Canadian Prairies
Saskatchewan

Called Canada’s Breadbasket, Saskatchewan is the center of the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Although Saskatchewan is the sunniest of Canada’s provinces, fall and winter bring clear cold weather, which means it's time for hockey, curling and Winter Festivals. Life in Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan, revolves around recreation, events and activities at the Wascana Centre. Easy to reach, Regina is connected to major Canadian and US Cities from Regina International Airport, southwest of downtown. Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan is 3-hours northwest of Regina. With the majority of the province’s population Regina and Saskatoon are the places for urban adventure.

Of course nothing stirs Canadian passion like hockey. It is the season in Saskatoon for WHL Blades action. With Duncan Siemens leading the Blades as team captain, action on the ice continues through March. Join friends and fans for Blades games at the Credit Union Centre, north of Saskatoon and Saskatoon International Airport.

Saskatoon’s Credit Union Centre host the 2011 PBR Canadian National Finals November 18th and 19th for Rodeo fans. Watch the excitement as 35 of Canada’s best bull riders challenge rodeo’s toughest animals. Not looking for excitement? The Centre also hosts a great calendar of concerts and performances this fall including Disney Live and Cirque Du Soleil.

Mark March 2012 on your Saskatoon calendar for the 83rd edition of Tim Horton’s Brier. Saskatoon hosts the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship at the Credit Union Centre. Curling fans fill the stands March 3rd through the 11th for the biggest curling competition since 2004, when the Briar was last in Saskatoon.

The Brandt Centre in Regina is where hockey fans in southern Saskatchewan flock to cheer on the Pats. One of the oldest junior hockey teams in North American, the Regina Pats entertain from mid-September through March and hopefully into April’s playoffs. Visit Evraz Place, just west of downtown Regina, to the Brandt Centre and Regina Pats hockey action.

The well-known Regina Symphony Orchestra offers an extraordinary 2011 – 2012 season at home in the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina and various venues through out Southern Saskatchewan. RSO performs classics in the Mosaic Masterworks Concert Series with monthly concerts through May. The popular Shumiatcher Pops Concert Series features shows like Swashbucklers, Pirates & Rogues, The Oscars and All You Need is Love, also through May. Look for special holiday performances by RSO like the Mini Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah – these are must see events.

For small town Saskatchewan experience check out Swift Current, about 3-hours west of Regina. Located on Route 1 of the Trans-Canada Highway, you’ll find Swift Current Broncos action on the ice at the Credit Union i-plex on the east edge of town. If hockey is not enough to get you through the winter, check out February’s Stir Crazy Blues Festival. Held at Swift Current’s Lyric Theatre, the 2012 festival is February 23rd through 25th. A great cultural event to beat any sign of winter blues.