The Best Kiteboarding Spots in Edmonton (Beginner & Intermediate Included)
As much as I love being in Edmonton, sometimes, I crave an adventure that gets my heart pumping. Usually, this means hiking in urban parks, but lately, I’ve found a new obsession: kiteboarding.
Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing) is a sport that uses a large power kite to propel a rider across a surface. I prefer kiteboarding on land and snow, but water and sand are also popular options.
Kiteboarding is an underrated activity in Edmonton, but I have found these fantastic places just outside the city where you can kiteboard or learn how to do it.
KITEhouse Kitesurfing and Wing Foiling Gear
– From: karolinawinkowska
Address: 301 Saskatchewan Ave #204, Spruce Grove
Distance from EDM: Around 35 minutes
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +15877411818
KITEhouse is where I—and many other enthusiasts—got to learn all about kiteboarding. It also helps that this shop-slash-kiteboarding-school is located in Spruce Grove, which is only around 35 minutes away from Edmonton.
What I love about this school is that they have various class packages. You can book a single lesson if you’re not sure about committing to a full course, and that lesson already teaches you the basics, including kite control and piloting skills.
If you want to go all the way, you can book the full private course, which comes with eight hours of lessons. The curriculum you’ll be following is approved by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO).
You can have your classes either in the winter or spring/summer, though I prefer taking them in the winter first. For me, kiteboarding on the snow is a lot easier and more manageable than doing it on a body of water.
The instructor, Allan, is also wonderful. He teaches all throughout Alberta, and you can tell that he’s passionate about what he does. He’s a big reason why I’m still kiteboarding for fun to this day. His energy is just so infectious!
| Pro Tip: For more fun, you can book the Semi-Private Discovery or Full Course. This lets you learn how to kiteboard with a friend. |
Cooking Lake
– From: evgriffy
Address: 52365 Range Rd 210, Sherwood Park
Distance from EDM: Around 40 minutes
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of kiteboarding, it’s time to do it by yourself whenever you want. One spot that’s very popular among kiteboarding enthusiasts is Cooking Lake, which is around 40 minutes away from Edmonton.
The great thing about Cooking Lake is that it has two kiteboarding-worthy locations. The first is Bayshore, which is perfect for snow kiteboarding in the winter.
The wind here comes from the southeast, and the water’s surface is shallow and flat, making this spot perfect for beginners.
The other location is Lakeview, which is also accessible for beginners. Despite it being on the water, you don’t have to depend on the tide to properly kiteboard. The wind used to propel the kites here comes from the northwest.
| Pro Tip: In my opinion, the best time to come here is around December to February because I prefer the snowy conditions. If you prefer kiteboarding on the water, I recommend coming here in the spring (April and May). |
Pigeon Lake
– From: jessmomo99
Address: 15072 Township Rd 470, County Of Wetaskiwin
Distance from EDM: Around 1 hour and 20 minutes
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +17805862644
Another great spot for kiteboarding near Edmonton is Pigeon Lake, which is located in the County of Wetaskiwin. The lake’s waters are pretty flat and shallow, and the tide remains even throughout.
I also really like that there’s a launching or landing area here, and it’s pretty sizable, too (many other lakes either don’t have a launching or landing dock, or if there is, it’s pretty small). Because of all this, I’m not surprised that Pigeon Lake attracts many beginners.
Want to take a break from kiteboarding? Head to the sandy beach or the open grassy area and enjoy a spontaneous picnic session. I like to do this myself.
| Pro Tip: The recommended size for the kites here is around 15 to 16 square meters. |
Lesser Slave Lake
– From: jodiswarephotography
Distance from EDM: Around 3 hours
Contact Number: +17808492111
Lesser Slave Lake is pretty far, but if you’re looking for a kiteboarding spot that poses a challenge, this is a good bet. In fact, I only recommend this place for intermediate and experienced kiteboarders because it’s filled with hazards.
Firstly, the place is quite rocky, and I’ve heard enough stories about people getting their lines snagged, causing a rip in their kites. This can cause a crash, potentially leading to a serious injury.
The launching or landing area is also pretty small, and beginners might have a hard time with that. Even intermediate and experienced kiteboarders won’t attempt to launch by themselves; they have to ask for assistance from others because it’s pretty tricky.
Because of all these downsides, Lesser Slave Lake is not as popular a kiteboarding spot, but that’s exactly why some people love it. They like that they get the whole place to themselves.
| Pro Tip: For me, the best time to come here is between May and September. That’s when the eastern and western winds are at their strongest. |