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PRINCE ALBERT, SK
Riding trails fit for royalty
Prince Albert is well known for its wide web of wonderful trails
by AMBER COWIE
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PRINCE OF RIDES: Prince Albert is a central point for snowmobilers in northern Saskatchewan, as it is an acess point to many fantastic trails.
—photo by Gord Pearse |
Prince Albert, located in the heart of northern Saskatchewan, is the most northerly city in the province. The community is situated in the picturesque valley of the North Saskatchewan River, meaning snowmobilers have the opportunity to ride the broad meadows, pretty forests and along the winding riverbank. Prince Albert is also the gateway to Prince Albert National Park—a winter wonderland of ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
How white is my valley
Prince Albert has the advantage of being located in the Forest Fringe, and as such, many of its trails connect with the wider web of snowmobiling routes that run throughout the region. Riders can hop onto well-groomed, well-marked passages to commmunities like Big River, where they can connect with the Trans- Canadian Snowmobile Trail, or towns like Nipawin that possess an extensive trail network within its own town limits.
Riders looking for the full winter recreation experience can make their way to Narrow Hills Provincial Park or Prince Albert National Park, where the opportunities for ice fishing are almost endless. Recreational trails within both parks allow sledders to move without their machines by strapping on cross-country skis or web-footed snowshoes for a day away from their engines.
Winter festival
The city of Prince Albert has one of the most celebrated winter festivals in Canada—recognized across the country both for its size and for its wide range of activities. First established in 1965, the festival's program still includes many of the original events such as an old-fashioned fiddler's showdown and a dogsled race. The dogsled race—one of the largest in Canada—attracts mushers and their dog teams from across the world. With more than 200 teams competing in the annual race, the event is arguably one of the most exciting spectactor sports around.
In Love with snowmobiles
Situated 95 kilometres east of Prince Albert is a small, unusually named community called Love. Sledders are sure to love Love, as it is home to the lovely Esker Trail. The trail—roughly 500 kilometres in length—weaves in and around the beautiful lakes located in the boreal forest. Historical sites like an old trapper’s cabin provide riders with a sense of the area's past, and the scenic Falling Horse Lake is a wonderful place to stop for a warming cup of coffee from your thermos or a full-fledged picnic. The area's beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage ensure that the town more than lives up to its unique moniker.
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