Fleeting winter convenience for the north

Each winter, as temperatures drop in northern Saskatchewan, ice roads begin to take shape, although their season is short − they are vital.

These frozen highways are a critical connection for remote Indigenous communities and cabin owners alike.

“It opens the door for isolated places like Patuanak, allowing people to travel 40 minutes instead of hours,” said John Belanger. “Families can visit elders, and it gives kids access to sports and recreation.”

The ice roads not only provide access to essential goods, services, and visits to elderly family members, they save time and money. Without them, it means long detours around frozen lakes and rivers or other even more costly alternatives to reach essential destinations.

Belanger who is with the Sakitawak Development Corporation (SDC) in Île-à-la-Crosse helps maintain some of its ice roads.

He said the roads play a crucial role in keeping supplies moving.

Food, fuel, and medical necessities are transported across frozen lakes and rivers, ensuring families have what they need to get through the season.

“A lot of people don’t realize these roads are here, but they’re essential,” said Belanger. “They save time and make transportation more efficient for businesses too.”

In Buffalo Narrows, cabin owners rely on the ice roads to transport heavy supplies such as lumber, generators, and all-terrain vehicles.

Mayor Shaylee Gardiner said without these winter routes, reaching remote cabins would be significantly harder.

“It makes it a lot easier for them—rather than taking everything by boat, they can use a truck,” she said.

Cabin owners maintain these roads themselves, ensuring they remain open despite fluctuating weather conditions.

“The municipality doesn’t take care of them, but the people who use them do,” Gardiner adds.

Despite their benefits, ice roads are increasingly impacted by shifting weather patterns. Warmer winters mean delayed freezing, shorter seasons, and unpredictable conditions.

“With the weather being so warm, it doesn’t freeze right away, so we’re kind of stuck in between,” said Gardiner.

Similarly, Belanger said there are safety concerns, especially during storms.

“We strongly recommend people stay off the ice in bad weather, but they still try,” he said. “We’ve had to rescue stranded drivers after blizzards.”

Even with Facebook pages and community alerts warning people about dangerous conditions, some take risks, often leading to emergency rescues.

Another growing concern is the impact of slush and unstable ice conditions during spring.

Belanger said in recent years, the ice has been forming later and melting earlier.

“We try to open up the ice roads to Patuanak for events like the poker rally, but there’s just too much water on the ice,” he said. “This winter was mild, and the slush is worse than ever.”

Additionally, large ice heaves and cracks create navigational challenges, making road maintenance even more difficult.

As climate change continues to affect northern winters, the future of ice roads remains uncertain.

However, for now, they remain a critical part of life for many in Saskatchewan’s north—providing lifelines to businesses, families, and entire communities.

Their importance extends beyond just transportation; they strengthen social ties, sustain local economies, and keep remote areas connected to the wider world.

Provincial ice roads include

Wollaston Lake (45-55 km depending on route)

Stony Rapids to Fond du Lac (85 km including over-land portion)

Fond du Lac to Uranium City (approx. 90 km)

Riverhurst (2 km)

Provincial winter road

Cumberland House – MB border (52 km)

According to the province the ice roads typically open in February and close at the end of March but varies and is dependent on the weather.

While open, these routes are maintained and monitored to ensure their condition and ice thickness is safe for motorists.