• RCMP Heritage Centre: Opened at the gateway of the RCMP Academy in Regina in May 2007, this facility features a unique, environmentally friendly building, extensive exhibition galleries, interactive media, a multimedia theatre and a variety of on-site interpretation services.
• Batoche National Historic Site: The site of Louis Riel’s headquarters and of the last battle of the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. Several buildings have been restored within the site. Visitors can also see an award-winning half-hour multi-media show in the Visitor Reception Centre.
• Prince Albert National Park: 388,000 hectares that include 1,500 lakes and streams, hiking, fishing, camping, cycling, cross-country skiing, canoeing, and nature viewing, an 18-hole golf course, lawn bowling, a nature centre, outdoor theatres and Grey owl’s cabin.
• Fort Battleford National Historic Site: Commemorates the role of the North West Mounted Police in the Canadian West. Visit five original buildings, plus reconstructed stockades and bastions and an interpretive display. Special events and programs held throughout the summer.
• Tunnels of Moose Jaw: "Passage to Fortune" is a 45-minute journey of the early Chinese immigration to Canada. "The Chicago Connection" is a 45-minute tour of the prohibition era focusing on Al Capone's Moose Jaw operation. In Moose Jaw.
Events
• Prince Albert Winter Festival (February)
• Mosaic: A Festival of Cultures (June), Regina
• Shorebirds & Friends Festival (July), Wadena
• Back to Batoche Days (July), Saskatoon
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sunset-Retreat Ceremony (July to mid-August), Regina
• Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival (early July to mid-Aug.), Saskatoon
Places
• Finlayson Island Year-Round Nature Park: Located on the North Saskatchewan River between the arched bridges connecting North Battleford with Battleford, this park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and offers several nature trails perfect for hiking, skiing and picnicking.
• The Qu’Appelle Valley: A giant playground with beautiful resort villages, golf courses and provincial parks and a string of eight lakes.
• Northern Saskatchewan: All the splendour and the beauty of vast boreal forest and myriad waterways, from the big fishing lakes of Wollaston and Athabasca, breathtaking falls like Nistowiak and Hunt Falls, to surging rivers like the Clearwater and Churchill.
What’s New
• New Tourism Saskatchewan Website: Recently unveiled, the new Tourism Saskatchewan website at www.sasktourism.com features simplified navigation and expanded information and resources. Special sections provide users with detailed information about fishing, winter, outdoor adventure and more.
• New Painted Hand Casino: This $29 million entertainment facility on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Yorkton broke ground in September and is expected to open in 2009. The 4,000-square-metre casino will feature 250 slots, 10 live games, and multi-function theatre-style seating for 350 people.
FastFacts
Provincial Motto: From Many Peoples Strength
Provincial Flower: Western Red Lily
Provincial Bird: Sharp-tailed Grouse
Geography: Plains Indians are credited with originating the name Saskatchewan. Their word was “kisiskatchewan,” meaning the river that flows swiftly, in reference to the most important waterway running through their territory.
Climate: Prairie summers are usually warm and dry. Highs May through August range from 15 C to the mid-30s C. Evening and night temperatures can be fairly cool. Winter normally begins in November. The brilliant winter sunshine tends to moderate the effect of temperatures even when they drop to the –30 C range. Winter temperatures generally remain below the freezing point. Mild spring weather usually begins in April.
Scheduled Air Service: Air Canada, Northwest Airlines, Transwest Air, WestJet
Contact: Tourism Saskatchewan 1-877-237-2273 www.sasktourism.com