COVID 19 NOTICE
Everybody is encouraged and expected to continue to follow all Alberta Health guidelines and regulations including those for social distancing, group sizes, and frequent sanitizing. If you are at all unwell, please stay home. Some businesses and activities may be affected by current Covid-19 regulations. Please reach out to them directly to enquire about operations.
For more information on Covid-19 in Alberta, please visit alberta.ca/covid19
Ice Fishing on Sylvan Lake
Those little huts in the distance peppering the lake are ice fishing shacks! Ice fishing is a beloved winter activity in Sylvan Lake. Shacks can be solid structure or pop-up tents. Solid structure shacks are made from trailers, sheds, or flatbeds. They are often modified and show off the creativity of the owner. Shacks are towed out onto the ice for the season creating a cozy little getaway for fishing walleye, burbot, whitefish, and perch. These are often heated inside and can even be decked out for comfort!
Ice fishing tents are usually a dark color that attracts the sun and heats up the air inside. They can be very cozy!
Fancy fishing shacks are all the rage, but a simple fisher can sit out in the elements bundled up with just his road and chair and catch all the same!

STANDING OUT ON OPEN ICE
THE FROZEN LAKE IN WINTER
Having two feet out on the open lake ice is really, really cool. It’s the thrill of standing firmly in a place that altogether doesn’t exist the rest of the year.
For three short months, water becomes frosty, sparkling winter terrain skirting the shores of a lake town that equally pulses with love of the outdoors and softens to a quieter pace throughout the season.
Better bundle up – it’s time to get out there.
Winter at the Lake

Under the Lights
At the Winter Village
Every December, the annual Winter Village holiday light show illuminates the Sylvan Lake Pier. The yearly light-up has become a dazzling tradition for Sylvan Lake with the Winter Village nestled on the lakefront in the heart of the downtown.

4 Activities For Winter Family Fun
Family Friendly Winter Fun
From skating to marvelous lights to tobogganing to holiday sweets - Sylvan Lake has all your classic winter family fun activities in a beautiful holiday setting.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Best Activities for Staying Indoors
Axe throwing, a steam bath and spa, indoor BMX park, shopping, swimming and more - there's so much to do indoors on a cold day in Sylvan Lake.

Nexsource Aquatic Centre
Local Swimming Pool
Stay warm, active, and joyful over the colder winter months with a trip to the swimming pool! Bring the whole family down to Sylvan Lake’s Nexsource Aquatic Centre.

Ice Fishing for Beginners
Ever wonder how to ice fish? Ice fishing season begins December 11, 2020 on Sylvan Lake! If you’ve new to the sport, check out these basics on Learn to Ice Fish from the Alberta Conservation Association.

Nearby Trails
Alberta Parks’ Jarvis Bay Provincial Park
Take a winter trek through the nature of Alberta Parks’ Jarvis Bay Provincial Park! This Park has snowy trails throughout. Dress warm and take a map to follow along this trail system.
Downloadable Central Alberta Brews & Chews Tour
Take a tour of Central Alberta's craft beer and gourmet food scene with our Brews & Chews downloadable pdf map. Complete the tour at your own pace, or use it as inspiration to get to know the local beer and food scene.

Consider Yourself Invited
Welcome to Sylvan Lake, where hospitality has been a way of life since the first cottages, dance halls and boat houses that sprang up more than a hundred years ago. Rich in history with the start of a lumber mill business in the late 1800’s, the tourism community grew as an escape to experience the resort community.
Today, the lake continues to be a vibrant recreational playground. Come out and enjoy the serenity and warmth of a small town community nestled amongst the trees. Gather with friends and family to go on a winter adventure… spend the day at the lake, explore the forests and wilderness, walk through and shop our quaint boutiques and enjoy the culinary scene with the tastes of our beautiful community.
Experience Sylvan Lake.
