Need to know

When to go

Saskatoon is a four-season destination, but its Indigenous experiences are probably best enjoyed between May and September. Batoche National Historic Site is closed between October and April. Summers are hot and sunny with low humidity. Autumn is very pleasant and good for activities. Winters are cold with heavy snow, though lots of outdoor activities are available, such as kicksledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as T&R Day or Orange Shirt Day, falls on 30 September each year.

Getting there & around

There are no direct flights to Saskatoon. Westjet (westjet.com) flies from London Heathrow via Calgary for £648 return; Air Canada (aircanada. com) flies via Toronto for £746 return. The quickest route is around 13 hours.

Taxis and Ubers operate in the city, and downtown is very walkable. But renting a car is the easiest way to explore the surrounding areas, as there is very little public transport. The roads are relatively quiet, especially once you’re outside the city, making driving a joy. Wanuskewin is a 20-minute drive from Saskatoon; Duck Lake is around 45 minutes; Batoche National Historic Site is about an hour.

Carbon offset

A return flight from London to Saskatoon via Calgary produces 802kg of carbon per passenger. Wanderlust encourages you to offset your travel footprint through a reputable provider. For advice on how to find one, visit wanderlust.co.uk/sustainable-travel.

Currency & visa

Currency: Canadian dollar (CA$), currently CA$1.72 to the UK£. Visa: UK nationals will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for stays of up to six months. This is available online (canada.ca) for £4.

Where to stay

Dakota Dunes Resort Hotel, near Whitecap, is owned by the Whitecap Dakota Nation (who never signed Treaty 6) and lies 20 minutes from Saskatoon. It has a casino, golf course and a full range of activities. It offers Indigenous experiences for an extra fee, including stargazing, traditional games and a dance presentation. It operates a shuttle to Wanuskewin (additional cost). Rooms from £131pn. dakotadunesresort.com

Pêmiska Tourism offers customised programmes that can incorporate a stay in the new lodges or tipis at Fort Carlton. pemiska.ca

Alt Hotel Saskatoon has a useful location by the river near Persephone Theatre, Remai Art Centre and plenty of good restaurants. Rooms from £106pn. germainhotels.com

Further reading & information

wanuskewin.com – Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open daily year-round. The visitor centre includes displays, a café, shop and activity programme. Check online for an event calendar. parks.canada.ca – The Batoche National Historic Site website has details about its history. Make sure that you visit the river for beautiful views.

The author’s trip was supported by Destination Canada (destinationcanada.com).