Sport & Leisure
Front Desk Fundamentals: Supporting Local Hospitality Employees
A partnership to strengthen the Tourism Hospitality industry.
A partnership to strengthen the Tourism Hospitality industry.
“This could be a template for other communities on how you can use your local educators and institutions to help keep your people locally." - Elisha Ammann.
The high turnover rate with hotel and hospitality employees in larger cities has garnered the attention of the Medicine Hat Accommodation Association, an organization in Medicine Hat that focuses on marketing initiatives that draw visitors to the city for the purpose of staying in hotels.
In knowing how valuable front desk team members are for the visitor experience, Elisha Ammann, who is the executive director of Medicine Hat Accommodation Association, says they have partnered with the Medicine Hat College to create a custom program to elevate the skills of their front desk employees, that’s partially funded by Jobs, Economy and Trade.
Ammann has worked with the organization for over 20 years, and around 15 years ago they went forward with a similar project that was a success. It seemed timely to conduct another to show employees how valued they are, and to update employees skills, knowledge, and education.
Front Desk Fundamentals will cover items that are fitted into the day-to-day tasks, from communications, to writing skills, applying artificial intelligence, and more essential skills that will help employees work efficiently and confidently.
The training will be in the classroom, along with in the workplace. The instructor will ensure the bookwork is translating to the hands-on tasks and that the program is effective and easily applied on the job.
There are two cohorts of 15 people. The class size is intended to be smaller, so it’s more personal and employees feel heard and included with questions and conversations throughout the experience.
Ammann says for the Medicine Hat College to be on board from the beginning, create a custom eight-week program to start in September 2024, and offer instructors to teach, is extremely appreciated and will enhance the employee learning experience.
Front Desk Fundamentals is partially funded by Jobs, Economy and Trade through the Workplace Essential Skills Training.
Spend the Holidays in Medicine Hat with these seasonal events.
Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede
River Ridge Seniors Village
Medicine Hat Lodge
Indigenous Holiday Artisan Market
Medicine Hat College
First Assembly
Medalta in the Historic Clay District
Something for Everyone Christmas Market
Medicine Hat Stampede & Exhibition
Homestead Market
Police Point Park Christmas Market
Police Point Park
Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede
Homestead Market
Downtown Medicine Hat
The Monarch Theatre Presents: Elf
The Monarch Theatre
d’Carlo Pasta House
Homestead Market
Medalta in the Historic Clay District
North Railway Street
Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
Cross Country Ski
Police Point Park and Elkwater in the Cypress Hills are your winter cross-country ski spots. Rentals available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre. Cypress Nordic Ski Club offers lessons with equipment.
Snowshoe
Follow the many natural and forested trails through Elkwater in the Cypress Hills and Police Point Park for a snowshoe adventure. Rentals available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.
Toboggan
Kin Coulee Park is a community favourite. The hill is lit up into the evening and is always perfect on a snow day. Elkwater in the Cypress Hills builds a snow luge each year.
Skating
Find many community rinks around Medicine Hat — check out Kiwanis Central Park for a small skating rink amongst 200 to 300-year-old Cottonwood trees. Find the full list of ice skating rinks here.
Crokicurl
All the things you need to play crokicurl are in Strathcona Island Park, so look up the rules and head out for a round or two. Winter fun, here you come.
Disc Golf
If you haven’t played disc golf in the winter, you really need to, and if you haven't played disc golf at all, then you really, really need to. Find two great courses in Medicine Hat, in Kiwanis Central Park, Leinweber Park, and Gilwell Park.
Ice-Fishing
Grab a group, a kit, and head to one of many locations in and around Medicine Hat to ice-fish — Rattlesnake, Elkwater, Spruce Coulee, Reesor Lake, Michelle Lake, Cavan Lake, Newell Lake, and 40 Mile Reservoir.
Book a Sky-Seeing Experience
View the sky with astronomer Rod DeVries at Eagle Butte Observatory. Group booking available to find dinner with the sky events.
Tour Medicine Hat’s brightest Christmas lights on the Sunshine Trolley this December, with time to hop off, capture photos, and take in all the beautiful bright lights. Private group bookings for up to 26 people are available from December 1-23, 2024. This experience is wheelchair friendly.
Don't miss these spooky(ish) October events!
Fall has arrived in Medicine Hat, and Halloween is on its way. Family events, pumpkin patches and carving contests, haunted houses, and ghost tours are only a few of the events happening in the city this October 2024.
Haunted Medicine Hat Trolley Tour
Be introduced to some of Medicine Hat’s spirit residents, guided by a local during an evening tour on the Sunshine Trolley.
MT Nest Cafe & Market: Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest
A good ol’ fashioned Halloween party, with treats, drinks, and pumpkin carving. Located inside the neighbourhood cafe on the Southwest Hill.
Test your knowledge of all things eerie and enigmatic as we delve into the shadows of horror, mystery, and the supernatural.
Back for another smashing good time. Enjoy live music, treats, hands-on activities, and smashing pumpkins at the free, all ages, halloween event. This year, Juno award-winner Norman Foote will be performing at a “Pay What You Will” concert. Get your free tickets at Tixx.ca. Costumes encouraged.
Boo’s & Blues at Copper Coulee Casino
Bringing you brews, boo's, and blues by Mike Clark Band, the community is invited to dress up in their best Halloween costume and enjoy some live music, drink specials, and prize draws.
Forest of Fear at Police Point Park
*adult event*
Calling all ghosts, goblins, and ghouls! Police Point Park invites you to their haunted forest walk. This year in the Forest of Fear, you can look forward to being unraveled and thoroughly creeped out. Designed for adults and teenagers.
The Silver Buckle Haunted House
Located in the basement of The Silver Buckle, this Haunted House screams scary. The opening night is Friday, October 11 at 6:00p.m. They’ve added dates and are allowing minors on Friday and Saturday evenings.
A haunted greenhouse in Redcliff, where the floors are dirt and twigs snap with every step. This haunted house features a mix of natural and curated Halloween decor, and actors throughout the building. Opening night is October 13 from 6-10p.m.
Hundreds of pumpkins, for baking and carving, and gourds for decor.
A little pumpkin patch near the entrance, where all proceeds are donated to charity.
Located in the Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies in Redcliff, family-owned Huber’s Farm Market has an array of pumpkins, both large and small.
Molnar’s Fun Farm (located near Taber, Alberta)
A day trip on Highway 3 brings you to Molnar’s Fun Farm, where you can walk kilometres to find thousands of pumpkins. A hay bale maze and tractor ride are also featured for families to enjoy even more time on the pumpkin prairie land!
Astronomy stories don’t only live in the sky.
“I want people to know how close and accessible it is to see and know the sky, and the stories it tells through constellations.” - Rod DeVries
They’re in our homes — in the songs we sing and the titles of movies we watch.
Constellations float far away, but their stories are often spoken by a family member, a mentor, a neighbour, or nearby stranger, without us knowing.
And Rod DeVries at the young age of four was fascinated by the creations and constellations in the sky, later learning that the Jack and Jill song is about the phases of the moon and the Beetlejuice movie is named after the star Betelgeuse.
With a suitcase of curiosity and a stack of questions, he’s read thousands of pages to learn the atmosphere. Dozens of books sit on his wooden shelf in his observatory. And he’s gone from having one microscope as a child, to now 14 telescopes in his viewing room, from reflecting (mirror), refracting (glass lens), and catadioptric (mirror and glass lens).
He’s traveled internationally to experience once-in-a-lifetime astronomical events, once traveling hours to Idaho to witness a 2 minute and 10 second total eclipse with his own eyes, “and it was totally worth it,” he says.
When the sun finally sets in Southeast Alberta, and a sea of stars appear, the amateur astronomer is ready with his telescope as the roof of his observation deck slides back like a mechanical door, normally found on the front of a garage.
But not every time is he alone. He often has a group of people he’s presented to before he highlights the sky. Teaching astronomy for over 20 years, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors have listened to him tell stories with liveliness and vibrancy.
“My goal is to turn the light on where the bulb already existed, to acquaint people with the sky and stars they see every night, but now they’ll know names and stories.”
His partnership with Tourism Medicine Hat presents evenings where they begin at a local eatery, with mindfully prepared dinner and drinks, and then a short drive to Eagle Butte Observatory. Find tickets here.
Before viewing the sky through a telescope with DeVries, the beauty above is admired, but with little context. In under an hour with the self-taught astronomer, people see more than stars.
“I want people to know how close and accessible it is to see and know the sky, and the stories it tells through constellations.”
The list of topics and events related to astronomy is astronomical. DeVries has guided people through partial solar eclipses and supermoons as they’re occurring, and dives into all different subjects that astronomy flows into.
He sets up Eagle Butte Observatory for public and private groups, and visits the dark sky preserve in Elkwater, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, to host ‘Dance of the Dark Sky’ in the summer for campers.
“I really enjoy igniting the fire for learning. When I’m helping other teachers with a science program, the first thing I tell them is, ‘please don’t be boring’”, he says.
From six to 60 years old, the curiosity that lives within is sparked while with DeVries, illuminating like the stars in the sky viewed every night. DeVries’ shares his vast knowledge, like how a pirate’s eye patch is directly related to astronomy, and which star the Arctic is named after.
For some, science is a passing fad. It was when DeVries’ was young, he looked down, picked up a rock, and noticed the colours, crystals, and size. He looked up, and saw a space that called for life-long learning, “For me, it wasn’t a passing fad. It was forever. I love science.”
Find more information about Eagle Butte Observatory or book your private tour here.
Huge announcement from hometown hockey team Medicine Hat Tigers.
The Medicine Hat Tigers is a junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League that was established in 1970. Tigers games at the Co-op Place are a true community experience from the “Go Tigers Go” chants, to lining up among friends at the concession stand.
The Tigers have previously competed for The Memorial Cup in 1973, 1987, 1988, 2004 and 2007 with the team capturing back to back titles in 1987 and 1988.
Dan Near, WHL Commissioner says, "With a renowned history that includes WHL Championships and Memorial Cup titles, all backed by a passionate fanbase, the Tigers represent one of the most storied franchises in Canadian Major Junior Hockey. The commitment from the Maser family and the City of Medicine Hat is to be commended."
And the potential impact the city would see from the Medicine Hat Tigers hosting an event of this credit and size will benefit the local economy. Quotes from Tigers President Darrell Maser and Deputy Mayor Ramona Robins are highlighted in the article by Medicine Hat Tigers.
“Hosting a tournament of this magnitude has the potential to have an enormous economic impact for both the City of Medicine Hat and the South Eastern Alberta Region,” stated Tigers President Darrell Maser.
Deputy Mayor Ramona Robins said “The City of Medicine Hat is excited to learn of the Medicine Hat Tigers intent to pursue hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup, the pinnacle of achievement in the Canadian Hockey League. A Memorial Cup Tournament will have a significant, positive impact on our city and region and we look forward to working with the Medicine Hat Tigers in their pursuit of being the host club.”
Darrell Maser, Tigers President added, “Being able to host the 2026 Memorial Cup on home ice would be a great experience for all Tigers’ fans.”
The 2026 Memorial Cup host city will be announced in early December 2024.
Under an hour drive from Medicine Hat brings you to the beautiful rolling hills of Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
Along with sitting lakeside, camping, paddling the water, and hitting up the trails, there are free activities throughout the week to explore the area on a guided tour or learning a new adventurous outdoor skill.
Learn to Mountain Bike (youth)
Want to hit the trails? Join a professional mountain bike instructor. This introductory level program will erase those city cycling habits that make trail riding so hard. Come learn about bikes, brakes, and body position before you go! (psst – this will help you go faster too!)
Learn to Mountain Bike (adult)
Have questions about mountain biking you don’t want to ask in front of kids? Join a professional mountain bike instructor. Come learn about mountain biking techniques that will help you feel more in control of your bike and help you keep up with your kids!
Name something more quintessentially Canadian than canoeing. Join us for an evening paddle on Elkwater Lake.
There is something about knowing the name of plants that causes you to care more about them. Come for a walk with a local taxonomist and share knowledge, stories, and learn about this botanical island.
Have you ever looked up at the night sky in wonder? Join Rod DeVries as he takes you on a tour of the night sky in Cypress Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Discover stars, planets, and other astronomical wonders. Program runs clear skies or cloudy!
Movie Night at the Amphitheatre
The Elkwater Community Associaiton Presents... Movie Nights at the Outdoor Ampthitheatre! Movies are held Saturday night on the dates listed below. Movie will start at about 9:00pm. Bring blankets, bug spray, a flashlight and Snacks!
Take a 2km stomp through a shady spruce forest and back through a hilly aspen meadow, to explore the flora and fingers-crossed fauna along Beaver Creek.
Explore the principles of island biogeography, glaciation and the fantastic creatures found within, through fun games and activities.
You’ve seen it on TV! Come for a family oriented challenge using elements from our school programs! The race around the Visitor Center, Learning Center, beach, and town site will get your head thinking and your heart pumping!
Do you like searching for hidden treasure? Get off the beach and into the
backcountry with geocaching. Let’s lay down some coordinates and start searching. GPS units provided!
Slow down, you move too fast. Let’s make this moment last and appreciate our natural environment with water color, wood burning, rubbings or an art scavenger hunt. Materials are provided!
A lot of wisdom comes from poor judgement. Preferably from the poor judgement of others. Come learn about navigation, shelter building, and weather permitting, fire starting!
Elkwater hosts some of the greatest diversity of species of birds anywhere in the province. Join us for a 3km walk along the lakeshore.
Picture this, Pokemon for adults, the same joy of catching them all, but in real life, recording animals, insects, plants and fungi, helping discover species and contributing to science. Join us at the Visitor Center and become Citizen Scientist, bring a phone and let’s go catch them all, on an iNaturalist adventure.
Explore the rainbow of wildflowers found in the Cypress Hills. Join us for a 2.7km loop, heading up the grassy slopes of Old Baldy, then down and around through an aspen forest along Cougar Ridge.
Join us for an evening around the campfire to hear stories, sing songs and learn about the animals that call the Cypress Hills home. Be sure to bring a camp chair and a blanket.
Watch our reel featuring a handful of free activities in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
Union All-Terrain Obstacle Course Race
An All-Terrain Obstacle Course at Hidden Valley Snow Resort. Please visit the union races event page for more information.
Back-Country Trail Run and Mountain Bike Race
Union Races back country trail 5k or 10k trail run and back-country mountain bike race. Please see the union races event page for more details.
Epic weekend of mountain bike racing and great food in Elkwater, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on August 24th, 2024. Check out the Battle Creek Showdown and Mountain Bike Race and Festival facebook page for more details.
Once a year the Mad Hatters' Running Club hosts a 2km, 5km and 10km race in Elkwater, Cypress Hills Provincial Park. All levels are welcome, and if some plan to walk most of the race, they are encouraged to enter the shorter loops. Visit the Futterwacken Trail Run website for more details.
Listed below are stores where you can bring home a little piece of Medicine Hat.
Local owners welcome the work of artists and creators with open arms and feature the one-of-a-kind items on their shelves.
Everything in this store is made in Alberta, and sprinkled throughout are products made in Medicine Hat, too. Make your rounds, because they have items for you, your little ones, and your pups. This store is dog-friendly.
A place with sophisticated and quality blazers that are designed by the owner herself, and all embroidery is done in Medicine Hat. Along with clothing items, By the C has greeting cards, journals, coasters, and t-shirts that are designed by artists Kelly Schlenker and Shelly Prinz, who are from Medicine Hat.
Botanicals has partnered with Medicine Hat candle maker, Lunahrin Candles, to curate good-smelling scents that are exclusive to Botanicals. The two work together to create soft scents that are labeled, Happy Place and Cozy Place. While the plants bring a vibrant look to your home, you can find a nice scent for it as well. This store is dog-friendly.
Accessories and decor made in Medicine Hat are sprinkled throughout this creative space, alongside other quality goods, gifts, and clothing. Attention to detail is key in this small shop, as you’ll continue to find beautiful items that catch your eye.
Grup is a sustainable Medicine Hat business that finds old Levi jeans and transforms them into modern wear, from jeans, to jackets, bags and hats.
Owner Tamara Miller creates her own products using the herbs she sells in store, from teas to lip balm, bath bombs, and more. She also offers local foods and produce.
In this bookstore, you’ll find an assortment of books in all different genres. And everyone knows the perfect pairing to a good book is a cup of coffee. If you plan to have a hot beverage while reading your book, ‘River Bee Books’ branded clay mugs are featured in this independent bookstore, made by local potter Dawn Olsen. This store is dog-friendly.
Another small shop that is exclusive to Medicine Hat creators, whether you’re looking for home decor, accessories, or a souvenir. They also host craft classes, so you have the opportunity to create something of your own to take home.
While stocking up on quality oil and balsamic, or waiting for your lunch to be prepared, sneak a peek of the exclusive pottery by Mud to a Rock. The Hat’s Olive Tap is the only place this potter sells her creations, and rarely does she make two of the same items.
Let us know if you feature made-in-Medicine Hat products here
Downtown Medicine Hat is a prime spot for wandering the historic streets and avenues and visiting local businesses.
Live Music in Downtown Medicine Hat
In the historic hub with local eateries, an ultimate live music crawl is found. Follow the sound along streets and avenues to find live music in the heart of the city, starting at one of these four spots who host live music almost every weekend in the summer.
From home decor, to thrifted and curated clothing, to records and books, browse each shop opened by a local.
Find these vibrant events in the heart of the city.
Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown is ideally suited for wandering and exploring with a drink in hand. Take in all the special spots that make our downtown a must-see neighbourhood.
For a guided tour led by a local, join the Downtown Bakery Tour and the Indy Coffee Tour.
Find free street parking in Downtown Medicine Hat.
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