Echo Valley Provincial Park offers skating loop through the trees

If you’re tired of skating in the same old rink, you will want to check out Echo Valley Provincial Park, located about an hour northeast of Regina.

Staff have flooded a campground road, making a skating loop in the middle of the trees.

“It’s like a winter wonderland. There’s snow hanging off the tree branches, there’s the crisp air, it’s absolutely wonderful,” said Robin Campese, executive director of visitor experiences.

Skating is open at all times but Campese recommends people show up on Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., or on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. That’s when the loop will be staffed, washrooms will be open and the visitor centre will be open as a warming station.

Those who wish to participate will have to purchase an entry pass to the park. They should bring their own skates and dress for the weather. Helmets are not mandatory but are recommended.

Campese told the Greg Morgan Morning Show park officials are hopeful skating will become an annual tradition, but whether that happens depends on if there’s a demand for it.

“We have high hopes that we’ll be able to have that year over year,” she said.

She added the park will host a special event on Valentine’s Day.

Mission Ridge looking forward to warm weekend weather

Another potential outdoor activity is skiing or snowboarding at Fort Qu’Appelle’s Mission Ridge.

Manager Anders Svenson told 980 CJME staff are looking forward to the continuing warm weather this week, especially after last week’s extreme, deep cold.

“When it’s that cold, not a lot of people want to spend their day outside. We were open. We did have a few diehards out, but we’re certainly welcoming these temperatures coming up for sure,” he said.

Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 3 C on Saturday and 1 C on Sunday in the town.

Svenson said it’s exactly the type of weather people on the slopes will be looking for.

“Fantastic skiing conditions,” he said. “You’re going to have nice, soft snow. You’re going to have lots of snow, and hopefully lots of people out to enjoy.”

There shouldn’t be any concerns about melting, slushy-type snow conditions with the above-freezing temperatures, he said.

“We’re sitting on a base of about 36 inches of man-made snow,” he said. “So you need multiple weeks and the double-digit (temperatures) above zero to make a difference there.”

Regina’s forecast calls for a high of 3 C on Saturday and 1 C on Sunday.