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The Prairie Lily riverboat will set sail in Saskatoon on Friday.
Since 2012, the 120-passenger riverboat has offered sightseeing and dining cruises on the South Saskatchewan River, along with themed events. The riverboat is under new ownership this season after the original owners, Mike and Joan Steckhan, decided to cease operations last summer following a difficult season which saw the boat prevented from leaving the dock due to high sandbars and low water levels.
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The business is now under the ownership of Stephanie Simonot, who previously said she plans to run the riverboat’s operations along with her family. Simonot won’t be doing her first season alone, however, as the Steckhans are staying on as mentors this summer.
“The South Saskatchewan River is getting the water refresh it needs, and everything is lining up for The Prairie Lily’s return to the water,” the business said in a social media post.
“Cruising tickets are now on sale, and our first 2026 cruise sets sail Friday, May 22 — just in time for a beautiful spring weekend on the river.”
In April, Mike Steckhan said the company has been working with Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency with the goal of improving sailing conditions on the river. He said the heavy snowfall this winter in the Rocky Mountains will also give a boost to water levels in the river.
History of the Prairie Lily
The Prairie Lily was built in 1989 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for navigating shallow channels like the South Saskatchewan River.
In 2012, the ship was purchased by Prairie River Cruises when the Steckhans partnered with Mike and Valerie Kingsmill to begin operating the riverboat.
Terri Nielsen, a representative for Discover Saskatoon, said the riverboat is an “iconic” experience that brings in a lot of business.
“It’s how many visitors, and even longtime residents, see our city from a completely new perspective,” Nielsen said in a statement.
“Seeing it continue under local ownership is important for both our city and visitor economy. It ensures this iconic experience remains part of how people connect with Saskatoon, celebrating milestones, sharing time together, and experiencing the river in a way that’s truly unique to our city.”
–with files from 650 CKOM’s Marija Robinson
