Survival of the fittest: How TV series ‘Alone’ was filmed in Saskatchewan

Ever wonder how people would fare in a survival situation in the Saskatchewan wilderness?

Now you don’t have to wonder. Season 10 of The History Channel’s series “Alone” was filmed at Reindeer Lake in northern Saskatchewan.

“We were thinking, ‘It’s about time they do a season here. If they can overcome mosquitoes and harsh winds, they can pretty much accomplish anything,’ ” joked Wavelength Entertainment executive director Jeff Stecyk.

Being chosen as a filming location for a show as big as “Alone” is a big deal for the province.

Creative Saskatchewan has been working to bring more film and television productions to the province. The group is funded by the Government of Saskatchewan, and acts as the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries.

“Creative Saskatchewan has been lobbying and trying to promote the province,” Stecyk said when asked how the location was chosen.

The show brings 10 contestants to remote areas of the world with only 10 items each to survive for a few months.

Stecyk described it as a “true reality show” because there are no camera crews involved. Each contestant starts off with a large amount of camera gear to last them the duration of their survival journey, and films themselves along the way.

Stecyk says Reindeer Lake was the perfect location to shoot the series.

“This is the first time in the series we had each contestant alone on their own island,” said Stecyk. “Reindeer Lake has about 555 islands, which is just amazing.”

The first episode premiered this week. There will be a total of 12 episodes airing over the course of the season.