Saskatchewan

Understand

Despite Saskatchewan's reputation for its prairie geography, there is a surprising variety of landscapes, including the hills and lakes in the north, a lake with water that is denser than the Dead Sea, and the North and South Saskatchewan rivers. Saskatchewan also features historical sites related to the North-West Rebellion. In 1885, Louis Riel, leader of the Métis (persons of mixed Aboriginal and European descent), led an uprising against the Canadian government that culminated in the Battle of Batoche. The interpretive centre at Batoche remains a popular tourist destination. While the battles were not particularly large by world standards, the Rebellion was politically significant for the Canadian west, and offers a glimpse into what life was like on the Canadian frontier. Saskatchewan's population used to be primarily rural, but is becoming more urban. The province's population was stagnant for many years, but has grown between 2010 and 2019 (to 1.2 million), as oilsands, potash and uranium development have driven an economic boom that mirrored Alberta's. Farming remains an important sector of the economy, though it is becoming economically nonviable. There are some attempts to grow other sectors of the economy, such as scientific research and technology. For example, a synchrotron has been built at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Resource extraction is also important to the province. From oilfields in the southeastern section of the province, Saskatchewan produces the second largest supply of oil in Canada. There are mining operations in various locations: potash in Kindersley, lignite coal in Estevan, and uranium deposits in the far north.

History Saskatchewan has been populated by various Indigenous peoples of North America, including members of the Sarcee, Niitsitapi, Atsina, Cree, Saulteaux, Assiniboine (Nakoda), Lakota and Sioux. The first known European entered in 1690, and travelled up the Saskatchewan River in hopes of trading fur wi

Getting there

Most visitors to Saskatchewan arrive either by automobile or via one of its two major airports, the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE IATA) in Saskatoon or Regina International Airport (YQR IATA). Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) runs across the southern portion of the province (including Regina and Moose Jaw), connecting Saskatchewan to Alberta and Manitoba. Similarly, Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) bisects the central part of the province, running through Saskatoon and North Battleford. There are a number of U.S.-Canada border crossings in the south, on the highways running between the two countries.

By bus Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. Offers interprovincial bus routes in western Canada. (updated Feb 2021) Routes between Saskatchewan and out of province destination include the following: Between Calgary and Regina via cities including Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Between Edmonton and Regina via cities including Lloydminster and Saskatoon. Between Winnipeg and Regina via cities including Portage la Prairie and Brandon.

By train

VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates trains routes across Canada. (updated Apr 2022) Routes operating in Saskatchewan: The Canadian trains that pass across the central part of the province, stopping only at Unity, Saskatoon, and Watrous. Eastbound trains travel from Vancouver via Kamloops, Jasper, and Edmonton. Westbound trains travel from Toronto via Sudbury and Winnipeg. The Winnipeg–Churchill completes the 1,700-km journey (over 1,000 mi) between Winnipeg and Churchill in Manitoba,with part of the route traveling through eastern Saskatchewan, including stops in Kamsack and Canora.

Getting around

Driving is the most common way of travelling around the province, and you may find it convenient or necessary to rent a car. Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. Bus service 4 times daily between Regina and Saskatoon. Service between Regina, Saskatoon, Davidson, and North Battleford; and to Edmonton, Lloydminster and Vegreville (Alberta). (updated Nov 2019) Because of the large distances involved, travel to the northern parts of the province is often by airplane, with services provided by Transwest Airlines.

See

The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is in the extreme southwest corner of the province, sharing a border with Alberta's half of the park. Historical Fort Walsh and the highest point in the province can be found in the Cypress Hills. Be sure to check out historical sites relating to the settlement of the west and the North West Rebellion of 1885. Fort Carlton, Batoche, and Duck Lake are within distance of Saskatoon for a day trip. Moose Jaw is home to the tunnels which run underneath the city. These tunnels are part of Moose Jaw's mob history which earned it the nickname "Little Chicago". Saskatchewan is also the home of the RCMP Academy, Depot Division (commonly known as "Depot"; pronounced /ˈdɛpoʊ/, not /ˈdiːpoʊ/) that has been providing police training to Royal Canadian Mounted Police "cadets" since its establishment in 1885. The facility is in the west part of Regina, Saskatchewan, near the airport, and consists of several buildings. The RCMP Heritage Centre is next to the RCMP Training Academy at 5907 Dewdney Avenue. Through the use of permanent and temporary exhibits, multimedia technologies, and extensive programming, the Heritage Centre tells the RCMP story and educates Canadians and the world about the past, present and future of the RCMP within Canada and abroad.

Do

Northern Saskatchewan stands in stark contrast to the prairies of southern Saskatchewan. The area north of Prince Albert is sparsely populated and dotted with freshwater lakes. It is best accessed by rental car however travellers should be aware that communities are separated by great distances in the provinces north and services are limited. Scheduled flights are also available to LaRonge from Saskatoon through smaller airline. The trek to northern Saskatchewan has only one purpose, to experience untouched wilderness, canoeists and fisherman will be well rewarded by its waterways. Hunting and fishing are strong draws for visitors to Saskatchewan. Hockey is taken very seriously in Saskatchewan, and matches can be extremely intense, as well as entertaining. Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Regina host teams in the Western Hockey League, while various smaller towns in the province host teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. A very passionate pastime for Saskatchewan residents is to cheer on their Canadian Football League team: the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Saskatchewanians are known for their loyalty and "Rider Pride". A Rider game in Regina is always party and spectacle as many of the fans show up to the game wearing watermelons on their heads! Drive out of the city and into the rural areas during the night. Not only will you see the amazing sky but you will have a strong possibility of catching the Northern Lights. Sunsets are als