Regina in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Regina

-4°C (25°F) High Temp

-16°C (3°F) Low Temp

18 mm (0.7 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect winter festival season - Mosaic Winter Festival runs all month with ice sculptures, outdoor skating, and live music at Victoria Park, plus Regina Winter Festival features dog sledding demonstrations and snow maze competitions
Lowest accommodation prices of the year - hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to summer, with downtown hotels averaging CAD $85-120 per night versus CAD $180-250 in peak season
Authentic prairie winter experience - cross-country skiing at Wascana Centre's 15 km (9.3 miles) of groomed trails, ice fishing on Last Mountain Lake just 45 minutes north, and northern lights viewing opportunities increase dramatically with 16+ hours of darkness
Indoor cultural peak season - Royal Saskatchewan Museum runs special winter exhibitions, Regina Symphony Orchestra performs its winter concert series at the Conexus Arts Centre, and local breweries offer winter beer releases and tasting events

Considerations

Extreme cold requires serious preparation - temperatures regularly drop below -20°C (-4°F) with wind chills making it feel like -30°C (-22°F), limiting comfortable outdoor time to 15-20 minute intervals without proper gear
Severely limited daylight - sunrise around 8:30am, sunset by 5:00pm means only 8.5 hours of daylight for sightseeing and outdoor activities
Weather-dependent travel disruptions - January averages 3-4 days of blizzard conditions that can shut down highways and delay flights, requiring flexible itineraries and travel insurance

Best Activities in January

Wascana Centre Winter Recreation

January transforms Wascana Centre into Regina's winter playground with 15 km (9.3 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails, ice skating on Wascana Lake, and snowshoeing paths through the Legislative grounds. The cold creates perfect snow conditions - dry, powdery snow that's ideal for winter sports. Ice thickness reaches 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) by January, making lake skating safe and enjoyable. Minimal crowds mean you'll have trails mostly to yourself.

Booking Tip: Equipment rentals available at Wascana Marina (skis CAD $15-20/day, snowshoes CAD $12-18/day). No advance booking needed except for group lessons. Check ice conditions daily on Wascana Centre website - skating areas are marked and maintained by city crews.

Royal Saskatchewan Museum Winter Exhibitions

January is prime time for Regina's cultural attractions as locals seek indoor activities. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum runs special winter programming including 'Life in the Ice Age' exhibits and interactive demonstrations. The building's excellent heating and spacious galleries make it perfect for January visits. Special focus on Indigenous winter traditions and prairie survival stories resonates particularly well during actual winter conditions.

Booking Tip: Adult admission CAD $10-15, open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm. Winter months feature extended Indigenous cultural programs on weekends. Book guided tours 48 hours ahead for groups of 6+, though walk-ins are usually accommodated due to lower January crowds.

Local Brewery Winter Tours

Regina's craft beer scene peaks in January with special winter releases - porters, stouts, and seasonal ales only available during cold months. Breweries like Pile O' Bones, Rebellion, and District become cozy gathering spots for locals. January features winter beer festivals and tasting events. The cold weather makes the warm, malty flavors of winter beers particularly appealing, and breweries often offer hearty winter food pairings.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours typically CAD $20-35 including 3-4 tastings. Most breweries offer walk-in tastings, but weekend tours should be booked 3-5 days ahead. Winter brewery crawl packages available through local tour operators for CAD $65-85 including transportation between locations.

Northern Lights Photography Tours

January offers Regina's best aurora viewing conditions with 16+ hours of darkness and frequent clear, cold nights. Light pollution is minimal 30-45 minutes outside the city. The extreme cold creates crisp atmospheric conditions perfect for aurora photography. Professional guides know optimal viewing locations around Qu'Appelle Valley and provide heated shelters during long viewing sessions.

Booking Tip: Tours typically CAD $125-175 per person including transportation and hot beverages. Book 7-10 days ahead as tours run only 2-3 nights per week depending on aurora forecasts. Tours cancelled for safety when temperatures drop below -30°C (-22°F). Check aurora forecast apps 24-48 hours before booking.

Ice Fishing Experiences

Last Mountain Lake, 45 minutes north of Regina, offers excellent January ice fishing with 35-40 cm (14-16 inch) ice thickness. Walleye, northern pike, and perch are active in January's cold water. Local outfitters provide heated ice shacks, equipment, and fish cleaning services. The experience includes learning traditional prairie winter survival skills and understanding how locals have adapted to harsh winters for generations.

Booking Tip: Half-day packages CAD $80-120 including equipment, bait, and heated shelter. Full-day with lunch CAD $150-200. Book 5-7 days ahead during peak January season. Saskatchewan fishing license required (CAD $35 for visitors). Transportation to lakes available for additional CAD $40-60.

Winter Festival Events

January is Regina's prime festival season with Mosaic Winter Festival featuring ice sculptures, outdoor skating parties, and multicultural winter celebrations. Regina Winter Festival includes dog sledding demonstrations, snow maze competitions, and ice carving contests. Events designed specifically for brutal winter conditions with heated pavilions, hot chocolate stations, and activities that embrace rather than fight the cold.

Booking Tip: Most festival events are free or CAD $5-15 per activity. Premium experiences like dog sledding CAD $45-65 for 15-20 minute rides. Check festival schedules in early January as some events are weather-dependent. Weekend events get busier but still manageable crowds compared to summer festivals.

January Events & Festivals

Mid to Late January

Mosaic Winter Festival

Regina's multicultural celebration adapted for winter with ice sculptures representing different cultural communities, outdoor skating with cultural music, and heated pavilions serving international winter comfort foods. Features indoor cultural performances and winter craft demonstrations from various ethnic communities.

Late January

Regina Winter Festival

Prairie-focused winter celebration featuring dog sledding demonstrations, snow maze competitions, ice fishing clinics, and traditional winter survival skill workshops. Emphasizes Saskatchewan's winter heritage and how communities have thrived in harsh prairie winters.

Late January

Saskatchewan Winter Brewfest

Indoor craft beer festival featuring winter-only beer releases from Saskatchewan breweries. Includes winter beer education, food pairings with hearty prairie cuisine, and live music. Takes place in heated venues with winter beer garden experiences in covered, heated outdoor spaces.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -40°C (-40°F) - sidewalks are icy and you'll be walking on snow and ice daily. Look for boots with good tread and waterproof materials

Layered clothing system - thermal base layer, insulating middle layer (fleece or down), and windproof outer shell. Avoid cotton entirely as it loses insulation when damp

Insulated winter gloves or mittens - bring backup pairs as they often get wet from snow. Mittens are warmer than gloves in extreme cold

Warm winter hat covering ears - you lose 40% of body heat through your head. Bring a backup as they're easily lost in wind

Winter face protection - balaclava or face mask for wind chill protection when temperatures drop below -20°C (-4°F)

Sunglasses - snow glare is intense even on cloudy days, and UV reflection off snow can cause snow blindness

Hand and foot warmers - disposable heat packs for emergencies and extended outdoor activities like festivals or northern lights viewing

Lip balm and heavy moisturizer - extremely dry winter air causes rapid moisture loss and chapping

Phone battery backup - cold weather drains battery life by 30-50%, and your phone is essential for navigation and emergencies

Insider Knowledge

Block heater parking is essential - most hotels and many businesses provide plugs for vehicle block heaters. Always ask about winter parking when booking accommodations, and budget extra time for vehicle warm-up (10-15 minutes minimum)

Indoor Plus 15 system downtown connects major buildings through heated walkways - learn the system to avoid outdoor walking between United Kingdom Centre mall, hotels, and restaurants. Maps available at hotel front desks

Wascana Centre ice conditions are posted daily on their website and social media - ice thickness varies across the lake, and skating areas change based on maintenance and safety. Check before heading out with skates

Local winter survival culture embraces the cold - Reginans ice fish, cross-country ski, and attend outdoor winter festivals regularly. Join activities rather than hiding indoors to experience authentic prairie winter culture that's existed for generations

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating vehicle preparation - not plugging in block heaters overnight, not carrying emergency winter kit (blanket, flashlight, snacks, phone charger), and not checking tire pressure which drops significantly in extreme cold

Planning too many outdoor activities - limit outdoor time to 2-3 hours maximum with indoor warming breaks every 20-30 minutes. Many first-time visitors attempt summer-style sightseeing schedules that are impossible in -20°C (-4°F) weather

Wearing cotton clothing layers - cotton loses all insulation when damp from snow or perspiration. Synthetic materials or wool maintain warmth when wet and dry faster in heated indoor spaces