This winter get out an enjoy all our parks have to offer with a number of great programs for you and the family.
From introductions for Nordic Skiing, interpretive snowshoe adventures, and interpretive hikes there is something for everyone in our parks this winter.
Buffalo Pound
New to Nordic
Weekly, Starting January 7 @ 2:30 p.m.
See what Nordic skiing (aka cross-country skiing) is all about. Learn basic techniques of set-track skiing and prepare to add another activity to your winter list! Some equipment is available or bring your own.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are forecasted at or below -26°C (with the wind chill), this program will be cancelled. Cancellations will be made 24 hours in advance, and all pre-registrants will be notified via email.
Snowshoe to the Bison
Weekly, Starting January 7 @ 4 p.m.
Get up close and personal to an animal weighing over 2000 lbs. as you walk along the Bison Range on this guided snowshoe hike!
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, this program will be cancelled and an alternative program will be offered inside of the Visitor Centre.
Candle Lake
Festival of Lights
December 23 @ 5:00 p.m.
The Candle Lake Festival of Lights is back again! Enjoy the twinkling light displays sponsored by local businesses on foot or from the comfort of your car. Walking time is 5 PM to 6:30 PM and driving time is 6:30 PM to 9 PM nightly. Bring your cross-country skis or snowshoes and enjoy the illuminated trails from 5 PM to 9 PM. Stop at the entry gate to pay your park entry and pick up complimentary hot chocolate and treat and grab your Park Activity Booklet.
Cost: The Festival of Lights is included with valid park entry. Bring your Sask Parks Entry Permit or purchase entry at the gate ($10 per vehicle or pick up an Annual Permit at a discounted promotional rate of $40). Snowshoes available for rent at the entry gate.
Cypress Hills
Trim Your Tree
November 26 @ 8:00 a.m.
This winter bring in the holidays with “Trim Your Tree” in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park—a unique experience which allows park visitors to cut down their own Christmas trees to take home.
Trim Your Tree’ not only gives park visitors a small piece of Cypress Hills to take home with them, but also helps preserve our parks.
“Trim Your Tree”, running November 26 to December 23, 2022, supports fire suppression efforts within Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park by allowing visitors to cut down spruce trees within designated FireSmart blocks.
Visitors looking to participate are asked to stop by the park administration office upon arrival to pick up a tree permit and receive directions to the designated tree cutting area. If you plan on staying the night, accommodations can be booked at The Resort at Cypress Hills.
Please note equipment such as axes and ropes are not provided and remember to bundle up!
If These Hills Could Talk
January 7 @ 2:00 p.m.
Wander around the lodgepole pines of beautiful Cypress Hills on your snowshoes as an interpreter guides you through the trails. Four different variations of hikes will keep you coming back to experience winter in the majestic Cypress Hills — “If These Hills Could Talk” (History), “The Abominable Walk” (Ice Age), “Bird Detective” (Seek and find, birds and bird adaptations), “Frosted Forest Hike” (The forest in winter).
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative or shortened program will be offered.
Light-up the Night Hike
Weekly, January 7th @ 7:30 p.m
The sun’s gone down and the stars are coming out. Watch twinkling stars appear above the snow-topped lodgepole pines and be transported through time and space as we reveal the stories they tell. On this short guided walk, you will be embraced with ancient stories regarding the night sky while finishing around a cozy fire to improve your knowledge on winter constellations that have guided our ancestors for centuries.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, this program will be cancelled.
Abominable Walk
January 14 @ 2 p.m.
Wander around the lodgepole pines of beautiful Cypress Hills on your snowshoes as an interpreter guides you through the trails. Four different variations of hikes will keep you coming back to experience winter in the majestic Cypress Hills — “If These Hills Could Talk” (History), “The Abominable Walk” (Ice Age), “Bird Detective” (Seek and find, birds and bird adaptations), “Frosted Forest Hike” (The forest in winter).
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative or shortened program will be offered.
Bird Detective
January 21st @ 2 p.m.
Wander around the lodgepole pines of beautiful Cypress Hills on your snowshoes as an interpreter guides you through the trails. Four different variations of hikes will keep you coming back to experience winter in the majestic Cypress Hills — “If These Hills Could Talk” (History), “The Abominable Walk” (Ice Age), “Bird Detective” (Seek and find, birds and bird adaptations), “Frosted Forest Hike” (The forest in winter).
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative or shortened program will be offered.
Frosted Forest Hike
January 28th @ 2 p.m.
Wander around the lodgepole pines of beautiful Cypress Hills on your snowshoes as an interpreter guides you through the trails. Four different variations of hikes will keep you coming back to experience winter in the majestic Cypress Hills — “If These Hills Could Talk” (History), “The Abominable Walk” (Ice Age), “Bird Detective” (Seek and find, birds and bird adaptations), “Frosted Forest Hike” (The forest in winter).
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative or shortened program will be offered.
Duck Mountain
New to Nordic
Weekly, January 7th @ 1 p.m.
See what Nordic skiing (aka cross-country skiing) is all about. Learn basic techniques of set-track skiing and prepare to add another activity to your winter list! Some equipment is available or bring your own.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are forecasted at or below -26°C (with the wind chill), this program will be cancelled. Cancellations will be made 24 hours in advance, and all pre-registrants will be notified via email.
Escape the Maze
Weekly, January 7th @ 4 p.m.
Congratulations, you have been successfully recruited to the Sask Parks spy academy! Your first challenge? Escape the Duck Mountain snow maze. Scattered throughout the maze is a collection of riddles and challenges that you must complete in order to find the secret code and successfully escape the maze! Don't get lost; your acceptance to the Sask Parks spy academy depends on it!
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are forecasted at or below -26°C (with the wind chill), this program will be cancelled. Cancellations will be made 24 hours in advance, and all pre-registrants will be notified via email.
Echo Valley
Illuminated Snowshoe Stroll
January 6th & 7th
Join a Park Interpreter for this guided evening excursion through the snow! Learn all the basics of snowshoeing, followed by a guided snowshoe through the park. Glowing lights will guide your way along the valley edge to a scenic lookout point where you will gaze up at the stars and constellations. Witness a shooting star or even the northern lights, then complete your adventure by warming your toes around the campfire.
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided, but please wear boots. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are forecasted at or below -26°C (with the wind chill), this program will be cancelled. Cancellations will be made 24 hours in advance, and all pre-registrants will be notified via email.
Scenic Snowshoe Safari
January 7th @ 2 p.m.
Join a Park Interpreter for this guided excursion through the snow! Learn all the basics of snowshoeing, followed by a guided snowshoe through the park. Snow-trimmed trees will guide your way along the valley's edge to a scenic lookout point where you will gaze your eyes over rolling hills and ice-covered lakes. Complete your adventure by warming your toes around the campfire, or consider bringing your skates and trying out the skating loop under the lights before going home.
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided, but please wear boots. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative porcupine craft program will be offered inside the Interpretive Centre next to the Visitor Centre.
Moose Mountain
Candle-lit Ski
January 13th & February 10th
Immerse yourself in a true winter wonderland and enjoy an evening ski under the stars. Glide through the park while candlelights glimmer atop the freshly fallen snow. The trail begins at Little Kenosee and is 3.2 km. Bring your own skis or rent them from the Kenosee Inn: 306-577-2099.
Cost: Included with valid Park Entry Permit.
Pike Lake
Festival of Lights
December: 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
The Pike Lake Festival of Lights is back again! Enjoy the twinkling light displays sponsored by local businesses from the comfort of your car. Prefer walking through the displays? A walking night will be available this year on December 9. Enjoy a drop-in Guided Outdoor Sauna Experience with Back2Nature Sauna. Here you will experience the benefits of hot and cold therapy thanks to “Luna” a wood-burning barrel.
Cost: The Festival of Lights is included with valid park entry. Bring your Sask Parks Entry Permit or purchase entry at the gate ($10 per vehicle or pick up an Annual Permit at a discounted promotional rate of $40).
Where the Wild Winter Things Are
January 7th @ 1 p.m.
Join a Park Interpreter for this guided excursion through the snow! Learn all the basics of snowshoeing, followed by a guided snowshoeing tour through the park. Gaze through the treetops at birds soaring overhead, follow the meandering tracks of deer and rabbits, and feel the varying textures of tree bark on your fingertips! Afterwards, cozy up around a warm winter campfire.
This program is designed for all levels of experience in snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided, but please wear boots and dress appropriately. If there is not enough snow to utilize snowshoes, this program will be offered as a winter hike.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, this program will be cancelled, and an alternative program will be offered inside the rec hall.
Chirp with the Chickadees
January 7th @ 3 p.m.
Tromp through the frost-covered trail and get up close and personal with our resident chickadees. Learn all the basics of snowshoeing, followed by a guided snowshoeing tour through the park.
Please note: If temperatures in the program location are below -26°C with the wind chill, an alternative chickadee craft program will be offered inside the rec hall.
