After my first ever time skiing on Marmot Basin, I had another first this weekend: skating outdoors at the Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta.
A Shinny Game on Lake Mildred at the Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, Canada.
Vancouver doesn’t get cold enough for lakes to freeze over, so I’ve only ever skated indoors (and at the manmade rink at Robson Square downtown).
I picked up my rental skates at the golf shop on the lower level of the lodge and a 5-minute walk took me to Lake Mildred. A large “track” was cleared of snow and inside were two areas to play shinny. Kids with hockey sticks, parents encouraging them on and couples holding hands were all taking advantage of the gorgeous afternoon of sunshine and a 0 degree temperature.
I got out there as fast as I could and took a few gentle strides. Then I was off. There’s nothing like the sound of skates slicing into the ice and the feeling of fresh mountain air circulating to your lungs.
I passed a dad cheering on his young daughter as she tried to skate. When I passed them, the girl looked up at me and I gave her encouragement. I heard her dad say, “See, look at her.” That was my contribution to supporting girls’ skating 
Playing Ringette on Lake Mildred in Jasper National Park, Alberta (Canada).
The highlight of my outing, though, happened as I was unlacing my skates afterwards. I looked over and saw a little girl with a full helmet on, trying to boot it on the ice. The stick she was carrying was not a hockey stick, though, but a ringette stick! I grew up playing ringette.
When the leagues changed and girls were allowed to play hockey over 10 years ago, a lot of them went over to hockey. So it was a nostalgic moment to see a ring and stick and this little girl practicing.
Then her dad came out with his wife and another one of their daughters, also in a full helmet and ringette stick. They skated around the lake practicing their passing and I felt nostalgic and warm inside. Vive la ringette!
What I Liked:
- Getting out for a skate on an outdoor lake is a prerequisite to being Canadian, so I’m glad I was finally able to do it.
- I was told afterwards from a few staff at the Jasper Park Lodge that they had never seen people playing ringette out there before, so I think I got lucky that the family decided to practice when I was there.
Copyright 2010 Lori Henry
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