Something Unique
YOUR COUNTRY HOME…
And… the Wild West Lives On
MINERAL SPAS
SASKATCHEWAN CASINOS
WINTER ACTIVITIES
REGIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
YOUR COUNTRY HOME…
Travel off the beaten path and enjoy some Saskatchewan rural hospitality with a stay at one of over 110 accredited country vacation farms or bed and breakfasts. Your country vacation hosts will share their knowledge of the area and can make travel suggestions suited to your interests. A wide variety of accommodations are available, from a rustic cabin in the forest to an elegant Victorian home in a small town, a modern farm home in a scenic valley, a guest house alongside a country golf course, or a secluded lakeside cottage. Bed and Breakfast experiences are available in cities, as well.
Bed and breakfast operators often have specialized interests of their own to share with guests, including farm-grown products, antique collections, gardening, birding or crafts. In addition to these opportunities to learn and enjoy various activities, you may also choose to take part in farm work, or simply relax on the deck or in a hammock and enjoy the view. The country cuisine is hard to beat, with fresh and wholesome ingredients such as homemade bread and preserves, a common breakfast delight.
For more information on bed and breakfasts and country vacations in Saskatchewan can be found in The Saskatchewan Accommodation, Resort and Campground Guide.
And… the Wild West Lives On
At more than 50 rodeos around the province each year, the “wild west” is relived, as cowboys and cowgirls gather to compete in traditional events like saddle and bareback bronc’, calf roping and team penning. Saskatchewan rodeos are big and small, professional and amateur, in big city arenas or at small town fair grounds where every seat in the house is front row.
Some communities add the excitement of horse, chariot and chuckwagon races to their rodeo events. Others combine rodeo action with local summer fairs, complete with ball tournaments, displays and trade shows, grandstand entertainment and midway rides. Pancake breakfasts, cowboy church services, barbecue suppers and dances round out many rodeo weekends.
For the added amusement of spectators and competitors, events like wild cow milking, chicken racing and mutton busting are sometimes on the agenda. Rodeos are family affairs, and children’s competitions and activities are often worked in to the mix, too. For more information, contact Tourism Saskatchewan, or find rodeo events online on our search page.
Saskatchewan’s History of Agriculture… Early in the 1900s, Maple Grove Farm, east of Rosthern, was western Canada’s most famous showcase for prairie agriculture and horticulture. It was through his work here that Seager Wheeler became the authority on dryland farming and horticulture, developing a 60-acre fruit orchard, flower gardens, shelterbelts and innovations in farming techniques. Above all, he was renowned as a seed grower who won numerous international competitions and became known as the “World Wheat King”.
Now a national historic site, Maple Grove Farm has resumed its role as a showcase. Visitors learn the fascinating story of the Wheeler family, how seed is produced, the importance of soil conservation, and the role of horticulture, with everything from flower gardens to fruit trees found on the farm. Especially important is the story of the co-existence of agriculture and nature, and how recent farming techniques are accomplishing the parallel goals of increasing food production while preserving the environment.
Another national historic site, the Motherwell Homestead near Abernethy in the southeast, presents early homesteading and farming practices, as well as insight into the life of farmer and politician, William Richard Motherwell. From the beautiful home built of cut fieldstones to the large barn with its double-pitched gambrel roof, as well as farm equipment, vegetable gardens and shelterbelts, the homestead will take you back to a period around 1910.
Contacts:
Seager Wheeler Farm National Historic Site
Box 476, Rosthern, Saskatchewan, S0K 3R0
Phone (306) 232-5959
Website: www.seagerwheelerfarm.org
Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site
Box 70, Abernethy, Saskatchewan, S0A 0A0
Phone (306) 333-2116, Fax (306) 333-2210
Email: motherwell-homestead@pc.gc.ca
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/motherwell/ne
MINERAL SPAS
Saskatchewan has two mineral spas, each with its own unique character and setting.
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa is located near the Town of Watrous on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, a short drive south of the Yellowhead Highway and about two hours north of the TransCanada Highway.
The European-style mineral spa draws its waters from Little Manitou Lake. This lake’s briny waters are unique to the western hemisphere, possessing natural therapeutic skin and body care properties found only at a few places in the world - Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and The Dead Sea of Israel. Minerals found in significant concentrations - magnesium, carbonate, potassium, mineral salts, sodium, calcium, iron, silica, and sulphur – give the water a specific gravity of 1.06. This translates to a unique, impossible-to-sink buoyancy that helps relieve pressure on tired or aching joints.
Overlooking the lake, the resort complex features 60 rooms and suites. Three connected pools are heated to temperatures ranging from 94 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. An array of therapeutic and esthetic services is offered and the complex has a fully-equipped fitness centre. Shops linking the hotel with the spa pools provide a great place to look for souvenirs crafted by local artisans. And nearby Danceland features a one-of-a-kind dance floor built on a springy horse-hair pad.
Contact:
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
PO Box 610, Watrous, Saskatchewan, S0K 4T0
Phone: 1-800-667-7672 or (306) 946-2233
Website: www.manitousprings.ca
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Resort Hotel
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa is located in downtown Moose Jaw, adjacent to the city’s scenic Crescent Park. This four-and-a-half star resort hotel showcases natural geothermal mineral waters drawn from “ancient seabeds” deep below the earth’s surface (more than 1,350 metres or 4,500 feet). These mineral rich waters contain trace elements and minerals our bodies need. The large indoor/outdoor spa pool is located on the fourth floor of the hotel, offering a beautiful treetop view of Crescent Park. The temperatures in the pool range between 96 and 103 degrees.
The hotel has 181 well-appointed rooms, including private mineral spa jacuzzi suites, as well as an “Anniversary” Suite, “Celebration” Suite, and “Honeymoon” Suite.
After “taking the waters”, visitors have a variety of other specialty treatments to choose from – everything from massage, body wraps to specialty facials. Most popular for both women and men is the Temple Gardens Signature facial. The Oasis Centre also offers the “Oasis” Rose Hip Body Wrap in conjunction with the Hills Health Ranch, which is also proving to be one of the most beneficial rejuvenating body treatments.
Contact:
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort Hotel
24 Fairford Street East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6H 0C7
Phone: 1-800-718-SPAS (7727) or (306) 694-5055
Website: www.templegardens.sk.ca
SASKATCHEWAN CASINOS
Saskatchewan’s casinos are located in the cities of Regina, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Prince Albert and North Battleford and at the White Bear First Nation reserve.
Casino Regina, the largest of the province’s casinos and one of the largest full-service casinos in western Canada, is located in downtown Regina. The casino makes its home in what was formerly Union Station, a Canadian Pacific Railway station that has been an ornate landmark in the city since 1911. During its transformation to a casino, the heritage property was restored to its original grandeur, making it worth a visit just to view the elegant Tyndall limestone pillars, cathedral ceilings and art deco chandeliers.
Visitors have a choice of over 600 slot machines and 40 Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, Roulette, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, and Red Dog tables and can take in live entertainment in the Casino Regina Show Lounge.
The casino in Moose Jaw complements the cities’ growing tourism theme, with an art-deco look inspired by the roaring 1920’s, a bustling and intriguing time in Moose Jaw’s colourful history. The city’s past is further depicted throughout the casino, with 20 indoor and outdoor wall murals that each chronicle a moment in Moose Jaw’s rich heritage. There are over 150 slot machines and table games that include blackjack, roulette and Let It Ride Bonus.
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority operates the Bear Claw Casino on the White Bear First Nations reserve, the Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford, the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, and the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton. These casinos house coin-in/coin-out slot machines and a variety of table games including Blackjack, Poker, Red Dog, Let It Ride, Roulette and Caribbean Stud.
Contact:
Casino Regina
1880 Saskatchewan Drive, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0A8
Phone: 1-800-555-3189
Websites: www.casinoregina.com
Casino Moose Jaw
21 Fairford St., Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan S6H 0C8
Phone: (306) 694-3888
Website: www.casinomoosejaw.com
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA),
250-103C Packham Avenue
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 4K4
Phone: (306) 477-7777
Website: www.siga.sk.ca
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Winter brings a whole new set of adventures! Whether your interests lie in cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, or just strolling through a winter wonderland, in Saskatchewan, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy the great outdoors!
Snowmobiling
One of the best ways to explore Saskatchewan is on a snowmobile. Here, snowmobilers can access millions of acres of open land or follow a well developed network of groomed and signed snowmobile trails. These trails interconnect communities and provincial parks.
Touring the province by snowmobile is becoming increasingly popular, a trend fostered by the excellent amenities available for sledders. Even in the smallest towns, it’s not uncommon to find accommodations with hot tubs – a soothing way to relax after an exhilarating day on the trails. Welcoming lodges, many offering cozy cabin accommodations, are sprinkled throughout the network of interconnecting trail systems.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is also very popular in Saskatchewan. You can explore hundreds of kilometres of groomed and marked trails in beautiful, natural surroundings. With any luck, you may catch a glimpse of a moose crossing the path ahead of you, or hear the “distant” howl of a wolf on a peaceful northern evening.
Many parks around the province offer excellent ski trails. Over 250km of trails are located through a variety of forested landscapes, and offer groomed trails for classic or skate skiing techniques. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Greenwater Lake, The Battlefords, Good Spirit Lake and Lac La Ronge are just a few offering scenic cross-country ski trails and relaxing accommodations for those cool, quiet evenings.
In Prince Albert National Park, you’ll find great wildlife viewing opportunities, and more than 100km of groomed ski trails, which lead you deep into the park’s mixed-woods and boreal forest. You can spend several days on the groomed trails, or be daring and break your own trail and feel the wilderness stretch out for miles. Accommodations range from backcountry camping to deluxe accommodations including hot tubs and hot meals.
Resort properties such as those at Candle Lake, the Shell Lake area, Anglin/Emma Lakes, the North Battleford area, the others welcome cross-country skiers, as do many country bed and breakfast operators who provide comfortable year-round accommodations.
Winter Festivals
Winter is also a time for celebrations in Saskatchewan. Festivals are held between December and March, and feature activities such as ice sculpture competitions, and king trapper events where competitors try their hand at a variety of outdoor skills. Some of the major winter festivals and other popular annual events include the Prince Albert Winter Festival, KONA-FEST -Regina's Winter Festival, and the Canadian Challenge (480km sled dog trek from Prince Albert to La Ronge and return).
Ice Fishing, Dog Sledding and More…
Travelling by dog sled through the northern forest in winter is an experience not soon forgotten. On shorter tours, you can ride along in a sled with a musher driving the team, or on longer tours and overnight excursions you may learn dog handling skills and thrill to the excitement of running your own dog team and sled. Spectators can enjoy outstanding dog sledding action at events such as the Canadian Challenge sled dog race, which runs from Prince Albert to La Ronge and back in February, or at the Prince Albert Winter Festival, or the Mushers Rendez-vous near Preeceville.
Fishing is virtually a year-round sport here, with ice fishing a popular recreation and competitive pass-time. Ice fishing shacks can often be seen dotting various lakes throughout the province, and more serious anglers turn out for ice fishing derbies. Relive the traditions of yesteryear with an old-fashioned sleigh ride and horses decked out in harness and jingle bells. Sleigh rides are offered at a variety of venues throughout the province, from city parks to some winter festivals, and at some resorts and country bed and breakfasts.
A number of resort-based winter packages can be booked where you combine the comforts of nights in a modern lodge or cabin in the northern forest with various daytime activities. These may include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, “skijoring” (being pulled on skis by a sled dog), winter survival skills and even learning about an eco-friendly horse logging operation.
A host of other events take place during winter months. Take in any of the curling championships, hockey games, speed and figure skating events, regional winter games or ice sailing. The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are visible throughout Saskatchewan, particularly in the north.
Contacts:
Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association,
Box 533, 221 Centre Street, Regina Beach, Saskatchewan, S0G 4C0
Phone: (306) 729-3500
Email: sasksnow@sasktel.net
Website: www.sasksnowmobiling.sk.ca
Saskatchewan Ski Association
1860 Lorne Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2L7
Phone: (306) 780-9236
Email: sask.ski@sasktel.net
Website: www.saski.ca
