12 Reasons Why Saskatchewan Is The Most Magical Place You’ve Never Been

See why life in this province is anything but flat.

Let’s face it, if you’ve ever been to Saskatchewan, it was most likely a pit stop on a trip somewhere else. This hidden gem is far too often overlooked.

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Here are just a few reasons why the "Land of the Living Skies" offers much more than meets the eye.

1. The outdoor adventures are endless.

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If you love spending time in the great outdoors, Saskatchewan has plenty to do. Home to two national parks, miles of desert-like sand dunes, and thousands of freshwater lakes, you’ll be busy all year long! Hiking, swimming, skating, camping — the possibilities are endless, and with a well-established community of outdoor lovers, you’ll never be lonely in your adventures. 

2. The people are ridiculously nice.

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As a big-city girl from Toronto, what really blew my mind the first time I stepped foot in Saskatchewan was just how nice everyone was. I was downright uneasy the first time a driver stopped in the middle of the road, smiled, and waved me across the street to help me jaywalk in downtown Regina.

3. You might actually be able to afford a home there!

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With the median house price in Saskatchewan just over $280,000, your dreams of home-ownership may not be as distant as you thought! BRB, looking for a house in Saskatchewan immediately. 

4. It’s home to Canada’s longest running multi-day music festival.

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Country Thunder Saskatchewan (formerly Craven Country Jamboree) is a massive four-day country music festival, hosting more than 20,000 attendees each year. The festival dates back to 1983 when it was called the Big Valley Jamboree, and past performers include Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, and Taylor Swift (just to name a few).

5. Traffic? What’s that?

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With a population of 336,000, even Saskatchewan’s biggest city (Saskatoon) is still less than half the size of Hamilton, ON and one-eighth that of Vancouver, BC. That means your morning commute should be smooth sailing.

6. You can live out your farm-life fantasy.

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With farmland at the lowest price per acre in all of Canada, this prairie province is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and start your very own homestead. Little House on the Prairie, here I come!

7. You can literally light up your life.

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If you’re anything like me, the phrase “aurora borealis” conjures up visions of Canada’s Northwest Territories. But Saskatchewan is actually one of the best places in the country to watch the northern lights do their thing! Rumour has it that Prince Albert National Park is a hotspot for viewing this magical light show.

8. It’s an ideal playground for roadtrippers.

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If you love small towns, open roads, and photo-ops around every corner, you’ll love Saskatchewan. Step back in time with a drive through the Ghost Town Trail, a collection of once-booming towns, now abandoned due to rural depopulation (it's a personal favourite of mine).

9. The cotton candy sunsets will blow your mind.

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I know it’s a cliche, but the sunsets in SK are something you have to see to believe. Trust me on this one. 

10. The football fandom is unmatched (see what I did there?)

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If you’ve never been to a Saskatchewan Roughriders game, you’re in for a real treat. This Saskatchewan football team has a fandom that’s legendary. From watermelon hats (they're exactly what they sound like) to tattooed fans, this team's fanbase goes all out, all the time. A Saskatoon professor even suggested the Roughrider nation could be classified as a form of religion. Amen!

11. You can get your fill of wonderful wildlife.

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Did you know there are pronghorns in Saskatchewan?! From bison to black bears and everything in between, Saskatchewan is a wildlife watcher’s dream come true. 

12. You can live your best lake life, all summer long.

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Home to roughly 100,000 lakes, lake life is one of the best parts of Saskatchewan culture. With so much space to sprawl out and so many waterfront properties available, many residents spend their summers floating away from their worries.

So whether you’ve never been or you were born and raised, we hope you now have a few new reasons to love Canada’s Breadbasket (honestly, that name alone should be Reason Number 13).

This summer, BuzzFeed Canada is taking you on a virtual trip from coast to coast. Check out how BuzzFeed is highlighting different provinces and territories while bringing you more Canada content!

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