ANNOUNCING THE RETURN OF TRAILS FEST!
After a 3-year hiatus, Trails Fest is returning with an important theme:
Trails Fest – Plan Better
There has been an explosion of outdoor recreation in Kananaskis Country in the last several years. Many folks getting out to hike, kayak, mountain bike, scramble, trail run, paddleboard, river surf, bikepack or backpack are new to these activities, or new to doing them in our area. This event will enable folks of all experience levels to learn from outdoor recreation professionals and experts.
The festival will focus on planning your adventures, considering what to know, what to carry, what to wear and even what to eat to make sure your day is fabulous. No matter how you recreate in the wilderness, you’ll get something out of this day!
When and where
Trails Fest – Plan Better will take place at Kovach Pond day use area. Kovach is just off Highway 40, right across the road from both the Troll Falls and Ribbon Creek trailheads, and very close to Kananaskis Village. It’s circled in yellow on the map to the right.
The event will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2022, and be open to the public from 10:30 AM to 3 PM. The event is FREE and no advance attendance registration is required! Free hot dogs and pop, too, while supplies last!
What exhibitors will be there?
Here are just some of the experts you’ll be able to learn from:
- Kananaskis Public Safety staff;
- Conservation Officers/Fish and Wildlife Officers;
- Kananaskis Emergency Services Dispatch and Fire staff;
- Bow Valley WildSmart, and the Wildlife Ambassadors;
- Guides from the Interpretive Guiding Association, including Canmore Trails and Tales;
- Expert retailers like RunUphill/SkiUphill and Kananaskis Outfitters;
- CAMBA (the Canmore Area Mountain Bike Alliance);
- Alberta Parks Interpretation staff;
- Alberta Parks Recreation and Resource Officers;
- Alberta Parks Ecology staff;
- Alberta Parks Trail Crews;
- Foothills Search and Rescue;
- Noted Kananaskis hiking guidebook authors Gillean & Tony Daffern;
- Noted scrambling guidebook authors Alan Kane and Andrew Nugara;
- Author of “A Hiker’s Guide to Scrambling Safely”, Tom Morin;
- Approach Nutrition;
- And many more!
Topics Covered
Here are just SOME of the topics that will be covered:
- Predicting hiking times
- A comparison of satellite communications devices
- Watercraft and water safety
- Bike maintenance and emergency repair kits
- Proper outdoor clothing, including footwear considerations
- The 10 essentials
- From garbage bags to tarps: how to improvise an emergency shelter
- Bear spray practice
- Regular First Aid vs Wilderness First Aid, & first aid kits
- What wildlife research tells us
- How rescues happen, and what we can learn from them
- How what you eat influences your wilderness safety
- The differences between hiking and scrambling, and why it matters
- Where to get great information to prepare your adventure
- How to practice situational awareness while on your adventure
- Guidebooks vs Apps
- and a whole lot more!
Watch this page!
As we get closer to the event, we’ll post updates here of other exhibitors, day activities such as guided walks, and the day schedule itself. Keep checking back for the latest information!
Scheduled Events During the Day
Sign ups for capacity limited events will take place on the day at the information booth.
10:45: Public Safety/CO team Talk on Learnings from Rescues (may move to a different time in the day depending on Public Safety availability)
11:00: Ecology walk 1 (30 min, max 20 people). Bear spray practice. Using guidebooks and apps.
11:45 Bear experience walk 1 (max 15 people)
12:30: Ecology walk 2 (30 min, max 20 people). Bear spray practice
1:15 Bear experience walk 2 (max 15 people)
1:30: Ecology walk 3 (30 min, max 20 people). Using guidebooks and apps.
1:45: Bear spray practice
2:30: Bear experience walk 2 (max 15 people)
3:00: Event closes to public.