Warm up your Winter
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Travel Alberta
When temperatures drop, Alberta shines under bright blue skies. Cold temperatures, plenty of snow and frozen lakes make the Lakeland an ideal spot for snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing. Winter festivals and northern lights add to the mix. Dress for the weather (average winter temperatures are -12°C) and you’re more likely to have fun.
Downhill skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing
Go aerial at Kinosoo Ridge Adventure Park in summer. But, in winter, Kinosoo Ridge Resort is known for its excellent ski runs and snowboarding park near Bonnyville. Ski camps and lessons are available for all ages. The Ridge is a full-service restaurant on the second floor with lake views from the patio, or a cozy seat inside for up to 140 people. Menus feature local farmers and producers.
For cross country skiing, this piece on Lakeland’s Top Cross Country Ski Trails offers ski club resources for learning as well as five skiing locales to hit near three communities—Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and St. Paul. Load up the skis and head out for a weekend away to glide along groomed tracks and overnight in a place to soothe your ski bod with hot tubs or fireplaces.
Travel Alberta
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in Alberta offers one of the most thrilling ways to embrace the snow. We have some of the best trails. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just looking to try something new, snowmobiling combines speed, scenery and adrenaline for a memorable experience. Look at 5 Reasons to Go Snowmobiling in Alberta. You may also want to read Four Steps to Getting Started with Snowmobiling in Alberta and make a plan on where to trailer to next with your group of friends or family.
Travel Alberta
Ice fishing
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or trying ice fishing for the first time, you’ll find some ideas on where to go and how to start in this piece, Ice Hut Luxe in the Lakeland. Sleep on the ice and fish from your bunk on one of these four lakes for ice fishing, including Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, Grist Lake and Winefred Lake.
Travel Alberta
Winter Festivals
While it’s hard to name all the smaller winter festivals, Lac La Biche and Cold Lake have a festival that’s been running annually for a long time. Lac La Biche has Lac La Biche ICE Festival of Speed. Cold Lake has Snow Fever Winter Festival on Family Day Weekend. For other festivals, stay tuned to Travel Lakeland’s events page or each town’s Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Northern Lights
People in southern locales pay big money to come up north to see the northern lights. We can see them regularly if we get outside and look up. Lakeland Provincial Park & Recreation Area together form an official Dark Sky Preserve, which means they’re unspoiled by light pollution. The preserve offers fantastic opportunities to see constellations, meteor showers and the Northern Lights.
Borrow easy to use telescopes from Stuart MacPherson Public Library, located in the Bold Center in Lac La Biche—you’ll need an Alberta library card—and head out to Pinehurst Lake Day Use Area, which has panoramic views to the north, east and west.
Metis Crossing has sky watching domes and programming that takes in the skies. Book a dome when there are reports for great upcoming northern lights.
For prime viewing, check out more at Dark Sky Preserve, which also includes Lakeland Provincial Park & Recreation Area.
