Start with the entrance itself. Many Saskatoon homes, especially the older two-storeys around Nutana, Buena Vista, and City Park, sit up on a raised foundation with a few porch steps, which means the rise is higher than people expect. That rise sets the length. A safe ramp uses a gentle slope of roughly 1:12, so a taller entrance needs more run and often a switchback with a level landing at the top and at any turn. Bungalows in Lakeview, Sutherland, or the newer suburbs usually have a lower rise and a simpler straight run.
Our winters do the deciding on materials. Snow, ice, and freeze-thaw are hard on wood, and shovelling a wooden ramp gets old fast. In our experience, an aluminum modular ramp with a mesh or grooved non-slip surface is the better choice here for most families: it sheds snow, drains meltwater, doesn't rot, goes in quickly, and it's removable and resaleable if your parent moves or the need changes. The trade-off is honest, a modular aluminum system usually costs more up front than a builder's wood ramp, and some people don't love the industrial look against a character home. If budget is tight or the need is short-term, a well-built wood ramp with proper handrails still works.
Whatever you choose, prioritize installers who do accessibility work regularly, not just general decks. Ask about the finished slope, handrails on both sides, and level landings, and confirm the company is licensed and insured. Check the warranty on the structure and the surface, and ask how fast they respond if a handrail loosens after a hard frost. For seniors, that service response is worth as much as the install. Get someone who measures the actual rise on site rather than quoting off a photo. Wheelchair ramp installation in Saskatoon isn't complicated, but the details are what keep your parent safe on an icy morning.