A 35-minute drive east of Edmonton takes you to the rolling hills, aspen forests, rich wetlands, pretty lakes and starry skies of Elk Island National Park. It is an ‘island’ of natural wonders and a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by agriculture. This wild inland island is home to free-roaming bison herds, elk, deer, coyotes, beavers and over 250 bird...
Kootenay Lake from Queens Bay Tucked between the Selkirk and Purcell Mountain ranges, Kootenay Lake in British Columbia is ideal for relaxing and nature-focused family spring break. From natural hot springs to laid-back and historic lakeside towns to rocky beaches, waterfall hikes and world-class downhill skiing, you’ll have no trouble finding activities the whole...
You don’t have to carry a tent dozens of kilometres into the backcountry to enjoy the great outdoors. Car camping, also called front-country camping, is fun, too! It can be more accessible, great for families, and allows you to bring more comfort items from home. Photo by Miranda Smit Unfortunately, irresponsible car camping damages the environment, leaving behind...
The Kaslo River Trail winds along the north and south shores of the Kaslo River, connected by two bright red, enchanting covered bridges, to make it a family-friendly 3.6 km loop. About halfway, you’ll find magical “Koots” sculptures playing hide-and-seek among the moss-covered boulders and quiet forest. The sound of the river, the playfulness of the sculptures and...
Waterton Lakes National Park is one of Alberta’s five national parks, located in the southwest corner of the province. It offers pristine lakes, sweeping mountain vistas, waterfalls, hiking trails, campgrounds, the famous Red Rock Canyon, the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, and the quaint Waterton Village. The park’s land area is relatively small compared to...
Every fall, an influx of polar bears come to the area near Churchill, Manitoba, to wait for the sea ice to form on Hudson’s Bay. Polar bears are known as the “Lords of the Arctic,” a regal description of these mighty creatures that roam this remote area of Canada. Though Churchill isn’t quite in the Arctic geographically, its popularity...
When researching ski resorts in Alberta to visit over the holidays with my 8-year-old beginner/intermediate skier, I debated travelling to Southwestern Alberta to Castle Mountain Resort. It is clichély and incorrectly known as “Canada’s best-kept secret” because it is off the beaten path and slightly smaller than the ski resorts in Banff and Jasper National Park. The...
Looking for an affordable, fun, and accessible cold-weather activity to stave off the winter blues? Try snowshoeing! Unlike cross-country skiing and snowboarding, which require expensive gear just to get started (not to mention the cost of a ski hill pass!), you can use most of your cold-weather hiking gear for snowshoeing. You’ll need a pair of snowshoes...
I hadn’t planned to explore Lake Winnipeg. We were driving home to Alberta after a long road trip out east, and the fastest route was definitely on Trans-Canada Highway 1, south of Winnipeg. When I looked at Google Maps to check our route, I saw the huge expanse of blue dominating most of the province. What’s this Great Lake in Manitoba all about? Things to see and...