Regina 
Planning for holiday trips and travel around the holiday break might feel stressful at first. But for those travelling around Saskatchewan this season or looking for ways to spend their holidays in the province, our ideas and inspirations can take that stress out of the planning.
Credit: Christmas Glow
Between Regina and Saskatoon there are many places to stay, light displays, and outdoor recreation to enjoy in the heart of the cities. Plus, the province’s parks and winter campgrounds, and cabin resorts, are ready for your holiday escape with beautiful rural winter scenery, more recreation, and the peace and quiet of nature.
The Holidays in Regina
- Escape the winter weather for a bit while still embracing the holiday spirit through a visit to the Regina Floral Conservatory. Over the holidays and until January 7th, they will feature the Sleighs Ring with Joy & Peace of the Season display. Plus, the Conservatory will have extended holiday hours on December 18 & 19 and will be closed on December 24 – 25, 31 and January 1.
- Don’t forget to bring skates if you enjoy the outdoor rink experience. In Regina, there are options like City Square, Wascana Park, and the Mount Pleasant Sports Park. The Regina Winter Ski Trail system provides Nordic skiers with close to 40km worth of groomed track courtesy of the Regina Ski Club. Take a quick trip outside of the city for cross-country ski adventures through the Wascana Valley Trails.
- Take advantage of holiday hotel offers in the city with the Holly Jolly Package from the Atlas Hotel, Stay and Dine at the Holiday Inn, or the Stay & Play package at the Delta Hotels by Marriott.
- Bombe Rides is a local party bus company who offers seasonal and holiday tours around Regina. Enjoy a tour of Regina’s best holiday light displays on the Bombe Rides Twinkle Tours for Christmas.
- Celebrate the New Year in a new way with the Regina Science Centre. Their celebrations are aimed at helping younger kids get in on the party with kids’ activities and a 12 pm countdown celebration for New Year’s at Noon. More New Year’s parties in Regina include the Latin Oscars New Year’s Eve Gala (all ages), or The New Montagues New Year’s Eve Bash at Casino Regina (18+).
The Holidays in Saskatoon
Brighten your holiday or Christmas break with a getaway to the Paris of the Prairies. Over the break, there are numerous ways to make the most of your holidays in Saskatoon, from outdoor recreation to Christmas-themed fun- it’s all here!
- Get the best of indoor and outdoor holiday light displays in Saskatoon during the holiday and winter break! These could include the Glow (November 27-December 28) indoor display, or the BHP Enchanted Forest (November 13-January 4) outdoor display.
- Get into some history with the Christmas spirit at Saskatoon’s Western Development Museum. Until January 4th, they’ll exhibit several of the old and classic holiday window displays once viewed in Eaton’s windows across Canada.
- There are many ways to get outside this holiday break and enjoy the great outdoors around Saskatoon. Book your family a sleigh ride, or a sleigh ride with Santa outside of the city with Champêtre County.
- The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is open for leisure and public skating on the south side of the city, while parks across Saskatoon offer groomed cross-country ski trails. Alternatively, families can enjoy more thrilling winter fun at the 28 toboggan hills around Saskatoon, including a few notably large hills.
- Saskatoon offers the unique experience of skiing or snowboarding right in the city with Optimist Hill.
Winter Activities at Prince Albert National Park
- The park’s groomed cross-country ski trails wind around the Waskesiu Lake waterfront, and into the trees. There are many kilometres to explore on skis with trails ranging from 2.5-19km.
- There is almost just as much space for snowshoers! All of the winter hiking trails in the park are also open to snowshoers.
- Snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and any winter visit to Prince Albert National Park could reveal a great deal of wildlife like deer, elk, red foxes, otters, and snowshoe hares.
- Waskesiu’s local rink is within the park, so bring your skates for an outdoor glide. The rink is run by donation per visit and family.
- Kite skiing and kite boarding are one of the newest winter activities to take over Waskesiu. When ice conditions are safe, the vast lake and Saskatchewan winds create a great set of kite boarding conditions.
- The ice of the lake is open (when conditions are safe) to snowshoeing, hiking, and ice fishing, while vehicles are NOT permitted.
Cozy Winter Cabins and Cottages
The cities of Saskatchewan might not make the ideal holiday getaway for those wanting a true escape or to get back to nature. For those into a more laid-back getaway, these cabins and cottages across the province make a perfect family getaway, couple’s vacation, or way to gather as multiple families.
- Escape to the lake and Prince Albert National Park this holiday season with cabin rentals from Kapasiwin Bungalows, or the Lost Creek Resort.
- The Smoothstone Lodge is a year-round outdoor adventure resort in Big River with a variety of winter activities to enjoy over your holiday stay. Rental options include lodge rooms or private log cabins.
- The cabins at the Shell Lake Aurora Skies Resort are available for the week of Christmas with capacity for four-eight people. The cabins feature all the comforts of home, including Wi-Fi, heat, and barbecues on private decks.
- Join the T&D Amisk Camp in northern Saskatchewan this December for a memorable holiday getaway in the winter wilderness. They offer cabin rentals, as well as winter packages for snowshoeing and ice fishing.
- If you’re looking for a romantic holiday getaway for two, look no further than the private cabin rentals on Airbnb like this gorgeous antique church, this tiny home near Swift Current, or this homey cabin near Big River.
Holiday Getaways for Outdoor Adventures
- Many ice fishing resorts are open around Saskatchewan for the holidays with accommodations and ice shack rentals. Book your fishing getaway with Keeley Lake Resort (cabins or lodge rooms), Tobin Lake Resort (cabins), Little Pine Lodge (cabins, plus snowmobile or snowshoe rental options), or Dore Lake Lodge (cabins).
- Snowshoeing adventures are abundant in a province as vast, snowy, and large as Saskatchewan. Take your snowshoes to Echo Valley Provincial Park (about an hour north of Regina), or Meadow Lake Provincial Park where the Water’s Edge Eco Lodge have Christmas availability and offer snowshoe rentals.
- As with snowshoeing, there are plenty of places to bring your cross country skis this holiday break. Tour the 30km of trails around Little Red River Park (Prince Albert), 20km of trails at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, 50km of trails at Moose Mountain Provincial Park, or over 60km of trails at La Ronge Provincial Park!
Spa Packages & Getaways in Saskatchewan
Get away this holiday season and get away with some opportunities for true and utter relaxation. These spa getaways will bring your vacation to the quieter parts of the province: each with somewhere to stay and a place to soak.
- Travel to Moose Jaw on a day trip from Regina or, for the ultimate, on small, prairie town Christmases! The Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa offer cozy rooms, spa packages, a mineral pool, and fine dining.
- The Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa provide a few different offers for winter stays, including spa and stay packages. And while the spa may be an extra cost, all guests are granted access to the mineral pool.
Hit Saskatchewan’s Slopes for the Holidays
These downhill ski hills around Saskatchewan provide that quintessential holiday experience. Enjoy a bit of après ski, chalet time, tube time, and plenty of time for the alpine experience. Plus, these hills will bring your holiday to more rural parts of Saskatchewan for new experiences in different small towns or communities.
- Table Mountain Regional Park in the Battlefords will be open for the week of Christmas, excluding Christmas Day. Find places to stay to the east of the park in North Battleford.
- The Mission Ridge Winter Park in Fort Qu’Appelle is right in town and open for the holidays! More winter adventures await nearby at Echo Valley Provincial Park.
- Ski Wapiti Valley near Melfort for the holidays! The ski hill has a list of recommended accommodations, while more hotels are available in Prince Albert.
- A holiday on the slopes at Duck Lake Regional Park will bring your holiday getaway to central Saskatchewan and near hotel or accommodation options in Saskatoon.
