Snow & Smiles at the Snye: WinterPLAY 2025 in Fort McMurray!

Bundle up and step outside—there’s no better way to explore your community and create family memories this winter! From February 21st to 25th, join the WinterPLAY 2025 celebration at the Snye in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where winter fun and family adventure await. Get ready for exhilarating ice slides, leisurely skating on the Snye and Borealis Pond, and the annual Shootout on the Snye pond hockey tournament. Families will love exploring the Indigenous cultural programming at the Trapper’s Tents, taking horse-drawn wagon rides, and admiring stunning ice sculptures. With activities running daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., it’s a perfect time for families to learn together and make lasting memories! Check out our interview with Julie Dolmont Coordinator at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, for the inside scoop on this year’s festivities!

WinterPLAY 2025 is the perfect event for families looking to combine snowy fun with a dash of learning! For STEAM enthusiasts, the festival offers plenty of opportunities to explore the fascinating worlds of math, science—particularly physics— technology, engineering and art.The thrilling ice slides and skating rinks are a great way to see science in action—think about how friction works on ice or the engineering behind creating those slippery slopes. Plus, the ice sculptures are incredible examples of geometry and design, while the cultural programming provides a chance to learn about Indigenous traditions and their connection to nature. The in-person and online tutoring team at Teacher on Call believes in the importance of outdoor learning as a fun, hands-on way to engage with math and science in a real-world setting!

Fort McMurray’s WinterPLAY is more than just a festival. Kristi Hines, a local Fort McMurray resident, business owner, Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada recipient, and Founder & CEO of Hines Health Services, shares: “Fort McMurray WinterPLAY is a celebration of community, connection, and the joy of winter. Events like this are essential in bringing families together, encouraging kids to embrace the season, and fostering lifelong friendships. At Hines Health Services, we believe that community well-being extends beyond healthcare. It’s about creating opportunities for people to connect, stay active, and support one another. WinterPLAY perfectly embodies this spirit, providing a space for families to enjoy the outdoors, build relationships, and strengthen our community bonds. It’s always been a highlight of the season, and we are proud to support initiatives that enhance the health and happiness of our region.”

Participating WinterPLAY locations:

Fort McMurray is a vibrant city in northern Alberta, known for its stunning natural beauty and thriving community. Located approximately 435 km north of Edmonton and 625 km northeast of Calgary, it offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and rich history, making it a must-visit destination in the heart of Alberta.

• Snye Park (100 Hill Dr, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2A4)
• Borealis Park (10500 Morrison St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 0A6)

Behind the Scenes of WinterPLAY 2025: Julie Dolmont Shares What’s in Store this Year!

Can you share the history of WinterPLAY? How did the festival first come about, and how has it evolved over the years?

WinterPLAY has deep roots in Fort McMurray's history, with festivals of this nature taking place at the Snye for many years. Pond hockey, in particular, has been a beloved tradition on the Snye since as early as the 1930s. In fact, a photo from the Heritage Society captures a game of pond hockey on the Snye from 1935, highlighting the longstanding connection to winter recreation in the area.

The journey of WinterPLAY began in 2009 with the launch of Shootout on the Snye, an event organized by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) to engage local residents during the winter months and celebrate the community’s winter spirit. As the event grew, it evolved into WinterPLAY in 2011 following the establishment of Events Wood Buffalo. This new organization, having taken over the management of InterPLAY—Fort McMurray’s summer festival—wanted to create a complementary winter counterpart.

By 2014, the RMWB assumed responsibility for running WinterPLAY, and since then, the festival has continued to grow and evolve, adapting each year based on community feedback and the changing needs of residents. Today, WinterPLAY stands as a vibrant, ever-evolving celebration of winter and community, showcasing the region's enduring love for the season.

How does WinterPLAY connect to the local culture of Fort McMurray and the surrounding region? What traditions, themes, or activities are tied to the area’s heritage?

Stories and Bannock on a Stick with Elder Lorraine
Join Elder Lorraine Albert for an unforgettable experience as she shares traditional stories and teachings, answers your questions, and guides you in making Bannock on a stick over the fire.

Learn about traditional plants and make crafts with the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre
The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre will provide information, facilitate simple crafts, and display plants with their uses. One craft will highlight a plant's significance to local Indigenous peoples and its use in creating bandages during WW1.

WinterPLAY Paint Workshop with Amy Keller-Rempp
Join us for a unique and immersive painting experience with internationally renowned Indigenous artist Amy Keller-Rempp at WinterPLAY 2025!
Amy will guide participants through a three-hour painting session at the Trapper’s Tent at the Snye, where you’ll create a stunning 10" x 10" canvas featuring a majestic tree with two ravens perched on its branches under the glow of the northern lights at dusk. All materials provided, ideal for all skill levels

Metis Trappers Tent
Trapping holds deep cultural significance for Metis people.  It has played a key role in shaping Metis identity, survival and self-sufficiency. Join McMurray Metis knowledge keepers at the Trappers Tent to learn more about traditional trapping, explore the furs of harvested animals and immerse yourself in Metis culture.

Sugar Shack  - Cabane a sucre
We are so pleased to have our community partners from L’Association Canadienne Française de l’Alberta come and share a beloved French-Canadian tradition, maple syrup poured on snow transforms the hot maple syrup into a chewy, sweet treat rolled onto a stick.

Shootout on the Snye
Locals have been playing pond hockey on the Snye since the early 1930’s (and possibly  earlier) and we try to keep the tradition of this outdoor sport in the community, though it has evolved over the years.

What can you tell us about visitor attendance? Approximately how many people attended last year’s festival, and where do most of them come from?

Thousands. Mostly from our region.

Food is often a big part of festivals. What types of food options can visitors expect at WinterPLAY? Are there any local or traditional dishes featured?

This year, festival-goers can enjoy a variety of delicious, easy-to-eat treats while exploring the site. Start your weekend off right with a hot, fresh pancake breakfast on Saturday and Sunday—a perfect morning indulgence. Best of all, the meal is offered by donation, so you can enjoy a tasty breakfast while supporting a great cause.

Throughout the day, local food vendors will be serving up a range of tasty options in the WinterCHALET. The Salvation Army will be offering hot dogs and hamburgers (available Friday and Saturday only), while Rocky Mountain Chocolate (108 Riverstone Ridge #110, Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1S6) will have an array of sweet treats to satisfy your cravings. For something more savory, Fusion K Foodies (inside All Nation Supermarket, 36 Riedel St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 3E1) will be offering an exciting menu featuring Korean corn dogs, spring rolls, dumplings, hot dog sandwiches, croffles, and ramen packs.

Additionally, the ATCO activity area will provide a fun, interactive experience where you can enjoy roasting s'mores and sipping on hot chocolate, perfect for warming up and enjoying the winter atmosphere.

Are there any costs associated with attending WinterPLAY? Which activities are free, and are there any ticketed experiences?

WinterPLAY is a free, family-friendly event, offering a wide range of activities for all to enjoy. Residents can experience a scenic horse and carriage ride, reserve a rink or firepit for a cozy family gathering, and take in the beauty of the ice sculptures and slides. Don't miss the spectacular fireworks display, and make sure to stop by the ATCO Activity Area, where families can gather around a warm bonfire to roast marshmallows, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy good company. Engage in fun-filled outdoor games and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Everyone is welcome to join in the community pancake breakfast, available by donation to support the groups serving the meal.

Additionally, try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Doug Barnes Cabin (Tamarack Way, Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1A2), hosted by the Wood Buffalo Sport Connection. Equipment rental fees apply for these activities.

How does WinterPLAY provide educational experiences for attendees? Are there any workshops, storytelling sessions, or activities designed to teach visitors about the region’s history and environment?

In addition to the Indigenous Cultural Programming at the Trappers Tents, Wood Buffalo Sport Connection will be offering snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Doug Barnes Cabin, as well as speed skating at Borealis Pond, all taking place on Sunday.

For those looking to challenge their skills, the Hockey/Ringette Skills Competition will be held on the Feature Rink from 12-2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

What does WinterPLAY mean to the Fort McMurray community? How does it bring people together and contribute to the local spirit?

WinterPLAY is an annual festival that celebrates life in the North and embraces the magic of winter. It offers residents a chance to get outdoors, enjoy the season, connect with one another, and participate in activities they might not otherwise experience.

~

WinterPLAY 2025 is more than just a winter festival—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the beauty of the season. Whether you're exploring the stunning ice sculptures, participating in the cultural programming, or enjoying a pancake breakfast with friends and family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The event is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of winter, learn together, and create lasting memories with loved ones. So, grab your warm clothes, gather the family, and join the fun at the Snye from February 21st to 25th—you won’t want to miss it!

For more winter wonderland educational fun, keep an eye out for our upcoming feature on Alice in Bloomland at Burlington, Ontario's Royal Botanical Gardens (680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4)! Inspired by the pages of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, this enchanting experience is perfect for our Hooked on Books readers who love stories brought to life.