Rediscovering the Last Radome of the Pinetree Line: CFS Alsask, Saskatchewan
Just inside the Saskatchewan border near the small town of Alsask stands a haunting monument to Canada’s Cold War legacy, the massive radome of the former Canadian Forces Station Alsask (CFS Alsask). Built between 1961 and 1962 and fully operational by 1963, the site played a crucial role in continental air defence as part of NORAD’s Pinetree Line until its closure in 1987. Today, this striking white dome, often referred to as the “golf ball”—is the last of its kind remaining in Canada, earning it official heritage status.
CFS Alsask was home to the 44 Radar Squadron, which monitored Soviet aircraft using long-range and height-finding radars. The equipment was housed in a four-story steel tower topped with a fibreglass radome—a symbol of cutting-edge defence technology at the height of Cold War tensions.
When the base shut down in 1987, most of its buildings were demolished or repurposed. The radome, however, stood abandoned for years, slowly deteriorating under layers of pigeon droppings and overgrown weeds.
We first visited the site in 2009, drawn by curiosity and a passion for Cold War relics. We had already explored CFS Dana so this was next on the list. At the time, it was owned by the local Rural Municipality but neglected. Not long after our visit, the stairs were cut out and a grate was installed to block the open entry.
In 2017, we returned for another look. This time, something had changed; vehicles were parked near the dome, and restoration work was clearly underway. That’s when we met members of the Canadian Civil Defence Museum Association (CCDMA), who had just taken position of the Radome that weekend. They acquired the site with plans to restore it and open it for public tours. They graciously gave us a tour of the building.
Thanks to the efforts of the CCDMA, the radome and its tower are now accessible on select weekends for guided tours. Visitors can explore the interior, view remnants of the radar equipment, and learn about the role this station played in North American air defence. The view from inside the dome’s upper chamber, overlooking the vast prairie through its triangular windows is both eerie and awe-inspiring.
The Alsask radome is more than just an aging structure. It represents a critical chapter in Canadian military history and Cold War technology. As one of the last operational stations on the Pinetree Line, it serves as a rare and powerful reminder of a time when global tensions shaped everyday life, even on the quiet plains of Saskatchewan.
After military shutdown in 1986, the Alsask site saw a second life with Transport Canada until 1996—helping preserve the last original radar tower you see standing today.
Visiting this site is a unique opportunity to experience that history firsthand and to support the ongoing effort to preserve a truly one-of-a-kind piece of Canadian heritage.
Photographs from 2009
Photographs from 2018 (CCDMA Tour)
Photographs from 2020 (CCDMA Tour)
In 202o we were able to arrange an opportunity to do some night photography of the Radome, and it did not disappoint.
Some abandoned buildings at the CFS Alsask Base.
We do a full video walkthrough of the Radome.