It’s the first long weekend of the year and the weather is forecast to be the perfect temperature for enjoying all the outdoor time you can get.
We all know which day is Valentine’s Day, but did you know that Saturday, February 14 is also Manitoba Winter Trails Day? The first ever inaugural Winter Trails Day was held last year, and it was such a big success that it appears it’s going to be an annual event. And why not? We may have long winters here, but they offer so much to do, from ice fishing to skating to snowmobiling to hiking to horseback riding and more. There’s still a lot of winter left, and many reasons to get out there and love it!
Winter Trails Day events
There are some great events taking place on Saturday, February 14. With free access to our provincial parks throughout the month of February — no vehicle permit required — attending these events couldn’t be easier! (Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles, however.) Here are a few to check out:
• Birds Hill Provincial Park (10:00-11:30 am and 1:30-3:00 pm) Join a guided snowshoe experience along the Nimowin Trail. Morning adventures are designed for youth ages 11 and up and adults, while the afternoon program is geared toward children ages 5 to 10 with a parent or caregiver. Learn to identify animal tracks and discover how wildlife adapts to winter. Hot chocolate is served following both hikes. Registration is required.
• Clearwater Lake Provincial Park (1:00-3:00 pm) Celebrate Winter Trails Day with a guided hike near Crystal Caves. Explore frozen shorelines, natural ice formations and winter bird habitat, then warm up with a campfire and hot dog roast at the trailhead. Registration is required.
• Spruce Woods Provincial Park (10:00 am to 4:00 pm) Drop by the Visitor Centre to learn about winter in the park, enjoy a warm drink and borrow a pair of snowshoes to explore nearby trails at your own pace. No registration is required.
• Whiteshell Provincial Park (10:00 am to 1:00 pm): Take part in a guided snowshoe hike to Pine Point Rapids while learning about Indigenous land use, the fur trade and early settlement in the Whiteshell. Snowshoes are provided or bring your own. Registration is required.
Winter getaways
What better way to end a day outdoors than to head indoors to warm up and drink hot chocolate? A great way to really get the full winter experience is to go glamping. Here are just two options of many:
• Moonlit Canopy This geodesic dome experience near Pelican Lake in southwestern Manitoba allows you to take a break from the bustle of your week and truly be mindful. The domes are spaced about 50 feet apart and elevated above the view. They’re fully insulated with a kitchen, a full bathroom, gas stove, BBQ, hot tub, plus king- and queen-sized beds. Snowshoes can be rented. Ice fishing is nearby.
• Falcon Trails Resort Tucked into the boreal forest on the shores of Falcon Lake and High Lake, Falcon Trails Resort is a family-owned getaway. In winter they also operate Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes, but what many may not realize is that Falcon Trails is a must-visit destination for cross-country skiers with its network of over 21 interconnected trails. With 10 cabins with fireplaces, the Nordic Welcome Centre and a lakeshore sauna, there’s no better way to get the full northern experience!
Outdoor adventures
Winter would not be complete without the full Canadian outdoor experience. Here are just two iconic activities you have to try at least once:
• Dog sledding If you’ve never been dog sledding, The Harness Adventure Mushing Co. experience is for you! Just 30 minutes east of Winnipeg, this small business was inspired by the incredible spirit of their dogs and the history of dog sledding in Canada. You can even opt for an evening dogsled ride and be delivered to the doorstep of an enchanting winter-wall tent furnished with a 4-post Queen size bed, wood stove and loveseat! Sounds like a very romantic getaway!
• Ice fishing Turtle Tours is an Indigenous-owned and-operated company offering tours and experiences in Winnipeg and Riding Mountain. Operating a tour office at The Forks, they’ve expanded their offers to include ice fishing at FortWhyte Alive. FortWhyte Alive’s beautiful Lake Devonian now features glamping-style tents, providing the ultimate ice fishing experience right here in the city. These tents are so cozy and warm, there’s no reason not to try this!
• Ice skating This activity couldn’t be more convenient than driving or busing to The Forks, renting some skates from Iceland’s Skate Rentals in The Forks Market if you don’t have your own, and heading out onto Nestaweya Trail on the river. There are clever warming huts located all along the route with designs from all over the world. If you don’t know how to skate, free guided skating lessons are held every Sunday (weather permitting) from 1-4 pm under the Canopy on a first-come first-served basis (but you must first meet in the Tower Atrium of the Forks Market).
Festival du Voyageur
Another year, another Festival — the 57th to be precise! If you’ve never attended this annual event in Saint-Boniface, you need to! Starting on February 13 and running until the 22 in Whittier Park, this is the largest winter festival in Western Canada, welcoming over 70,000 festival goers each year. Experience outdoor winter activities, snow sculptures, historical characters in Fort Gibraltar, and warm tents filled with music, dance, traditional food, contests and so much more! Hého!
A fantastic resource to help you explore our province to its fullest is the Travel Manitoba website at www.travelmanitoba.com There you’ll find many different resources to help you explore everything that this amazing province has to offer, not only during our coldest, darkest months, but all year round!