Christina VarvisWith the temperatures rising and the snow melting to reveal gravelly sidewalks, it’s hard to ignore that spring is finally here. To take advantage of the lack of snow in our city, here are some tips for the most fun things to do outside in this weather.
Pitch and Putt
Get blitzed if you want, and get super competitive if it tickles your fancy. Whatever you like to do in the spring, you can do it on a pitch and putt course.
Whether it’s Dragon’s Head or the Kinsmen, find a par-3 course, grab some clubs and some friends, and have at it. You’re out in nature, secluded, maybe get blazed on your way from hole to hole. What’s not to like?
At the same time, you don’t have to deal with uppity, country club types. Show up, pay your 20 dollars, and have a blast. With the newly sprouting grass, head to your local pitch and putt (or driving range) and smash some balls with a club. — Mitch Sorensen
Glenora Stairs
With the increasing temperatures, spring time is the perfect time to realize you didn’t exercise enough all winter and bikini season is approaching way, way too quickly.
So, my favourite thing to do when the mercury rises is to take advantage of the budding plants and longer days by exercising outside — on the Glenora stairs, specifically. The gorgeous river valley view is a nice backdrop to one of the toughest outdoor workouts in the city.
These stairs just below the High Level Bridge are 202 steps of pure, blissful torture. Nothing whips your booty into shape like trying to catch up with the slim and svelte bodies racing up and down those steep stairs on a warm spring evening. A few hikes up and down this lengthy wooden staircase is enough to earn you a post-workout beer. (That’s how it works right?) — Andrea Ross
Post-Easter Shopping
Spring in Edmonton sucks. The roads are dirty, the dust and pollen make me cough non-stop, and it snows whenever I put away my winter coat. Instead, I like to leave as soon as the school year ends to a place where spring already happened.
But before I go, Easter comes. And just like Spring, the best part about Easter is when it’s over because that’s when the chocolate goes on sale. Easter is unquestionably the best holiday for chocolate, with Lindt gold bunnies, miniature Lindor eggs, Milka eggs you eat with a spoon and, of course, Cadbury Creme Eggs. All chocolate tastes better in Easter form; just try one of those Reese Peanut Butter eggs.
But the good shit costs a lot of money, so wait until it’s over then hit up the stores for half-priced chocolate. If you find the right deals, you can buy enough chocolate to last you until Christmas. — Kevin Schenk
Get Wasted Outside
Patio season is finally here, and what better way to take advantage of the gorgeous sun than get wasted outside?
Springtime patio season is the best, because the sun is still not so scorching that you get a sunburn/dehydration combo after a couple of big margaritas. Plus, if it’s a little chilly, you’ve already got a jacket, since you can carry around extra layers without getting super sweaty.
There’s also no bugs around yet, so you can sip beers and munch on nachos without getting assaulted by mosquitos or wasps. It’s hands down the best time to get drunk in almost nature. — Kieran Chrysler
Go to St. Albert
Y’all need to venture out to St. Albert this spring. Okay, after you’ve finished groaning about the prickly suburb north of Edmonton (which I still live in, thank you very much), please hear me out.
If you can get past the strip malls and trophy wives, St. Albert actually has a lot to offer once the weather gets nicer — we don’t call ourselves the Botanical Arts City for nothing. Probably the best feature of my ballin’ hometown is the Enjoy Centre, a multi-use facility located right off the Anthony Henday.
Inside, you’ll find a restaurant, a whole foods store, a greenhouse and much more. I’d recommend taking a hottie on a date to the cafe and strolling around the greenhouse. It’s a nice way to celebrate spring and is way more suave than a candle-lit dinner. — Kate Black
