Today is Blue Monday, aka the ‘saddest day of the year’, which is often attributed to the post-Christmas lulls, stretched finances following the holidays, broken New Year’s resolutions and yet another day of limited daylight.
But don’t fret - we have compiled a list of 10 activities happening in Edson and area this month to help you beat the winter blues!
1. Lace up your skates and hit the rink!
Now that the weather has warmed up slightly, it is the perfect time to go skating! Fortunately, there are tons of skating options in Edson and area.
If you are interested in indoor skating, visit the Edson & District Leisure Centre! The rink is open for public skating from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Monday-Friday, with additional hours on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. It is also open on Sundays from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm.
But if you are looking to go skating outdoors, there are some great rinks available in Edson, including the Griffiths Park rink (5412-6th Ave), the Westhaven neighbourhood rink (5901-10th Ave) and the Tiffin neighbourhood rink (1408-55th). The Town of Edson is also beginning work on the Squirrely Whirly Skating Loop at Water Tower Park, so keep your eyes open for upcoming details!
Yellowhead County also has a variety of outdoor rinks available, including the Peers rink (5114-51st St., Peers, AB), the Wildwood rink (5530-50th St., Wildwood, AB), the Niton rink (located at Niton Central School, behind the bottle depot) and the Robb rink (located on 52nd Ave, Robb, AB).
One great outdoor skating option is the Bear Lake Skating loop, which takes you on a refreshing journey through a snowy forest.
2. Join the Winter Walking Group
A great way to beat the winter blues is to engage with others, and what a better way to do so than to join the Winter Walking Group! The group meets weekly on Tuesdays for a guided walk through Edson’s beautiful trail system, with frequent visits to Willmore Park. Locations are TBA each week, so make sure you follow the group for updates.
3. Go snowshoeing
It is extremely important to stay active during the winter to boost your serotonin. One way you can do so in Edson and area is by snowshoeing! There are many options for snowshoeing in the area, including Willmore Park, the McLeod River and Bear Lake Campground, to name a few.
No snowshoes? No problem! The Town of Edson and Yellowhead County offer low-cost, weekly snowshoe rentals.
4. Practice some yoga
Another great way to stay active this month is to practice yoga!
Uptown Yoga and New Elevations Yoga offer many fun and unique classes, such as yoga by candlelight, Sip & Flow yoga, aerial yoga and more.
This month, Yellowhead County is also offering a four-week mini yoga session in Peers and a six-week session in Marlboro (CANCELLED) on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm.
5. Enjoy some laughs at the Legion Comedy Night
On January 28, the Edson Legion will be hosting a dinner and Comedy Night, featuring Alberta comedians Cory Harding and Daryl Makk! Tickets are available for purchase at the Edson Legion, the Popped Cork and the Golden Gains Gym, with all proceeds benefiting the Edson Food Bank.
6. Join a pop-up dance class
Put on your dancing shoes a join local dance instructor Amy Wesolowsky of Edson Dance Academy for some