A Day in Dundurn: Exploring the Gateway to Blackstrap Lake

When you think of the Saskatchewan prairies, "flat" is usually the first word that comes to mind. But just 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, the landscape begins to shift. As you drive down Highway 11, the horizon breaks into rolling coulees and the sudden, striking silhouette of "The Mountain."

Welcome to Dundurn, the quiet but vibrant gateway to one of Saskatchewan’s most beloved outdoor playgrounds: Blackstrap Lake.

At Ovi Film YXE, we believe every landscape has a story to tell. This week, we took our lenses (and our drones) out of the city to capture the intersection of small-town charm and the rugged beauty of Blackstrap Provincial Park.

The Heart of the Town: Dundurn Life

Before you hit the water, you have to pass through Dundurn. It’s a town that wears its history on its sleeve, from the antique treasures at the Wilson Museum to the local pulse at Big Mur’s Tavern.

There is a specific kind of "prairie pace" here. It’s the sound of wind through the caragana bushes and the friendly wave from a neighbor. For a filmmaker, the town offers a perfect palette of textures—weathered wood, wide-open residential streets, and the golden hour light that seems to hit the grain elevators just right. It’s the quintessential "bedroom community" that hasn’t lost its soul.

The View from Above: Cinematic Blackstrap

The real magic happens when we leave the pavement and head 7km east to Blackstrap Provincial Park.

Blackstrap is a "man-made wonder," but from the air, it looks like a masterpiece of nature. Using our 4K drone equipment, we captured perspectives of the lake that you simply can’t see from the shoreline:

• The Coulees: From 200 feet up, the deep "V" of the Blackstrap Coulee creates dramatic shadows and leading lines that guide the eye toward the water.

• The "Mountain": Originally built for the 1971 Canada Winter Games, the man-made ski hill stands 45 meters above the lake. Our drone shots reveal the contrast between the sharp elevation of the hill and the mirrored surface of the water below.

• The Waterways: We tracked the wake of boats and the bright pops of color from the Sask Aquatic Adventures inflatable park, capturing the energy of summer in the prairies.

  
  

Outdoor Recreation: A Year-Round Canvas

Whether you’re behind a camera or behind a pair of handlebars, Blackstrap is built for movement.

• Summer: The lake is a hub for walleye and pike fishing, while the Aspen Grove Beach offers that perfect "vacation mode" aesthetic.

• The Trails: For the thrill-seekers, the mountain bike trails through the coulees provide high-speed action shots.

• Winter: Don’t let the snow stop you. The park transforms into a serene world of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

  
  

Why We Film Here

At Ovi Film YXE, our mission is to capture "real moments and powerful visual stories." Locations like Dundurn and Blackstrap make our job easy. There is a raw, cinematic quality to the Saskatchewan landscape that often goes overlooked.

Whether we are filming a wedding at a nearby lakeside venue, a real estate tour in the growing Sunshine Meadows, or a promotional video for a local brand, this area provides a backdrop that feels both expansive and intimate.

Planning your own adventure to Blackstrap? Bring a camera, stay for the sunset at Fisherman’s Point, and experience the "Gateway" for yourself.