Sylvan Lake: A Town for All Seasons

Known across the province for its expansive freshwater lake and beautiful beaches, Sylvan Lake is certainly a hot-spot for visitors in the summer months – but this community of 12,000 people is a great place to live all year round. In addition to its growing population of young families, Sylvan Lake attracts almost 1.5 million tourists each year, and it’s easy to see why. Read on to find out why you might like to call Sylvan Lake home too.

Recreation

Outdoor enthusiasts will be right at home in Sylvan Lake. Of course, there’s much fun to be had on the lake, but Sylvan’s recreational activities extend way beyond the shoreline. Beach volleyball, golf, go-carts, paintball, farmers markets, greyhound races, a three-screen movie theatre – these are just some of the activities you’ll find in and near Sylvan Lake. The town’s festivals are another draw for people from all over the country. Summertime visitors enjoy the Jazz at the Lake festival and the Shake the Lake event every year, while the wintertime guests can take in events like Winterfest, the Sylvan Lake Pond Hockey Tournament, the International Speedskating Marathon, and Gear Motorized Sports Races.

Parks and Trails

The lake is the place to be in Sylvan all year round. In the winter, the shoreline is transformed into a well-kept skating rink, while the rest of the frozen lake is enjoyed by people snowmobiling and ice fishing. The summer brings all manner of water sports: swimming, motor boating, sailing, fishing, kayaking, seadooing, and more. Or, if you’re a land lover, you’ll find trails from one end of town to the other, including along the beach.

Shopping

Not many towns in Alberta can boast shopping with a view of the water, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Sylvan Lake. Downtown Sylvan offers a variety of locally owned boutiques and eateries along the shoreline that cater to tourists and residents alike. And for those who would prefer to do the bulk of their shopping in Sylvan rather than making the trip to Red Deer, many big box stores – including a Walmart Supercentre – can be found right in town.

Schools

Families will find educational opportunities both in the Catholic school system and the public school system in Sylvan Lake. With public schools ranging from kindergarten to grade 12 and Catholic schools from kindergarten to grade 9 (including a French immersion program), as well as a private school, Sylvan Lake offers a range of schooling options for your children.

Work

Though tourism is big business in Sylvan during the summer months, there are plenty of work opportunities in other industries as well. Many premier oilfield and construction companies are based in Sylvan Lake, and for those searching for greater job diversity, the commute to Red Deer is a quick 15 minutes.

Worship

This predominantly Protestant and Catholic community is also home to other places of worship, including Seventh Day Adventist, Lutheran, and Alliance churches. For those looking for a wider variety of churches, Red Deer is only a short 15-minute drive away.

Truly, Sylvan Lake is a town for all seasons – but don’t take our word for it. Come for a visit and discover for yourself why Sylvan Lake is the perfect place to live, work, and play.