Making the most of a prairie winter: Elk Ridge Resort

Winter. Fun. Yes, say this out loud. Winter fun. And now say the words together. For it really is possible to have a fun winter vacation on the Canadian prairies. People are doing it. You should too.

Even though temperatures hovered around the -25 to -33 mark during our stay at Elk Ridge Resort in northern Saskatchewan, you wouldn’t have known it. Elk Ridge was packed. I even tried to sneak in for a last-minute spa appointment as I had three days to spend at the Resort and nope, much more prepared people had beaten me to the punch.

So who was there? Couples, families, adventure seekers, wedding parties (lots of winter weddings take place there) and us!

What were all these people doing up Elk Ridge during this frigid winter – one of Saskatchewan’s coldest in recent history? The answer was clear very quickly. They were there to experience and enjoy winter, not simply cope with it. They bundled up and proved that outside play, fun and romance isn’t just for the warm months.

Elk Ridge Resort has made enjoying the cold season practically fool proof. Here is my take on what they are doing SO right and why I think it’s become Saskatchewan’s ‘go to’ winter destination:

Offering multiple choices for accommodations – cottages, townhouses, cabins and hotel rooms (basic to luxury). You can pick what suits you best. We stayed in a cabin and it was perfect for us. A bit more modern than rustic, it would suit a family well as cabins offer full kitchens and multiple bedroom options.

Dishing out incredible food – The Copper Ridge Dining Room in the hotel was excellent. Not surprising – all menu items with ‘elk’ were simply delicious (so I was told). I on the other hand enjoyed tuna tartar and the most delicious spinach salad I have ever eaten.

Offering luxury spa treatments – I actually don’t have much to say about this as I didn’t get to try the spa but from what I hear – it’s a hotspot. Considering how much attention they pay to making sure everything is comfortable with the guests stay, and the fact it was fully booked, my guess is that it’s worth checking out!

And of course, the main point of this blog post, they offer winter activities galore – including:

Access to an evened out frozen lake behind the Resort hosts a well groomed oval skating ring, a few pond hockey rings and a curling section.

Ever try curling? Here’s your chance.

A great tubing and tobogganing hill.

Snow shoes, cross country skis and skate rentals

Groomed cross country ski trails
AND
500 kilometers of groomed sledding trails. It is becoming well known as a sledding mecca – folks come to sled, sled, sled all day long. I can’t blame them. The surroundings are perfect, tall pines and birch with trails winding in and out of the Resort .

Partnership with Sundogs Excursions

Looking for a new and different adventure? Spend half your day mushing with Bradley Muir and his dogsledding crew while you weave through the boreal forest trails via dogsled. Elk Ridge Resort works directly with Sundogs and there are packages designed for this type of experience. Of course I highly recommend this and was able to do it again this year.

I had an amazing time with Sundogs – winter camping, taking care of the dogs and this year, I learned how to mush!

Families will also love that Elk Ridge has an indoor pool, water slide and hot tub.

Elk Ridge Resort also offers a great choice of other packages, many of which are customized for the winter: romance, relaxation, adventure and more!

Road toward the Waskesiu Marina – one of the many scenic winter drive routes to take.

Its location is fantastic – Elk Ridge Resort takes advantage of its ideal location in picturesque Prince Albert National Park’s boreal forest. It is mere minutes to Waskesiu, which although it is very quiet in the winter (nearly everything is closed), it is most definitely worth a visit. I recommend a drive to the Narrows Marina. Or bring snowshoes or ice fishing gear and try enjoying the park during a new season.

At the Narrows Marina – unlike the Waskesiu Marina, you can actually access the area and enjoy the lake view. Keep your eyes open for otters as they live close to the pier area and bring some peanuts for the grey jays as they will eat right out of your hands.

There is instant access to nature & wildlife – brimming with wildlife all year-long, expect to see herds of elk and other wild animals. On the roads, sleeping in the front yards of the local community, in the bush and on the ridge upon entering the Resort. Hard to miss really. I get how they came to the name as there are literally elk on the ridge – A LOT.

If I haven’t convinced you yet that Elkridge embraces winter wholeheartedly and in way you are sure to enjoy – check out the video they made about it.

Elk Ridge is winter (video courtesy of Elk Ridge Resort)