TidBits from the north: Winter events in La Ronge and La Loche

The Northern Village of La Loche will host a Youth Winter Festival Feb. 18–22, and the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Races are scheduled Feb. 16–19.

The region is hosting a series of community winter activities across several towns and reserves this month. The Northern Village of La Loche plans a Youth Winter Festival from Feb. 18 to Feb. 22 with multiple youth-focused events. The Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Races are scheduled Feb. 16–19. Other organized activities and seasonal programs are listed for La Ronge and Cumberland House Cree Nation. Key planned events: - La Loche Youth Winter Festival (Feb. 18–22): includes an Inflatables and Penny Carnival, Taco in a Bag on Wed. Feb. 18, a U17 hockey tournament on Thurs. Feb. 19, youth games and supper on Friday, wrestling on Friday evening, a pancake breakfast and youth-only fish derby on Saturday Feb. 21, a family dance the same evening, and a homemade sled competition with hot dogs and hot chocolate plus Youth Prize Bingo on Sunday Feb. 22. - Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Races (Feb. 16–19): listed as taking place in the same period. - Cross Country Ski Lessons (La Ronge Nordic Ski Club): lessons are noted for Wed. Feb. 18 and Mon. March 9, with mentions of Classic and Skate ski sessions and a meeting point at the yellow gates at Nut Point. - Woodland and Waterways Regional Visitors Centre: open seven days a week with a new manager, offering Valentine baking in support of the La Ronge Youth Travel Group while supplies last. - La Ronge events: a Family Fun program in the Mel Heglu Curling Lounge on Fri. Feb. 20 and a Spanish/Portuguese dinner hosted by the La Ronge Travel Club on Sat. Feb. 28 at the Kiviak Friendship Centre (contact Connie Haugen at 306-420-7572 for information as reported). - Other regional notices: entries are being accepted for Festival Queen and Baby pageants for the 2026 Lac La Ronge Winter Festival (Feb. 27–Mar. 8) via the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (306-425-4852), and an Eastern Sector Ice Fishing Derby at Cumberland House Cree Nation is set for Mar. 28 with hole pre-drilling and one hole per angler (contacts reported as Wendall Head 306-401-7588 and Douglas McKenzie 306-888-7311). Summary: Local organizers have scheduled a range of family and youth-oriented winter activities through late March, including the Youth Winter Festival in La Loche and sled dog racing in mid-February. Organizers have provided dates and contact information for several events; Undetermined at this time.