Designing a winter that welcomes everyone
As Chinook Blast heads into its final weekend, festival‑goers may notice something new: practical, people‑first features designed to make winter fun more accessible to everyone – even as Calgary enjoys an unseasonably warm stretch that feels more like spring than February.
A festival built for everyone
Now in its sixth year, Chinook Blast brings Eau Claire Plaza and Princes Island Park Lagoon to life with art, music and winter experiences. For many Calgarians, the festival has become a bright spot in the season, and this year it’s even easier to enjoy. A calm Chill Out Zone, easy‑to‑ride Ice Bikes and on‑site All‑Terrain Wheelchairs are helping more people take part in the way that works best for them, whether they’re locals embracing the season, newcomers getting to know the city or families planning their long weekend outing.
These features are supported by The City of Calgary’s Winter City Strategy, which aims to reduce social isolation and improve access to outdoor activities and cultural experiences during the typically colder months. Even in this unusually warm stretch, the Strategy’s goal remains the same: creating opportunities for people to get outside, connect and enjoy winter – whatever form it decides to take.
“Winter can feel long for many people – we want to make it easier to step outside and feel part of something,” says Mary Quinlan, Project Manager with Arts & Culture at The City of Calgary. “When people can move through the festival comfortably and enjoy it on their own terms, you can see what the Winter City Strategy is meant to do. Small changes create real moments of connection.”
What’s new
Chill Out Zone – A quiet, low‑stimulus space where people can reset, warm up or take a breather. The tent is wheelchair accessible and has already become a welcome stop for families, sensory‑sensitive visitors and anyone who needs a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the festival.
Ice Bikes (Prince’s Island Park Lagoon) – With skates and a wide base, Ice Bikes offer a way to enjoy the ice without needing skating experience. They are designed for a range of ages and have been constant conversation starters on the lagoon. With warmer‑than‑usual weather, availability may vary. Please check chinookblast.ca for updates and calgary.ca/rinks for ice status.
All‑Terrain Wheelchairs (Eau Claire Plaza pathways) – These adaptive wheelchairs allow people who benefit from the use of a mobility device to safely explore snowy or uneven pathways around the festival. Check out The City’s new Winter All-Terrain Wheelchair pilot project, which is providing the chairs available at the festival and can also be booked for use at select parks.
“The Chill Out Zone shows how low-stimulation spaces can support cultural participation by giving people a place to pause, decompress and choose how and when to re-engage with the festival,” says Michelle Brandenburg, Director of Relationships at Inside Out Theatre and facilitators of the Chill Out Zone. “While it was developed with neurodivergent audiences in mind, it’s been embraced by families, seniors and anyone needing a break from noise, crowds and sensory intensity – reinforcing that when access is built in, cultural experiences become more welcoming for everyone.”
More than a strategy
The Winter City Strategy is not just a policy document. It’s a lens used by The City and its partners to design winter experiences that feel welcoming to more people. At Chinook Blast, that work includes providing these new features at no cost to the festival and attendees. Placing these options in a busy, central space gives thousands of visitors the chance to see, experience and learn about them.
Celebrate the season this long weekend
Chinook Blast was created to bring people downtown and energize Calgary’s winter economy – a goal that continues to shine through its installations, performances and community partnerships. That spirit continues into the final weekend, which also includes The GOOD Games – Winter Edition at the BMO Centre, a celebration of inclusivity in sport that adds an extra spark of movement and connection.
Discover what makes winter in Calgary vibrant, active and full of possibilities. Learn more at calgary.ca/lovewinter.
-30-