Northern Manitoba’s proud culture and heritage are on full display each winter in The Pas. As an early 20th-century fur-trading hub, the town once teemed with trappers seeking hefty fees for their pelts—and lasting glory with boasts of their rugged life in the wild. The Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival has celebrated this spirit since 1916. At first, the event’s focus was its highly competitive dog sled race. A number of big races are still run every year, but there’s now so much more to see, do and taste: Cheer as contestants test their frontier skills in traditional events like trap setting, flour packing and moose calling; check out award-winning wordworking, knitting and more at the arts and crafts show; and try to land a big one in the family ice fishing derby. After, warm your belly with hearty fare like perogies and smokies or chili and bannock. This winter’s festival runs from February 15 to 19, 2017.
photo: Letitia Ferland
Make Tracks to the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival