Christmastime in Banff, urban hiking downtown Calgary, backpack/hike/cross-country ski conditioning, hike Lake Minnewanka – the list of activities in November alone boggles the mind. The Calgary Outdoor Club (COC) is one active organization.

I discovered COC when I had the opportunity to interview one its members for the inaugural edition of Calgary Outdoors Magazine. At 85 years of age, Ed Keith isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and with his participation in many of the COC events, I can understand why!

Members are notified via brief emails of upcoming events. A hotlink, should you choose to click, then takes you to a detailed page highlighting the activity. The “Basics” clearly outline event type (hike), location, date(s) & time, registration cut-off, event duration, difficulty rating, event coordinator(s), and member cost. “Participant Info” lists who’s invited (guests allowed?), max/min group size, number registered to date, and if dogs are permitted or not. The “Itinerary” delves into the nitty gritty of distance and elevation gain before a detailed outline of the entire day, including car pooling times and locations for pick up. If you choose to take your own vehicle, driving instructions are there too! Finally the page wraps up with a list of “Required Items” from cash to pay for a meal to gaiters in case snow.

For example, the “Christmastime in Banff” day will include a 5.5 km hike (670 m elevation gain) up Sulphur Mountain, lunch at the top, gondola ride down, a soak in the Hot Springs, possibly a half hour of Xmas shopping time, and a “guilt free” pasta dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Banff. Participants pay for entry into the park, hot springs admission, dinner, and carpooling gas expenses and are reminded to bring lunch, a bathing suit and towel, gaiters and icers (grips that attach to the bottom of your hiking boots to prevent slipping). The carpool leaves at 8:45 a.m.; returns at approx. 10 p.m.

Needless to say, three weeks before this activity was scheduled to occur, the event was full. Members are given the option of signing up for the waiting list. What a system – timely information, pertinent details, and clear instructions on how to proceed should you choose to become involved.

If you live close to Calgary, Alberta, you might be interested in checking out the Calgary Outdoor Club . If not, Google “outdoor club” or “hiking club” along with name of your local town. And if there’s not a club, consider starting one for a chance to get to know other people with a passion for getting outside.