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Voykit pocket guide · Canada
Russell
Russell, Manitoba
One night is enough for the town; add a second only for Asessippi skiing or the June walleye derby. Otherwise pass through on the Yellowhead.
Russell is a farm town of about 1,400 people on the Yellowhead Highway, 15 km from the Saskatchewan border and roughly 340 km northwest of Winnipeg. It is a fuel, food and bed stop for drivers, and the gateway to Asessippi Provincial Park, the Lake of the Prairies and the Inglis grain elevators. The town itself is a 90-minute walk.
- Country
- Canada
- Local name
- Russell, Manitoba
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the lake and the derby; Dec–Mar for skiing
- Avoid
- Nov and Apr (mud, closed ski hill, little open)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CAD
- Money
- Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget C$90–140 excl. bed · Mid C$150–230 excl. bed · High C$250+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911 · RCMP Russell (non-emergency) 204-773-2101 · Manitoba highway conditions 511
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: CAD 1–2 per drink.; Taxi: 10–15%.; Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 a night.; Guide: 10–20% of the tour price.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
- Toilets
- Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | C$2–5 |
| Breakfast or diner plate | C$12–20 |
| Burger and fries | C$15–22 |
| Beer, pint in a pub | C$7–9 |
| Fuel, per litre | C$1.40–1.70 |
| Camping, unserviced site in the park | C$15–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- YWG · Winnipeg Richardson International
- About 340 km southeast by PTH 16; roughly 3 h 45 min by car. No scheduled air service at Russell.About 211 mi southeast by PTH 16; roughly 3 h 45 min by car. No scheduled air service at Russell.
- YQR · Regina International
- Alternative from the west via the Trans-Canada and PTH 16 through Yorkton; check the routing.
Typical fares
- Fuel, Winnipeg → Russell, one way
- about C$45
- Asessippi lift ticket, one day
- about C$70
- Camping, unserviced site
- C$15–30 a night
Get around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes, but Asessippi park (23 km north) and the Inglis elevators (24 km north) have no useful public transport. Fuel up in town before heading north; the next services are in Roblin or Binscarth.You need a car. The town is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes, but Asessippi park (14 mi north) and the Inglis elevators (15 mi north) have no useful public transport. Fuel up in town before heading north; the next services are in Roblin or Binscarth.
See and do
Known for
- Asessippi Ski Area & Resort
- Lake of the Prairies
- Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site
- The Arches of Russell and Arthur the Bull
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Asessippi Provincial Park and Lake of the Prairies | Drive PTH 83 north about 23 kmDrive PTH 83 north about 14 mi | About 25 min |
| Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site | Drive about 24 km north to Inglis, Railway AveDrive about 15 mi north to Inglis, Railway Ave | About 30 min |
| Roblin | Drive PTH 83 north | About 45 min |
| Yorkton, Saskatchewan | Drive PTH 16 west | About 1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- PTH 16 strip (Russell Inn cluster)
- The Russell Inn, Jolly Lodger Motel and Cedar House sit together near the PTH 16 and 45 junction; pool, restaurant and pub on site. Best with a car.
- Main Street / Asessippi Inn
- 309 Main St N, a short walk from the cafés and shops; the only in-town option.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Thank you / Merci |
| Where is the gas station? | Where is the gas station? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
| Is the highway open? | Is the highway open? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks English
- Queues: Line up and wait your turn; avoid: Pushing in
- Apologising: 'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Canada vs US: Treat Canada as its own country; avoid: Calling Canadians American
- Indigenous culture: Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies; avoid: Wearing headdresses as costume
Scams and watch-outs
- Distances are long and cell coverage thins out on the back roads north of town: carry water and tell someone your route.
- Winter driving on PTH 16 and 83: blizzards close highways; check Manitoba 511 before you leave.
- Asessippi Ski Area runs a short season, roughly December to late March: check dates before booking.
- Many Main Street shops and cafés close by late afternoon and on Sundays.
A quiet farm town; the real risks are winter driving, wildlife on the highway at dusk and long gaps between services. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Russell yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Asessippi Ski Area & Resort
- Lake of the Prairies
- Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site
- The Arches of Russell and Arthur the Bull
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Municipality of Russell–Binscarth: russellbinscarth.com/
- Asessippi Ski Area & Resort: asessippi.com/
- Asessippi Provincial Park (Manitoba Parks): www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/park-maps-and-locations/western/asessippi.html
- Wikivoyage: Russell (Manitoba), revision 4784436 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4784436
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
RussellRussell, Manitoba
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- RCMP Russell (non-emergency)204-773-2101
- Manitoba highway conditions511
No embassies in Russell. US consulate general in Calgary or Winnipeg (check); most other countries: embassies in Ottawa.
Tipping is expected in Canada: 15–20% at restaurants, 10–15% for taxis.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/russell-manitoba). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.