WinSport Today: Everything You Can Do at Canada Olympic Park

In February 1988, Canada Olympic Park was the epicenter of winter sports competition in Calgary. Ski jumping, freestyle skiing, bobsled, and luge events took place here. The park was built as an Olympic venue, and 38 years later, it's more relevant than ever. Now called WinSport, Canada Olympic Park has become Calgary's year-round sports and recreation destination.

The Park That Started It All

Canada Olympic Park was built from scratch in preparation for the 1988 Games. The park sits on 90 acres of land northwest of downtown Calgary, on natural topography that made it ideal for alpine sports. The park features natural and artificial hills, a bobsled/luge track, ski slopes, and facilities designed for elite athlete training.

During the 1988 Olympics, the world watched as athletes competed on these hills. Eddie the Eagle jumped here. The Jamaican bobsled team made their historic run on this track. Speed skiers raced down these slopes. The park was sacred ground for 16 days in February.

What's remarkable is that instead of becoming a museum after the Games, WinSport evolved into one of Canada's most active winter sports facilities and summer recreation destinations.

Winter: Skiing and Snowboarding

From November through March, WinSport operates four skiable slopes with a vertical drop of 165 meters. The park offers terrain for all skill levels: gentle bunny slopes for beginners and families, intermediate runs with natural features, and challenging terrain for experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Night skiing is available under lights, which makes WinSport perfect for weeknight visits after work or school. The park is only 20 minutes from downtown Calgary, making it one of the closest ski destinations in the Canadian Rockies region. Equipment rental is available on-site, so families can show up without owning skis.

The ski school at WinSport works with kids and adults at every level. Many Calgary children take their first lessons here—learning to ski at an Olympic park has a magic to it, even if they don't realize the significance at age five.

Summer: Mountain Biking, Zip Lines, and More

In summer, WinSport transforms into a mountain biking destination. The park maintains miles of trails ranging from gentle cross-country style routes to technical downhill terrain that appeals to serious mountain bikers. The elevation and natural terrain make it ideal for riders wanting a high-altitude experience without traveling to Whistler or Banff.

The Skyline Luge is a summer-only activity at WinSport. Riders pilot individual luge sleds down a .8-mile bobsled and luge track—the actual track used during the 1988 Olympics. It's exhilarating and accessible: you don't need experience, just a willingness to go fast.

WinSport also operates a zip line course through the park's terrain. Multiple lines let visitors experience the park from above, zipping over ski slopes and through forested areas. It's perfect for team-building events, families, or anyone looking for an adrenaline rush.

The park's chairlifts run year-round, offering scenic rides that let you enjoy panoramic views of Calgary and the Rocky Mountains beyond. Summer chairlift rides are popular with hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants an easy way to enjoy the park's higher elevation without physically ascending.

Summer Camps and Youth Programs

WinSport runs sports camps throughout the summer for children and teens. Programs include skiing in winter and spring camps, and in summer, mountain biking, zip lining, and multi-sport camps. Many camps focus on developing specific skills—jump training for skiers, techniques for mountain bikers, or general athletic development.

These camps operate on the legacy of the 1988 Olympics. The instructors are passionate about teaching the next generation of Calgarians to love winter sports and outdoor recreation. Kids who learn here might go on to compete at higher levels, but many just discover a lifelong passion for being active in the mountains.

The Bobsled and Luge Track

One of WinSport's most unique offerings is the bobsled experience. On select dates, the park allows visitors to ride in a bobsled piloted by experienced drivers on the actual track where the 1988 Games took place. It's a thrilling, terrifying, and genuinely unforgettable experience. The G-forces are real. The speed is incredible. And you're traveling on Olympic ice.

This is the only bobsled track in Canada available for public rides, making WinSport a destination for people who want to experience elite sports from a participant's perspective.

Year-Round Facility and Events

WinSport also hosts events, competitions, and training for elite athletes. Canadian national teams still use the facilities for preparation and training. International competitions bring athletes from around the world. The park that hosted the Olympics continues to host some of the world's best winter sports athletes.

For non-athletes, WinSport is a place to be active, to enjoy the landscape, and to experience an Olympic venue not as a tourist, but as a participant. You're not visiting the Olympics—you're using an Olympic facility to do something you love.

Planning Your Visit

WinSport is located at 2500 Olympic Way SW in Calgary. It's accessible by car (about 20 minutes from downtown) or by public transit. The park operates seasonally for skiing (winter) and year-round for summer activities. Package deals are available, and beginner packages make it affordable to try skiing or biking without owning equipment.

Whether you're a serious athlete, a casual recreational enthusiast, or a family looking for something to do on a weekend, WinSport offers something. That's the true Olympic legacy: a facility built for the world's best athletes that somehow remained accessible to everyone in Calgary. Come experience it.