Central Alberta 
Alberta’s northeastern Lakeland area has a small Provincial Park with a lot to offer. Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, on Lac La Biche, is a small island area you can access via a short causeway.
The park’s location on the lake means a lot of summer activities in the water. But the park is open year-round, and you will find as much to do here in the winter as in the warmer months.
Credit: Alberta Parks
The winter activities at Sir Winston Churchill PP make for an inviting winter getaway and can include overnight stays. After exploring the park, ice fishing, or touring Lac La Biche, you can cozy up in the park’s comfort camping cabins.
The town of Lac La Biche is a short drive away for more accommodations and dining.
1. Walks, Photography, and the Wildlife of Lac La Biche
The boreal forest surrounds Lac La Biche, covering Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park. This location alone, and the beauty of the frozen lake, create photo opportunities from shore to shore.
The park’s forest is also home to a diverse wildlife population: keep your camera or phone handy in case of encounters with foxes, moose, or deer. And look up! The smaller wildlife of the park, the birds, are all around the trees.
Winter walks could reveal many bird species, including blue jays, chickadees, or owls.
2. Ice Fishing on Lac La Biche
Ice fishing is permitted for anyone with equipment and experience. And if you want to try ice fishing or don’t own equipment, rentals are available!
Fishapalooza provides not only fishing equipment rentals but also cozy ice fishing huts. These small cabins allow you to fish from comfy seats and give you a place to sleep, a private washroom, and a TV.
3. Cross Country Skiing
Take on the challenge of the 8km of groomed cross-country ski trails in the park. It will be worth any challenge, as Sir Winston Churchill PP is a peaceful and quiet place for a ski.
The trail scenery varies between forest and lakeside views, with some of the trails extending to the shallow parts of the lake. And if you time it all right on a clear day, you can enjoy sweeping sunset views during your adventures.
There will be washrooms and warm-up shelters along the way, too.
4. Exploring on Snowshoes
Snowshoeing is permitted on all of the park’s year-round trails. This includes the camping areas, too. All of this combined offers a full day of potential snowshoeing.
The park also has shelters, picnic areas, and washrooms along the trails. The Old Growth Alley Trail becomes a winter wonderland after a fresh snowfall, with towering trees and a final view of the lake on either end.
Always remember to avoid the packed cross-country ski tracks while snowshoeing.
5. Book a Cabin on the Shores of Lac La Biche
There are two types of comfort camping available at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park: summer tipis (May-September) and year-round cabins.
The park’s cabins fit up to eight people and include heat, beds, a cookstove, cookware, a private patio, and a hookup for an additional trailer.
When: year-round
How much: $ 175 / night
Attend the Lac La Biche Winter Festival of Speed
The Winter Festival of Speed is in the town of Lac La Biche, directly beside Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park. If you’re planning a trip to the park, you can mark your calendar and plan around the February event.
The Winter Festival of Speed celebrates and showcases all things speed and ice with snowmobile and drag races. The festival also hosts a Vintage Sled Trail Ride and ice and snow carving competitions. These works of chilly art will be displayed around the festival.
Photo Credit: Winter Festival of Speed
Planning your Trip
What: Sir Winston Churchill Park is Alberta’s island provincial park. The park sits opposite the town of Lac La Biche across the lake. The park also covers a few small islands scattered across Lac La Biche.
The year-round park offers activities for all seasons and is an important area for Alberta’s bird population. The island is heavily forested, with trails that cover all sides.
The unique feature of Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is the trees of its Old Growth Forest. The roots of these trees are over 300 years old and are a beautiful sight in the fall months.
There is plenty to do in the park after the snow melts and the lake thaws. The park offers tent and RV camping, three different beach areas with picnic sites, and recreational opportunities both on and off the water.
The large lake attracts boaters, canoers, and kayakers, with room for sailing and towing tubes or skis. The hiking trails offer close to 5km of exploring areas, including the Old Growth Forest.
The large trees along this trail make Sir Winston Churchill Park a beautiful fall destination.
Best time to go during winter: winter day use areas – sun up to sun down
Comfort camping cabins – year-round
Comfort camping tipis – May to September
RV and Tent camping – May to October
How to get there: 11 km northeast of Lac La Biche off Hwy 881
How much: day use areas are free to access
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Park Map
