The main draw
Winter fun abounds in the Duck Mountain/Madge Lake area of eastern Saskatchewan, with good snow conditions reported throughout the season. Bordering Manitoba, Duck Mountain Provincial Park has over 75 km of groomed trails over 100 square miles in its north end. While no one ride within the park is better than another, most sledders will first head out to the park’s premier shelter at Green Lake, which can then take riders onwards to the Bearhead shack to the east of Madge Lake and the Ketchamonia shelter on the far northern tip of the trail system.
North Boundary Trail, just as the name suggests, rides the entire north boundary of the park, while Fireguard Trail cuts through the middle and north ends, with additional trails interspersed throughout.
Staging for the park trails can take place either at the Duck Mountain Lodge or across the street at the golf course parking lot. While no riding is allowed within the golf course itself, its parking lot does give trail access to riders heading out for the day.
A destination spot for snowmobilers, attracting riders from both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the park is currently working in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association to have detailed maps and signage for all in-park trails in place for the season.
Sledders' hangouts
The Duck Mountain Lodge is the premier hangout for the Duck Mountain/Madge Lake area, where sledders from around the province and beyond will congregate before they head out for the day. Featuring 21 rooms, 11 cabins and 10 deluxe townhouses, it also has a licensed dining room and lounge as well as a hot tub and swimming pool to ease sore muscles at the end of a day on the trails.
For an extended stay
A very centralized location sitting on Saskatchewan’s famed Route 66 and along part of the Trans-Canada Trail, the Duck Mountain area offers access to Manitoba on the eastern side of the park, northwards access to the Pelly/Norquay area and westerly access to Kamsack and the trails offered by the Kamsack Snow Drifters Club, which itself offers up over 193 km of groomed trails.
Stay at the the Duck Mountain Lodge and go out on daily excursions in any direction, or head west to Kamsack where you can stay in one of Kamsack’s oldest buildings, the Woodlander Inn, before heading out farther afield.
