Indigenous and Métis Culture

Page 23 | Arts & Culture

Indigenous history and heritage

No Saskatoon itinerary is complete without a trip to Wanuskewin. Between the food, bison, rotating art galleries, cultural programming, exhibitions, and valley views, you’ll fall in love with the facility and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples along the way.

Fan-favourite festivals

Fall and winter welcome two of our city’s most beloved festivals: Nuit Blanche and Nutrien WinterShines.

Nuit Blanche is a free allaged night-time arts festival. With stunning installations and performances happening throughout Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods, you’ll see art in a new light.

Nutrien WinterShines is an annual celebration of all things winter. With interactive workshops, snow and ice sculptures, and outdoor activities for people of all ages and abilities—including horse-drawn sleigh rides through Saskatoon’s city streets—it’s a beautiful tribute to the season of togetherness.

Highlights

1. Built during the Great Depression, The Roxy Theatre is one of Saskatoon’s most beloved theatres. Decorated in the style of a Spanish village, you’ll feel transported to another time and place from the moment you walk in.

2. For a look into Saskatchewan history, check out the Western Development Museum, Saskatchewan Railway

Museum, and Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre. 3. Treat yourself to a latté from Botté Chai Bar and wander through Broadway, Riversdale , and downtown YXE, snapping photos of mural art from talented local artists.

Outdoors

Ashlyn George

Ashlyn is an award-winning outdoor adventure travel writer and content creator. When not in the backcountry hiking or camping, you'll find her sharing adventures on her blog The Lost Girl's Guide to Finding the World and on Instagram @thelostgirlsguide. The Lost Girl’s Guide

Winter Shines in Saskatoon

Winter is my favourite season because there are so many great outdoor activities to enjoy, from sliding and gliding to enjoying a warm drink afterwards.

In Saskatoon, the snow likes to hang around from midNovember to March. This means plenty of time for adventure in our winter wonderland!

Kicksledding the Meewasin

When the Meewasin Valley Trails are covered in a fresh skiff of snow, it’s the perfect playground to try out a traditional Norwegian kicksled from Escape Sports. While there are 105kms of trails for you to explore, a quick loop around the Chinese Ting Pagoda offers a 180-degree panoramic view of downtown Saskatoon and the South Saskatchewan River.

Riding Optimist Hill

Optimist Hill is the province’s newest winter recreation destination, offering winter activities for snow lovers of all ages. The hill features two lifts, a terrain park, and a five-lane tubing hill. There’s an on-site chalet to warm up in and a snack shack serving hot and tasty bites. Rentals and ski and snowboard lessons are available for an affordable and fun day out for the whole family.

Discover outdoor winter fun in Saskatoon

Page 27 | Outdoors

Snowshoeing at Wanuskewin

During the winter months, visitors to Wanuskewin get free access to snowshoes and kick sleds with their admission. The 6km of groomed, looped trails are excellent for taking in the sacred land of the Opimihaw Valley. Warm up afterwards with a hot muskeg tea and fresh-outof-the-oven bannock.

The CamecoMeewasin skating rink is the perfect place to spend a winter day, located along the South Saskatchewan River

Feeding Chickadees at Beaver Creek

Located south of Saskatoon, Beaver Creek Conservation Area is a popular, accredited wildlife site with four nature trails accessible year-round (including a groomed cross-country ski trail). Enhance your experience by picking up seeds from the on-site interpretive centre to feed the chickadees. These cute little birds flit around in anticipation of dining right from the palm of your mitten.

Highlights

One of the most Canadian ways to enjoy the snowy season is to skate one (or more) of Saskatoon’s dozens of indoor and outdoor rinks.

1. Take advantage of free skate rentals and glide beneath the castle-like Delta Bessborough while overlooking the South Saskatchewan River at the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink. 2. The outdoor pond at Garden Park at Innovation Place is open to the public and outfitted with a wooden gazebo, outdoor fire pit, and twinkle lights strung across the grounds.

3. If you’re someone with a need for speed, the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval has lanes and room for every level of skater.

Stay Local.

Through the Destination Marketing Program, these hotels show their support for tourism in Saskatoon. From intimate gatherings to sports world championships, our hotel partners are ready to make your stay even more comfortable and memorable.

Browse local Saskatoon hotels

Downtown

Park Town Hotel

924 Spadina Crescent East Saskatoon, SK S7K 3H5 (306) 244-5564

Alt Hotel Saskatoon

480 2nd Avenue South Saskatoon, SK S7K 5R4 1-833-258-4480

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bessborough

601 Spadina Crescent East Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G8 (306) 244-5521

Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown

405 - 20th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 6X6 (306) 665-3322

Hilton Garden Inn Saskatoon Downtown

90 - 22nd Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 3X6 (306) 244-2311

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Saskatoon Centre

315 Idylwyld Dr North Saskatoon, SK S7L 0Z1 (306) 384-8844

Holiday Inn Saskatoon Downtown

101 Pacific Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N8 (306) 986-5000

Sheraton Cavalier

612 Spadina Crescent East Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G9 (306) 652-6770