The Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail presents free programming and fun activities on the weekends for the whole family. Skate, walk, run or sled along the Guinness World Record-holding longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world and enjoy the picturesque sights of Winnipeg as you’ve never seen it before, from the frozen Assiniboine River. Beginning at the heart of the city, The Forks and managed by the Festival du Voyageur Inc. for close to twenty years, the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail is a winter family tradition. The Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail is about more than just skating. Take the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor activities: walking, curling, hockey, family activities, historic interpretation, cycling, broomball, and more. We also offer special programming for the whole family every weekend free of charge.
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Skate and Helmet Drop Off
United Way of Winnipeg, in partnership with The Forks Market and AMJ Campbell Van Lines, is collecting used skates and helmets to be distributed through our network of agency partners and community groups to create opportunities for everyone to stay active and enjoy our winter. You can drop off your gently used skates and helmets in Centre Court of The Forks Market.
If you enjoyed your skate, please help support the river trail and donate online at www.theforks.com/donate.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Inukshuks
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
Express your creativity and mark your trail with colourful building blocks.
Burling
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
A fun and colourful bowling / curling sport combination with a twist!
Fish Toss
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
Feed the unique penguins and polar bears of the Assiniboine River.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail Slushfest – Second Annual Celebration of Spring
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
Shake off those winter blahs and join us in our third annual “goodbye winter/hello spring” celebration.
Teams of two have a hilarious time inner tubing, canoe racing, three legged racing, sled pulling and more. No skill is required – just a sense of adventure. No age limit – teams can be made up of one parent and one child, two children, two adults etc. Doesn’t matter if you are wearing skates or boots.
Prizes and medals will be awarded!
A good time is guaranteed!
Trails Group Walk
The Forks Atrium, 11:30 a.m.
Join Prairie Pathfinders at The Forks for a mid winter walk along the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail. We will check out all the award winning warming huts as we walk the river trail. Location of and length of trail will depend on ice conditions. Plan on walking for 1 1/2 hours – back in time for lunch at The Forks Market. Meet at The Forks Atrium. Walk begins at 11:30.
Register at www.prairiepathfinders.mb.ca - on “Meetup” website or phone 774-0190.
Ice Painting
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
Help us paint the frozen river. What better way to celebrate winter than on a giant ice canvas.
Burling
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
A fun and colourful bowling / curling sport combination with a twist!
Fish Toss
The Forks Historic Port, Noon to 4 p.m.
Feed the unique penguins and polar bears of the Assiniboine River.
TOP THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SKATING THE TRAIL
1. ACCESS AND EGRESS THE TRAIL ONLY AT APPROVED ACCESS POINTS. THE RIVERBANK CAN BE UNSTABLE ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS.
2. Check this website for updated conditions, grooming reports and closures. It will be updated daily.
3. Know your limits. 5 kilometres is a long way. Remember it is also 5 kilometres back.
4. Check the wind direction, you may not feel the wind if it is at your back and may be an issue when skating in to it.
5. Slow down when approaching the bridges. Sand from the streets above can sometimes fall on to the trail.
6. Remember the River is a moving organic entity. Surface cracks can appear anywhere along the trail. Be vigilant.
7. On snowfall days please stay off the trail until we can clear it. Packed snow is very hard to remove.
8. Keep back from the flooding machines, tractors and Zambonis.
9. Respect private property and stay away from outfalls and thin ice signs.
10. Keep your litter with you and dispose of it properly.
11. Keep your dogs on-leash and ensure you clean up after them.
3.2 kms of trail are open from The Forks to Churchill Drive, on the Red River.
The Forks Historic Port - Not skatable until further notice. Come walk, run, bike or ski instead.
Forks to Balsam – Not skatable until further notice.
Balsam to Churchill – Not skatable until further notice.
Last updated at 10:29am, Tuesday, February 21.
Check this page regularly for current information on the conditions of the trail.
Follow ACU River Trail on Twitter for frequent updates on the trail.
Skate Rentals
Skate Rentals are available from Iceland Skate Rentals located in The Forks Market from 10am to 10pm daily.
Rates are $2.50 for children and seniors and $4.50 for adults. Call (204) 253-7600 for more information or to book your group’s skate rentals.
Are you looking for conditions in Arctic Glacier Winter Park? Click here
To conduct interviews please contact:
FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR INC.
Emili Bellefleur, Director of Marketing and Communications
233, Provencher Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 0G4
Tel: (204) 237-7692 poste 269/ext.269 Fax: (204) 233-7576
THE FORKS NORTH PORTAGE PARTNERSHIP
Clare MacKay, Manager, Marketing and Communications
200-350 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0C3
Tel: (204) 987-4360 Cell: (204) 291-9151
For questions about events happening on the trail, please call: 233.ALLO (2556).
For group skating bookings, call Roy at 253.7600.
Programming Contact: Karen Mott, Ugly Duckling Productions (204) 779.6173 karen@uglyducklingproductions.com
Festival du Voyageur
http://www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca/
The Forks
Environment Canada
Thanks to the participation of many partners, sponsors and community associations, seven weeks of free programming is offered on the Assiniboine River.
This project is managed by:
With: 
Title Sponsor
Media Sponsors
Winnipeg Free Press . La Liberté
Official Sponsor
Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc.
Participating Sponsor
Downtown Winnipeg Biz
Government Partners
Riverbank Management Committee