Event | Winterfest | Visit Sylvan Lake

FAMILY DAY LONG WEEKEND

FEBRUARY 17-20, 2023 | SYLVAN LAKE

$3,000 GRAND PRIZE

Spend three days fishing on Sylvan Lake for perch, walleye, whitefish, and burbot. Winner of this catch-and-release ice fishing tournament will take home a cash prize of $3,000! Over $7,500 in total prizes. The tournament is organized online through the Angler's Atlas MyCatch App. Be sure to read and follow all event rules carefully. Bring your own gear or rent from providers in town!

Open to all ages. CFE license number #614504. Register now to enter the derby!

RULES AND REGISTRATION

Event Schedule

ALL WEEKEND LONG

Pass-the-Poutine Contest

At participating restaurants while supply lasts. Menu below!

Ice Slide and Snow Maze

FREE | Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 St

Lake Skating Rinks

FREE | Access at Lakeshore Dr and 49 St | Sponsored by Fortis Alberta

Ice Slide

FREE | Access at Lakeshore Dr and 49 St

Band
6pm-9pm | TBD

Winter Village Lights

FREE | 5pm-11pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

Winterfest Glow N' Throw Axe Throwing

6-10pm | Pre-registration required | Wood Shed Axe Throwing | 56 Cuendet Ind. Way

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby

6am-9pm | Register to compete

Polar Bear Dip

11am-4pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St on the west side of the Sylvan Lake pier | Register to Jump

Learn to Fish

FREE | 11am-4pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St on the west side of the Sylvan Lake pier. Proudly sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Conservation and Community Team!

Kinabik Discovery Village

FREE | 11am-4pm | Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street

Featuring Skating Activities Powered by Fortis Alberta, Lake Curling, Bonfires, Snowshoeing , and Electric Fat-Tire Bikes, powered by the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Tipi Display, Indigenous Storytelling Firepits, and Arctic Blast Disc golf

Sleigh Rides

FREE | 11am-4pm | Pick up and drop off at Lakefront Park parking lot at Lakeshore Drive and 52nd Street

Outdoor Games

FREE | Noon-4pm | White Frog Cafe | 5025 46 Street

Giant Jenga, mini golf, and dominoes!

Fire on Ice Show

FREE | 4:30pm-6:30pm (every 25 minutes)

Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street

Fireworks

FREE | 7pm | Watch from anywhere along Lakeshore Dr

Band
6pm-9pm | TBD

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby

6am-9pm | Register to compete

Learn to Fish

FREE | 11am-4pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St on the west side of the Sylvan Lake pier. Proudly sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Conservation and Community Team!

Outdoor Games

FREE | Noon-4pm | White Frog Cafe | 5025 46 Street

Alberta Oval Ice Racing Series

8am-4:30pm | East of the Pier

Band
6pm-9pm | TBD

Giant Jenga, mini golf, and dominoes!

2023 Oval Ice Racing Series

10am-4pm | Rocky Motorcycle Club | Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street, follow driving trail east past the Lake Rinks to event grounds. $5/person, $15/car cash only.

MONDAY, FEB. 20

The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby

6am-3pm | Register to compete

find your winter spirit

Fire Show on Ice

A stunning fire show heats up the frozen lake! Experience the magic of spinning fire as acrobatic dancers flip, twirl, and spin, showing off their latest tricks. The Fire Show on Ice gives a dazzling display after dark! Catch one of five 10 minute showings at the Kinabik Village on Saturday from 4:30-6:30pm.

Sleigh Rides

Experience the sparkling snow covered town with an old fashioned sleigh ride! A must-do activity! Stop by one of our lakeside cafes, grab a warm drink and make your way down. Cozy up and take in the sights. Pick up and drop off in the Lakefront Park parking lot at Lakeshore Drive and 52nd Street

Fireworks

Watch spectacular winter fireworks light the sky from on land or out on the ice! An explosive fireworks show caps off a day full of winter fun. Please respect safety barriers around the fallout zone. Fireworks are subject to delay due to weather and a variety of other factors.

Learn to Fish Workshops

Beginners can try their hand at setting up a line, casting, and jigging at Learn to Fish workshops. All ages welcome. Did you know? Feb 18-20, 2023 is an Alberta Family Fishing Weekend! That means that this weekend only, no fishing licenses are required! It's the perfect time to try something new. Note: Fish caught during the Learn to Fish workshops are not eligible to be entered into the Big Jig Fishing Derby.

Learn to Fish Workshops are provided by the Alberta Conservation Association's Kids Can Catch Program and are proudly sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Conservation and Community Team!

Winterfest Glow N' Throw Axe Throwing

It's GLOW time! Live it up under the neon Northern Lights at Wood Shed Axe! Get out of the cold and into Canada's hottest Glow N' Throw axe experience! Digital axe throwing targets are all the rage, and when the lights go out you'll be ready to GLOW! Winterfest Glow N' Throw at Wood Shed Axe Throwing Friday, February 17 from 6-10pm. Ages 10 and up; pre-registration required. For more info visit woodshedaxe.ca

REGISTER

Polar Dip

Take the plunge for charity with this one-of-a-kind experience! Brave the icy cold waters of Sylvan Lake for a cause, and you'll have one heck of a story to tell. This activity always draws a crowd!

REGISTER TO JUMP

Polar Bear Dip

Double doggy dare ya! This activity is not for the faint of heart. Grab your most adventurous friend and take a dip in the icy waters of Sylvan Lake - for a good cause of course! Pre-registration required.

Winter Equipment Rentals

Bring your own gear or rent from providers in town. Make sure to book as early as possible - rentals book fast! Find ice fishing shacks and equipment, snowshoes, snow karts, and more!

CASTAWAY ADVENTURE FISHING

Day-use and overnight ice hut rentals. Guided fishing and equipment rentals. Groups welcome. 403-550-7242

Equipment Rentals:

Overnight fishing with bunks, firewood, bait, and gear
Wood heated day-use hut and gear included
Double pop-up tent with propane heater

https://www.facebook.com/castawayadventurefishingsunsportrentals.org

https://www.instagram.com/castawayadventurefishing/

403-550-7242

2023 Oval Ice Racing Series

High speeds and excitement you don't want to miss! Featuring motorcycle, ATV, and UTV races, watch from the warmth of your vehicle as competitors whip around the track and kick up a storm of snow spray. $5/person or $15/car at the gate, cash only. Sunday, February 19, hosted by the Rocky Motorcycle Club and Obee's.

LEARN MORE

Outdoor Games at White Frog Cafe

Grab a delicious hot drink and snack at White Frog Cafe and enjoy their beautiful yard space to sit and relax or play some old time family favorite games with the kids! What could be better on a beautiful winter day than hanging out with the family, having a specialty drink and playing some games? Games include, Giant Jenga, Mini Golf and Dominos! Two afternoons of outdoor fun Feb. 18 and 19 from noon-4pm.

LEARN MORE

Stop by in Town

Pass-the-Poutine Contest MENU

Try 'em all and VOTE for the Best Poutine in Town!

It doesn't get more Canadian than poutine! Head into town after a day out on the ice to try some of the best and most creative versions of deliciousness-on-top-of-fries in appetizer sized portions from Sylvan Lake's best restaurants! Save some room to try them all! VOTE for your favorite below!

VOTE

MUY RICO POUTINE

The Driftwood

House-made queso cheese sauce drizzled over top of crispy crinkle cut fries, topped with Driftwood signature barbacoa beef, and fresh made Pico di Gallo. Available all weekend from Feb. 18-21! $8.00

VOTE

TURKEY LURKEY POUTINE

Main Street Eatery

Roasted baby potatoes, turkey, stuffing, bacon, sugared cranberries, and smothered with turkey gravy and cheese curds. Available Feb. 18 & 19! $5.00 sm or $12 lg

VOTE

CANADIAN POUTINE

Lago Pizza

Clear-cut fries, cheese curds, cheddar cheese, 2 strips of bacon and 6oz homemade chicken gravy! Gluten Free. Available all weekend Feb. 18-21! $12.00

VOTE

BREAKFAST BENNY POUTINE

Lodge 43

Tater tots and home fries smothered in Lodge 43's famous gravy, cheese curds, strips of bacon, chopped back bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce. Available all weekend Feb 18-21! $9.50

VOTE

SPICY CHICKEN TACO POUTINE

Roundabout Eatery

Hand-cut fries topped with cheese curds, smothered in nacho cheese, crushed tortillas, spicy chicken, tomatoes, green onion and sour cream! Available all weekend from Feb. 18-21. $7.00

VOTE

CARMELIZED ONION AND CANDIED BRISKET POUTINE

Snake Lake Brewing Co.

Caramelized onion, candied brisket, gravy, cheese curds and jalapenos! Available all weekend from Feb. 18-21. $9.00

VOTE

MAC CURRY POUTINE

Bamboo Hut

A delicious combination of yellow coconut curry with cheese curds and macaroni, sprinkled with fried onions and topped with fresh scallions. Available Friday to Sunday Feb. 18-20. $10.00

VOTE

SPICY HOT DUCK POUTINE

Bukwildz

Fever BBQ pulled duck, bacon, jalapeños, ranch drizzle, cheese curds and gravy over straight cut fries. Available Friday to Sunday Feb. 18-20. $10.00

VOTE

PULLED PORK POUTINE

Chief's Pub and Eatery

Gravy, shredded cheese, cheese curds pulled pork, and BBQ sauce on fries. Available all weekend from Feb 18-21. $4.95

VOTE

DUCK CONFIT POUTINE

Sun of a Beach

Loads of crispy fries topped with Sylvan Star smoked cheese curds, pulled duck confit and duck foie gras with homemade red wine beef gravy. Available all weekend from Feb 18-21. $8.00

VOTE

BIG MOO PULLED PORK POUTINE

The Big Moo

Loads of crispy fries topped with smoky BBQ pulled pork, cheese curds, gravy, extra-thick bacon and chives. Available all weekend from Feb 18-21. $6.50

LIVE MUSIC LINE-UP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

DJ Colossal Sam

at Chief's Pub & Eatery

4707 Lakeshore Drive | 7-11pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Wiklund vs. Wiklund at Bukz

4903 Lakeshore Drive | 7:30-10:30pm

ICE SLIDE & SNOW MAZE

Put the ice slide and snow maze at the top of your Winterfest x The BIG JIG bucket list! Featuring four ice slides and a 1,400 square foot snow maze, this activity is sure to be a favourite. For a little extra winter magic, the ice slides are lit after dark!

ICE SLIDE &

SNOW MAZE

Put the ice slide and snow maze at the top of your Winterfest x The BIG JIG bucket list! Featuring four ice slides and a 1,400 square foot snow maze, this activity is sure to be a favorite. For a little extra winter magic, the ice slides are lit after dark!

LEARN MORE

Kinabik Discovery Village

Discover interactive Canadian-style winter activities for all ages!

Practice Snowshoeing

Snowshoes have been a Canadian staple for many years. Traditionally, Indigenous people crafted and used snowshoes to travel and hunt in the winter months. Today, snowshoes are often used recreationally. Try out a pair and you just might fall in love with a new favorite pastime!

Learn about Indigenous Culture

The winter season is a storytelling time for First Nations and Métis peoples, when traditional knowledge and lived experiences are shared and passed on from generation to generation through oral traditions. Join a local storyteller and learn about Indigenous culture, traditional teachings, history, and language.

Hit the Snow on a Fat Tire Bike

Built to conquer the tough terrain of snowy trails and slopes, fat tire bikes look like a mountain bike with an extra thick tire to explore winter surfaces. Venture out and try one of these snow bikes!

Try Outdoor Curling!

Although the exact origins of curling are unknown, it is believed that curling was invented in Scotland in the early 16th century and was played on lochs and ponds. Grab a rock and give outdoor-style curling a whirl!

Try Sledge Hockey!

This paralympic sport makes hockey accessible through the use of a seated sled. Athletes push forward and navigate the ice with spiked metal sticks, chasing the puck across the ice. Get in a sledge, manoeuvre, and get a feel for the pro athlete experience

Sponsored by Sylvan Lake Canadian Tire

even more winter fun

Lake Skating Rinks

Winter magic lives at the lake! Bring your skates and glide around the ice on the general-use or hockey-style rinks. After dark, the Lake Skating Rinks have the perfect view of the Winter Village light show. Be sure to warm up with a hot cocoa from one of the many cafes and restaurants nearby!

Winter Village Light Show

Stay until the sun goes down and let the Winter Village enchant you with its lit archways, twinkle lights, and dancing light beams! Lights come on nightly from 5pm - 11pm. Featuring bonfires and dancing lights set to music on the weekends!

LEARN MORE

Thank you to our event suppliers and volunteers!