WINTER DOES SHINE
Kinley Olivier, two-and-a-half years old, rides a pony during WinterShines at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on Sunday. WinterShines continues until Feb. 5.
The PotashCorp WinterShines festival kicked off Saturday at the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market. The event, which features ice sculptures, sleigh rides and a giant igloo, runs until Feb. 5. StarPhoenix reporter Andrea Hill asked participants what else they think needs to happen in the city to make life more enjoyable during the winter months. TYLER BETCHER
A fat tire biking enthusiast, Betcher said he would like to see more places in the city where people can safely bike, cross-country ski and hike. “The bike trails and the trails they have around here are really nice, but if they were a little bit more maintained ... that would be a lot better for the active community,” he said while waiting in line for a beaver tail.
VERONICA FOULLON
Foullon recently visited Table Mountain near North Battleford and was impressed that she could rent tubes and go tubing down the hill. She said she’d like to see something similar offered in the city. She may be in luck next winter — a snow tube run is planned for a winter recreation park at Diefenbaker Hill.
UNIQUE SEMAGANIS
Nine-year-old Unique knew immediately what would make winter more fun. “There should be more sledding and there should be a hot chocolate stand every year,” she said, pausing from a game that involved tossing rubber rings through holes in an ice sculpture. She added that hot chocolate should be free of cost and readily available downtown.
KALI STOCKS
Stocks, who moved from the Town of Canwood to Saskatoon this year, said she’s been impressed by everything the city has to offer in the winter. “This is a really awesome festival,” she said, while helping navigate the various activities in the plaza. The only thing that would make it better? More festivals.
MADDOX WASKEWITCH
Winter would be far more enjoyable if Saskatoon got an NHL team, said 12-year-old Maddox. It doesn’t even need to be a new team, the hockey fan said. He’d be quite happy to see the Edmonton Oilers relocate to the Bridge City. Maybe if they make the move, they’ll start winning more, he said.