blues

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If Old Man Winter has got you feeling down, take solace in the fact that there is tons of fun stuff to do inside and outside. These Edmonton attractions and winter festivals will immediately perk you up.

Edmonton Paintball Centre

1
10010 107A Ave NW, Edmonton AB T5H 4H8

Paintball isn't just a summer sport; thanks to this indoor paintball centre, you can run around, spraying paint bullets at your pals year-round. It's the largest indoor paintball facility in Alberta, and is located close to downtown. You can book for a whole group of friends, or stop by for a drop-in session (and make some new friends!) It's a great way to stay active in the winter, and it's so much fun, you won't even realize you're getting in some exercise.

World Waterpark

2
8882 170 St NW, Edmonton AB T5T 4M2

Rising prices means the World Waterpark is no longer quite “$20 Mexico,” but the waterpark remains a place where one can go to put away the parka, soak in the sun shining through the glass dome ceiling, swim in calm blue water and forget that it is freezing outside. If you go on a weekday, you’re practically guaranteed a beach chair. Plus, it’s licensed. All that’s missing is the sand.

Laser City

3
5104 67 Ave NW, Edmonton AB T6B 3N9

Laser tag isn't just for kids; anyone ages six and up can play this fun game. It's a fantastic group activity, but you can also do drop-in sessions solo. If the thought of getting off your couch this winter isn't very appealing, laser tag is a way to combine fun with exercise. Plus, all that running around inside will keep you warm! At only $8.50 a person, it's a pretty cheap way to spend an afternoon or evening while you wait for spring to arrive.

Ice On Whyte Festival Society

4
10447 86 Ave Nw, Edmonton AB T6E 2M4

Edmonton has tried to put a positive spin on our miserable winters by declaring us a winter festival city and providing us with actual activities to do in winter (complaining how cold it is does not count as an activity, apparently). The Ice on Whyte Festival will make you forget your numb toes, with its week-long celebration of everything that makes winter stunning: ice carving contests, skating, music and dancing in the snow.

Silver Skate Festival Society

5
10212 112 St NW, Edmonton AB T5K 1M4

This festival usually takes place soon after the Ice on Whyte Festival, extending the wintery fun. The festival centres on competition: fire sculpting, snow sculpting, marathons, triathlons, speed skating and snow shoeing. While some of the events are for athletes, there are plenty of things for us regular folk to try out. It’s a great way to experience as many winter activities as possible, before the sun shines too bright and Frosty melts.

If you’ve ever worried about shampoo chemicals or wondered what happens to your highlighter foils, you’ve likely realized that hair maintenance is tough on the environment. Many salons are dedicated to environmentally friendly, sustainable practices, such as recycling and using ammonia-free hair dyes. These hair studios make being eco-friendly chic and easy.
Threading, which originated in Asia, is all the rage in countries all over the world now. The technique, which involves using a looped thread to twist and yank a row of hairs from the follicle, is popular for the precise results it offers. Plus, threading works really well on people with sensitive skin, such as those on Retin A or Accutane. These Edmonton spas offer threading for eyebrows and more.
When the weather outside isn’t cooperating but your kids have too much energy to stay cooped up inside the house, the ideal solution can be an indoor entertainment space.Children get to play with new toys, have adventures and meet new friends, while adults sip on coffee and treats, never far away from the action. These indoor play areas offer something for everyone. [Image credit: iStock.com/vitapix]
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