Nutrien WinterShines Festival, Saskatchewan’s premier winter festival, kicks off this weekend in Saskatoon.
Filled with fun and excitement, the festival offers #snowmuchfun for the whole family and here are 10 reasons why you should visit Saskatoon during the festival.
1. Have a fun time at the Giant Igloo
Escape the cold in market square inside of the giant igloo. Learn how to build a fire, enjoy bonfire roasted apple cinnamon, enjoy live entertainment, more at the igloo!
2. Gather the whole family for fun activities
Participate in snowshoe, kick sledding, snow painting, carnival rides, and all sorts of winter activities and challenges. WinterShines favorite, Pony rides and petting zoo will be running this year too! Kiddies Ice Play area has a dragon ice slide, ice blocks, and snow bubbles, to keep your youngster occupied.
3. Go on a 9 Mile Winter Monster Bike
This is a short looping cycling event that resembles Cyclocross style racing mashed up with winter BMX and Mountain biking along over a varied terrain of paved trail, packed and groomed ski track, stairs, single track, and some special features to showcase the capabilities of fat bikes.
4. Participate in 3×3 Shinny Tournament
Gather your friends or family to participate in a 3×3 co-ed shinny tournament. Teams must always have one person from each gender on the ice.
5. Taste the best of Saskatchewan Grown at The Soup Cook Offs
Held in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, the Soup Cook Offs will feature soups using local ingredients. You can either enjoy 10 tasty soups made by 10 passionate chefs during #YXE Chefs Soup Cook-Off, or try soups made by soup enthusiasts at the Wide Open Soup Cook-Off.
6. Have a fun time at the Enchanted Ice Garden
In celebration of this year’s theme “Celebrating Chinese Culture & Heritage”, local architect Don Greer and Kyuubi Culture Artist Collective have designed an Enchanted Ice Garden. These Gardens are inspired by classical Chinese gardens of Suzhou as well as architectural styles of the late-Tang dynasty. These spectacular displays of ice sculptures is a demonstration of Saskatoon’s multicultural art scene.
7. Get your groove on during skating Parties
Enjoy music, prizes, skating, free hot chocolate and coffee at Nutrien Wintershines Skating Party at the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink or groove to music hosted by 98 COOL at the 70’s and 80’s Dance Party at the Igloo.
8. Participate in Wintershines SnowCycle
Explore Saskatoon’s fat biking trail at St Barbe (Man of the Trees) Winter Fat Bike Trail Network at the SW edge of the City Limits near Cedar Villa. The Wintershines SnowCycle is a endurance Fat Bike ride of ~10, 20, 25, 37.5km or 50km with fun trails accessible for all riding abilities.
9. Explore the Festival’s epic Snow Park
Enjoy all the features of the coolest Snow Park that is the highlight of the festival — from admiring the frozen masterpieces or seeing live ice sculpting to scavenger hunts, there are plenty to see and do!
10. Winterruption
Though no exactly part of Wintershines Festival, Winterruption is the winter music festival of Saskatchewan. There is a lot of music, but also comedy, podcast, spoken word, a unique film event and more. Other activities include complimentary hot beverages, sleigh rides, Crocicurl, art around the park, games, and more!
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Dates: January 25 – February 2, 2020
Venue: Saskatoon Farmers Market, 414 Ave B South, Saskatoon
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