Winter Weekend
Held each year during the Family Day weekend, this event is a great opportunity to discover the beauty of winter in Killarney Provincial Park. Glide along 30km of cross-country ski trails, take a guided snowshoe hike, and view the stars from the Park’s Main Beach.
2023 Winter Weekend: February 18 - 19We are pleased to welcome you for the 2023 winter weekend in Killarney Park. This year you can expect fun for the whole family. Read on for all the details!
If you plan to attend the free BBQ lunch and / or $45 dinner at Sportsmans Inn, we ask that you please RVSP for your Winter Weekend meals by February 16. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18
We invite you to visit us at the Park office when you arrive. Say hello to the Friends in the Outpost and rent snowshoe or skiing equipment. (Limited supplies, first come first served) 10:15 am - 11:15 am | Discovery Park Program (Nature Centre, drop in any time) Get the weekend started with a fun activity for the whole family. Bird seed ornaments will be created by you and your family with the Friends and Head Park Naturalist, Kathleen. 12 – 1 pm | Free BBQ Lunch (Nature Centre) Courtesy of the Friends; Vegetarian options available; Donations welcome. 1:15 – 4:15 pm | Plein Air Painting Demonstration (George Lake, Main Beach, drop in any time) Watch as artist Christy A. Smith completes a single piece of art en plein air. We recommend wearing snowshoes to observe. 1:45 – 4:45 pm | Guided Nature Hikes (Meet at the Nature Centre) Choose one of the guided hikes below, led by a Killarney Park Naturalist. Should I Stay or Should I Go? - How do Killarney’s critters decide to brave the cold, head south for the winter, or sleep the days away? Join Park Naturalist Kate to explore the world of winter adaptations and discover how our furred and feathered friends survive in even the most extreme conditions. It Takes a Village - It takes a village of trees that is! The family lives of trees are rich, filled with secret communication, careful parenting, and ageless rivalries. Join Park Naturalist Marisa to dive into the dramatic, touching lives of Killarney's forests, and peek at which tree families carve out their existence in the park's soils. 5:45 - 8 pm | Dinner at the Sportsman Inn (Anchorage Dining Room) Cost: $45 per person (including gratuity and tip) Meal: Starter: Soup; Main: Beef or Vegetarian (Fettuccine Alfredo) with vegetables & mashed potatoes; Dessert: Chocolate lava cake; Children's meals can be order at time of arrival at the restaurant. Purchase your meal online by February 16 to reserve your space. Guest Speaker, Haley Moskal - Masters student Haley Moskal shares about her research in Killarney Park: Re-establishment of littoral zone food webs in lake charr lakes affected by multiple stressors. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 9:30 – 11:30 pm |Guided Nature Hike (Meet at the Nature Centre) Encore hike, led by a Killarney Park Naturalist. It Takes a Village - It takes a village of trees that is! The family lives of trees are rich, filled with secret communication, careful parenting, and ageless rivalries. Join Park Naturalist Marisa to dive into the dramatic, touching lives of Killarney's forests, and peek at which tree families carve out their existence in the park's soils. Enjoy the beauty of winter with free time in Killarney Provincial Park! Here are some fun things to explore in Killarney before you leave:
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Winter in KillarneySNOWSHOE & SKI RENTALS
Snowshoes are available at the Park office for $25 for adults and $15 for kids per day. Traditional cross country skis are available for $30 per day. Please Note: We recommend calling ahead to reserve a pair for your visit in Killarney Park. *A deposit at time of pickup may be required. PARK PERMITS
Permits are required in the off-season and can be purchased from the Park office. If staff are not available, please self-register at the kiosk. ACCOMMODATIONS
Local accommodations are available at Killarney Mountain Lodge, Roque's Marina, Sportsman's Inn and Rocher Rouge Campground. The Park also has six yurts available year-round. These eight-sided, tent-like structures are mounted on a wooden deck floor. They offer electric heat, making them a great option for winter in the Park. There are also two cabins within the Park, with more details here. SKI TRAILS
Chikanishing trail
7 km | flat terrain | beginner Overview: Follows campground roads along Chikanishing Creek. Trailhead: Park Office freeland trails
11.5 km | Flat Terrain | All Levels Leaves from the Bobcat section of the campground and finishes at east-end of Freeland Lake. Trailhead: Park Office Collins Inlet trail
14 km | Flat terrain, steep pitches | Experienced Passes through many ecosystems including mature forests to marshlands. Winter Safety TipsTRAVEL OVER ICE IS NOT RECOMMENDED
Your safety is ultimately your responsibility. If you do plan to cross lakes, check for the latest ice conditions with staff. Exercise caution near creeks, narrows, dams and other areas of moving water. BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE COLD
Temperatures can get as low as -30C. Bring proper clothing, a sleeping bag and other equipment for these conditions. Carry a survival kit with you. |