Winter: ski in the morning, swim at night

The ski trails at Grand Beach

The province calls these some of southern Manitoba's finest cross-country ski trails. Its winter trail rules are short: skiers have the right of way, never step on groomed tracks, keep walking, snowshoeing, fat-biking and dogs to the shared-use trails, keep dogs on a leash, and no overnight use. Its winter information line is 1-800-214-6497, or 204-945-6784 in Winnipeg.

Snowmobiles

Snowmobile trails skirt the park and loop through its forested eastern section, connecting to Belair Provincial Forest, Pine Falls, Lac du Bonnet and beyond. Snowmobiles are allowed on designated trails only, and every machine needs a valid SnoPass.

A winter weekend, in notes

1. Fri evening

   Drive up after work. Check in from 4 p.m., rooms guaranteed by 6. The Blue Dolphin has a band most Friday nights through December.

2. Sat 9:00

   Breakfast buffet at The Palms, 8 to 11:30.

3. Sat 10:30

   North to Grand Beach with the skis. Novices on Jack Pine or Blueberry; the strong on Beaver Pond.

4. Sat 15:00

   Back to the hotel and into the pool, the sauna and the hot tub. This is the whole point of a winter stay here.

5. Sat 19:00

   Supper at Mango's, which serves until 9, then the Saturday band.

6. Sun noon

   Check-out. A package with a 1 p.m. late check-out buys one more swim.

Dates for this winter

• December 2026, Fridays and Saturdays: free bands at the Blue Dolphin; the full list is on the stage calendar.
• 24 December: casino open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 25 December: noon to midnight. The resort's other holiday hours were not published when I looked.
• Friday 25 December: Chok-Mah Band at the Blue Dolphin. Saturday 26 December: The Bobcatz.
• Saturday 30 January: Zed Zeppelin in the ballroom.
• February 2027: no provincial park vehicle permit needed for the whole month.

I found no information about winter road conditions on Highway 59 from an official source for this page. Check Manitoba's road information before you drive in a storm, and leave room in the plan for weather.