WinterPLAY 2023 enjoyed by thousands at the Snye and Borealis Park

Friends, family and neighbours celebrated the joys of winter over more than a week of fun at WinterPLAY, from Feb. 24 - March 5.

Families rode on dog sleds or horse-drawn wagons, children slid down ice slides or ate maple taffy, and hundreds watched magical fireworks displays at the start and end of the festival. The events included opportunities to see a trapper’s tent, listen to traditional Indigenous stories, or participate in the Dene Games.

Congratulations to the winning teams of the Shootout on the Snye! The action-packed pond hockey tournament saw 29 teams compete and carried on the true Canadian pond hockey tradition.

Event Highlights 

Skilled sculptors used 21 tonnes of ice to create 24 sculptures along the Snye boardwalk, displaying glittering likenesses of animals, characters as well as several pieces inspired by Indigenous culture and languages. Six of these sculptures are still standing!

Other highlights include:

• Twelve gallons of maple syrup served at the Sugar Shack (Cabane à Sucre) over two days
• Over 3,000 people went trotting along on a horse n' wagon ride
• Almost 2,000 participants took a ride on a dog sled
• Hockey and skate enthusiasts made 350 bookings on eight ice rinks over seven days
• Two spectacular 20-minute firework shows
• Three well-used and much-loved ice slides
• Twenty-nine teams with 168 players participated in Shootout on the Snye
• Seven corporate partners (United Rentals, A1 Portables, Burnco Rock Products, AlumaSafeway, Tridon Communications, ACDEN Environment and Culligan Water)

Many thanks to all community and corporate partners, vendors, Public Works staff and event organizers for making WinterPLAY an incredible event enjoyed by all who attended.

Photos from the 2023 WinterPLAY event will be available on the RMWB Facebook page.

Share your feedback about WinterPLAY

Share your thoughts about WinterPLAY by taking a short survey at participate.rmwb.ca.

Feedback from this survey will help organizers plan for future WinterPLAY events. 

“Lost and found” items will be kept until March 13 and will then be donated. If you believe you lost an item at WinterPLAY, please contact Pulse with details at 780-743-7000.

Continue to enjoy winter at local activities and parks

There are a variety of winter activities that you can participate in to continue the spirit of WinterPLAY. The region has many outdoor recreation areas, outdoor rinks, sledding hill, groomed trails and more! Visit rmwb.ca/parks to learn more.

-30-