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Thematic escapes
54 Six of the best... / Thematic escapes
King of the mountains
Rugged mountainscapes form Canada’s spine, creating epic adventures for clients year round. Here are four suggestions to inspire seasonal travel, says Jessica Pook
hiking in ThE LaurEnTian MounTains, QuÉbEc
bRITISH cOLuMbIA
Warmer weather and more greenery temps bears and their cubs to begin to emerge from their dens hungry for berries and salmon after a long hibernation. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are home to more than 60 black bears, offering visitors the chance to observe the animals in their natural habitat. From mid-March there’s the chance to go bear spotting in a 4x4, traversing the largest concentration of bear ranges in the region.
Take an even closer look on a short walk to feeding sites and wander through forests where bear activity is common. After a day of bear spotting, head back to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler to enjoy the outdoor hot tub or Scandinave Spa with views of the alpine scenery.
With the ski season wrapping up in late April, spring is a great time to catch an end-of-season festival such as the World Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler Blackcomb with musical acts, art exhibitions, and non-stop nightlife taking over the village for ten days.
Alternatively, check out Snowbombing at Sun Peaks Ski Resort for the three days of dance tunes. hellobc.com
Québec
Set within the Laurentian Mountains northwest of Montréal, Tremblant comes alive in the summer months with a jam-packed events calendar that transforms the resort through sound, sights and tastes.
Taking place July 8-10 is Les Rythmes Tremblant which offers three days of free live music spanning a range of genres, whilst Tremblant International Blues Festival, July 14-16, will see melancholic blues musicians take to the stage. Select dates throughout July and August will also welcome Banzaï, an eclectic group of dancers, comedians and entertainers coming together for an unforgettable show. Inbetween music sessions clients can explore the mountains with a raft of outdoor activities including canoeing, hiking, whitewater rafting, cycling and horseback riding to enjoy. Early risers can make the 2,871-foot journey to summit Tremblant and be rewarded with a memorable sunrise vista of the Laurentians. There’s also the option to sit back and scale the mountain from the comfort of the Panoramic Gondola, open during summer and fall. tremblant.ca
hungry bEar Enjoying bc’s wiLdfLowErs
Thematic escapes / 55
capE brETon isLand showing off iTs auTuMn coLours
ALbeRTA
The ski areas around Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are world class and lay claim to one of the longest ski seasons in North America (open until May).
There are 65 ski hills across Alberta, ranging from huge areas with multiple gondolas to small ‘locals’ hills’. Whether you are booking a group of ski experts or a family with differing levels of skills and interests, Alberta is perfect – book an all-out powder trip or a winter-themed tour.
Norquay is famous for its atmospheric night skiing; Lake Louise has a huge snow tube park; Marmot Basin is popular with boarders for its terrain park of jumps, rails and half pipes; and Sunshine Village has a schedule of activities including snow-shoeing, tobogganing, scavenger hunts, smores by the fire and hot tub bingo.
Away from the ski slopes there are activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, bobsleighing, tobogganing, snow tubing and ice climbing offered by several operators.
Must dos include ice walking into the frozen Maligne Canyon, photographing the jewel-like frozen bubbles under the surface of Lake Abraham or star-gazing under a blanket at the top of the Banff Gondola.
Fun festivals include Edmonton’s Ice on Whyte, where artists carve quirky art out of ice, whilst Jasper in January is a three-week party embracing the cold with fireworks and wine and food tastings..travelalberta.com
nOvA ScOTIA
Canada does not fall short when it comes to dazzling fall colours – with maple trees turning fiery orange and red – but Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island is arguable one of the best places to see this seasonal change. From late September to October, the mixture of sea and mountains makes for a spectacular photo opportunity.
The ‘colouring’ on Cape Breton Island is so vivid that there’s even a festival dedicated to this time of year.
The Celtic Colours Festival celebrates autumn’s glory with an array of concerts, farmers markets and cultural experiences. A great way to experience the seasonal change is to hike or drive the Cabot Trail – which does a complete loop around the coast of the island – through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with its rolling hills and valleys decked out in their finest fall colours of crimson, ambers, and golds.
These are particularly striking set against the rugged coast and crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Stop at lookouts on Smokey Mountain, North Mountain and MacKenzie Mountains for incredible sunset views and always be on the lookout for eagles, deer, bears, whales, fox and, of course, a moose crossing the road.
Once the sun sets, take the opportunity to stargaze – thanks to the little light pollution on the island – before returning to a cosy cabin lodge. cbisland.com
