Ultimate Winter Day Trip to Echo Valley

Winter in Saskatchewan can be the most magical time of the year. With snowmen to build, rinks to skate along and rolling hills to toboggan down, there are endless amounts of fun to have in the province.

With so many amazing parks to choose from, where should visitors travel to experience the ultimate winter wonderland in Saskatchewan? Echo Valley Provincial Park, of course!

From the popular Skate the Park to Crokicurl to cross-country skiing, Echo Valley has it all. So, grab your toque and mittens and head down to the snow-dusted valley to experience winter like never before.

Getting There

Echo Valley is less than an hour's drive from Regina, making it the perfect destination for a quick getaway or a fun day trip for city-dwellers. This park is accessible by all vehicles, but visitors should check road conditions before heading out.

Remember to bring proper winter clothing to stay warm while enjoying the outdoors.

Entrance into the park requires a Park Entry Permit. Before hitting the road, make sure to purchase one online or head to the Visitor Centre to purchase one upon arrival.

What To Do

Skate the Park

Experience serene winter magic, lace up your skates, and take in one of the most popular winter activities in Echo Valley: Skate the Park. With almost one kilometre of illuminated path winding through Aspen campground, you can glide along the path with family and friends, or enjoy the magic in solitude, while taking in the beauty of winter in Saskatchewan.

If you get a bit cold, head to the tipi located along the skating loop with a fireplace inside - it's a communal space to warm up.

Adaptive kicksleds are available for free at the Visitor Centre for individuals with mobility challenges so everyone can enjoy Skate the Park.

As the evening approaches, experience Skate the Park under thousands of twinkling lights and millions of shining stars!

Winter Activities

With so many winter activities to enjoy in Echo Valley, you can choose to have a relaxing day or an exhilarating adventure.

Start by exploring the park on foot — or rather, on snowshoes. There are plenty of scenic trails to enjoy while breathing in the crisp air and taking in the spanning valley. Head to the Visitor Centre to rent snowshoes, get advice on the perfect trail from park staff, and warm up before heading out on the trails.

Not interested in snowshoeing? Not a problem. Bring your skis and boots and hit the cross-country trails. Head to the Visitor Centre to pick up a map, or find a trail on the Nordic Pulse App, where skiers can find reviews, up-to-date trail conditions, and more.

Later you can play a game of Crokicurl: the ultimate combination of crokinole and curling. Players send curling rocks onto a giant crokinole ice arena, aiming to knock their opponent's rocks out and get their rocks as close to the centre as possible.

Craving a need for speed? Have exhilarating fun tobogganing or fat-biking. With the weather and snow an added challenge, these activities are sure to keep you entertained for hours.

What To Eat

If you’re looking for a midday boost, the Visitor Centre offers concession snacks to enjoy before heading back into the snow. Visitors can warm themselves up with a variety of hot drinks and food to replenish their energy for the rest of the day.

Want to Extend Your Stay?

With so many activities to enjoy, why not stay for a couple of days?

Winter camping in Echo Valley is available through online booking, but if you’re looking for a bit more comfort and ease, the park also has propane-heated Camp-Easy yurts to experience the best of both worlds. Each Camp-Easy yurt can accommodate up to six people and comes with amenities like a propane camp stove, picnic table, fire pit, axe, and more.

Experience the perfect balance of comfort and nature. with pristine wilderness just out your front door. Add a crackling outdoor campfire and it’s the ultimate winter getaway.

Remember to bring warm clothing. Yurts are heated, though they are not fully insulated.

Finally, if you're looking to add a bit of luxury to your excursion, Back2Nature offers sauna sessions to warm your body and relax your mind. Choose between a public or private session and experience intense relaxation in this wood-burning barrel sauna.