UNITY ‑‑ Although to many the most challenging part of winter, and it starts with the letter S, is the same thing winter sports enthusiasts look forward to. Skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling top the list for outdoor winter sports, with skating and sledding right along in this alliterative highlight.
The Richardson Outdoor Recreation Park in Unity, outdoor arena, is never idle. Skaters of all ages enjoy their fresh air experience either playing shinny with friends or learning how to skate for the first time with grandparents. The additional skating surface is a boost to those who want to enjoy the outdoors and can’t necessarily fit in skating when the schedule works at the indoor rink.
Mount Wilson in Unity and Luseland’s created sledding hill are popular spots for young families. They enjoy the opportunity to slide and glide downhill while feeling the cold rush of wind on their faces on descent, hoping to land softly on the snow below.
SASKTODAY.ca/Unity-Wilkie Press-Herald couldn't find a snowmobiler who wanted to share their experience and love of the sport, however, the whirr of motorized sleds around our communities tells us it is another popular winter sport.
Skiing is another popular outdoor recreation option. Table Mountain downhill ski resort is a short distance from west central communities and offers both downhill ski runs as well as a tubing slide run. Unity has had a number of competitive skiers who work with their team from Table Mountain.
For some this activity has been part of their winters while for others cross-country skiing interest appeared to increase with the onset of the pandemic.
A group of Wilkie women have been enjoying this winter activity for a number of years. Wilkie resident Patty Lange says, “On a good day, there are six to seven of us. Our group has been doing this for more than 10 years.”
Lange said of their group that they take turns being the "lead horse," which is a group joke to describe the person who breaks trail when the wind has blown in it, which lately, seems to be every other day, and provides an extensive workout opportunity.
“My husband, Adrian, is working on building a rail groomer that will be pulled by a snow machine,” says Lange.
The group skis only at the Wilkie golf course. The same group has approached the Wilkie Recrecreatib Board and Lange says there may be some support for having a groomed trail, but it is just in investigative stages thus far.
Lange says her family also enjoy snowshoeing in winter. They like to participate in this activity in the forest area at their cabin at Brightsand Lake.
Snowshoeing equipment has evolved from the once sinew woven wooden carriers into a more streamlined, fibreglass, snowshoe for ease of movement.
Winter is part of Saskatchewan’s environment for a number of months, so these winter sports enthusiasts say they choose to embrace the opportunity to enjoy another form of recreation during winter.
