team-building-activities-in-calgary

13 Team Building Ideas in Calgary That Helped Us Break the Ice

As a startup owner, I know how tough it is to build your business from the ground up. This meant a lot of lunch meetings, late nights, and stressful brainstorming sessions. At one point, we were all close to burnout!

But things got better once we solved our biggest projects. Still, I noticed some employees remained awkward around each other. I needed a way for them to bond and work better together. After all, I think a strong team who get along is key to success.

So I decided to invest in some of the best team building activities in Calgary to boost our teamwork and camaraderie—and everyone loved it! Here are some of our favourite bonding ideas.

Where can I hold a team building session in Calgary?

There are many places in Calgary where you can hold a team building session! Notable ones are at Chef Joey, Raw Canvas, Workshop Studios, River Valley Adventure Co., and Classified YYC.

Creative Team Building Activities

Chef Joey – Cooking Classes

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Website: https://chefjoey.ca/ 

Address: 1431 40 St SW

Contact Details: +1 403 616 6878, [email protected] 

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Chef Joey is one of the most creative team building activities in Calgary, uniting everyone for their love of food! It offers open adult and corporate custom classes for those who want to learn a few tricks in the kitchen.

We like that everyone can learn to cook a meal they wouldn’t otherwise try alone. No worries—the chef will skillfully take the participants through the meal step by step. For us, this makes the experience memorable and handy, since, who doesn’t need to eat?

Alternatively, we love that there are virtual corporate events too! This way, even international employees can connect over a tasty experience.

Pro foodie tip:

To make things more special at Chef Joey, we suggest thinking of a theme or a menu in advance before booking. 

For us, this could be about Calgary flavours, a culinary time machine, a steak masterclass, or dessert wars—the staff says the sky’s the limit! Just think outside the box and make it a day to remember. 

Raw Canvas – Paint and Sip Event

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Website: https://rawcanvas.ca/ 

Address: 609 Confluence Way SE

Contact Details: +1 587 433 1131, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • CAD 25 per person

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Raw Canvas offers an imaginative group bonding experience with its paint and sip events. Don’t fret if you’re not that much of a painter—we believe art is for everyone and even the worst artworks can be cool for abstract decor!

While there are many themes, our favourite is the “Paint Your Pet” session. You may also order pizza, wine, and charcuterie boards in advance! Do note that the events vary in the number of participants they can take, from a maximum of 10 to 30 people.

In our view, a painting activity helps employees learn new skills (even if it’s just learning to be more patient!) and encourages them to embrace their creativity. Moreover, we think how people do art paints a picture of their unique personality.

Artsy hack:

If you’re unsure how to start painting at Raw Canvas, we recommend beginning with the background! Many make the rookie mistake of doing this last and experience a lot of hassle working around their main elements later.

Workshop Studios – Pottery Workshop

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Website: http://www.workshopstudios.ca/ 

Address: 2501 Alyth Rd SE Bay 3

Contact Details: [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • Private Events (Groups of 7 to 24)
    • CAD 1,495 + GST for the first 8 participants; CAD 35 per person for extras
    • Additional costs apply for groups 13 to 24 for extra hosts and instructors

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Workshop Studios is a ceramics facility, classroom, venue, and working studio space in Calgary that provides a crafty team building session. If you and the others have no problem getting your hands a bit dirty, we reckon this is a wonderful pick!

This spot offers groups of 7 to 24 exclusive use of its big classroom with vibey music by a fun DJ, delicious drinks, and expert instruction. If you’re a smaller company, however, groups of 2 to 6 can use the intimate shared member studio.

After the event, we find it convenient that the technicians will glaze and fire your works for later pickup or delivery. Just keep in mind that this typically takes a 2 to 3-week turnaround.

Nifty trick:

Shake things up at Workshop Studios! Have everyone draw lots to make a special pottery piece for a co-worker. We think this fun twist adds a bit of pressure—since your work will be a gift, many members would likely bring their A-game!

Outdoor and Active Team Building Experiences

Riverside Rafting

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Website: http://riversiderafting.com/ 

Address: 1404 Home Rd NW

Contact Details: +1 587 433 3752, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • 3-Hour Rental
    • 10-Person Raft – CAD 159.99
    • 12-Person Raft – CAD 189.99
    • 14-Person Raft – CAD 219.99
    • 16-Person Raft – CAD 244.99

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Want an outdoor team building activities under the sun? Riverside Rafting offers 2 to 16-person rafts for this adventure! This comes with a convenient pick-up and drop-off right by the Bow River in Calgary.

We also find it incredible that its fleet is heavy-duty and spacious enough to handle rough waters. It also comes with a self-bailing, inflatable floor to automatically remove water that splashes in and ensure its stability—sounds pretty safe to us.

All in all, we think this is a great summer event for fostering teamwork. However, this activity usually closes mid to late September due to colder weather and safety concerns.

Friendly advice:

Of course, there’s no guarantee you won’t be splashed at Riverside Rafting, so we suggest wearing flip-flops, shorts, pants, or other clothing you wouldn’t mind getting wet. 

And on the day of your booking, it’s best to arrive 15 minutes early. You’ll need time to provide all completed waivers. Plus, some members may still need to fill out theirs at the launch site.

River Valley Adventure Co. – Segway City Tours

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Website: http://rivervalleyadventure.com/ 

Address: Along RiverWalk, North of 656, Confluence Way SE

Contact Details: +1 403 970 7347, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • Beginner 90-minute Segway Adventure – starts at CAD 84.99 per person

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Ever thought of experiencing Calgary in a very cool mode of transportation? River Valley Adventure Co. offers Segway city tours to team builders! For us, this activity mixes fun with teamwork, getting groups to communicate while exploring the city.

This experience comes in 30, 60, and 90-minute tours. There are beginner and advanced options as well, so don’t worry about falling on your butt the first time you take on this 2-wheeled transporter!

We love that you can rent games here as well! Choose among spike ball, croquet (lawn mallet game) and bocce (Italian roll ball) sets, football, soccer, and more. Plus, there are indoor games, such as checkers, Jenga, and Battleship—something for everyone!

Good to know:

Is anyone’s birthday coming up? The birthday celebrant at River Valley Adventure Co. will receive a free 60-minute ride when he or she brings at least 3 friends on their birthday. Remember to bring a valid photo ID!

Also, note that there are no restrooms here. Be sure to hit the loo elsewhere before arrival to avoid any hassle later.

Winsport Canada – Ziplining

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Website: https://www.winsport.ca/ 

Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd S W

Contact Details: +1 403 247 5452, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • Monster Zipline (Half Day Ticket) – starts at CAD 22 per person

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Are you and the crew craving an adrenaline rush? WinSport is a ski resort and events venue that features several summer activities. For one, everyone can soar from the top of Canada’s Olympic Park’s ski jump tower on North America’s fastest zipline! 

With speeds up to 120 kilometres per hour and a vertical drop of over 100 metres, riders will soar along a 500-meter cable to enjoy breathtaking views of the Bow River valley and northwest Calgary. But don’t be too scared—you’ll try 3 training ziplines first!

In our opinion, ziplining can help many members overcome their fear of heights. And in doing so, we think everyone can instantly bond with this shared thrill.

Savvy suggestion:

Don’t want to go over budget at WinSport? We recommend saving some bucks when you book online! This also helps secure your spot if you want a whole hour of high-altitude excitement.

Competitive Team Building Activities

Classified YYC – Laser Tag

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Website: http://www.classifiedyyc.com/ 

Address: 1305 33 St NE Bay 3

Contact Details: +1 403 903 9959, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • 90-Minute Private Session (available to book when there are 26 slots left)
    • Monday to Thursday (16 players) – CAD 400
    • Friday to Sunday (16 players) – CAD 480
    • Additional Players – CAD 25

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Looking for cool opportunities for strategic thinking and leadership? We think Classified YYC’s tactical laser tag activity is ideal for small or big groups who want to encourage a fun and healthy competition. We believe this is a good workout idea too!

Each session can have up to 36 people (18 per team). All sessions will also take 90 minutes for 5 different missions. This already includes briefing and gearing up, so be sure not to waste any time.

On top of that, we like that you can do multiple games, including missions like Death Match, Capture the Flag, and Shoot the Bell. We noticed that the guns are quite heavy, though, so brace yourself for some muscle soreness later on.

Smart pointer:

Take advantage of Classified YYC’s free lockers to secure your belongings. While the locker area will be secured, you won’t be provided with any locks—remember to bring your own!

AXE Throwing Calgary

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Website: http://www.axethrowingcalgary.ca/ 

Address: 5923 3 St SE

Contact Details: +1 844 403 2937, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • Private Group Event – CAD 45 per person

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From its name, AXE Throwing Calgary is a recreation centre offering an action-packed sport. We believe this is where you and your crew can practice focus and strategic thinking while rooting for one another.

This activity looks as simple as it sounds. You can score points by sticking the axe in the target, however you can. If you get the most points, you win. And if you get pretty serious, you can also be the tournament champion—lots of bragging rights there!

Of course, skilled coaches will facilitate the event from start to finish. Obviously, no one wants to get hit or lose a body part. If you’re lucky, they can even teach you how to throw some knives!

Must-know move:

Safety first! Wear durable, closed-toe shoes at AXE Throwing Calgary to protect your feet at all times. The venue will supply everything else, from axes and targets to prizes.

Relaxing Team Building Activities

Kananaskis Nordic Spa

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Website: https://knordicspa.com/ 

Address: Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection, 1 Centennial Dr, Kananaskis Village, AB T0L 2H0

Contact Details: +1 403-591-6800, [email protected] 

Fees: 

  • Tuesday to Thursday – starts at CAD 619 per person per night
  • Friday to Monday – starts at CAD 679 per person per night
  • *Need to inquire for 10 or more people 

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If a relaxing team building activity is what you’re after, we reckon going to Kananaskis Nordic Spa is the perfect way to reward your employees. Also, we bet this can help create personal connections in such a serene setting!

You can choose from various deals and packages. One of which is the Spa + Stay, where you can go to Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, located steps away. This includes 1-night stay and 2 hydrotherapy sessions per night.

We also love that the surrounding alpine scenery can give a sense of calm while you and your crew immerse in spa treatments. For us, this rejuvenates the body and mind so everyone can go to work the next day with more positivity.

Dare yourself:

Don’t be afraid to try the cold plunge at Kananaskis Nordic Spa! We believe the stark contrast between the hot and cold pools will give you the revitalization you need to maximize your wellness benefits.

Calgary Zoo-mazing Race

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Website: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/ 

Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE

Contact Details: +1 403 232 9300

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The Calgary Zoo provides participants with a relaxing yet stimulating race full of mental and physical challenges. This race encourages teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. In our book, it’s a fun way to get to know your colleagues too.

We’re also in awe that this caters to groups from 10 to 1,500 people! You’ll explore zoo grounds and participate in a bunch of conservation-themed puzzles and games. Plus, this comes with customizable food and drink options for a special day out.

But if you’re not sporty, don’t worry. The physical feats here are nonstrenuous, so we bet most people can do them. Besides, you’ll be working together for the most part—if you can’t do something, we say use this chance to ask your workmate kindly for help!

Remember this:

All bookings at the Calgary Zoo must be made at least 2 weeks in advance! Be sure to prevent any last-minute mishaps by scheduling this on your calendars early on.

Conundrum Adventures – Virtual Quiz

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Website: https://www.conundrumadventures.com/

Contact Details: +1 416 988 2714, [email protected] 

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One way to keep your team sharp is having a virtual quiz night as a collaboration exercise. Conundrum Adventures put its own spin on the virtual quiz genre with its original games that put your employees’ teamwork and creativity to the test.

One of which is the “Hip To Be Square” game. It’s a virtually hosted quiz-style game that provides an entertaining array of unique categories and team challenges. Is there a know-it-all in your department? We reckon it’s now their time to shine!

On the other hand, the “Map Dash” takes your team on a virtual globe-trotting trip, visiting 22 countries across 40,000 virtual miles. If any of your employees spend a long time staring at the office globe or map during breaks, we think they might just win this.

Pro move:

We recommend incentivizing your participants at Conundrum Adventures to keep them engaged! For example, you can give popular store gift cards, food and drink vouchers, or even monetary bonuses if they win.

Canadian Craft Tours – Virtual Beer Tasting

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Website: https://www.yyctours.ca/ 

Contact Details: +1 587 803 2337, [email protected]

Fees (Groups of 10+): 

  • Beer Delivery – CAD 90 per person + GST (Goods and Services Tax) + PST (Provincial Sales Tax)
  • Cheese Pairing (Optional) – CAD 50 per person
  • Virtual Happy Hour (shopping list provided) – CAD 30 per person

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They say to work hard and play harder. But the Canadian Craft Tours tells us to drink the hardest—its virtual beer tasting lets you enjoy Calgary’s craft beer scene! We reckon this is a way to spoil your crew after a big project or just boost morale.

The team can enjoy happy hour online while learning about the local breweries and what makes the beers taste different. Afterwards, they can also join in some beer trivia and games. Of course, we love that we can crack open a cold one every 20 minutes!

For reference, its partner breweries are Common Crown, Paddy’s, Born Colorado, Cabin, Annex, and many others. We feel the beer enthusiasts in the company will recognize at least one.

Set the mood:

We suggest encouraging the team to grab their favourite snacks that pair well with the beers before the virtual tasting starts with Canadian Craft Tours.  

Also, make sure everyone gets a word in about what they think about each beer. You can have healthy debates or friendly roasts too!

Escape60 – Virtual Escape Room

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Website: https://www.escape60.ca/ 

Contact Details: +1 587 430 0880, [email protected] 

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Escape60 offers a virtual team building activity via Zoom. The game is called “World’s Best Boss” and we think it’s a great interactive experience. Here, you’ll try to plan your boss’ birthday from the comfort of your own home!

You and the crew will play 4 key characters, but the suggested group size can reach 8. Each guest will be sent an electronic book, and you’ll try to solve the puzzles as a group. 

Overall, we reckon this is an interesting way to know which team members are the most strategic, creative, or just the sneakiest among all! 

Handy guide:

We suggest preparing Escape60’s requirements beforehand for a smooth virtual game! Participants need a webcam, speakers, and microphone via phone, tablet, or computer. Paper and pen or pencil are required too!
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