Sylvan Lake isn’t just a summer paradise—it’s a winter wonderland brimming with charm and adventure. Whether you’re exploring the cozy lakeside town, gliding across the frozen lake, or immersing yourself in festive events, Sylvan Lake offers countless ways to create unforgettable memories this winter.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Kick off the winter fun with The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby, a three-day ice fishing tournament on Sylvan Lake taking place January 17th – 19th. Reel in Perch, Walleye, Whitefish, and Burbot during this catch-and-release tournament, and compete for a grand prize of $3,000, with over $6,600 in total prizes. As part of The BIG JIG, the beloved Polar Dip is taking place on January 18th! Take a thrilling plunge for a great cause, as all participants are required to raise at least $100 to a local charity!
Next, it’s time to Row Row Roar at the annual Ice Dragon Boat Festival from February 14th-16th! Enjoy heart-pounding dragon boat races as a participant or a spectator, take part in frozen festivities, and find the best poutine as part of the Pass the Poutine! There is no better way to spend Family Day Long Weekend than exploring the magic of this festival and celebrating the beauty of winter.
Finally, its time to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring at The Meltdown, happening March 22nd! This colorful and lively event is packed with fun activities, making it the perfect way to celebrate the changing seasons. Bring your friends and get ready to create memories as you bid farewell to the snow. We’re breaking up with Winter!
wINTER aCTIVITIES
Stroll through the Winter Village where you will experience the magic of over 300,000 twinkling lights illuminating the Pier from early December – mid February. Every evening at 7 PM, a dazzling 10-minute light show adds an extra layer of magic to your visit. There is some extra fun to enjoy at the Winter Village, grab your hot cocoa and layer up to enjoy the Winter Village Firepit Nights happening every Friday and Saturday through the month of January.
There are many ponds and lakes in Alberta that have cleared skating surfaces, but there aren’t any like Sylvan Lake. From December through March, Sylvan Lake is transformed into a winter wonderland. The town maintains three large ice-skating surfaces on the massive lake and a free on-ice parking area. One of the skating surfaces is the size of a football field and is perfect for pond hockey and other stick-and-puck activities. The other ice surfaces are reserved specifically for skating. There is a lit Christmas tree in the centre of the ice-skating area to make your visit extra. From an afternoon of family fun, to a good workout, or a date night skating on Sylvan Lake is the perfect activity.
There’s no better way to enjoy winter than getting outside and playing in the snow. You can explore Sylvan Lake’s snowy landscape on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Even though there are no formal snowshoeing or cross-country skiing trails, there are some amazing places to snowshoe and cross-country ski near Sylvan Lake. At almost 43 square kilometres in size, there is plenty of lakeshore and frozen lake surface to explore on Sylvan Lake itself. Just outside town, Jarvis Bay Provincial Park has a hiking trail that is almost six kilometres long and takes you through the woods. Though the campground is closed in winter, you can park at the entrance gate and snowshoe or cross-country ski into the park from there. Remember to have fun and share the trails when exploring this winter.
From festive celebrations to outdoor adventures, Sylvan Lake shines as a must-visit winter destination. Plan your trip today and discover why winter in Sylvan Lake is anything but ordinary.