Crimson Lake Winterfest is back for its seventh year, and it’s set to be an exciting family-friendly event full of winter activities.

The event is completely free and offers both indoor and outdoor fun, from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to sleigh rides, ice fishing lessons, and a carnival. However, one of the highlights of the day is the Polar Bear Dip – the only 16-and-up event of its kind in Alberta.

Aaron Townsend, organizer of Winterfest, shared the details of this popular event.

“It’s a big draw every year,” he said. “The Polar Bear Dip is at 1 p.m., and people gather to watch or join in. We’ve averaged 30 to 35 jumpers each year, and so far, over the past six years, participants have raised $82,000 for local charities, sports clubs, and organizations.”

The Polar Bear Dip is unique because it allows jumpers as young as 16, with parental supervision, to take the plunge. This is in contrast to other events, which typically require participants to be 18 or older.

“We want to involve the youth, especially if they want to fundraise for their school teams or other causes. We’ve made sure to offer extra insurance to make this possible,” Townsend explained.

New this year is a passport program for participants, encouraging them to try out all the Winterfest activities and collect stamps for a chance to win prizes, including free camp registration at Pioneer Ranch and park passes. For those brave enough to take part in the Polar Bear Dip, there are also prizes for the best costume, the most money raised individually, and other categories.

Despite the wide range of events and activities, Townsend emphasized that the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.

“We have a number of activities, but we always need more hands,” he said. “If we could get 10 to 15 volunteers, that would really help out. We can work around schedules with shifts, so even a couple of hours can make a difference.”

Volunteers are needed for various roles, including assisting with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, helping with carnival games, guiding participants to activities, and supporting mascots.

Winterfest will take place on Saturday, February 15th, 2025, during the Family Day long weekend. The event will be held at Pioneer Ranch, in Crimson Lake Provincial Park, with signs directing attendees to the venue.

To sign up as a volunteer, you can email rockysfreezin@outlook.com.