Winter fun at provincial parks

Winter in Saskatchewan is a time to get cozy by a fire, connect with family and enjoy outdoor activities like tobogganing, snowshoeing and ice-fishing. This winter, many Saskatchewan Provincial Parks will be hosting events to help Saskatchewanians embrace the winter season!

“Winter is a great time to enjoy Saskatchewan Provincial Parks,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said. “Our parks boast world-class trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and with the variety of events planned all over our province this winter, we should be reminded that Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are open to be enjoyed all year.”

Kicking off an event-filled winter, Pike Lake Provincial Park will host their Festival of Lights. This event will start as a driving tour on December 19 and 20, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. On December 21, outdoor festivities start at 3 p.m., including skating, crokicurl and a bonfire with refreshments, followed by walking tours from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Visitors can tour the campground and enjoy the light displays set up by local businesses.

On all three days, visitors are encouraged to stop by the recreation hall for a hot beverage and hot dog ($2 each), enjoy a game of crokicurl or go for a skate or snowshoe on the lake.

Candle Lake Provincial Park will also be hosting a Festival of Lights over the holidays. Starting December 20 through to December 31, this event will be open nightly from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a come-and-go tour of the Sandy Bay Campground featuring locally-sponsored light displays.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park will be the place to be on New Year’s Day! The annual Cypress Hills Tobogganing Party will take place from noon until 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an afternoon of family fun including a bonfire, complete with hotdogs and hot chocolate.

On January 11, 2020, Meadow Lake Provincial Park will offer a guided snowshoe hike at Greig Lake along with a craft for youth in the Visitor Centre. Warm up and enjoy a hotdog and warm beverage around the bonfire, following the hike.

These are just a few events being offered by Sask Parks this winter; a variety of others including a skating loop through the campground at Echo Valley Provincial Park, a Candle-lit Ski at Moose Mountain Provincial Park and several Winter Fun Day events can be found at www.saskparks.com by clicking on Activities, or by following SaskParks on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saskparks/.

Visitors are encouraged to use #saskparks when posting photos in provincial parks this winter. A valid park vehicle entry permit is required to visit provincial parks year-round. The purchase of a Saskatchewan Provincial Parks Annual Entry Permit is a great way to enjoy park activities and events both in the summer and in the winter.