Winter In Waskesiu
WE LOVE WASKESIU BECAUSE...
it’s a place to disconnect and reconnect to what is really important. Our community and nature all winter long.
ENJOY THE WINTER ADVENTURE...
Know Before You Visit
Because weather and snow conditions vary from year to year, as well as the range of winter services provided in the Prince Albert National Park and the Waskesiu townsite, you are advised to check with the Park Information Office.
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The Visitor Centre is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Knowledgeable Parks Canada staff can help plan visits and answer any questions: 306-663-4522 or pc.princealbertinfo.pc@canada.ca.
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The Prince Albert National Park Winter Guide is available online and helpful in planning a visit to the park.
Outdoor recreation is important for mental and physical well-being! Visitors can plan their winter getaway to the park today and enjoy a range of unique winter experiences. The Christmas Tree Harvest and other outdoor recreational activities are family-friendly!
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THINGS TO DO IN WASKESIU THIS WINTER
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Cross country skiing
When the snow flies, Waskesiu's trails are turned into some of the best runs that can be found anywhere. And one can not beat the scenery of magical Waskesiu covered in winter's white coat. There are approximately 45 kilometers of groomed ski trails in the park which provide lots of options for visitors to enjoy snow-covered scenery and terrain. There are both skate and classic ski trails with varying degrees of difficulty. A 1km spur trail connects the Spruce River Highlands trail to 18km of ski trails in the Anglin Lake area. Current trail conditions are available on the Prince Albert National Park trail report page Click here for the ski trail conditions.
Snowshoeing
Inspired by nature and developed by Indigenous peoples throughout the global north, snowshoes are a way to become lighter on your feet in deep snow. Create your own trail across the snow cover! Whether you venture out for a few hours or choose to go for a back-country camping adventure, snowshoeing provides a great way to exercise and experience the boreal forest winter.The park offers a range of designated snowshoe and hiking routes close to Waskesiu or via easily accessible ploughed winter roads.
Hiking
A familiar summer hiking trail will wear a different face in the winter. Since many of the popular trailheads are accessible even during this season, you may wish to explore the winter profile of a popular trail - like The Red Deer Trail - that you walked in the summer.
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Ice Fishing
Winter angling is usually a game of patience. Perhaps you will catch sight of a wandering river otter "sliding" across the lake surface. A shadow on the distant shore may focus on a bull elk. Children can also take advantage of the outdoors this winter. Families can plan an ice fishing trip to the park as it is ice fishing season on Waskesiu Lake until March 31. Prince Albert National Park fishing licenses can be purchased at the Visitor Centre upon arrival. If it’s slow between catches, visitors can bring a toboggan to pull children around and scout the lake or shoreline for animal tracks and pine cones. Most years you are sure to find an original, handmade ice shack right out on the main beach to add to your Waskesiu ice fishing experience..
Camping
Winter camping is whole different "ball of snow". The experience has unique challenges, that go along with special rewards of spending a night - or nights - under a canopy of snow-covered spruce and star-spangled skies. Several campsites are designated for winter camping.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Winter is a great time to view wildlife! Check the roadsides for elk, deer, wolf and fox tracks. Scan the frozen lakes for wolves. Over 20 species of birds make Prince Albert National Park their winter home. Winter in the park is a stunning time of year for photography and wildlife viewing. With fewer visitors around, the opportunity to see elk, wolves, deer, and foxes from the safety of your vehicle is more likely. Parks Canada encourages visitors to bring binoculars while cross-country skiing through wooded trails and listen for the hardy birds that live here year-round.
Visitors can take a scenic drive to the Narrows and watch for otters
fishing in patches of open water or sliding on the ice..
Ice Skating at Paul G. Horne Community Arena in Waskesiu
Add some extra fun to your winter visit to Waskesiu! The Paul Horne Arena will be open again this winter! No booking required, just show up and enjoy the rink.
CLICK HERE for details and 2024-2025 rates.
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The Open Saskatchewan Sky
Visitors and astronomy-lovers alike can enjoy the Milky Way, northern lights and constellations from Prince Albert National Park. Annual meteor showers in August, October and December are a thrill that can be seen from within the park. Visitors can bring their telescope to South Bay or Paignton Beach along the Narrows Road for wide open views of the night sky.
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Enclosed Kitchen Shelters
There are five enclosed kitchen shelters throughout the park during the winter, complete with wood stoves and firewood, making them the perfect sanctuary for a winter picnic with your immediate family or household group.
Elk Ridge Resort Winter Activities
Experience more winter excitement just outside the park.
Tobogganing, skating, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing,
dog sledding and even a curling rink!!
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DOWNLOAD the 2024/2025 PANP Winter Activities Guide HERE!
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Winter Activities
The Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce Member Businesses listed below offer restaurant services:
​Hawood Inn MacKenzie's Dining Room & Pat's Lounge
Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner offering fresh homemade scratch cooking. Fully licensed. Enjoy your meals in our warm and inviting dining room, lounge, or licensed deck with a beach view.
Elk Ridge Resort Dining
The Wyld - Open 11AM to 1 AM daily. We look forward to serving you.
Fredrich- Named after Elk Ridge Resort founder, Arne Fredrich Petersen, we invite you to join us for a meal inspired by his thoughtfulness and care. Open 7 AM to 11 PM daily.
Dining
Heritage
Waskesiu Heritage Museum
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OUR HERITAGE MOMENTS WALKING TOUR... Take a moment to look back...
As you holiday around Waskesiu in all four seasons, you will encounter signs like this one on buildings and places of interest.
Scan the QR codes on the signs or use the links in the listing below the map to connect with our history.
See charming old photos and notice the changes over the years.
Read people's entertaining stories about holidaying or working in Waskesiu.
Hear a tune that roller skaters remember from Skatehaven.
Learn who built our iconic log buildings.
Watch a video of canoe "jousting" at the breakwater.
Marvel at what vacationers wore in the 1940s.
Listen to the Song of Waskesiu as it would have played at the bandstand.
Enjoy making your own memories with this guide at Waskesiu or from your home computer.
You can download the Heritage Moments brochure here.
Open July and August Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Visit our website to learn about special events for all ages which are held
throughout the summer season. https://waskesiuheritagemuseum.org
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About Us
Get to know us!
Waskesiu Lake, located in Prince Albert National Park, was an early Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post between 1886 and 1893. In the early 20th century the industries of fishing and logging were carried out in this boreal forested area. A large forest fire in 1919 eliminated the logging industry.
Prince Albert National Park was officially opened in 1928 and is open all year round for amazing outdoor activities for all ages. Waskesiu Lake is the most visited part of the park. The park is also home of the cabin of the naturalist and conservationist Grey Owl, on Ajawaan Lake.
Waskesiu (Cree for “red deer”) is the only town within the park, located on the eastern shore of Waskesiu Lake and is approximately 90 km north of Prince Albert, SK.
IN AND AROUND WASKESIU!
Many facilities and services are available in the summer months, such as souvenir shops, small grocery stores, a gas station, a laundromat, restaurants, hotels and motels, rental cabins, a movie theatre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment, campgrounds, three marinas, many beautiful sandy beaches, picnic areas, mini golf, tennis courts, multi use sport court, shuffleboard court and lawn bowling greens and so much more! The facilities and services combine recreational and nature experiences. You will still find many historical properties in Waskesiu such as the iconic Waskesiu Community Hall.
The park also contains the Waskesiu Golf Course designed by famed golf course architect Stanley Thompson who also designed the course in
Banff National Park. It is one of Canada’s top 100 premiere golf courses,
We invite you to come, play, stay, and experience the natural treasures of Prince Albert National Park with wilderness that includes more than seven major lakes, over 120 km of hiking trails, secluded canoe routes, and unlimited wildlife viewing opportunities.
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Electric vehicle charging stations!
Four electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in the Waskesiu Main Beach parking lot located within the Waskesiu townsite. The charging stations are currently operational year-round for public use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visitors are responsible for monitoring their charging and find another parking spot when their vehicle is fully charged. There is no fee for visitors to charge their vehicles at the charging stations.
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After taking a tour of our website, we are sure you will want to create your very own "Waskesiu Experience" soon!
Parks Canada Agency
About Prince Albert National Park
Waskesiu is a stunningly beautiful piece of paradise where you can explore and enjoy untouched nature in the boreal forest, in all its winter glory. Imagine seeing a herd of elk bedded down in a sunny spot in the snow, a fox visiting you while you are enjoying a wiener roast, ice fishing and catching a 10 lb. Northern Pike, and ending a beautiful winter day with a glorious show of northern lights on a crystal-clear nigh.
For more information about Prince Albert National Park, click here.
Park fees are reinvested in services and facilities visitors enjoy.
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Revenue generated from park fees is reinvested in the parks and sites where it is
earned and is spent on visitor services and facilities. This means that the
revenue stays in Prince Albert National Park. Every time you visit a park or site
you are investing in its future and in a legacy for future generations.
Reinvestment in Prince Albert National Park over recent years includes:
boat launches, Beaver Glen campground improvements, trail improvements,
the new pedestrian bridge over the Waskesiu River and much more.
Services and facilities providing a public good are paid for through appropriations.
Services and facilities providing a personal benefit to visitors are paid for,
at least in part, through user fees.
Visitor fees support a wide variety of programs and services including search
and rescue, information and campground services, maintenance of washrooms,
roads and picnic areas. These increases are critical if Parks Canada is to continue to offer high quality services and to repair or replace aging visitor facilities.
Parks Canada's user fees are comparable to the fees charged by other providers of similar services and facilities.
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Want to know more about Restoring Ecosystems in Prince Albert National Park?
Fire is a natural, essential part of the boreal forest and grassland ecosystems found in Prince Albert National Park. In the absence of fire, forests are becoming thicker and older and trees like aspen are expanding into native grassland. Parks Canada is using prescribed fire to restore park ecosystems
and create new habitat for our native species.
VISITORS CENTRE: 1-306-663-4522
TOLL FREE: 1-888-773-8888
EMAIL: pc.princealbertinfo.pc@canada.ca
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Prince Albert National Park 2024 Activity Guide and Trail Map
For more information Visit Prince Albert National Park website
or Parks Canada home page.
