Exploring Duck Mountain Provincial Park in Winter

Ashlyn George

3 weeks ago

Duck Mountain Provincial Park is one of Saskatchewan’s most underrated winter destinations, offering cross-country ski trails (that double as snowshoeing and fatbiking trails), warm-up shelters, natural powder at Duck Mountain Ski Hill, and kilometres of rolling boreal terrain to explore.

On this trip, I combined an overnight solo stay in one of the rustic cabins on the ski trails with an afternoon of tubing and snowboarding — the perfect mix of backcountry and frontcountry.

Here’s what a winter weekend at Duck Mountain looks like.

A Ski Shelter in the Woods

A small wooden cabin sits tucked in the forest of spruce, tamarack and balsam fir. A stack of wood is piled neatly along the side of the building, ready to be chopped into kindling. A bird feeder sits next to a front porch that looks over a lake so small I’m not sure it has a name.

The door to the cabin is unlocked and upon entering, I realize this warm-up shelter is more than just a place to take a quick break. It’s a tiny cabin escape in the forest.

There is no modern plumbing, electricity, or heat. But there is an outhouse a few feet away outside, a small solar panel that connects to a light by a 15-minute timer, and a cast-iron stove that can quickly turn this cabin into a sauna.

Someone has taken great care to provide the basic amenities so I don’t need to ski in with a heavy backpack. There are pots, dishes, candles, foam pads to sleep on in the loft, and even a few books and games.

Cross-Country Skiing the Trails in Duck Mountain Provincial Park

I’m hanging out in Duck Mountain Provincial Park on the eastern edge of the province. It’s located within the Manitoba Escarpment and is the southern limit of the Boreal Forest where it transitions to aspen parkland. Geographically, it’s further south than Saskatoon yet it feels like I’m in the north.

The rolling hills in the region make it perfect not only for cross-country skiing but also for downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.

A Night in Duck Mountain’s Backcountry Warm-Up Shelters

Arriving at the shelter just after sunset, I make quick work of starting a fire. The temperature is below -30 degrees Celsius. Although I was warm while moving, the sweat I worked up on the hills is quickly cooling my body temperature.

I struggle with my lighters in the cold and quickly switch to matches. Thankfully, the wood inside the cabin is dry and a few small pieces of bark ignite quicker than the crumpled newspaper.

Night has settled in around the cabin, but the splash of a full moon lights the interior while I unpack my gear, change out of my damp clothes, and settle in for a quiet evening alone.

The Ski Club Warm-Up Shelters

The warm-up shelters maintained by the Kamsack Ski Club are supported through volunteer hours, donations, and memberships. They’re designed primarily for skiers but also welcome snowshoers, fat bikers, and dogs — as long as the groomed tracks aren’t damaged.

These cabins are part of what makes this trail system so special. They provide both practical shelter in extreme cold and the charm of a truly remote winter experience.

Sunrise in the Forest

The next morning, dawn arrives with a brilliant display of fuchsia-coloured clouds. I grab my jacket and run out to capture a few photos. The temperature has warmed a little but my fingers still freeze to the metal.

Darting back inside, I warm my hands by the stove and set about making breakfast. Reluctant to leave, I chop wood to replace what I’ve used, tidy up, and close up the cabin to ski out just after noon.

I haven’t seen anyone else on the trails since I left the day before. But as I turn a corner just passed the junction to another shelter, a skier rounds the bend ahead of me.

It happens to be the current president of the ski club, out for a few laps. We stop to chat but the frosty air encourages us to keep moving.

Within an hour, I’m back at the parking lot and warming up my vehicle. The shelter I stayed at is a close and convenient 5-kilometre ski out.

Snowboarding and Tubing at Duck Mountain Ski Hill

I swap my ski boots for snowboard boots. Duck Mountain Ski Hill is one of Saskatchewan’s few downhill ski areas, and it’s only a fifteen-minute drive from the trailhead. I finish changing the rest of my gear in the parking lot and tug on my helmet and goggles. Looking over a snow berm in front of where I parked, I spot the tubing hill on the other side of the bunny hill. I’ve timed it perfectly as tubing just opened today. It’s going to be the first thing I try out.

Walking into the chalet feels familiar as several people call out a greeting to me. This isn’t my first visit to Duck Mountain and the locals know how much I love the area. General Manager Craig Brock shares that it’s been their best season yet with the mild conditions over Christmas bringing out hundreds of people from both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

He points me towards the tubes and I head out to try out the activity. Taking the conveyor up the bunny hill, I am pointed in the direction of the ramp at the start of the tube track. I can’t quite see the bottom as a curve in the hill obstructs my full view, so I know this is going to be good.

A ski hill operator gives me a good shove and I go sliding down the hill, whooping in excitement as adrenaline races through my body. I hit the curve, bounce over a few bumps and pick up speed. My tube spins around and I’m sliding down backwards, laughing while snow sprays up around me. As I slow at the bottom, I hop out of the tube and run like a kid back to the conveyor belt for more.

Best Ski Runs at Duck Mountain Ski Hill

Several runs later, I’m ready to hit the slopes. With my snowboard in hand, I look at the T-bar with a bit of trepidation. Mastering the art of being pulled up the hill on my board has proven tricky in the past. But the lift operator says he’ll run alongside me to make sure I get on it right. I put the seat between my legs and grab the thick metal bar as it swings past me, hanging on with tense muscles as it pulls me uphill. Thankfully, it’s not as hard as I remember and I successfully make it to the top.

From the summit, the tree-covered hills of the region all curve and roll into one another. I think how spectacular it must look at the height of autumn colouring. This area is a must-visit in any season.

Looking at the trail map, there are twenty-two runs ranging from beginner to expert. The longest is Rathwell’s Dream, a 1600-metre rolling run. What makes this hill unique, is that the resort doesn’t have to make snow. It’s all natural. It also has some pretty epic powder considering we’re not actually in the mountains. It can often be up-to-your-knees-or-deeper powder. Today, it’s so deep, that I get stuck in it and have to crawl out to the groomed sections.

I choose Morning Glory for my first run. It’s a black diamond and I’m stoked to catch speed as I carve my way down the hill. In minutes I’m back at the T-bar with a big grin on my face. The lift operator smiles back, knowingly, as he reaches to grab the bar for me to head back on up the hill.

Plan Your Winter Trip to Duck Mountain Provincial Park

Duck Mountain Provincial Park sits along the Manitoba border in east-central Saskatchewan.

From Yorkton: ~1.5 hours, 115 km drive

From Regina: ~3 hours, 300 km drive

From Saskatoon: ~4.5 hours, 400 km drive

The nearest community for fuel and supplies is Kamsack, about 20 minutes away.

Trail Maps of Duck Mountain Provincial Park

The cross-country ski trails at Duck Mountain Provincial Park are mapped and maintained by the Kamsack Ski Club. You can access printable maps, shelter locations, and grooming updates on their website.

Maps are also posted at trailheads and inside the warm-up shelters

Ski Shelter Access, Booking, & Rules

The warm-up shelters maintained by the Kamsack Ski Club are not reservable — they are first-come, first-served and open to day and overnight use. There is a board at the start of the trail near the golf course. Here you can sign in and let others know where you’re stopping for the night.

Guidelines include:

Bring your own sleeping gear and food.
Replace the firewood you use.
Keep the interior clean and tidy.
Dogs, fat bikes, and snowshoers are welcome as long as they avoid the groomed classic tracks.

Donations or a club membership help support maintenance and grooming.

Duck Mountain Ski Hill Hours

Duck Mountain Ski Hill is typically open on weekends and holidays, with extended hours during Christmas break and select weekdays depending on snow conditions.

Check their website or social media for updated hours, lift status, and tubing availability.

Best Time to Visit Duck Mountain Provincial Park in Winter

The winter season usually runs from early December through March, depending on snowfall.

January – February: Best snowpack, classic prairie-cold temperatures.
March & early April: Milder weather and excellent conditions for beginners or families.
After heavy snowfall: Duck Mountain Ski Hill gets deep, natural powder — sometimes knee-deep or more.

To find more information on the Duck Mountain cross-country ski trails, visit the Kamsack Ski Club website.

Keep up to date on Duck Mountain Ski Hill conditions at Ski the Duck.