Endless opportunities for sub-zero adventure.
With its always-ample seasonal snowfall and endless expanses of unspoiled wooded areas to explore, Lesser Slave River provides a truly breathtaking backdrop for any type of arctic adventure. The region’s extensive trail system and vast Lesser Slave Lake provide a host of opportunities for all manner of outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Take in a truly one-of-a-kind winter landscape as you trek through a crisp white, snow-silent boreal forest on cross-country skis or snowshoes at the Nine Mile Creek Recreation Area. Search for animal tracks with the kids at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. Any way you choose to enjoy it, winter is especially wondrous in Lesser Slave River.
Wonderful Winter Pursuits
| Winter camping is available at the Marten River campground group site on a first come first served basis. Please notify the park office if you plan on staying at the campsite. Fireplaces and wood are available. Pit toilets are near the picnic shelter. |
| This education and research facility is located at kilometer 19 on Highway 88 and is open year round. Here you will find exciting displays in the exhibit hall as well as snowshoe and cross-country ski loans. Be sure to call ahead if you are planning on coming into the centre during the winter weekdays (Mon–Fri). |
| Located just off of Highway 88 at kilometer 12, the Northshore Day use area is a great place to stage your cross country ski adventure. At the day use area you will find a fire pit and a winterized picnic shelter available for your use. |
| 15 km of cross-country ski trails are not patrolled and skiers should be prepared for emergencies. We suggest you carry an emergency kit containing an extra ski tip, cord, wire, pliers, a pocket knife, cell phone, screw driver and screws. |
| There are no formal snowshoe trails, so snowshoers are welcome to explore the park in the open or forested areas. Please do not snowshoe on cross-country ski trails. |
| Lesser Slave Lake is the number one winter fishing destination for Alberta Anglers. With numerous access points around the lake some great fishing spots are accessible during the winter season. Widewater, Canyon Creek, Joussard and the Narrows are all accessible by auto, ATV and snowmobile. |
Cross-Country Ski Trails
| Ski along the whispering sands trail to the beach road and the Trans Canada Trail to Northshore. Explore the south end of the park behind ancient sand dunes and through jack pine forests; crest the beach ridge and follow it to the Northshore Day Use Area. This trail has some small steep hills and descents |
| Take the Trans Canada Trail through a mixed wood forest along the shore of Lesser Slave Lake. Bison at the Northshore Homestead Ranch can sometimes be seen along the fence line during the winter. This is one of the longest trails in the park with relatively flat and easy skiing. |
| This flat and easy loop trail is just outside the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation and is a great place to learn and practice your cross-country ski skills. Keep an eye out for winter residents like the black capped chickadee, downy woodpecker and pine siskin. |
| Plan for a round-trip, as the Lily Creek group site cannot be accessed by vehicle during the winter months. When you reach the group site head down to the beach to look for the ice ridges, off the mouth of Lily Creek, that can pile up as high as 15ft. This trail is flat with easy skiing. |
The Nine Mile Creek Recreation Area offers visitors 8 km of trails groomed for classic skiing. Junctions at this site are clearly marked with signs portraying maps of the surrounding trails and denoting the visitor’s present location. This trail system offers visitors with beginner and intermediate level trails. Visitors seeking beginner trails are encouraged to explore the Box Trail. Those wishing to have a longer ski are encouraged to extend their path along the intermediate section of this trail, looping back along Regeneration Way. The Conifer Valley Trail offers visitors a beautiful loop near the beginning of the trail system.
• 8 km of trails track set for classic ski use.
• No trail fees are in effect, however donations to the club are encouraged.
Site Facilities: A chalet is located on site and is open on weekends.
Ski Equipment: No equipment is available in the local area.
Club Information: The Nine Mile Creek Recreational Club has only been founded in the last three years. Club members are currently working in conjunction with the Department of Sustainable Resource Development to expand the trail infrastructure.
Access to Site (when open/accessible): Visitors may access the site anytime during the ski season.
For more information about recreational activities in and around Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, visit the Government of Alberta’s Tourism, Parks, and Recreation website by clicking here
Life, Work and Leisure in Lesser Slave River