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From the moment, I saw the first episode of Race Across the World, a British television show that first aired in 2019 on BBC, I was instantly hooked. Similar in concept to The Amazing Race, the show features teams of two racing from one point to another, covering immense distances and sharing transformative and memorable experiences. Though with Race Across the World, among other differences, the contestants don't participate in competition-style challenges, or 'pitstops'. Instead, teams must simply navigate to their checkpoints by ground travel with no phones, computers, or credit cards, as quickly as possible while sticking to a small budget equal to what the airfare would have cost. Sounds simple, right? (Anyone feeling anxious yet....just me? Ok, moving on!)
On a sidenote, they also have a fantastic narrator in Scottish actor John Hannah who adds a touch of gravatas to the storytelling, and who doesn't love him as charismatic 'Johnathan' from the cinematic masterpiece 1999's The Mummy!
When I lived in the UK I loved watching the first two of seasons of RATW which covered the epic journeys from London to Singapore (S1,2019) and Mexico to Argentina (S2, 2020). But as it happens when I moved back to Saskatoon in late 2020, the show sadly fell off my radar (I think there was something else going on at the time, but I can't put my finger on it... hmmm).
Fast forward to the Summer of 2023, when working away at my desk one random afternoon - when my phone started binging and buzzing like crazy:
“Saskatoon is on Race Across the World!!!” my friends from the UK excitedly, and rapidly messaged. The new season had started and the contestants were traveling an incredible 16,000km from Vancouver, BC to St. John’s, NL, and one leg of the journey had brought them right through Saskatoon! I was thrilled!! I had no idea there was a new season, let alone that it was set in Canada - and that featured my hometown!
Now, not every team passed through Saskatoon, as the show allows for different routes and contestants Mobeen and Zainib opted to travel south through Moose Jaw, but three teams did come through The Paris of the Prairies: Monique and Ladi, Tricia and Cathie, and Claudia and Kevin.
Since then, I’ve met several fans of the show from the UK who travel across Canada, following in the footsteps of the contestants, asking how they can see the various places featured in the Saskatoon episode. So I decided to combine their routes and experiences into an inspired itinerary so that you can follow along on your next visit to our Saskatoon region, while you Race Across The World.
Start your experience at Farm One Forty: Contestants and friends Cathie and Tricia stopped at Farm One Forty to earn extra cash for their journey, helping owner Arlie LaRoche with chores like pulling weeds, vegetables, and feeding the adorable animals. Just 15 minutes south-west of Saskatoon near Vanscoy, Farm One Forty is the perfect place to start your day. They offer a farm-fresh food store where you can purchase a variety of vegetables, cuts of meat, honey, and eggs. If you’re short on time, you can also order through their online store.
For a truly unique experience, consider booking one of their workshops or events. Whether it’s the Homesteading Kickstarter (perfect for those looking to enhance their homesteading skills) or their iconic Farm-to-Table dinner, which includes a chef-prepared, four-course meal using all farm-sourced ingredients, these events offer an authentic taste of prairie life.
Top tip: Be sure to call or email ahead to set up an appointment before you head out there at 306-381-8931. You can find more details on their website or on Facebook at @farmoneforty.
Our next stop is Wanuskewin: After your morning on the farm, head north of the city and visit Wanuskewin, for an immersive cultural experience. A heritage site that has been a gathering place for Northern Plains Indigenous peoples for over 6,400 years, Wanuskewin, a nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree) word roughly translated as 'seeking peace of mind', is on-track to become Saskatchewan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the coming years!
During their travels, father-daughter team Kevin and Claudia took some much-needed time to recharge at Wanuskewin, participating in a transformative Tipi Sleepover experience. Guided by Cree host, they learned about Tobacco offerings, listened to Grandmother songs, and deepening their understanding and connection to both the land, and each other.
Wanuskewin is open daily, offering visitors the chance to explore world-class galleries, hike along 8km of scenic trails, visit the live bison paddock, enjoy authentic Indigenous cuisine at the café, and shop for locally made keepsakes.
Though there’s no direct bus route to the park, it’s just a 15-minute drive north from downtown. If you don’t have a vehicle, rentals are available around the city or at the airport, and a taxi from downtown will cost around $40-50 one way.
For the adventurous, Wanuskewin is also connected to Saskatoon via the Meewasin Trail and the TransCanada Trail, making it accessible by bike or on foot (check out the trail map here).
Top Tip: If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend booking one of their many experiences, such as the award-winning Han Wi Moon Dinner—a truly magical evening of Indigenous-inspired cuisine, storytelling, and connection around a crackling fire while under a twinkling starry sky.
The next stop takes us north of Saskatoon, to Waskesiu Lake: Another father-daughter pair, Ladi and Monique, chose to pass through Saskatoon to take a self-imposed detour to Waskesiu Lake in Prince Albert National Park, for a bit of a rest and experience a 'dream kayak trip'. This breathtaking northern Saskatchewan lake and resort town offers a wide range of activities for adventurers, families, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a luxurious getaway.
Located approximately 250km or a 2.5-hour drive from Saskatoon, Waskesiu can be reached by following HWY 11 to Prince Albert, then heading north on HWY 2. While there’s no direct public transportation from Saskatoon to Waskesiu, you can take the Rider Express Bus Service to the City of Prince Albert, and rent a vehicle to get the rest of the way.
Finish your journey with a The VIA Rail Adventure: All the contestants faced the same original challenge of getting from Banff, AB with the goal of intercepting the VIA Rail train in Saskatchewan to get to the checkpoint: Churchill, MB. Sounds easy? Not so fast.
The 36-hour, 1,200km rail journey from the target interception point of Canora, SK to Churchill, MB is no small feat (Be still my anxious adventurous heart!). And the challenge for contestants found, was the route from Saskatoon to Canora, roughly 300km, lacks direct public transportation options. This is a challenge for anyone trying to traverse the Saskatchewan without a car, and is still a hot-button political issue in the province.
But for diehard fans, there are still ways to catch your train:
Take the Rider Express bus from Saskatoon to Regina, then to Winnipeg, where you can board the VIA Rail train from its originating station.
Hop on a 14-hour VIA Rail train from Saskatoon to Winnipeg and then transfer to catch the Churchill train.
Like Kevin (and somewhat begrudgingly Claudia), you could pay for a taxi from Saskatoon to Canora—a trip that costs about $400 one way.
You could also book through a private charter transportation company like Provincial Car Service.
A more creative option, not shown in the show, is to rent a U-Haul in Saskatoon and drive it to Canora (or Kamsack, where you can also catch the same VIA service). In either location you can drop your rental off (with a 24-hour return policy) and walk to each respective train station.
No matter which option you choose, timing is crucial. The Winnipeg to Churchill train runs only twice-weekly, so be sure to plan accordingly so you're not left waiting - especially in the cooler months.
Despite challenges, at the end of the day visitors who travel through Saskatchewan, whether following Race Across the World or not, often discover something unexpected here in Saskatoon and in the surrounding region —a hidden gem that quietly reveals itself to those who will listen. A city that offers a perfect balance of big-city amenities and small-town connection, and a surrounding region with easy access to an incredibly varied natural world, all steeped in thousands of years of history and authentic cultural experiences.
The coming months are a great time to plan your 2025 Spring and Summer adventures, so if you’re looking for travel inspiration, why not check out Race Across the World and start your own cross-Canada journey - just don't forget to plan to stop in Saskatoon along the way!
Top Tip: If you watched this Canadian season of Race Across the World, and (like me) need more RATW content in your life:
Check out the new seasons (or series, as it's called in the UK). Since the trip to Canada there has been a 4th series (2024, taking contestants from Japan to Indonesia) and a 5th series is in the works for 2025!
There are also two celebrity series (2023, Morocco to Norway, and 2024, Brazil to Chile).
Wanderlust: Off the Page Podcast, from the team of Wanderlust Travel Magazine, also released an episode interviewing the S3 winners on August 8th! So spoiler alert - don't click that link unless you want to know who won!
Find the show on BBC in the UK, and on Discovery+ in the US.
Can you watch the show anywhere else? Have you followed the contestants journeys? Know of any other methods to follow these routes without the use of private vehicles? Let us know!
Authors note: This is not a sponsored blog. I genuinely love this show and promoting the unique, authentic experiences that Saskatoon and region has to offer! Safety Note: While the show depicted contestants hitchhiking and asking for rides, they were always accompanied by a crew. For your safety, I don’t recommend hitchhiking or similar practices. Always seek legitimate means of travel and check weather forecasts from reliable sources like Environment Canada or The Weather Network, as prairie weather can change rapidly.
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