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Read featured articles from destinations along the Yellowhead

Visit these Destinations along the Yellowhead:

Battlefords
Borden
Bredenbury
Churchbridge
Colonsay
Foam Lake
Insinger
Langenburg
Langham
Lanigan
Lashburn
Lloydminster
Maidstone
Paynton
Radisson
Saltcoats
Saskatoon
Springside
Theodore
Viscount
Wynard
Yorkton

Welcome to Saskatchewan

Land of Living Skies

by Terri Mason

Photo:Tourism Saskatchewan/Douglas E. Walker

When Will Rogers coined the phrase, “I never met a man I didn’t like...” he could have been speaking about Saskatchewan’s people. Renowned as one of the friendliest provinces in Canada, Saskatchewan is also the birthplace of some of the most gifted. Hockey champions are born and raised here, creative literary, art and musical giants, rodeo greats – both horse and human – also come from this soil. It’s no wonder. With Saskatchewan’s endless horizon, you know the sky’s the limit.

This is a land of abundance and archaeological records prove this fact with over 6,000 years of continual Aboriginal settlement. Experience the ancient world of the Northern Plains people at national historic sites such as Wanuskewin Heritage Park north of Saskatoon. The 300-acre park overlooking Opimihaw Creek offers a visitor centre with permanent and revolving displays and exhibits.

For a roll of the dice, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) operates four casinos, including the Gold Eagle Casino in both Saskatoon and North Battleford and the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton. In addition to modern gaming facilities, the casinos offer an authentic First Nations theme and flavour.

Saskatchewan’s abundance of prime moose habitat of marshes, willows and plenty of water, affords a large and healthy moose population. Only the males grow antlers, which are naturally shed in the winter months and are fully regrown again by mid-summer. Moose are very agile and protective, and should never be approached. Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan/Rick Kluppen Stein

While famed for its prairie landscape, beautiful lakes abound in this prairie oasis and with two national parks, 25 provincial parks and 101 regional parks, Saskatchewan has plenty of room for wildlife. Waterfowl migration is truly spectacular here, with literally millions of geese, ducks, swans and cranes stopping over on their journey. Whooping cranes, magnificent white birds teetering on the edge of extinction, choose Saskatchewan as a place of refuge. Ducks Unlimited, Canada’s habitat conservationists, offer self-guided nature tours at the Quill Lakes Interpretive Centre at Wynyard, the Wadena Nature Centre at Wadena, and the Foam Lake Visitor Centre at Foam Lake. These three centres provide a rich opportunity for visitors to learn about the value of wetlands and the need for conservation.

A side trip that is a “must do” is a visit to Little Manitou Lake, southeast of Saskatoon. The mineral-rich waters are comparable to the great spas of Europe. With a specific density greater than that of the Dead Sea, it’s impossible to sink – a sensation unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

The northern pike, often a catch and release, is famed for their explosive hits and aerial acrobatics, and are a worthy adversary for any rod and line fisherman. The pike is also known by the folk-name, “water wolf,” and are one of the biggest freshwater fish. Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan

On the shores of Manitou Beach is one of Canada’s legendary dancehalls – Danceland. This renowned dancehall was built in 1928 and its massive horsehair-cushioned floor, celebrated dance bands and beautiful architecture will have you ‘tripping the light fantastic.’ The Watrous area also hosts a variety of top-notch recreational facilities within a half-hour drive to North America’s oldest bird sanctuary, Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area.

The lively ambiance of the university metropolis of Saskatoon hosts a vibrant nightlife, great festivals and mouth-watering restaurants. Add to this art galleries, an excellent symphony orchestra, four professional theatre companies and outstanding amateur companies and you will see why Saskatoon has flourished for over a century.

Museums such as the Western Development Museum, featuring a priceless collection of antique automobiles and farm equipment, plus “1910 Boomtown” a recreated historical street, offer a glimpse into the city’s past. As well, Saskatoon is home to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the Diefenbaker Canada Centre – the only Prime Ministerial centre in Canada.

Summer is high season for festivals with Folkfest, the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon International Fringe Festival. Refresh yourself with the gourmet’s delight festival happening on the riverbank – Taste of Saskatchewan – great food, innovative chefs and unbeatable entertainment!

Open year round, Danceland’s famed 5,000 square foot maple dance floor is filled with great dancers as soon as the music begins. Located at Manitou Beach next to Canada’s largest indoor mineral spa, the cushion of horsehair beneath the dance floor supports the best dance floor in Canada. Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan/Douglas E. Walker

Yorkton, established in 1882, hosts a delight of historical sites and acclaimed art and attractions. A must-see is the dome of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and the inspiring beauty of the cathedral dome painted by celebrated artist, Stephen Meush. This masterpiece is considered the finest piece of religious artwork in North America. History buffs and antique lovers will delight in the Western Development Museum, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the early settlers. Be on the cutting edge of Canadian culture at the Yorkton Film Festival, the longest-running film festival in North America, where you can see the very best of Canadian short films and videos.

From cutting edge to antique, the Battleford’s annual Threshermen’s Show offers a first-hand look at a working antique farm featuring horse-drawn and steam powered farm equipment. Try fragrant bread baked in clay ovens and stop by the blacksmith’s shop as they hammer out a memento. The longest bridge in the province spans the mighty North Saskatchewan River to link the City of North Battleford and its close neighbour, Battleford.

The Imhoff Gallery in Lloydminster, Sask. features a comprehensive collection of paintings by the late artist Berthold Imhoff, renowned for his murals in North American churches and public buildings Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan

Established in 1876, the national historic site of Fort Battleford lay at the heart of pivotal events that changed the history of Western Canada. Once the district headquarters for the North West Mounted Police in 1876, the fort itself and some original buildings house artifacts evoking the conflicts related to the Riel Rebellion.

Be sure to visit the Battleford’s own Western Development Museum and Pioneer Village, an entire town of lovingly restored buildings. The museum also features many fine examples of the folk art of Saskatchewan pioneers. In the City of North Battleford, a must-see is the Allen Sapp Gallery, where visitors can explore the heritage and culture of the Northern Plains Cree.

Canada’s only border city, Lloydminster, is proud of its pioneering heritage that you can experience at the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre. The centre also hosts the famed Imhoff Art Gallery, a collection of religious and historically-themed art by the famed artist, Count Berthold John Von Imhoff. Lloydminster is also home to several attractions that include the Border Marker Promenade Walk, the Char-Mill miniature oil derrick, Canada’s largest sundial, NASA’s Canada Arm replica and the Border City Petting Zoo. The OTS Heavy Oil Science Centre is a delight with their interactive adventure in geology, drilling and refining.

Continuing along the Yellowhead Highway, the distinctive border markers herald your arrival in the province of Alberta.