While the roads and sidewalks are completely clear in Waskesiu, there were waist-deep piles of snow bordering sidewalks and the lake on May 9, 2026. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Business as usual in Waskesiu for upcoming long weekend, despite prolonged thaw

By Marija Robinson May 11, 2026 | 6:30 AM

While some communities in Saskatchewan are still under water from flooding, others are buried in snow.

Just days ahead of the May long weekend, the lake in Waskesiu was still frozen over with waist-deep piles of snow bordering sidewalks on May 9.

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David Archer, owner of the Waskesiu Trading Company said, “we haven’t had this amount of snow, I don’t think ever, at this time of year.”

Cabin-owner Mike Tory found a four-foot snow bank in his driveway when he came down last week.

Though, from what people were telling him, “I thought it was going to be a lot worse,” he said. “Just in a week, I guess, it’s changed dramatically.”

While cabin owner Mike Tory said the weather isn’t nearly as bad as he expected, visitors still need to come with realistic expectations to the tourist destination. “It’s not 25 degrees, but it’s May,” he said. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

So, while it appears frosty at first glance, Lindsey Gerwing with Evrgreen Cafe and Wine Bar, said looks can be deceiving.

“It’s the same weather in Saskatoon as it is in Waskesiu. We just have a little bit more snow,” she said. “Nothing is different up here than any other year,” according to Gerwing.

That’s true, at least for the lakefront Hawood Inn.

The hotel’s 80 per cent booked for the May long weekend, expecting between 100 to 150 guests.

General manager, Jhastina Casapao, said those figures were the same in 2025.

With warm temperatures in the forecast, several people in the community predicted a lot of the remaining snow could melt by May 16, and businesses are getting ready for the influx of people.

“I’m up early to load in the liquor store because they’re ready for all the customers to start arriving next week,” Tory said, while delivering beers from Saskatoon’s High Key Brewing.

David Archer, owner of Waskesiu Trading Company, said some trails might still be muddy by the weekend, but in general people will be able to do what they’re used to. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Camping impacted by late spring

While it’s business as usual for those in Waskesiu, the same can’t be said for campgrounds in Prince Albert National Park.

According to the park’s Facebook page, Sandy Lake Campground won’t be open for the long weekend.

There’s still no decision on Beaver Glen Campground, which had 50 cm (20 inches) of snow in some areas on May 6.

Plus, while open, Namekus Lake Campground’s fish shack will be closed and Narrows Campground won’t have running water.

For Archer’s business, that lack of water in certain sites will, “probably be the one thing that could affect us the most,” he said.

But Archer, and every other person interviewed in Waskesiu, remained optimistic for the upcoming weekend.

If the lake’s still frozen over, Archer joked people could go ice fishing, though he said he doesn’t think the lingering snow will, “be a huge hindrance,” to business.

Gerwing added to that, saying “it’s beautiful up here. I don’t know why anyone would hesitate to come.”

Especially after a long, grey winter, for Tory, the visit to the lake is, “just good for the soul.”

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