Albertans celebrate “World Snow Day” at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Over 200 Albertans packed their skis and braved the cold on Sunday afternoon to celebrate “World Snow Day” in Strathcona.

Sunday, Jan. 21 marked the seventh “World Snow Day,” an annual festival held by the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS). The Strathcona Wilderness Centre was home to one of 523 events around the world and featured cross-country skiing, an array of artifacts and tasty treats for Alberta families.

“It’s bringing together the people who come to ski for the love of the outdoors, and the people who care for our environment,” says Strathcona Wilderness Centre supervisor Jean Funk.

With the activities, FIS hopes to educate children and their families about winter ecology and wildlife in Alberta.

Professional biologists from Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Nature Alberta and the Beaver Hills Initiative were on-hand to help deliver their message.

“[We] want people to understand the animals that live here and what we can do to ensure we have winter-safe and healthy environments,” adds Funk.

To wrap-up the event, the festival’s most-anticipated appearance featured “Colonel the Owl.” Colonel gave Albertans a first-hand look at how wildlife is affected as a result of Albertans’ actions. Colonel has health issues, including blindness in his left eye, that were caused by inhabiting in a harmful, emission filled environment.

It was the first time the Strathcona Wilderness Centre held the event. Its management group intends to host the festival next year in January.

Previous events in the capital region were held at the Snow Valley Ski Club in Edmonton.

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