When Snowbirds
Canadian hotspots to visit in winter NICOLE EDWARDS
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ost winters, Canadians set their sights to faraway places when planning vacations. This year is Canada’s time to shine, however, with COVID-19 limiting travel, so many people are spending their leisure time closer to home. Soon, snowfall will cover most of the country as temperatures start to drop. It’s the start of Canada’s annual transformation into a winter wonderland, and those who are looking for ways to enjoy their newfound time in the North will be pleasantly surprised. Whether you’re looking to be pampered and relax or you’re craving some time in the great outdoors, there’s a domestic destination that’s perfect for you this season. Here are seven of our favourites:
5. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia SUPPLIED
3. Northern Lights in Yukon, North West Territories A phenomenon of the natural world awaits visitors to the Yukon. The Aurora Borealis paints the sky from October to March each year, and the Yukon lights up with special festivities around the winter solstice on Dec. 21. It’s the shortest day of the year, which in turn means it’s the longest night — the perfect backdrop for travelers to enjoy inimitable star-gazing.
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If it’s skiing you’re after, look no further than Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia. This destination has earned the title of Best Ski Resort in Canada twice in the last five years, 2020 included. The team at Revelstoke offers heli-skiing, crosscountry ski tours of the area’s backcountry, and cat skiing in bowls of pristine powder.
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1. Polar Bear Watching in Churchill, Manitoba With Natural Habitat Adventures, you can retrace the steps of fur traders from years gone by on a tour of the town of Churchill. Learn about the area’s natural history and railway boom-town past before grabbing your best lens to set out polar bear watching. Each year they make their home on Manitoba’s tundra, near the historic shores of the Hudson Bay amid seals, foxes, and countless species of birds. A veritable stay-at-home safari, prepare to take in all the natural wonders the Canadian tundra has to offer.
6. Niagara Falls, Ontario
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You may think you know what to expect at Niagara Falls. Of course, the magnificent waterfall that thunders over a 51-metre cliff is an undeniable reason to visit. But during the holidays and beyond, the area around the falls offers plenty of other reasons to make the trip too. Visit for the Christmas market until Dec. 20, or enjoy Winterfest in the Square until late March. It’s a series of pop-up dinners, including wine pairings and other dining experiences in heated outdoor Snow Globes.
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PHOTO: BERTRAND LEMEUNIER
2. Dog Sledding in Charlevoix, Quebec
4. Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta
Charlevoix has the best of both worlds when it comes to winter vacations: outdoor adventure and cultured indoor experiences. Choose from several Charlevoix “passports” — a series of packages offered to maximize your time in this scenic town, situated between mountain ranges and the St. Lawrence River. See breathtaking views from a helicopter, race through the snow via dog sled, sample local cuisine at the Centre de l’Émeu de Charlevoix, and enjoy exhibitions at Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul.
Home to UNESCO world heritage site Banff National Park, Alberta offers majestic Rocky Mountain views and gorgeous, snow-covered woods. In the sprawling forest along the mountain range is a castle-turnedhotel called Fairmont Banff Springs. Guests can take in the area’s globally celebrated beauty through skiing and guided tours, or enjoy some indoor relaxation at the award-winning Willow Stream Spa. Shopping and other delights are also an option a short distance away at Lake Louise.
7. Sugar Moon Farm, Nova Scotia
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There are few finer examples of Canadian maple syrup than the creations of Sugar Moon Farm. Follow your sweet tooth to northern Nova Scotia, where the Maple farm, woodlot and restaurant await tourists during all seasons. Enjoy a hearty menu of maple-infused brunch options, then don your snowshoes and hit the extensive Rogart Mountain Trail, which cuts through the Gully Lake Wilderness Area for 25 scenic kilometres.
* (check location website for any recently announced visitor restrictions before visiting)
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Snowbirds investing travel budgets into empty nests
Most renovation projects improve use of home’s existing footprint LINDA WHITE
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nowbirds are charting a new course during the pandemic, with many staying put and investing their travel budgets into their empty nests with requests for features like wine rooms and gyms. “Homeowners are spending so much time in their home that they are noticing elements that they’ve been itching to change for years and finally doing it,” says designer Eugenia Triandos, co-founder of Hibou Design & Co. in Montreal. “We’re all spending less money travelling, entertaining, and on events and experiences. A lot of us are taking those savings and investing them into our homes.” Jane Lockhart, principal designer of the Toronto firm she founded in 1997, Jane Lockhart Design, has also noticed the home improvement trend, especially among Snowbirds. Most renovations are about making better use of a home’s existing footprint, such as a guest room serving double duty as a craft room. “It’s not a new idea but now we’re installing sophisticated, custom cabinetry to enhance the space, making it practical and beautiful,” she says. “Guest bedrooms are definitely on the decline as a single-use dedicated room as people reclaim this space for offices, storage, Zoom space or workout areas with only a nod to a guest in the form of a fold-out sofa or Murphy bed.” Some Snowbirds are undertaking renovations so they can enjoy the same type of leisure activities that draw them south each winter.
Creating a workout and yoga or wellness space, for instance, can make them feel like they’re on vacation at home, while adding a servery or kitchenette to the master bedroom creates a luxurious hotel vibe. Other requests: wine rooms and spa-like features like steam showers and saunas. “Rooms, in general, are making a comeback. Open Jane Lockhart concept is still a desired feature but when you need some separation, it’s nice to be able to close a door,” Lockhart says. Triandos agrees. “Now that we’re all home together at the same time, an open concept can be less practical. As much as we love our family, it’s nice to be able to have some privacy and for sounds and voices not to carry as easily,” she says. On a current project, Hibou is installing retractable glass doors to separate a client’s dining room and kitchen, giving the homeowners the option of having a closed space or an open concept. “This is the kind of versatility we’ll be seeing more of in the coming years,” says Triandos. While the popularity of kitchen and bathroom renovations continues, Hibou is also noticing a trend towards gyms, saunas and home offices. “Most homeowners foresee working from home as a long-term change, instead of something that will just go away with the pandemic.” Another new trend that’s the direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic: handwashing stations or powder rooms located near a home’s main entrance or mudroom. When contemplating a renovation, think long term. “If they’re going to be living in this home for the years to
Homeowners are reclaiming guest bedrooms for craft rooms, offices, storage and other practical uses. JANE LOCKHART DESIGN.
come, we have to factor in how their home will continue to work for them as they age. The bathroom is the perfect place to start,” says Triandos. She rhymes off a list of features that includes curbless showers, towel bars that double as grab bars, non-slip tiles and enough space to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. Planning is key to a successful renovation. “Do as much as possible before you start ripping down walls,” Lockhart says. “Good advice may cost initially, but it pays in the long run.” That includes securing required building permits and preparing for upheaval. “The renovation process is very disruptive. You may have to move out for a time. It’s a messy process, too, so expect to be overwhelmed at times. You have to be prepared to accept this and find a way of coping without losing your mind.” “We are proud to say they are well prepared for this environment,” says Shajani.
Designers Eugenia Triandos, left, and Korina Khamis, are co-founders for Hibou Design & Co.
Homeowners are renovating
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ow has COVID-19 impacted home improvement decisions? “The industry continues to prosper and, despite the initial threat of possible supply chain issues with building materials, we are seeing unprecedented growth and interest in home renovations during COVID-19,” says Shir Magen, CEO of HomeStars, the country’s largest network of verified and communityreviewed home service professionals. HomeStars reports a 17 per cent increase in total service requests between mid-March and mid-October, compared to the same period last year. According to a special edition of its Reno Report, outdoor projects led the way with 50 per cent of the jobs requested. Inside the home, the bathroom was getting a lot of love, with 16 per cent of Canadians undergoing a renovation, followed by basement renovations at 10 per cent.
Spa-like features like steam showers are in demand. JANE LOCKHART DESIGN.
Bring tranquility of ocean to your home LINDA WHITE
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ike many Snowbirds, you’re lamenting the loss of your annual escape to southern climes, and though making snowmen may not have the same appeal as building sandcastles, you can add a tropical or coastal vibe to your home even if it is landlocked. That might include Sharon Grech incorporating some coastal, nautical or beach-inspired knickknacks and accessories, but you hardly want your home to look like a souvenir shop. Here are some easy, breezy ideas sure to make waves. No ocean required.
WATERY BLUES Transport yourself to the edge of the ocean with Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year 2021: Aegean Teal 2136-40. “It’s a beautiful balance of both blue and green, each with calming and restorative qualities. Those are most definitely two words that come to my mind for a tropical oasis,” says Sharon Grech, the paint giant’s colour and marketing development spokesperson and a regular guest expert on Cityline TV. “With its touch of grey, Aegean Teal has complexity, depth and versatility that allows it to combine well with many other colours, styles and spaces,” she says. When paired with warmer colours like Benjamin Moore’s Atrium White OC-145, Muslin OC-12 or Beacon Hill Damask HC2, Aegean Teal feels vibrant and tropical. “As a backdrop colour on walls, or even painted on accent areas or furniture, this intriguing blue-green can add a modern yet time-tested appeal to many colour schemes,” Grech says. Thanks to its green and grey undertones, you can use
Benjamin Moore’s 2021 Colour of the Year is Aegean Blue.
the colour without venturing into ‘theme’ territory, assures Louis Duncan, creative director and principal of Louis Duncan-He Designs, which offers services in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal. A “confident yet understated” base tone makes it easy to incorporate a subtle coral fabric and textures like wicker or rattan to bring a tropical vignette to life.
FABRIC, ART Accent pillows, throws and rugs are an easy and costeffective way to add a tropical feel to a space. Duncan recommends selecting three fabrics for cushions: the ‘lead’ will be the most graphic and interesting, the ‘base’ will be in a solid or subtly textured colour, and the ‘bridge’ will
WHEN SNOWBIRDS STAY NORTH
have a subtle pattern and notes of the base colour. If adding an area rug, make sure it’s generously sized. Artwork will instantly set a bold and visual tone that can heavily impact the feel of your space. “Grab some frames with a nice matte and change them up seasonally to add an instant update to your space,” says Duncan. “Add a graphic tropical print or a snap of a summer vacation. A few larger frames or a grouping of medium frames create such a powerful focal point that allows you to play off of.”
TROPICAL PLANTS Toronto’s Darryl Cheng, author of The New Plant Parent. Develop your Green Thumb and Care for Your House-Plant Family (March 19, 2019, Abrams Image), says it takes just
Darryl Cheng’s recommendations include the staghorn fern. SUPPLIED
a few plants to create the tropical vibe you may remember from travels. His recommendations include monstera deliciosa, also dubbed the ‘Swiss cheese plant.’ “If you care for it properly and have a nice big window, it can grow extremely large,” says the creator of the blog and Instagram account, Houseplant Journal. Looking for something smaller? Consider the rabbit’s foot fern, which gets its name Louis Duncan from the furry rhizomes that grow on top of the soil and resemble a rabbit’s foot. Cheng’s final recommendation is the staghorn fern, which is both an air plant and a fern. In its natural environment of tropical forests, it grows on tree trunks or rocks. As a houseplant, it’s often mounted to a board that’s hung on a wall. Pay attention to the number and size of your plants. A large palm or fig tree in the corner of the room, for instance, will have a greater impact than three or four medium-sized plants spread throughout, says Duncan. “If you like the idea of bringing in multiple plants, then try and display them in a focused area to still bring in a tropical vibe but also limit from adding too much visual clutter.” Don’t despair if you don’t have a green thumb. “Get a good quality artificial plant as your larger plant and then have one or two areas in the space where you either have a vase for fresh flowers or pepper in real plants,” he says. “It will create a much more realistic sense and help blend the artificial and natural together.”
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Rebooting your self-care routine SHELLEY BOETTCHER
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re you in a pandemic rut? Many of us are. We are staying at home. We can’t travel or have dinner parties or do many of the things we’re used to doing. And with the snow and cold that so much of Canada experiences in winter, it can be difficult to get outside, too. Enough with the excuses, say the experts. Now, more than ever, is a good time to reboot your selfcare routine. “Personal wellness is just that — it’s super-personal. Our personal wellness and self-care routines really start with understanding where we’re at and what we’re needing and wanting and ready for, and then exploring how to get there,” says Eva Van Krugel, a Victoria, B.C.-based leadership and team coach at Fervor Leadership Coaching & Consulting. “Self-care is absolutely essential for a sense of happiness and fulfillment in life.” But what does that mean and how do you start? Here, a few tips to get you started: • Be mindful. Sure, maybe you’re used to spending the winters in the sun south of the border. But there are good things about your current life, too. “The bottom line is that everything stems from your mind,” says Tony Greco, a fitness specialist and life coach at TG Fitness in Ottawa. “Train your mind to be more appreciative of your present moment right now.” • Move. Stretch. Walk. Try snowshoeing. Use the stationary bike gathering dust in your basement. Hire a trainer or check out an online fitness class. “If you struggling to move or if you don’t have enough energy, that’s a clear indication that you should start exercising,” says Greco. Being active will help you feel better in many ways, says Greco, mentioning a middle-aged overweight client who has started to work out with him. “They’re moving better, sleeping better and they have more energy,” Greco says. And once someone has more energy, he notes, they pretty much always feel happier. • Don’t give up. Maybe you don’t like to run or do yoga or ski. But keep trying until you find activities that you do enjoy, Van Krugel says. “If you do something that you love, that you really enjoy, you are likely to do it more often,” she says. “If you do it more often, you are likely to become incredibly good at it. “And if you become incredibly good at it …
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you are likely to repeat doing it.” Get a physical. Haven’t been for a while? This is a good time to visit your doctor and get your yearly check-up, “and tell them you’re going to start exercising,” Grego says. Keep a gratitude journal “to fuel a positive mindset,” says Van Krugel. “I keep it on my desk so I remember to write in it.” Every time you think of something that you’re grateful for, write in it. Maybe you worked out, or called a dear friend. Or you found a recipe that makes you like vegetables. Write it down to remind yourself of good things when you’re feeling blue. Find a blog that features healthy recipes, and try making a new dish. “The Whole 30, the Paleo Plan — there are so many amazing, creative options to check out,” Van Krugel says. • Read up on sleep Eva Van Krugel
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hygiene. “Turn off your screen two hours before bed,” says Van Krugel. “And try meditation to get grounded and calm.” Learn something new. Sign up for an online class or download an app that teaches you new skills, says Van Krugel, who has been studying Positive Intelligence, a global program about mental fitness and performance. When in doubt, crowd-source, suggests Van Krugel. Ask friends and family for their favourite health-care and wellness suggestions. Maybe someone knows a great online fitness class that you’ll love, too. Maybe someone else knows of an awesome meditation app, a new family doctor or a personal trainer. Last but not least, don’t lose hope. While the pandemic has sidetracked many — if not all — of us, it won’t be here forever. “COVID is just an obstacle right now. Don’t give up,” Greco says. “Just take the detour and take those next steps back to where you want to be.”
Tony Greco
Nestled in the Porcupine Provincial Forest, our thriving community has all the amenities you need to have a wonderful stay. When the snow falls, it’s time for a whole new world of fun! We are a four-season tourism destination with over 100 miles of well-groomed and marked snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing, great hunting and ice fishing. Residential and commercial lots are also available.
For upcoming events and tourism information, please visit
WWW.PORCUPINEPLAIN.COM
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Experience Canadian winter like never before with glamping ERIK LEIJON
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lamping means being totally immersed in wondrous nature, only with a touch of luxury. These bucket list activities and unforgettable, Instagrammable accommodations are on the rise in Canada, and with social distancing not going away anytime soon, they’re becoming an even more in-demand vacation option for adventurous adults and children alike. Canada is the perfect outdoor playground for glampers, and while there’s already a vast selection across the country catering to different tastes, expect even more one-of-a-kind places to pop up in the future.
It’s all about nature In order for it to truly be glamping, there needs to be an ecological element. Like with any regular camping trip, you’re here to enjoy nature, not disrupt it. When looking for a possible glamping destination, check to see if it’s eco-friendly. Here’s how: Sustainability What materials were used to build it? How does it get electricity and heat, if they’re offered? Once you’re there, is everything available to you, or will you have to drive into town frequently for supplies? Reflect the surroundings Is it just a building dropped in the middle of nowhere, or was it built to be copasetic with nature? Can you enjoy the setting while indoors, or is it just a place to sleep?
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Do it for the ‘Gram Don’t feel vain posting a few pics on social media, that’s what these places are here for! Some popular Canadian glamping spots on Instagram include: Free Spirit Sphere: Suspended high atop the trees in Qualicum Beach, B.C. on Vancouver Island lie three spherical abodes created by Tom Chudleigh, although you’d be forgiven for thinking they were built by some otherworldly entity. They’re taking bookings until the end of February 2021, as they hope to move location in the months beyond that in order to expand. Parc Omega This 890-hectare preserve in Montebello, Que., just a stone’s throw from historic Fairmont Le Château Montebello, is home to a varied ecosystem of wildlife, but their signature animal is the wolf. Nature lovers can stay in their deluxe Wolf Cabins, open all year-round. They’re rustic log cabins with a floor-to-ceiling-tall window so you can marvel at the wolves from a safe distance. The Wolf Chalets and Wolf Lodge are perfect for larger families. Glen Oro Farm Sleep under the stars without worrying about rain or snow in the Stargazer Dome, a beautiful geodesic structure nestled in pristine nature in Oro-Medonte, Ont. Once you climb up the ladder into the dome, you’ll be greeted with a king-size bed. Look straight up to the night sky as you fall asleep.
Find your adventure The thing about glamping is, if it’s not attached to something you enjoy, it won’t matter how nice the amenities are. Some want to be as deeply embedded in nature as possible, while others are looking for a more extreme activity. And some just want to relax and bathe in tranquility. Glamping is about offering unique, one-in-a-lifetime experiences, so chances are you’ll find something
Whistler Heli Skiin. ANDREW STRAIN
that’s just right for you. For instance, heli skiing at Whistler Blackcomb is considered one of the coolest things someone could ever do. You might think it’s too dangerous for everyone except daredevils, but it’s actually more accessible than it looks. “Heli skiing with us is about great skiing in gladed trees, open bowls and on glaciers. It is not about ‘extreme’ skiing or jumping off cliffs and rocks,” says Tara Geach, business support manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “We do, however, require that skiers be able to do parallel turns and snowboarders be able to handle deep powder.” Glamping is also about personal experiences. At Free Spirit Spheres, everyone experiences a night in the trees a little differently. “I think staying in a sphere is an experience that people truly have to live themselves, as it’s difficult to put to words,” says Anna Lawrence, office manager at Free Spirit Spheres. “The spheres are handcrafted and the love and care that went into them is palpable. It’s also such a special experience to be up in the trees, able to see squirrels and birds without them knowing you’re there, while also feeling cozy and at home. The acoustics inside a sphere are something special, too. It feels like you’re in your own little amphitheatre.”
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Arts revive mental fitness JANET SMITH
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ancouver-area writer Jennifer Pownall was looking forward to 2020, after spending the fall of 2019 at her dying mother-in-law’s bedside. But she was still working through her grief when COVID lockdown arrived in March, cutting her off from friends and family. “I have struggled during the pandemic mentally and emotionally,” says the mother to a busy toddler. “I never expected the grieving process to affect me in the way it did. Then when the pandemic hit, I went further downhill.” Like many during these stressful times, she turned to art to calm her racing mind. A full-day “art retreat” at the Luminous Elephant studio near Granville Island had helped her after her mother-in-law’s death; now she invested in another to get her through life’s latest challenges. “What appealed to me was the variety of different artistic projects, this lovely breadth of photography, acrylic work, watercolours. It was a wonderful combination of escape and creative regeneration after a trying year,” she says. “I don’t consider myself a visual-art person. For me what’s key is it allows me to shut my brain off and dive into the artwork.” Pownall recalls losing herself in the natural repetitions and soft colours of a nautilus shell she painted in acrylics during the session. Dana Schnitzer, a registered psychotherapist and art therapist in Montreal, says such benefits can help people cope through winter, travel bans and a worsening pandemic. Whether we’re applying oil paint to a canvas or shaping pottery clay, art allows us to process our feelings. “There’s something very soothing about being able to relate to something you create,” says Schnitzer, whose own mental-fitness outlet is dance. “Sometimes it’s the act itself that is very calming: you’re using your senses in the present moment. That allows you to
ground yourself, to block out rumination and concentrate.” In her private practice, she’s found that different art forms can help with mental-health issues. “If the person has a lot of self-criticism, I would want to invite them to be playful,” she explains. “Paint or clay, or something else that’s hard to control, will allow them to let go. Drawing with pencil and watercolour painting are good for people who feel out of control with emotions.” Schnitzer stresses it’s important to focus on the joy of creating. “For many adults, we stop doing art,” Schnitzer says. “We’re taught that art-making is about the final product.” In Vancouver, the Luminious Elephant studio owner Madelyn Mulvaney is stunned by the transformation she sees in people who haven’t touched paints and brushes since elementary school. Noting the COVID-19 crisis has people looking for an outlet in art, Mulvaney is seeing high demand for both online and socially distanced, in-person classes for everything from watercolour botanicals to photography. “I’m blown away by it,” says Mulvaney. “Having worked in arts for years, this moment has crystallized
The Shop Pottery
Luminous Elephant
art as being a source of joy and well-being. It’s just going crazy right now. In all this darkness, something good is coming out of all this.” Across the country in Toronto’s The Shop, a ceramics studio that offers wheels and workshops, owner Michelle Organ has watched pottery-making become a refuge for stressed-out urbanites during the pandemic. “A lot of the studio’s customers worked in the restaurant industry or film industry or have small kids at home that need homeschooling, so to say that their lives changed is an understatement,” says Organ, who’s slowly reopened the space. “But when they express how much the studio means to them — as a space to come to that gives them a chance to relax, breathe, and forget about everything that is happening and make a mess with clay feel a little more hopeful for the future.” As a ceramicist herself, Organ has always felt like making pottery is “90 percent mental health”. “The wheel forces you to think of only the lump of clay in front of you,” she explains. So, as new lockdown measures loom across the country, it may be time to unleash your inner Picasso. “This second wave feels very heavy for people,” says Schnitzer. “This could be an opportunity to use art to express that — and to do so without judging yourself.”