Winter Road - Routes, Notice to Travelers, and Road Conditions

There are two routes that connect Sandy Lake to the Northern Ontario Winter Road Network:

1.  Red Lake Route - 363 km from Sandy Lake to Red Lake

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP OF THIS ROUTE
  • 110 km Sandy Lake to Deer Lake junction (maintained by Sandy Lake)
  • 35 km Deer Lake junction to North Spirit Lake (maintained by Deer Lake)
  • 118 km North Spirit Lake to Nungessor Road (maintained by North Spirit Lake)
  • 100 km Nungessor Road (all weather provincial road) to Red Lake

2.  Pickle Lake Route - 430 km from Sandy Lake to Pickle Lake

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP OF THIS ROUTE (please note that this map identifies different kilometers then listed below)
  • 68 km Sandy Lake to Keewaywin section of winter road network (this route bypasses the community of Keewaywin and is maintained by Sandy Lake)
  • 61 km Keewaywin section to Muskrat Dam turn-off (maintained by Keewaywin)
  • 58 km Muskrat Dam turn-off to Windigo Road (maintained by Muskrat Dam and Weagamow Lake)
  • 243 km Windigo Road (all weather provincial road) to Pickle Lake

NOTICE TO TRAVELERS ON THE WINTER ROAD

1.  Road Conditions

Help keep winter road travelers updated with current road conditions.  If you have recently driven either route, please leave a comment on this page for others to read or share it on the Sandy Lake Winter Road 2013-2014 Winter Road Facebook page.  It is helpful to know if there are any parts of the roads that should be given extra consideration when driving.  This shared information can help all travelers have a safe drive. 

Click on "add new comment" at the bottom of this page.  All comments are pre-approved and checked daily.

2.  Safe Winter Road Traveling

It is strongly recommended that travelers on the winter road take the following precautions.
  • Ensure your vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit - i.e. first aid kit, shovel, axe, matches, lighter, blankets, rope, etc.
  • Drive according to road and weather conditions
  • Notify someone of your departure time and expected time of arrival at destination.

3.  Alcohol & Drugs

Sandy Lake First Nation is a "dry" reserve.  This means all alcohol, drugs, narcotics, illegal prescription drugs, and other contrabands are strictly prohibited from entering the community.

To ensure the safety of our community and its members, a security checkpoint is located on both winter road routes (Pickle Lake and Red Lake).  Upon entering the traditional territory of Sandy Lake First Nation, all vehicles and passengers will be subject to a vehicle and baggage search by authorized security personnel and band constables.  Any seizures of contrabands will be confiscated and reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Travelers can also expect to be subject to checkpoints in other First Nation communities that intersect with the winter road network.

Sandy Lake First Nation asks for the respect and cooperation of all incoming travelers to the community.