This article originally appeared on The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World.

Skating outside in Saskatchewan is a popular winter pastime for everyone. Ponds, lakes and even sloughs get cleared by kids and adults for impromptu games of shinny, while communities flood skating rinks, pads and trails. 

Here are a few skating rinks around the province you’ll want to check out on your next adventure:

1. Echo Valley Provincial Park

Echo Valley Provincial Park has flooded a 2-km skating loop that winds through the Aspen Campground. The Skate the Park skating trail is free to enjoy with a valid park pass (bring your own skates). On weekends, there are often food trucks, as well as hot chocolate and outdoor firepits to enjoy. There are also numerous other trails to explore in the park on cross-country skis or as part of a guided snowshoe tour.

 

2. Pike Lake Provincial Park

Every year, Pike Lake Provincial Park clears the snow on the lake to create a 5-km skating trail along the shoreline. With access near the main beach, there are bales to sit on to enjoy the warmth of a bonfire before and after your skate. There’s also crokicurl, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails available in the park.

3. Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink @ Nutrien Plaza

In the shadow of the castle-like Delta Hotels by Marriott Bessborough, the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink @ Nutrien Plaza is one of the most iconic skating rinks in Canada because of its spectacular views overlooking the South Saskatchewan River in downtown Saskatoon. Massive evergreen trees are illuminated with thousands of lights and there’s also a warm-up shack and free skate rentals, as well as an outdoor firepit. Throughout the year, there are various programs and skate parties to come out and enjoy, often with free hot chocolate and coffee.

4. Patrick Park Skating Pathway, Yorkton

New to Patrick Park in Yorkton is a skating loop throughout the park. The city wanted a fun way to encourage its residents to enjoy the outdoors in the winter and began flooding the pathways to turn them into a skating trail. There are nearby picnic tables to tie your skates and there are lights along the trail to illuminate it for night skating.

5. Wakamow Skating Oval

Moose Jaw is home to the Wakamow Skating Oval. The oval is open to the public throughout the season with an available heated shelter onsite. When the Kinsmen Speed Skating Club is practicing, it’s requested that public users skate on the inside lanes.

6. Elk Ridge Resort, near Prince Albert National Park

Elk Ridge Resort is well-known for its outdoor ice hockey rinks and skating oval. Set in the “backyard” of the resort on the frozen pond, groundskeeping staff use a Zamboni to flood and groom the ice. At night, the loop is lit up by decorated trees. Skate rentals are included if you’re staying at the resort.

 

Author & Photographer: Ashlyn George

Ashlyn George is an adventure travel writer and social media influencer based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. By 30, she visited more than 60 countries and all 7 continents while documenting it on her blog The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. Today, Ashlyn creates content in partnership with world-renowned brands like NFL Canada, McDonald’s and CLIF Bar and has been featured in the New York Times and listed by Kayak as a Top 10 Travel Hacker. Find her online at @thelostgirlsguide or www.thelostgirlsguide.com