Tropical paradise: Winter life in Saskatchewan's warmest town

Many would think golfing in the winter is impossible in Saskatchewan. But those people have never visited Maple Creek.
 
A small town located about 130 kilometres west of Swift Current, Maple Creek is part of the “banana belt” of Saskatchewan. 
 
The town receives warm air currents from the U.S., making it the provincial hot spot on most days.
 
In fact, the town hit 18 C on Wednesday.
 
“You see people out in shorts already, and you see people on the golf course, even though it’s not open and the greens are covered, but there’s still people out there,” Rudd said. 
 
“There’s everybody out walking, there’s motorcycles out and bicycles.”
 
The area’s warmer-than-usual weather has even led to a tradition not often seen in Saskatchewan.
 
“A big thing is Christmas Day golfing,” he said. 
 
“Everybody usually has their families home so it’s not uncommon to see two or three different groups out there.”
 
According to Rudd, this is all normal for the town. He says the weather is one of the reasons many people decide to move to the small town.
 
But that doesn’t mean winter never comes to Maple Creek.
 
“A while back here it was -38 C with the windchill and school buses didn’t run one day,” Rudd said. 
 
“It was a heck-of-a winter for those two days but we persevered.”