Mount Blackstrap

Canada / Saskatchewan / Saskatoon /
 mountain, hill, skiing, closed
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This 45-metre-high hill was built out of landfill in 1969 and 1970 for the 1971 Canada Winter Games. Its profile from Highway 11 has given it the nickname "The pimple on the prairie". It was cleverly constructed on the edge of a valley to increase its vertical to nearly a hundred metres. It remained in use as a ski hill for those who are unable to afford to head to the Rockies. The 2007 season was abbreviated due to equipment problems; the snow-making equipment needed replacement and the chairlift is out of service, leaving a towbar as the skiers' only way up the hill for now.

In 2009, a fire destroyed the ski lodge. After failing to find a private operator, the provincial government decided to close the ski hill and dismantle the remaining equipment.
www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/10/16/sk-blac...
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Coordinates:   51°46'30"N   106°26'47"W

Comments

  • I think people who CAN afford to go to the rockies STILL use this hill, as it is only 30 minutes from Saskatoon. Good place to practice snow boarding etc. Good trails for cross country skiing. Good fishing and camping in the summer months too. I should know..I live there.
This article was last modified 16 years ago