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Waskesiu Lake within Prince Albert National Park (PANP) is seeing a change of pace this May long weekend.
Normally the townsite is packed with people for the unofficial start of summer, but this year is a bit different as a fresh blanket of snow kept lake-goers off the beach and in their boots.
Read more:
- Some campers being moved, refunded as late spring impacts Sask. park openings
- Waskesiu Golf Course still waiting for snow to melt
A car drives down a nearly deserted Waskesiu Drive, which would normally be packed with other vehicles along with pedestrians for the long weekend. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW)
Erin Barber has been going to Waskesiu for more than two decades and has been running the Happy Campers Bar & Grill alongside her family for the last four years. She said while there’s been snow on the ground for the long weekend in the past, it hasn’t been as drastic as this year.
“There’s probably one-twentieth of the people that would normally be here this time of year,” she explained. “The water’s not even turned on at some of the cabins so lots of people couldn’t come through even if they wanted to.”
A group of people socialize on the end of Waskesui Lake’s breakwater, surrounded by ice. The concrete structure was built in the 1960s when the marina was located near the townsite, which served as protector to boats and docks at the time. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW)
Despite that, some still made the trip either to enjoy their time off or to get some work done around their properties.
The majority of the campgrounds around PANP were open for the weekend, however, they were less than 50 per cent full. The only campground closed through the weekend was Sandy Lake, meanwhile Namekus Lake, while not closed, was said to be nearly underwater.
Snow stills covers grass and much of the paths, trails, and beaches in town as residents and tourists were still trying to make the most of it; going for walks, riding bikes, and even stopping to meet some of Waskesiu’s native wildlife.
A herd of around eight to 10 elk were seen hanging out near some trees next to the tennis courts. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW)
One family said that they weren’t going to let a little snow put a damper on their long weekend.
“We always spend (May long weekend) at the lake, so snow or sunshine we were making the trip.”
Janice Fagnou has owned the Outter Limits store in Waskesiu for 31 years, and said this weekend marked the first time she’s ever had to shovel the entrance to her store during the May long weekend.
“It’s pretty abnormal,” she laughed. “It’s quieter here for sure, but the people that are here are up for the adventure and it’s beautiful here no matter what.”
According to Environment Canada, the Waskesiu Lake area will see single digit lows throughout the week as day-time highs continue to rise, peaking at 20 C on Friday and Saturday.
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