Winter Outdoor Adventure in the Lesser Slave Lake Region

Lesser Slave Lake Region is where you want to go for winter outdoor adventure.

Only a 2 1/2 hour drive northwest of Edmonton, Lesser Slave Lake Region is commonly known as Alberta’s Big Lake Country. At 108 km in length, Lesser Slave Lake is the largest road-accessible lake in Alberta. Anglers know the lake as one of the most prolific walleye fisheries in the province; it also offers whitefish, burbot, yellow perch, and some large northern pike.

During the winter season, ice huts are available to rent in several different locations. You can rent ice huts from December to March from local operators. Huts range from simple no-frills shelters to huts equipped with stoves for cooking your catch and sleeping quarters so you can stay overnight on the lake. For information on renting a hut, check out “Ice Hut Rentals”. If you’re not brave enough to spend the night out on the lake, the Lesser Slave Lake Region offers many hotels, cabins, and bed & breakfasts for you to stay in. Check out the accommodations page on our website for your accommodation needs.

Getting out onto the lake during the winter is relatively easy. Access points are available in Widewater, Wagner, Canyon Creek, Kinuso, Faust, and Joussard. If you are not renting an ice hut, these access points will provide a safer, well-used way onto the lake. Be sure you know the ice conditions before you head out.

For those who don’t fish, you can try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation; they have both skis and snowshoes available for use at no cost. You can also bring your own and explore the challenging trail system in Widewater through the hills on the south shore of the lake. At the west end of the region you can go on sled rides at EC Bar Ranch, and they also provide some winter horseback riding. The region also offers classic winter activities like skating, curling, and snowmobiling, so make sure you bring your gear.

Whether you are looking for a memorable winter fishing experience, the quiet solitude of cross-country ski trails, or a weekend escape from the city, the Lesser Slave Lake Region has long been a secret known only to a select few. Come take advantage of unspoiled and undiscovered wilderness while still finding every civilized amenity within minutes.