The Saskatoon Snowmobiling Club offers some relatively simple and straightforward trails for those who are looking to just get out of the city and ride through the communities of Warman, Hague, Rosthern and Duck Lake. But for those looking for a bit longer adventure with a little more challenge, a trip through the Nisbet forest opens up the trails to Prince Albert and others that can take you even farther north.
The North Forty (Trail 112A)
Heading out from the Saskatoon Snowmobiling Club’s clubhouse located at the old Penner Schoolhouse in the North Corman Industrial Park area between Saskatoon and Warman, families and newcomers to riding can be assured of an easy ride from the clubhouse up to the North 40 Shelter, where they will find all the amenities for a family weiner roast right down to the sticks. A straight “out and back” ride on a safe smooth trail, it’s a good way to introduce newcomers to the fun of snowmobiling and meet up with others. A nearby landowner has also given permission for those looking to do a little exploring and playing in the surrounding fields.
Driving directions: The 112B Trail can be accessed directly from the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club’s clubhouse located at the old Penner Schoolhouse in the North Corman Industrial Park area between Saskatoon and Warman.
Total trail distance from Saskatoon: 80 km
Grooming season: From December to early March
Difficulty level: Easy
Duck Lake (Trail 112B)
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the beginning portion of the trail, you can venture farther afield up through the town of Rosthern, where you’ll find food and fuel, before continuing all the way up to Duck Lake. Here there’s an area of swampland that offers acres and acres of wide open spaces to play in full throttle. Many parts of the groomed trail venture through summer roads, agricultural land and even wooded areas, so there’s something for everyone. You also have the opportunity to venture off the beaten path and experience the many small lakes that offer all sorts of opportunities for off-trail riding.
Driving directions: The 112B Trail can be accessed directly from the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club’s clubhouse located at the old Penner Schoolhouse in the North Corman Industrial Park area between Saskatoon and Warman.
Total trail distance from Saskatoon: 160 km
Grooming season: From December to early March
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Nisbet Provincial Forest
Once past Duck Lake, intermediate riders will take the loop back to the clubhouse. The more adventurous can follow the club’s hand-drawn map and make their way off-trail into the Nisbet forest. There is no longer a groomed trail past Duck Lake, but you can continue on through a number of different ways to get to McDowell (a non-serviced community) and then cross the river by Crutwell. From there you can take the short jump up to the highway that runs between Prince Albert and Shellbrook, where you can ditch-bang your way north to either of those two communities. Round trip from Saskatoon to Prince Albert should take an entire day, and you can either choose to return to the clubhouse the same way or stay overnight and head even farther north.
Driving directions: The 112B Trail which leads up past Duck Lake into the Nisbet forest can be accessed directly from the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club’s clubhouse located at the old Penner Schoolhouse in the North Corman Industrial Park area between Saskatoon and Warman.
Total trail distance from Saskatoon: 220 km
Grooming season: From December to early March
Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult