Top 10 best places to snowmobile in Saskatchewan

Where to begin your next Saskatchewan snowmobiling adventure

by Kirsten Armleder

A snowmobiler does a wheelie. A gray barn is in the background.
Michael Fidek roosts near his family farm near Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Photo courtesy Brendon Fidek

Well-signed, mapped and completely connected across the province, Saskatchewan’s 10,000-plus kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails are perfect for casual afternoon rides or epic, multi-day trips. The terrain ranges from deep-cut river valleys to rolling aspen parkland to thick, boreal forest. Thanks to the 66 snowmobile clubs in Saskatchewan, there are also numerous warm-up shelters spread evenly throughout the trail system.

Where to start? Based on SnoRiders’ annual SledTown ShowDown contest and Rider’s Choice Awards, we have prepared a list of the top best places to go snowmobiling in Saskatchewan. Start in these destinations and then let your sense of adventure lead you across the snowy wonderland that embraces Saskatchewan throughout the winter months.

Hudson Bay

For two consecutive years, and four of the last five years, readers of SnoRiders voted for Hudson Bay as their SledTown ShowDown provincial champion for Saskatchewan. For eight consecutive years, readers of SnoRiders magazine voted Hudson Bay their Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Saskatchewan. Why? Maybe it has something to do with the snow, which is consistently deep and fresh, lasting well into April. Or, it could be that there are 690 kilometres of maintained trails, complete with 16 modern warm-up shelters. Either way, Hudson Bay deserves a spot on this list of top places to ride in Saskatchewan. See our Hudson Bay section for more info.

Three snowmobilers stopped on a very snowy trail in Hudson Bay.
Head to Hudson Bay for some of the best snow conditions. photo courtesy Jackpine Cabins

Porcupine Plain

With beautifully groomed trail networks, Porcupine Plain is a point of pride for Saskatchewan. Porcupine Plain is central for the Northeast and connects to all the other trails in the area to make a day trip to any other destination. The trails all lead to and from the community of Porcupine Plain. Devoted local club members, the Porcupine Trail Blasters, are always working hard to ensure that the riding here is some of the best you'll find in the province. See our Porcupine Plain section for more info.

Two snowmobilers pause to look at a pink sunset.
Porcupine Plain provides picturesque panorama views for sledders. Photo courtesy Nelson Arndt

North Battleford

Some of the best warm-up shelters in Saskatchewan can be found along the Battleford Trail Breakers’ system. Each cabin has a wood-burning stove, solar panels and battery-powered lights. Given that it has the second largest snowmobile trail system in Saskatchewan, North Battleford is an exciting place to bring your sled and enjoy more than 450 kilometres of terrain. It offers snowmobilers the chance to explore aspen parkland, boreal forest and rolling plains. See our North Battleford section for more information.

Snowmobilers parked at the Barley Bin warm up shelter.
The Barley Bin warm-up shelter is a popular spot along the Denholm Loop. Photo courtesy Tim Charabin

Fort Qu’Appelle

Fort Qu’Appelle is known for its consistently good snow conditions and immaculate trail system. There are more than 300 kilometres of well-signed, family-friendly trails that connect a number of different communities in this scenic region. The four nearby lakes can be ridden on when conditions allow, and each one measures approximately 30 to 40 kilometres across, granting more than enough space to have a relaxing, beautiful outing. In the Fort Qu'Appelle area, there are four warm-up shelters (Spancos, Roosters, Deer Creek and Pickers) that are supplied with wood, generators, stereos and barbecues, which is cared for by members of the Calling Lakes Cruisers. See our Fort Qu’Appelle section for more information.

An aerial shot of snowmobilers during a poker derby.
Fort Qu'Appelle has an active club and strong sledding community. Photo courtesy John McNally

Nipawin

Nipawin, Saskatchewan's 2021 provincial SledTown ShowDown winner, has become a well-known starting point for snowmobiling in Saskatchewan. Sledders can ride for days without hitting the same trail twice. The territory is varied, and you can see boreal forests, hills, fields or frozen lakes all in the same trip. Those with a penchant for ice fishing may also want to pack their rod and reel when sledding in Nipawin as nearby Tobin Lake is one of Canada’s top fishing spots. Any preconceived notions one may have about the altitude in Saskatchewan will be busted when visiting Nipawin. Not only is this destination home to over 230 kilometres of maintained snowmobile trails, but an upscale ski resort as well. That should tell you enough about the terrain and snow conditions here, but if you’re still not convinced, see our Nipawin section for more information.

Snowmobilers trying to get a tipped over sled upright.
Nipawin is located on the Saskatchewan River between Tobin Lake and Codette Lake. photo courtesy http://www.snocruise.com

Duck Mountain Provincial Park

Hard against the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border is Duck Mountain Provincial Park and one of the most popular places in Saskatchewan to sled. Duck Mountain Provincial Park has over 70 kilometres of groomed trails and warm-up shelters, with one of the busiest being the Green Lake Shelter. From here, sledders can head east into the park or west along the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail to Kamsack. For more info, see our Duck Mountain Provincial Park section.

A Ski-Doo parked at the Green Lake warm-up shelter.
The Green Lake warm-up shelter is a popular place to stop while enroute to Duck Mountain Provincial Park. photo courtesy Dwayne Andrychuk

Kelvington

Kelvington may be known as “Canada’s hockey factory,” but the area has managed to manufacture some notable snowmobile trails as well. A massive 455-kilometre web of interconnecting trails surrounds the town of Kelvington. The trails take riders from picturesque open farmland through the communities of Rose Valley, Wadena, Lintlaw and Kelvington and up to the lakeshore of Fishing Lake. Sledders can also choose to ride the premier parkland of Greenwater Provincial Park. See our Kelvington section for more info.

(L to R) Shelsie Bisshop and Austin Bisshop go for a family ride near the Geck Feairs Shelter.
(L to R) Shelsie Bisshop and Austin Bisshop go for a family ride near the Geck Feairs Shelter. Photo courtesy Kim Bisshop

Candle Lake

The resort village of Candle Lake is another consistent winner in SnoRiders’ annual Rider’s Choice Awards. With more than 350 kilometres of maintained trails, the Candle Lake Sno-Drifters work hard to ensure their trails are in top-notch shape for all the visitors. Many come from Prince Albert to ride. There is an abundance of warm-up shelters and a lot of the groomed trails are located in the forest where riders can see glimpses of wildlife. For more info, see our Candle Lake section.

A scenic overlook of lakes and forest.
From groomed trails to lakes and forest, there's so much terrain to explore in the Candle Lake area. photo courtesy Robert Venn

Carrot River

Located in northeast Saskatchewan, the communities of Carrot River, Arborfield, Zenon Park and Aylsham are connected by 260 kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails. Caretakers of this domain since 1991, members of the Pasquia Snow Goers Club Inc. also maintained four warm-up shelters and a section of the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail that runs southeast of Arborfield to Hudson Bay and northwest to Nipawin. From Carrot River, snowmobilers can explore the snow-blanketed Pasquia Hills or ride from town to town as all communities in this area are snowmobile-friendly, providing trail-side amenities, such as food, fuel and accommodation. Carrot River/Arborfield was also awarded the provincial SledTown ShowDown championship in 2018. For more info, see our Carrot River section.

A lightly wooded area filled with deep powder being ridden on by a snowmobile.
When other areas of Saskatchewan are brownfield, the Carrot River area is usually still a winter wonderland. Photo courtesy Jeff Cavanaugh

Yorkton

Yorkton, two-time provincial SledTown ShowDown champion, is the epitome of a snowmobile-friendly city. Sledders are permitted to ride their snowmobiles right into town, and there are two trails that directly extend into city limits. The surrounding territory is equally inviting, with 400 kilometres of well-groomed trails to enjoy. The Yorkton Sno-Riders club is active in maintaining the trails and has warm-up shelters placed at regular intervals. For more info, see our Yorkton section.

A snowmobiler leans sharply into a turn.
Snowmobiler Michael Fidek is in love with the terrain around Yorkton. He stakes out the most exciting places to ride in untouched powder—this is one of his "secret stashes." Fidek is fortunate enough to live near the Yorkton/Good Spirit trail network, so he spends a significant portion of each winter indulging in some of the province's best sledding conditions. Photo courtesy Brendon Fidek

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