Transfer and Other Options:

We do a lot of horseback riding at the ranch, because there is nothing better than being in the saddle of a horse! All guests are welcome to participate in the cattle and ranch work. We have to check and move cows on a daily basis and if necessary we may have to catch some calves and treat them. After the 'famous' breakfast each morning, we saddle the horses together and take off for an exciting day of riding as we check the herds and explore the large property.  Novice riders will have their first western riding lessons in a large riding arena at the main ranch to get acquainted with and practice how it all works. Every guest will have the chance to learn how to rope and work the cattle or try their first barrel race. While there is a lot to do every day, we do not forget to relax and have a good lunch break with a coffee, enjoy beans and sausages cooked over an open fire and take a nice snooze in the sun. And from time to time, throughout the summer months, we pack up the horses for an overnight trip and camp out under the stars! When we are not in the saddle, there are plenty of other activities to get into. During the summer months, guests can walk down to Lake Diefenbaker for great swimming, boating, canoeing, water-skiing and fishing. The large ranch property invites to explore the untouched wildlife with deer, coyotes, foxes and owls, and overhead a Golden Eagle or a pair of Pelicans, while hiking in the rolling hills. Or find a private spot along 200-kilometers of sandy beaches with a book and enjoy the R&R! In the evening, we do what the cowboys do. Play game of horseshoes together, enjoy a cowboy sing-a-long beside the crackle of a romantic campfire, practice dummy steer roping, try some archery or go for a visit to the famous White Bear Saloon in the nearby town. But we also have our own 'saloon' here at the ranch, where there is a pool table, foosball and dart games available. Sometimes we just listen to some of our favorite country music and sit in the hot tub under the stars.

Special Events
Branding The Offspring - late May to early June 
One of the most popular times at the ranch is early June, when the cattle is rounded up on horseback for an old-time authentic branding. Altogether we move the herd the whole way from the pastures to the ranch. A long day in the saddle with lots of fun and action. The next day is branding day and every hand is needed. Everyone has the chance to learn how to rope and to participate in the hard work of the cowboys, like wrestling the calves. Guests should plan to visit for at least ten days in order to become acquainted with the operation and their horse before branding day.

Round Up Week  -   mid October
In the first half of October cattle have to be rounded up on horseback and brought home from the summer pastures to the main ranch. The cattle will be counted, vaccinated and moved into a different pasture or onto the farmland. This is a great advance for people who love to ride and learn some skills about handling and being around cattle

Season Opening
First week of the season: Guests will get the taste of cowboys daily spring jobs while calves start to be born. Join us on our daily horseback trips to the pastures to check the herd and new born calves. Fences and corrals need to be checked and fixed. Main ranch and cattle set up has to be prepared and shaped for upcoming branding.

Clear Up Week
The last week of the season offers shorter days, but lots of riding and fun in the beautiful color fading prairie and river hill scenery. Usually cooler days allows us to do harder work with and around cattle. Corrals and winter facilities have to be repaired and prepared for the cattle to come home. Pasture fences have to be checked and fixed if necessary. There is nothing more beautiful then the smell of clear and fresh air on a fall day and a hot coffee cooked over the campfire after having a snooze around lunchtime.

The ranch is in a dry-prairie/savanna biome and experiences hot summers and very cold winters. There are four distinct seasons. Extreme temperatures range from -50°C in winter to 41°C (-58°F to 104°F) in summer. It is fairly dry; the average annual precipitation is 347.2 mm (13.7in). A positive aspect of the low precipitation is that it is sunnier than the average in Canada as a result, averaging 2,381 hours of bright sunshine annually. The extreme temperatures are also more tolerable on account of the typically low humidity. Although winters are long and severe, many people find the crisp atmosphere, lack of dampness and abundant sunshine of the Saskatchewan winter preferable to the mild temperatures of the gloomy and wet regions of Canada. The same can be said for the summer months as there are usually only a few days per year over 30C. Hot, humid days are infrequent and uncomfortably sticky summer nights extremely rare here. Exciting thunderstorms are common in the summer months.

Guests stay in western-style wood cabins decorated to make any cowboy or cowgirl feel right at home. There are six comfortable standard log-cabins that have two twin beds or one queen size bed, and with private washrooms with toilet and shower. There is also two 1.5-story cabins that have loft bedrooms, with enough space to accommodate up to 4 people. Weekly cleaning is included. Bedding and toiletries are supplied - everything you need for your private home away from home!

Meals are prepared in the ranches Cook Shack – wholesome, plentiful cowboy cuisine that includes melt in-your-mouth Canadian beef. Everybody gathers together at mealtimes like any farm family, socializing with the wranglers and family, and the interesting guests from around the world. Many friendships have been born while eating together here.

The ranch has its own 'saloon' with a pool table, foosball, dart games available and yes, we play that lovely country music. Everybody is welcome to use the hot tub on the back deck whenever you feel like.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognized for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.