Three Winter Hits in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is fueling Canada’s economy, and it’s ready to fuel your adventures too. Dogsledding across fresh snow, ice-fishing for massive northern pike, and snowmobiling through incredible trails should be on your bucket list – especially when it’s all under a canvas of brilliant Northern Lights.

The region offers over 400 hectares of parks that draw hikers, sledders, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. It’s also on the doorstep of Wood Buffalo National Park – Canada’s largest national park. You’ll get a warm welcome in their communities. Fort McMurray is an urban centre with a complete range of services and amenities. Smaller communities, like Fort Chipewyan on the shores of Lake Athabasca, offer charming hotels and unique experiences.

An unforgettable sleigh ride

The runners on Robert Grandjambe’s sled glide along a remote forest trail near Fort Chipewyan, as his team of working dogs pull him to a good spot to cut wood for his stove. His life is lived traditionally. He often treks into the bush to trap and hunt, to sled onto frozen lakes and net fish, or to gather and split logs for the winter wood pile.

There are several dogsledding operators in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. Mush McMurray is an award-winning sled dog team that competes internationally. Controlled Chaos is a well-known team as well. Their efforts to promote dogsledding and leadership in the sport are helping to celebrate this important tradition.

It’s an exhilarating ride you won’t soon forget. A team of amazing canine athletes will tour you across the frozen landscape through forests of pine and birch, as your ears are filled with vivid stories of the land and the region’s rich cultural history. All the while, you'll be warmly nestled in a comfortable handcrafted sled.

Heart-pounding trails

For over 40 years the McMurray Sno-Drifters have been growing the sledding community in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. Their team of volunteers believes that exploring the incredible Boreal forest across the region on a sled is a true winter wonderland adventure. They put in work year-round to clear and groom trails. During the winter season their social media provides reliable updates on trail conditions and highlights upcoming events.

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is a snowmobiler’s paradise with hundreds of kilometers of trails, cut lines, and navigable waterways to explore. You'll find groomed and signed trail systems maintained by the McMurray Sno Drifters Snowmobile Association throughout the region. Staging areas to get out on the trails are located in Waterways, Abasand, and north of Fort McMurray on Highway 63. Trail passes can be purchased from the Sno-Drifters website.

Hook a lake monster

From whitefish and perch to northern pike, walleye, trout and burbot — the fish are especially hungry in the winter. Ice fishing season in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo runs from around late December to well into February.

For an unforgettable adventure, consider a complete experience like Pearson Lake Lodge. The lodge is accessible by ATV or snowmobile and offers two cabins, a sauna, and ice shacks for a dream ice-fishing getaway. Most of all, it offers anglers of all experience levels a prime fishing lake. Big pike will keep you busy for 15 minutes or more.

For a fun daytrip Whiteknife Rentals at Gregoire Lake provides ice fishing shacks and augers to rent. Gregoire Lake, also known as Willow Lake, covers more than 25 square kilometers. It’s a popular recreational fishery and is home to walleye, northern pike, perch, and lake whitefish. The rural community of Anzac is only minutes away. Zee Bar & Grill is a great place to warm up and enjoy lunch close to the lake.

There’s plenty more to enjoy in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo this winter. From the spirit of WinterPLAY festival to a day of snowboarding at Vista Ridge All Season Park you’ll find a region in love with winter. Come north this year and join in!