A Cozy Winter Escape at Blackstrap Glamping Resort

For years, I’ve been curious about glamping, but I couldn’t think of a more magical time to try it than in the heart of winter. Picture this: settling into a cozy, spacious eco-dome, completely sheltered from the chill, while watching snowdrifts dance across the prairie landscape just outside panoramic windows. We weren’t quite sure what our first glamping experience would bring, but it turned out to be every bit as enchanting as we’d hoped.

For our inaugural glamping adventure, we decided to go a bit further and chose the Blackstrap Glamping Resort in Saskatchewan. This resort features six themed, luxury glamping domes open all year within the Blackstrap Provincial Park. Just 25 minutes south of Saskatoon, the location provided us with the perfect opportunity to embark on a prairie road trip and finally check Saskatchewan off the list for Radwin and the kids. (I had family in Saskatoon and visited the city a few times as a kid, but this trip marked my first journey east as an adult.)

We began our six-hour drive from Edmonton late in the morning, with three stops along the way: lunch in Lloydminster, a washroom break in North Battleford, and a grocery run at a Walmart in Saskatoon for our two-night stay. The drive itself was mostly uneventful, but the prairie winter kept us on our toes—at times, gusts of blowing snow would suddenly reduce visibility to zero in seconds, making the straightforward trip into an adventure in itself.

By the time we reached Blackstrap Glamping Resort, it was full night mode. Navigating in the darkness proved a little tricky, as the resort sign was hard to spot and we—Radwin—found ourselves briefly stuck in some slushy snow for about ten minutes. When we finally found our dome, “Winnie”, we were struck by how cozy and beautiful it was, glowing warmly in the darkness.

Our dome, like the others on site, featured a contemporary design, unique decorative touches, and those impressive panoramic windows that showcased the sweeping prairie views. With our stay, we enjoyed a range amenities:

• A king‑sized bed with premium linens

• A double bed in the loft, perfect to the kids

• A fully stocked kitchenette with fridge/freezer, microwave, hot plate, cookware, dishware, and glassware

• Coffee and tea amenities, including a Keurig machine and coffee pods

• A private bathroom (with heated floors!), shower, plush towels, toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers

• Climate control and heating

• Complimentary wi‑fi

Guests at Blackstrap Glamping Resort also have access to shared propane fire pits stocked with complimentary firewood, propane BBQs, and shared outdoor saunas. Although I was eager to try the outdoor sauna, after spending five minutes in -24°C searching for firewood and attempting to light it in the darkness, I decided to save the experience for another time.

If you're looking for extra indulgence, Pixel Pizza in the nearby town of Dundurn delivers right to your dome at the resort, an option I wish we’d known about before our Walmart grocery haul.

All of the domes overlook Blackstrap Lake, where we watched vehicles drive right out onto the frozen surface during the day for ice fishing. The area also offers plenty of trails for winter hiking, snowshoeing or cross‑country skiing (you’ll need to bring your own ski equipment). We brought our toboggans from home and spent an afternoon at the nearby man‑made Mount Blackstrap. To mix things up, we even found a spot where we could slide down from the road onto the frozen lake.

One winter activity we were especially excited about was dog sledding with Campbell’s Racing Dog Sleds. The experience did require an additional five‑hour round‑trip drive from the glamping resort, as they’re located in Melfort, Saskatchewan, but it was well worth it. It was Radwin’s and the kids’ first time, and they absolutely loved it—the thrill of racing across the prairies and, of course, meeting the adorable huskies.

If we had timed our stay differently and visited on a specific weekend in January, Campbell’s together with Back2Nature Wellness offers a Dog Sled and Sauna Wellness Adventure right here in the provincial park, so much closer to the glamping resort.

Overall, our stay at Blackstrap Glamping Resort was such a great experience and the perfect introduction to glamping for our family. The domes were cozy, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. It was a fun and relaxing getaway, and we’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to try glamping, even in the dead of winter.