Six Places to Hit the Slopes in Saskatchewan
One thing Saskatchewanians know is that while the deep freeze of a Saskatchewan winter comes and goes, it will not last forever. And when it breaks, we will waste no time getting outside while we can, participating in all sorts of fun in the great outdoors. While it might not always look like it from our front door, not all of our province is as flat as its rumored to be, and there are plenty of slopes to be found and conquered if you’re willing to explore.
I’ve found it a challenge to plan socially distanced family fun vacations within the province the past few years, and making a trip to a local ski hill has been a nice option for us. Driving a bit further than our own backyard to find new slopes has added to the adventure, and helped make it feel more like a holiday.
If you’re in the same boat and looking for winter excursion ideas, here are six in-province getaways to consider.
1- Duck Mountain Ski Area (Kamsack, SK)
The prairie landscape quickly turns to forest as you arrive in Duck Mountain Provincial Park and you feel like you’ve arrived in the far north. Saskatchewan’s most extensive hill with 22 runs and tubing, your crew is sure to find plenty to explore. After a day of slopes and snacks at the ski hill, you can settle into a lakeside modern cabin in nearby Madge Lake Developments. In the park you’ll also find skating, Crockicurl, a snow maze and endless opportunity for families to play in the snow.
2- Table Mountain Regional Park (North Battleford, SK)
Accommodations at nearby Blue Mountain Adventure Park make it easy to settle in for the weekend at this multi-activity location. From cross-country to downhill, tubing and terrain parks, skating and snowshoes, there is something for families of all ages and skill levels with most of the equipment you’ll need available to rent.
3- Wapiti Valley Ski Resort (Nipawin, SK)
With 15 runs and a terrain park, this destination offers snowboarders and skiers alike enough to fill the weekend including night skiing opportunities. Cabins are available for rent from The Outer Banks, which boasts its own toboggan hill if you didn’t get enough, and hot tub rentals for that apres ski warm up.
4- Kinsmen Ski Centre (Prince Albert, SK)
Beautiful Little Red River Park is nestled right within Prince Albert, though with the endless trails and towering forest, you’ll feel like you left city life far behind. Kinsmen Ski Centre provides rentals and lessons for those who need them. For those from more southernly parts of the province, a trip up north also presents a chance to take in unique activities like a late night trip to view the northern lights or a sled dog excursion.
5- Ski Timber Ridge (Big River, SK)
A community-run hill, this is a smaller hill that presents a more intimate experience for those looking for something off the beaten path. Unique cabin rentals can be found 15 minutes away at the Ness Creek site.
6- Mission Ridge Winter Park (Fort Qu’Appelle, SK)
This one’s close enough for a day trip from Regina. If your crew would enjoy riding the waterslides after hours, you could find a hotel in the city to book into.
It’s also just down the highway from other fun complimentary winter activities in nearby Echo Valley Provincial Park. Skating around the campground amongst twinkling Christmas lights is truly a joy and the brave can even book in for a winter camping experience.
Wherever you choose to roam, in a province that can shift 40 temperature degrees in 24 hours, it pays to book early, be prepared to bundle up if you need to, and check the social media pages for the hills before you go to make sure runs remain open.
If you’re looking for something a little more toned down and closer to home, also check out our list of local Toboggan Hills.
Did we miss a slope that cries out to be conquered by the young and old? Let us know on social media!
-Nova Alberts is a Marketing Manager on the Brand and Platforms Team at Directwest.
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