Saskatchewan: make the most of the great outdoors in Canada's must-see province

For me, the eagerly looked forward to trip to Canada more than fulfilled its promises.

Arriving in this North American country, most visitors take the classic trip from Calgary to Vancouver, taking in the Rockies en-route. They would, however, be missing a trick as Canada has so much more to offer, with Saskatchewan, known as ‘The Land of Living Skies’, being a must-see province.

Saskatchewan is huge at 651,900 square kilometres – the UK is a mere 243,610 square kilometres – but it only has a fraction of the UK population at just over 1.1 million, and it boasts around 100,000 lakes. Most people live in the south, with around half living in the two cities of Saskatoon and the provincial capital of Regina.

Thankfully, after the long journey of around 12 hours from London with one connecting flight, our group arrived in Saskatoon and we were whisked out to our first stop, dinner at Ayden Kitchen and Bar where I enjoyed some of the best food I’ve ever experienced.

It is run by Chef Dale MacKay, who won ‘Top Chef Canada’, Canada’s equivalent to Masterchef.

It was a pleasure to watch him at work and an even greater pleasure to eat his food. As someone renowned for his love of ‘man-food’ there was not one mouthful that wasn’t stand-out delicious and with a menu that focused on ‘house-made’ charcuterie, custom butchery and fresh cheeses you quickly realise why it is known as Saskatoon’s modern comfort food restaurant.

The following morning we were off to Thompson’s Camps Otter Lake Resort in the settlement of Missinipi for a spot of fishing – a short one stop internal flight with Transwest took us there.

On arrival we were treated to a flight in a float plane, after which our group took to a pontoon boat and spent the rest of the day catching a plentiful supply of walleye and northern pike.

Our catch was expertly cooked by our camp guide and we enjoyed an idyllic evening eating the freshest of fish as the sun set on what must be the dream day for any fishing enthusiast.

One of many highlights of the trip was our visit to La Reata Ranch, run by George Gaber – who has been introducing city folks to the ways of the cowpoke since 1996.

Riding isn’t my strong point, but George has horses for all levels, from my lowly non-existant level right up to the elite galloping-across-the-prairies rider.

Once I had mastered the ‘getting on the horse’ bit, my world widened to the breathtaking views and open trails of the Prairies. It was magical and 20 minutes into the ride I felt like I was in a cowboy movie!

My thoughts turned to the keen riders in Dorset, for I believe once they experienced La Reata Ranch they really wouldn’t want to leave after the thrill of riding off into the sunset across endless prairies to the far distant horizon.

One unique aspect of Canada that is renowned as a major tourist attraction is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or ‘The Mounties’, as these men – and now women – have been known worldwide for generations.

We had the great and rare pleasure of spending a couple of days at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, where all cadets are put through a rigorous six months of training prior to, hopefully, beginning their illustrious careers.

Our part was to experience a little of what the nation’s best would be put through during that time and they really do achieve more in a morning than most people do in a day.

I can honestly say that the regimental intensity and sheer workload expected would see me AWOL within the week!

A cadet’s day is filled from the crack of dawn until lights out but our gentler and more civilian friendly version of such a day started at 5.30am, waking and preparing for a 6.20am march to the Parade Square for ‘Morning Parade’.

After a 7am breakfast we were back at the Parade Square for drill practice under the watchful and stern gaze of a terrifyingly strict female officer who must have picked the short straw to be assigned our motley crew.

Her job was to make us presentable for the afternoon Sergeant Major’s Parade, in which we were expected to take part and much to my horror this included being watched by members of the public.

She soon ‘scared’ us into shape and we went on to complete the parade in some style, or so I thought until one young cadet said he thought we were great because with us there they all looked utterly perfect and couldn’t put a foot wrong.

We also took part in fitness training, an Applied Police Sciences class, simulator driving and the very real firearms range training. Here we were given the same 9mm Smith and Wesson automatic handguns that the Mounties use and we were allowed to fire off a couple of clips down the range.

Much to my – and the firearms officer’s – surprise I got a perfect score at 25 metres but I modestly put my flukey skill down to the many water pistol fights I’ve had with my son! We also got to learn about the history of the RCMP at the Heritage Centre on the site.

We rounded off the visit with the very enjoyable RCMP Sunset Ceremony, which is held every Tuesday between July 1 and August 12. At this, spectators watch an hour-long display of policing skills, marching cadets, cannon firing, band music and the lowering of the Canadian Flag, all performed in the traditional scarlet tunic that the Mounties are famed for.

Time to fly back home came only too soon and my everlasting memories of the call of the wild, plus all the modern amenities that the country has, will bring me back to Canada one day.

Getting there

Ayden Kitchen & Bar, 265 3 Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M3, Canada

Thompson’s Camps Otter Lake Resort & Canadian Fishing Outpost Camps Lodge – email wparsons@adventuredestinations.ca

La Reata Ranch, lareata.com

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre, tel: 3060780-8332

For Saskatchewan Province details, contact Tourism Saskatchewan, 189-1621 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4P 2S5 – tourismsask.com