It's a snowy start to the New Year in Calgary.

As the snowflakes fall today, we at CREBNow thought we'd share a few images from summer in the city to warm you up on this chilly day.

It's a busy mail day for the City of Calgary as they're mailing more than half a million property and business assessment notices.

Today also marks the start of a 60-day customer review period.

"We are committed to delivering fair and equitable assessments and encourage all property and business owners to carefully review their assessment and contact us during the customer review period if you have any questions of concerns," said Nelson Karpa, director and assessor with the City.

Yearly records set as monthly sales see slight decline

It was a record setting year for Calgary's condominium apartment and townhouse sectors, as sales reached new annual highs despite year-over-year residential sales declines of 7.5 per cent in December.

Single family sales totaled 708 units in December, a year-over-year decline of 8.3 per cent. Meanwhile, total condominium sales also declined by six per cent over the same time frame, but overall activity remained consistent with long-term averages.

Once considered a bit of a blight on Calgary's landscape, the emerging East Village is fast becoming a sought-after destination for both residential living and entertainment seekers.

Here's some photos throughout the last few years of it's evolution.

From National Hockey League stars Eric, Jordan and Marc Staal who played on a backyard rink in their Ontario farmyard - not to mention the hundreds, if not thousands, of other professional hockey players - to the youngest of skaters eagerly watching their parents prepare the ice for them, the backyard rink is as Canadian as the game of hockey itself.

Here's some tips on turning your backyard into a icy mecca: