RCMP warn that ice is still unsafe across Saskatchewan
As winter slowly approaches, the Saskatchewan RCMP is urging residents to stay off frozen lakes, rivers, sloughs, ponds, and dugouts.
The Saskatchewan RCMP issued a news release on November 28, 2025. In it Cpl. Jamie Diemert said, "Winter is coming very slowly this year. Lakes, rivers, sloughs, ponds and dugouts are slowly freezing on the surface, but there is still warm water below the surface. This creates weak ice that is unsafe. It can break under the weight of a single person. Please take ice very seriously. If you fall in, it is very difficult to get out of cold water while the ice is breaking around you. There is a high risk of drowning."
White or snow ice is the weakest and can break under the weight of a single person. Clear, blue ice is stronger, but even then, Canadian Red Cross guidelines recommend at least 15 cm for walking or skating, and 25 cm for snowmobiles or ATVs.
The RCMP offers important safety tips:
- Avoid walking, playing, or driving on ice early in the season
- Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and carry a self-rescue ice pick
- If you fall in, swim out horizontally and crawl to safety
- For more tips and details, check out the full RCMP advisory here
People are starting to head out on the ice, but remember to always check ice conditions and thickness yourself, and do whatever is necessary to keep yourself and everyone around you safe! This is a wonderful time of year here in the province, and lets all take advantage of it safely!
