Bright Ideas: Alternative

40 / Bright ideas

snoeshoeing in Montréal

Snoeshoeing is a great way to soak up Montréal’s scenery and gets non-skiers in on the winter action. The city is equipped with a number of parks and trails mapped out for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, including Mount Royal, Maisonneuve Park and JeanDrapeau Park, with its views of the St. Lawrence River and downtown skyline. Mtl.org

fat biking in alberta

Fat biking is the latest extreme sport on snow, with trails popping up all over Canada. The oversized tires on these off-road bicycles allow riders to negotiate the snow with ease, meaning the trails in Banff and Lake Louise are now accessible year-round. Bikers can explore miles of groomed trails or experience a backcountry adventure with an overnight stay as part of a longer tour. travelalberta.com

heli-skiing in bC

It’s claimed that 95% of all heli-skiing takes place in British Columbia, making the western province a hotspot for adrenaline seekers. Skiers can access untouched powder snow that can only be reached via a helicopter and over 20 heli- and lower altitude cat-ski operators now cater to varying budgets. hellobc.com

snow tubing in QuébeC

Arguably the most fun you can have on the white stuff, snow tubing requires no skill: just slide down the slopes in an inflatable ring. Village Vacances Valcartier, just 20 minutes from Québec City, has 35 runs with the option of sliding on an individual inner tube or jumping in the Tornado – a huge tube that can cram in up to eight people. Quebecoriginal.com

Bright ideas / 41

dog sledding in Yukon

What could be more exhilarating than racing through the snowy mountainside on a sled pulled by a pack of huskies? Get your own personal musher or take the reigns and learn everything about this time-honoured tradition. Tour operators offer a half-day excursion but other options include overnight stays that come with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Travelyukon.com

iCe walking in alberta

Walk on top of Alberta’s frozen Maligne River and into the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park on a Maligne Canyon ice walk. Equipped with special non-slip shoes, walkers will pass through ice caves filled with eerie frozen sculptures. There’s also the chance to scale pale-blue frozen waterfalls on an ice climbing course. travelalberta.com

snowMobiling in QuébeC

It’s said that snowmobiling was invented in Québec. With 20,500 miles of marked, interconnected and groomed trails the province is certainly well equipped for clients seeking an adventure. Mid-December to mid-March is the typical snowmobiling season, with visitors able to glide over frozen lakes, explore the boreal forests or zip off to magical spots inaccessible by car. Quebecoriginal.com

iCe skating in ottawa

Home to the world’s largest skating rink, Canada’s capital has huge credentials when it comes to ice skating. Each winter, from January to early March, The Rideau Canal, Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, transforms into an epic urban skating rink. Skaters can enjoy 4.8 miles of icy terrain in the heart of the buzzing capital. ottawatourism.ca

42 / Six of the best...

Reasons to visit Sun Peaks in summer

It is a Canadian favourite among British skiers but Sun Peaks in British Columbia really blooms in the summer and autumn when the mountains are ablaze with flora and adventure activities beckon

It’s perfectly placed

If you’re planning a Canada road trip then you should arrange a few nights in centrally-located Sun Peaks. It’s just over a four-hour drive from both Vancouver and Whistler and five hours from Jasper in Alberta, via the stunning Wells Gray Provincial Park. But Sun Peaks has more than enough to keep visitors’ attention, including a cute village with al fresco games, great dining and an impressive events calendar.

It’s hiking heaven

Walkers can begin their hiking adventure right from the village, or enjoy a relaxing ride with breathtaking views on the Sunburst chairlift, and start from 6,000 feet above the Shuswap Highlands below. There are 18 hiking trails, ranging from relaxing strolls to exhilarating summits. Take in 360-degree views from the Top of the World on Trail Five or gaze over glassy Tod Lake from the summit of Mount Tod on Trail 11.

You can get high on golf

Surrounded by natural foliage and panoramic mountain views, the challenging 18-hole par 72 course is centred along the valley floor, surrounded by the three mountains of Tod, Sundance and Morrisey. With the greens located at 1,200 metres above sea level, Sun Peaks weighs in as BC’s highest course and is pleasantly cool in the summer months. And, thanks to that thin mountain air, balls fly further!

Beautiful blooms

Sun Peaks receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year so travellers can plan for plenty of time exploring the outdoors. Wildflowers dot the alpine landscape all summer long, but typically explode in late July and early August. Deep purple Larkspur and white anemone come first, followed by red alpine paintbrushes and blue lupins, before the season finishes with pink fire weed and orange tiger lilies.

It’s the best for bikes

Sun Peaks is the perfect place to try mountain biking, with riders of all levels finding their pace on its peaks. Keen bikers can test their limits in the world-class bike park, with its steep and technical trails, whilst beginners and kids can find their wheels on gentler forest tracks in the Progression Park. There are also numerous cross-country trails, some suitable for a gentle family jaunt through alpine meadows.

And relax by the lake

Located 6 km from Sun Peaks village, the pristine McGillivray Lake is the perfect place to get back in touch with nature. Rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard for the day and get out on the water. As you paddle silently watch for ospreys, hawks, loons and eagles overhead, whilst deer, beaver, moose and bears are just some of the wildlife that can be spotted on the shoreline. sunpeaksresort.com

Two sides to Ontario

Globe hopping selling canada Six of the best... Long weekend in... / / 43

One of Ontario’s wonders is the quintessential Canadian wilderness on the doorstep of its cosmopolitan cities, Toronto and Ottawa. Give clients the best of both worlds by incorporating city attractions and natural gems

Day 1-2: Toronto city highlights

Day 1: Start your visit with a trip to the top of the iconic CN Tower for a dazzling view of Canada’s largest city before heading to an interactive attraction like the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre or Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.

Catch perfect views of the skyline from a harbour cruise or ride the short ferry to car-free Toronto Islands, a chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario. Spend the afternoon exploring by bike.

Immerse yourself in Toronto’s multicultural mix by strolling around Greektown or Chinatown, grabbing dinner from one of the restaurants, bistros and pubs - or choose a culinary tour in Kensington Market neighbourhood. Day 2: Shopaholics should head to the landmark Toronto Eaton Centre, and the stylish Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Couture reigns in Yorkville, while unique boutiques and galleries can be found in the Victorian-era Distillery Historic District.

Spend the evening enjoying the bright lights of ballet, opera, theatre and live music performances or get in the game at a professional sporting event. Time a visit around a year-round lineup of festivals, including the star-studded Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) or Luminato, a 10-day arts celebration, to experience the city at its best.

Book it with... Audley Travel Audley Travel offers a 15-day Glorious Ontario self-drive tour priced from £2,985pp, including car hire, all accommodation and international flights. Clients will visit bustling Toronto and the beaches of Lake Huron. audleytravel.com

enjoy toRonto’s iMpRessive skyline fRoM the wateR

Royal ontaRio MuseuM in toRonto

algonquin pRovincial paRk

Riding the ottawa RiveR Rapids

Day 3-4: Outdoor adventure

Day 3: Drive two and a half hours out of Toronto to discover the sparkling lakes, granite shores and charming towns of picturesque Cottage Country, Muskoka. Highlights include a cruise in a vintage steam-driven vessel, a dip or paddle into blue waters or simply relax by the lake.

The nearby world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park is a must. With hundreds of lakes, the park is ideal for beginner or expert canoeists. There’s also an abundance of hiking trails, with the chance to spot wildlife that ranges from hawks and great blue herons to moose, beaver and deer. Visit in the fall to see the forest ablaze with colour.

Thanks to limited light pollution, Alonquin Provincial Park is the perfect place for a spot of stargazing. Once the sun goes down, visitors get a clear view of the stars and planets in the Ontario sky. Day 4: South of Algonquin, discover the sustainable experiences offered at Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, from an evening wolf howl experience to an astronomy tour to ‘bikejoring’ - the act of being pulled by a Siberian husky through the forest, whilst riding a bike!

Finish on a high by heading to OWL Rafting to try white-water rafting along the Ottawa River. The rapids are great fun for all levels of experience and make for a great family bonding exercise. •