By Prince Albert National Park

The Benefits of the Great Outdoors

Get Outdoors This Winter at Prince Albert National Park!

Nov 27, 2020 | 9:21 AM

Winter is here and Prince Albert National Park invites visitors to come and enjoy a range of experiences under crisp, sunny skies, on frozen lakes, and through vast, snow-capped forests.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, fun activities for your immediate family or household group, a chance to explore nature with your special someone, or a winter getaway in a tranquil setting, Prince Albert National Park is open for visitors to enjoy 365 days per year.

The health and safety of visitors, employees and all Canadians is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. To help limit the spread of COVID-19, visitors must follow the advice of public health experts and guidelines outlined by the Government of Saskatchewan at www.saskatchewan.ca while visiting or participating in any activities in Prince Albert National Park. Current provincial public health orders and restrictions include:

· Mandatory non-medical mask wearing in indoor spaces such as the Visitor Centre and enclosed kitchen shelters;

· Indoor gatherings may have a maximum of five people and applies to enclosed kitchen shelters throughout the park;

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· Two metres physical distancing remains in place and should be observed when people from outside the household are present; and,

· Outdoor gatherings may have a maximum of 30 people where there is enough space to maintain two metres between individuals who are not in the same household.

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 and can be enjoyed while respecting provincial public health measures:

· 5^th Annual Christmas Tree Harvest – Parks Canada invites local residents to harvest a Christmas tree from the Waskesiu Community Fuel Break (CFB) from December 1 to December 23. Continue a family tradition, or start a new one, while protecting Waskesiu from potential wildfires. Bring a handsaw, sleigh and a thermos of hot chocolate to keep you warm while you search for the perfect Christmas tree. Christmas Tree Harvest permits are available free of charge from the Visitor Centre where park passes can also be purchased. A valid park pass is required for this activity, however admission is free for youth 17 and under to all Parks Canada’s places including Prince Albert National Park.

· Cross-country skiing – 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. This winter, visitors can create their own adventure from Prince Albert National Park to Great Blue Heron Provincial Park. Updates on current trail conditions are available on the Prince Albert National Park trail report page: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/PANP-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. The park offers a range of designated snowshoe and hiking routes close to Waskesiu or via easily accessible ploughed winter roads.

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· Kids can also take advantage of the outdoors this winter. Families can plan an ice fishing trip to the park for its 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.

· The northern sky, solitude and sense of adventure make a winter camping experience unlike any other. The park has designated winter campgrounds with access to firewood, pit toilets and enclosed shelters for which a nominal fee applies. Visitors should register with the Visitor Centre before any overnight excursion and for information on random winter camping.

The Prince Albert National Park Winter Guide is available online and helpful in planning a visit to the park.

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.