Fireside time in
the lobby
A hearty elk
steak dinner
Walking in, I’m set at ease by the
natural yet elegantly outfitted space.
A vaulted ceiling criss-crosses wooden
timbers that stretch overhead; dozens
of windows reach up toward the lodge’s
A-frame roof. A wilderness scene with
taxidermy of an elk and wolf artfully
lines the entryway, adding another
touch of the outdoors.
Near my window table, an impressive
double-sided stone fireplace casts a
warm glow across the room
and flickers in the glass.
Looking outside, into the
fading early evening light,
I notice several guests
still curling on the mini
rink. It reminds me of my
earlier attempt that day
at an impromptu curling
game. With no real hacks to
push my foot off, I clumsily
slipped on the ice in a vain
attempt to release my rock
towards the painted rings at
the other end.
I turn back to the menu and it’s a
quick decision about what to order: a
plate of assorted Quebec cheeses with
fig jam and warm bread. The appetizer
will help curb my grumbling stomach,
which hasn’t seen nourishment since
lunch back in Saskatoon. For the main
course, I go with the always-changing
elk special. Tonight, it’s an eight-ounce
filet mignon accompanied by potatoes
and seasonal vegetables. The meat is
tender, flavourful and a little sweeter
than beef.
After my delicious dinner, I’m left
with my most pressing decision of the
day: curl up with a book and call it a
night or wander down to the indoor
saltwater pool? Although the pool’s
hot tub and waterslide are equally
tempting, I decide to save my energy
for the awesome activities I hope to
experience tomorrow.
Local wildlife
The
Essentials
GETTING THERE
I return to the dining room the
next morning for a hearty breakfast.
While nibbling on my eggs, I peruse
the variety of treatments and services
offered at Elk Ridge’s Salacia Spa.
My muscles are admittedly a little sore
from the previous day’s bouncing inner-
tube action. The resort’s hot-stone
massage comes highly recommended
and sounds like the perfect cure.
Unfortunately, I’m too late: The spa is
fully booked for the day. It appears I’m
not the only one seeking the resort’s
luxury treatments. (Be sure to book any
treatments as soon as you check-in to
avoid my fate!)
All is not lost, though. With warmer-
than-average winter weather on a clear,
blue-sky day, I pull on my toque and
mitts, and grab a pair of snowshoes.
I have an entire forest to explore and
there’s no time to waste!
Elk Ridge Resort is a
2.5-hour trip from
Saskatoon along
Highways 11 and 2
WHERE TO STAY
Elk Ridge Resort offers
cabins, cottages and
townhouses, all with
free access to the main
lodge. Pets are welcome
for an additional fee
THINGS TO DO
For snowmobile enthu-
siasts, there are more
than 400 kilometres
of groomed trails and
several warm-up shacks
Go cross-country skiing
in nearby Prince Albert
National Park. You can
ski to Crean Lake Camp,
a 19-km return trip
51