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With an average temperature of approximately -15C in the winter months according to Environment Canada, Brandon, MB is an obvious place to find loads of ice and snow sports. We are lucky to have many great venues and instruction available in Brandon and the surrounding area. We were amazed to find so many clubs and groups participating in winter sports from recreational to elite athletes. From the rink to the slopes, there are lots of sports to try and participate in around the Wheat City.
Beginner Skating
If you are looking to start your child skating, there are a couple of programs for instruction. Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Broomball
Although not available in Brandon, MB, Broomball is very popular in rural areas surrounding Brandon. Check out our Broomball page to learn more!
Curling
Is your pre-teen or teenager interested in curling? Check out the curling page for more information.
Downhill Skiing
Thinking about tackling the slopes for the first time? Check out this link for more information.
Female Hockey
Do you have a girl who wants to play hockey? Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Figure Skating
After completing some beginner skating lessons, is your child interested in figure skating? Well, stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Male Hockey
Trying to navigate the world of boys’ hockey in Brandon, MB? Well, stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Power Skating
Are you trying to get your child some additional ice time and improve their skating for hockey or ringette? Then power skating is what you are looking for. Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Ringette
Is your daughter interested in playing ringette? With its growing ringette program, Brandon has lots to offer. Check out this link for more information.
Snowboarding
Do you want to hit the slopes to try out snowboarding? Check out the snowboarding page for more information.
Snow Kiteboarding
Interested in trying snowkiteboarding, then check out this link.
Snowmobiling
Information on snowmobiling coming soon. Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Speed Skating
Do you have the need for speed…on ice? Then, you should try speed skating. Check out our speed skating page.
Synchronized Skating
Information on synchronized skating coming soon. Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
Tobogganing
Although not really a sport, it definitely uses snow and ice! If you are looking for a great toboggan hill for sliding and sledding, check out this page.
X Country Skiing
Are you interested in cross country skiing? Stay tuned as we compile the information. Want to help? Please contact us.
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Inside Brandon, MB
Sugar Bowl
Starting inside Brandon, I think one of the best hills for pre-schoolers is the Sugar Bowl. Located at the corner of Cherry Crescent and 34th street, it provides parking as well as easy access via the walking paths along 34th street.
Parkdale Park
Close by but slightly steeper, is the hill located at Parkdale Park (behind Parkdale Drive and Durum Drive) in southwest Brandon.
Hanbury Hill
Hanbury Hill is an impressive tobogganing hill located just off of Braecrest Drive in Sir Winston Churchill Park. It boasts runs for both younger and older kids and a warm up gazebo.
North End Community Park
Located at 52-14th Street North, North End Community Park also has a tobogganing hill.
Rideau Park
Located on the same city block as East End Community Centre, Rideau Park (305 Park Street) has a great hill for sliding.
Wheat City Golf Course
Watch out for the trees while sliding at the Wheat City Golf Course located at 3500 McDonald Avenue. And, here is an excellent video of going down the hill.
Destination Sliding and Tubing
Asessippi
Asessippi has an impressive tubing hill. Check out this group of girls showing us how it's done!
Bottineau, ND
....and Bottineau, ND has tubing hills!
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Gone are the days where snowboarders just carve the hill like a skier. Freestyle snowboarding, where snowboarders ride through terrain parks like a skateboarder at a skate park, is the next generation of snowboarding. Not sure what this looks like? Check out this Youtube video of some local snowboarders at the Ranch, Brandon's newest and closest snowboard terrain park.
So You are Interested in Freestyle Snowboarding...Here's Where You Can Do it!
Brandon Snowboard Club's "The Ranch" :
Located 4km west of Brandon on Grand Valley road, the Ranch is super close to the Wheat City.
I had an opportunity to chat with Jordan Ross, member of the Brandon Snowboard Club. He provided me with some pictures of some of the members along with details about the club.
There are three programs to gain access to the Ranch: the Shredders Program, the Learn to Ride Program and Regular Membership. Geared to experienced 10 to 15 year-olds, the Shredders program is either offered twice per week for three weeks (for a total of six nights) or once per week for six weeks. See details below.
2014 Shredders Program Details
Learn to Ride
New for the 2013/14 season.
Cost and Session details
Cost per Session
$155 for instruction and lift tickets plus $20 for Snowboard Association of Manitoba ("SAM") pass for a total of $175
When
Saturday or Sunday mornings or Drop in Lessons available but you need to call them for details.
Time
10:00am to 11:30am
How Many Lessons in a Session
6 weeks at once per week
Sessions
December/January; February/March
2014 Regular Membership in Brandon Snowboard Club
Cost and Session details
Cost
$150 for the season plus $10 per day out for lift ticket plus $20 for Snowboard Association of Manitoba Pass
When
Saturdays and Sundays from noon - 4:00pm and additional weekday nights throughout the winter.
Do you just want to try out the Ranch for a day before committing to buying a regular membership? Consider the guest pass.
More Information
For More Information
Check out the club's facebook page or website for their contact information.
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As a student athlete at the University of Calgary, I had a close up look at world class speed skating as many of the world’s best speed skating teams used the excellent facilities left over from the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. I even strapped on a pair of speed skates and gave it a whirl! You need amazingly strong ankles and of course, strong legs to be able to zoom around the oval. It’s definitely harder than it looks!
Not sure what Speed Skating is like? Check out this Youtube video:
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Brandon has a speed skating club. Westman Speed Skating Club is the home to speed skaters ranging in age from 5 to 50+ and even includes some former Olympians! I chatted with current president, Joel Charles, to learn more about the club.
Ages
Children 5 and older can join the club.
Required Skills
Most kids come to the program with a basic knowledge of skating.
Equipment
Their website outlines the required equipment in very specific detail but generally, kids start with rented skates (from the club), and supply their helmet, neck guard, shin guards, and the rest of the equipment required either by borrowing from the club’s collection or by purchasing the required equipment locally. It is not uncommon for kids to rent skates for many years in a row before deciding to purchase skates (with the coach’s guidance). Most speed skating specific equipment bought (once a kid has skated for a while, is progressing in the sport and knows this is what they want to do) is purchased from the only speed skating store in Manitoba, Red River Speed.
Season
The speed skating season starts in early September and goes until the end of March as follows:
September: Dry land training
Late September: A Two Day Short Track Camp hosted by the Manitoba Speed Skating Association (MSSA)
October– Early December: Short Track is held inside at the Sportsplex
December– end of February or early March: Long Track is held outside at the City of Brandon Skating Oval which is a full regulation 400m oval.
Rest of March: Short Track at the Sportsplex
Spring: Dry land training
Days of the Week
Tuesday (6:00pm to 7:00pm) and Friday (5:30 to 7:00pm) for Short Track Season
Tuesday (5:30pm to 7:00pm) and Friday (5:30 to 7:00pm) for Long Track Season
Cost (2013 -14)
Costs cover entire season:
Skate Rental: $90
Registration for both Tuesdays and Fridays (with own Short Track Skates and Blades): $360
Just Tuesdays: $280
Just Fridays: $325
Competitions
As kids progress, they can compete in various competitions which are held outside of Brandon. The club has had skaters graduate to the oval program in Calgary. Basically, the kids choose to pursue speed skating along with studying at the University of Calgary and can join the high performance program if they meet certain time standards.
Looking for Some Inspiration?
Check out this Youtube video about Canada's most decorated Olympian ever, Manitoba's own Cindy Klassen.
If your kid is interested in Speed Skating....
If your kid(s) are interested in trying speed skating, the Westman Speed Skating Club (in conjunction with the MSSA ) usually host some open house nights in September so anyone interested can see what it’s like. Check out our calendar for upcoming events.
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Ringette is gaining momentum in the Wheat City and it is easy to see why! Ringette is a fast paced girl only team sport that encourages participants to become great skaters, accurate passers and strategic play makers. Not sure what it looks like? Check out this YouTube video produced by Ringette Canada:
Ringette in the Wheat City is organized by Brandon Ringette.
Age Groups
Age Groups
In Brandon, MB, there are currently four age groupings in ringette:
- Ringette 4U: Introduction to ringette for new players born in years 2008 to 2012
- Novice U10: 9 years and under but only open to returning players or girls who graduate from the Ringette 4U program.
- Petite U12: 11 and under
- Tween U14: 13 and under
- Junior U16: 15 and under
Equipment
Equipment
Participants wear the following protective equipment when playing ringette:
- Neck guard
- Elbow pads
- Shin pads
- Girdle with hip and tail bone protection
- Long pants
- Jersey
- Helmet with full face mask
The sticks used by ringette players are manufactured specifically for ringette which feature a tapered end with steel, aluminum or plastic tips.
Looking for equipment? Check out Source for Sports.
Season
Season
The season runs from mid-September to early-February. The season is comprised of a combination of games in Brandon, MB along with tournaments against strong ringette cities such as Winnipeg, Thompson, Red River Valley (Grand Forks, ND), and Regina, SK.
Why Ringette
Why Ringette?
When contemplating female winter team sports available, what is the appeal of ringette?
- Ringette is always girls only whereas female specific hockey does not start until age 9; this appeals to some girls who are not keen to play with boys.
- Because a player cannot cross a blue line with the ring, the rules encourage passing making it impossible to have a team dominated by one player who skates from end to end to continually score goals which can often be the case in hockey.
- The program is producing higher caliber athletes as is evidenced by the fact that the Westman area now has both a U14 team and U16 team and the U14 team played in the Manitoba Winter Games in Morden in March 2014.
- Parents in Brandon love the predictability of the schedule as ice times are always on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- Fees are reasonable.
Cost
- The following are the 2015-16 fees:
| League |
New Players Only |
League Fee Until June 1, 2015 |
League Fee After June 1, 2015 |
|
| Ringette 4U |
$170 |
$290 | $340 | |
| U10 (Novice) | $210 | $365 | $414 | |
| U12 (Petite) | N/A | $390 | $440 | |
|
U14 (Tween) |
N/A | $390 |
$440 |
|
|
U16 (Junior) |
N/A | $390 |
$440 |
More Information
Looking for more information?
Check out the following websites:
- Brandon Ringette
- Come Try Ringette
- Elite Ringette Training
- Manitoba Ringette Association
- National Ringette League
- Ringette Canada
- Winnipeg Ringette League
