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Beginning with a prospector's claim and a dime store novel, Flin Flon
started mining in the 1920s and is now Manitoba's sixth largest city. Built on
rock, the city sits proudly on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. Set in a
beautiful vacation land on the edge of the Precambrian Shield, the area is
notable for its distinctive greenish, fine-grained stone - greenstone.
Flin Flon is readily
accessible by scenic highways and daily scheduled air service. From Fishing to
skiing, it offers the traveller lots to do in both summer and winter. Hotels,
restaurants, shopping and full services all make Flin Flon the ideal place to
visit and start exploring Greenstone Country.
The city of Flin Flon is the
major mining community in Northwestern Manitoba, and northeastern Saskatchewan.
Located just over 800 kilometres (600 miles) North-northwest of Manitoba's
capital city, Winnipeg, parts of the community are in both Manitoba and
Saskatchewan. Flin Flon is the gateway to Northern Manitoba's bustling tourism
industry. Abundant mineral resources enabled the small village to grow to the
present status of the day. Flin Flon is proud of being the only city in the
world named after a science-fiction character.
Intrigued by the story of
Flin Flon, Al Capp of 'Lil Abner' fame, donated his time and talent to creating
an image of the gentleman, known for two things: his small stature and his huge
perspective.
The
Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce had the statue constructed in
Winnipeg, Manitoba and Flintabatty Flonatin now resides in the Flin Flon
Tourist Park at the entrance to the City on Hwy #10A.
From
the heritage museum, to the tourist park and campground, from the Hapnot Lake
Wildlife Sanctuary to beaches, swimming pools and nature trails, from golfing
and curling, to the famous Trout Festival held every July long weekend, Flin
Flon has something for everyone.
Standing at the entrance to
the tourist park, the 24 foot statue of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, designed
by cartoonist Al Capp, welcomes visitors to Flin Flon. Flinty was the hero of a
science fiction novel found in the wilderness by gold prospectors in the early
years of the century. When they found gold in 1914, they remembered the story
and called their claim Flin Flon. The name stuck, and that's how the town got
its name.
Brightly
coloured Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company headframes are unmistakable
landmarks on the Flin Flon skyline. The company has been mining in the area
since 1927. Today it is the city's major employer. Regular tours of the
Company's surface operations are offered in the summer and group tours are
available by arrangement.
Without leaving the city you
can still enjoy the beauty and tranquility of clear blue waters and forest
greenery while taking a leisurely stroll along the lakeside paths and boardwalk
in Flin Flon. For those who like to stroll and learn at the same time, walking
tour itineraries are available.
In
addition to producing copper and zinc, the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting
Company mine in Flin Flon boasts its very own secret garden.
Protected by an abandoned and
refurbished mine drift 1,170 feet underground, it grows fruit, vegetables,
flowers and medicinal plants in this subterranean growth chamber.
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The
Flin Flon Heritage Museum, located in the tourist park, contains artifacts and
memorabilia of the city from its inception as a mining hamlet to the present
day. It is open daily in the summer and special tours can be arranged.
The Hapnot Lake Wildlife
Sanctuary is conveniently located close to the downtown area in Flin Flon. The
area is home to hundreds of indigenous waterfowl. Feeding is welcome and there
is plenty of parking space available.
After a busy day spent canoeing or hiking, sight-seeing or fishing,
relax and enjoy a meal in one of our many restaurants. Whether you're looking
for an evening of fine dining or a quick snack, we have culinary choices to
satisfy every taste.
This
is a traditional art form practiced by Cree women. The artist first visualizes
her design and then creates it by marking perforations with her teeth on clean,
pliable, carefully-folded birch bark. The results are stunning and unique.
Several renowned local artists practice this delicate art.
Plenty of beautiful country crafts, gifts, or souvenirs to take home
from Flin Flon - choose from the wide variety of crafts produced by local
artisans. You can find tufting, moccasins, mukluks and birchbark bitings, as
well as paintings, pottery and quilting.
Experience Flin Flon's community spirit at its many festivals and
events throughout the year. In summer you can enjoy a nationally renowned trout
festival, touring art shows, fun-filled long weekends or Canada Day
celebrations on July 1st. In winter you can find dog sled races, curling
bonspiels, ice sculptures and sleigh rides.
Whether your choice is golfing or snowshoeing, canoeing or
dogsledding, hiking or cross-country skiing, summer and winter Flin Flon offers
you a host of recreational activities to enhance your vacation enjoyment.
Both the ardent golfer
and the beginner will enjoy the full facility golf course in Flin Flon.
On the water, you can
choose to relax on calm lakes and rivers, or tackle challenging canoe
routes.
Snowshoeing
is a quiet way to see the winter sights. For higher energy excursions, there
are lots of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails throughout Flin Flon and
area.
Once the snow
melts the many miles of groomed trails make for excellent hiking, mountain
biking and horseback riding.
Keep
your eyes open. Flin Flon and area are full of delightful surprises. Here you
will see many animals and birds which you may come across in their natural
habit as you round a bend while hiking or boating in this unspoiled vacation
land.
Even the
novice is sure to catch something in the plentiful lakes and rivers of the Flin
Flon area. With "Catch and Release," there will always be enough trophy fish
lurking in our waters to challenge the most avid angler. Boats and guides are
available at lodges and outfitters throughout the area.
