A competitor in the Queen Trapper has her attempt in the log toss during the Prince Albert Winter Festival on Feb. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

By Logan Lehmann

Outdoor fun

Final weekend of PA Winter Festival draws fans of all ages

Feb 21, 2026 | 5:30 PM

Participants and onlookers were braving the cold Saturday for the final weekend of the 62nd annual Prince Albert Winter Festival. 

The annual city-wide celebration began at the beginning of the month on Feb. 4 and will officially wrap up on Sunday following the King and Queen Trapper events and the Gospel Show later that evening. 

Saturday was the start of the King and Queen Trapper event as well as the dog sled races, which was a fan favourite. 

“I love the dog races,” said Laura Dormuth, who was attending the festival with her family. “My family has been coming here for years and it’s my favourite.”  

Zaka Lanoie shared the same perspective, adding he’s only been coming for a few years but loves experiencing the all the different events with his loved ones. 

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“I really like the sculptures that they make, I enjoy the dog sledding that goes on and bringing my siblings here and letting them have fun.” 

The dog sled races have different kinds of competitions within, like the Cosmopolitan 1 Dog Race, Park Range 3 Dog Jr. Race, the 6 Dog Race, and the big one, the Sask 10 Dog Sled Dog Championship. 

Musher Kody Sinclair has been competing in the sport since he was five and is a fourth-generation dog sled racer. Although he’s competed at the Prince Albert Winter Festival year after year, he said he still has yet to be the first one to cross the finish line.  

“I’ve came in third a couple of times in the 10 dog, it’s a dream of mine to win the 10 dog here.” 

When asked if he’s confident in winning this year, he said this year has been more of a rebuilding year for him and his team, adding he’s not competing in the Sask 10 Dog Sled Dog Championship. 

“I got a bunch of young dogs that I’m keeping nice and easy in the six dog classes. But within the next couple of years, I hope to be back on top.” 

The dog sled races continue Sunday as follows: 

• 6 Dog Race – 12 p.m. 
• 4 Dog Race – 1 p.m. 
• Sask 10 Dog Sled Dog Championship – 2 p.m. 

Mushers get their sleds ready to race during the Prince Albert Winter Festival on Feb. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

Meanwhile, the King and Queen Trapper event was taking place simultaneously right next to the start line of the races. There, competitors battle in a series of events to earn points and at the end, the person left with the most points in crowned the King and Queen Trapper.

The competition is spread across two days, and include events like animal and bird calls, log toss, sled pull, axe throwing, snowshoe racing, and water boiling to name a few. 

This year will see a new Queen Trapper as the reigning champion, Clarissa Burns, is not competing. Those looking to fill that spot this year is Flora Whitecap, Judy Cook, Sylvia Bird, Claudia Cook, Gabrielle Ermine, and Alex McKenzie.

For the men, defending champion Richard Charles is back to defend his crown, and challenging him this year is Norman McKenzie and Andy Dubort. 

The Trapper events will start again on Sunday at 11 a.m. The winners will be announced around 3 p.m. 

— 

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com