Banff National Park

Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Established in 1885, Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada, and is located in the Rocky Mountains, about 100 miles west from Calgary, Alberta. The park covers around 2,500 square miles of mountainous terrain, and includes many glaciers, ice fields, and a forest full of evergreens, along with alpine landscapes. There are also hot springs in the area inside a protected reserve, along with Lake Louise.

There are plenty of things to see and do while visiting the gorgeous park. A must-see is the stunning views from the Banff Gondola. It’s a small lift that takes you on a 10-minute ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It’s a little expensive at $29 for an adult and $14 for a child, but it’s well worth every penny. Atop the mountain, you can relax, enjoy the crisp, clean air, and take in all the wondrous scenery.

For another breath-taking view and some good exercise, take a hike in Johnston Canyon to see some awesome waterfalls. The hike to the lower falls is only half a mile, and is even fully accessible by wheelchair. To the upper falls, it’s only another mile from the lower ones, and it’s definitely worth it. It’s even set up to be hiked during the winter- just be sure to wear suitable footwear.

After a chilly hike, you’re probably going to want to warm up. The Upper Hot Springs Pool is the perfect place to do just that, and they’re open daily, year-round. They keep the water temperature at a relaxing 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the prices are decent ($7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and children, or $22 per family), and they even have swimsuits and towels for rent at around $2 each. Inside you’ll find the Upper Hot Springs Spa. The spa’s services include aromatherapy, a steam room, and massage.

If you’re looking to stay a few days in the park (and I strongly recommend you do!), the Skoki Lodge is a great place to stay the night. Skoki is a homey ski lodge that’s right off the trail that goes from Lake Louise to the Skoki Valley, and it’s the perfect destination for all hikers. It’s a friendly little place with all sorts of cozy spots for you to hang around in, including a stocked library with a wood-burning stove and comfy couches to lounge on while you read. There’s a daily afternoon tea, and also build-yourself gourmet lunch buffets set up right after breakfast, great for making yourself a picnic lunch to take along. Another staple food is GORP, which is a trail mix known as ‘good old raisins and peanuts’, but can be made with just about anything.

Yoho National Park Canada

Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Yoho National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. The park is bordered by two other national parks, being Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park, and it covers an area of 507 square miles. The park was originally established in 1886, and is celebrating 125 years this year. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Yoho National Park is known for its gorgeous scenery, lush forests, stunning waterfalls, the Natural Bridge (which was carved of solid rock by the Kicking Horse River), and for the Spiral Tunnels. Yoho is also known for being the site of one of the world’s most important fossil discoveries, the Burgess Shale.

The Burgess Shale Formation holds the fossils of over 120 marine animal species that date back to over 500 million years ago. The Burgess Shale World Heritage Site is now merged with the bigger Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage Site with the area’s four national parks and three provincial parks.

There are plenty of things to do at Yoho National Park besides just sightseeing. You can go camping in one of 297 sites available. You can also go kayaking, rafting, canoeing, and fishing in Kicking Horse River, Emerald Lake or Lake O’Hara. The lakes are known for their brilliant, deep turquoise color, due to the silt brought down by streams from glaciers. There are also many places to go hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. There is over 400km of hiking trails, and you can ride horses and bikes on the numerous trails throughout the park.

There are three different waterfalls to visit at Yoho National Park. The falls are Takakkaw Falls, Laughing Falls, and Wapta Falls. Takakkaw Falls is Canada’s second-highest waterfall, which cascades 1,246 feet in two drops, and it has a freefall of 833 feet. There is a picnic area nearby where you can enjoy lunch and drink in the stunning scenery. Laughing Falls tumbles 98 feet down from Little Yoho Valley, and there is a back-country campground there, where you can enjoy the sounds of the falls as you fall asleep. Wapta Falls is a 30-minute hike away from the Trans-Canada Highway, and is one of Yoho’s largest of the falls. Wapta Falls is on the Kicking Horse River.

Another of Yoho’s most notable features is the Spiral Railway Tunnels. The two tunnels were built in order to increase the length of the tracks in its rise of the pass, making it much more easier to make the climb to the top. There used to be a pedestrian walkway at the tunnels’ viewpoint on the Trans-Canada Highway, but due to the danger of the structure’s possible collapse, it was closed in 2000, and there hasn’t been any further notice of a reopening. There is still an overlook on the highway between Field and the pass’ summit where the tunnels are visible from.

There are many different fees required at Yoho National Park for the different activities. For daily entry fees, it is $4.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16), $9.80 for adults (17 to 64), $8.30 for seniors (65 or older), or $19.60 for a family or group. For one-night camping, it’s $21.50 at Hoodoo Creek (the washroom buildings only have toilets). At Kicking Horse, it’s $27.40 (the washrooms have toilets and showers). At both Takakkaw Falls and Monarch (walk-in, primitive), it’s $17.50. For fire permits, a campsite day use permit, and the dump station, it is $8.80 for each. For a fishing permit, it is $9.80 daily, or $34.30 for an annual permit. For public transit to the Lake O’Hara area and back, it is $7.30 for youths and $14.70 for adults. For more information on tickets and purchase, please visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/yoho/index.aspx.

Canada Tours

Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011

As the world’s second largest country in sheer size, Canada’s unique majesty is something that smaller countries cannot touch. With Canada tours you can select from a number of bus and train tours, as well as packages that comabin Canada with an Alaska cruise. 

Canada is a land of endless sky and a vast frontier, disturbed only by the steep rise of alpine slopes and cozy mountain hotels. In Canada, polar bears frolic on vast glaciers and grizzly bears wade in clear streams. White water rafting is a thrill for many visitors, while others enjoy the laid-back harmony of a scenic drive along the craggy shores of the Atlantic Canada provinces.

Canada is known for its natural habitats, and not just ones for the moose, whales and caribou. In places like Banff, humans enjoy getting back to basics by exploring the open country, cowboy-style on horseback, sometimes spotting herds of buffalo. Other flocks of people enjoy nesting in cosmopolitan cities like the French-influenced Montreal and Quebec City, the British-influenced Victoria and international cities like Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto.

Whether you enjoy hitting the trails, hitting the links, or hitting the town, you’ll definitely be in your element when you hit the road to Canada.

Experience Skiing in Canada

Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010

Curve, carve, ski and board through Canadian resorts; if you’re on Canada's snowy hills, frozen lakes, or in the village for some would say you’ve reached the peak of modern winter fun. Out west where the high-amp scenery will take your breath away, the powder is dry and fluffy. In the east, the altitude is lower, but the nightlife buzz is sky-high with a French vibe. Ski, play with your family or party with the crowd. Indulge in a massage or head out for a sleigh ride. Experience artisan cheese in Quebec, ice wine in BC and Winter Light in Alberta. Relax in five-star splendor or chill in your cozy slope-side chalet.

From the bustle of Canada's cosmopolitan cities to the romantic getaways inspired by the country's four season landscapes, Canada has it all. Let curiosity be your guide as you experience its luxurious resorts and take home once-in-a-lifetime memories that you will remember forever. Visit Canada and create extraordinary stories of your own.

Canada's ski resorts will give you goose bumps!

Canada Climate and Clothing

Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009

The climate in Canada varies across the country, and according to the season. There are four distinct seasons in all regions, but actual temperatures and humidity vary.

Maritimes
The Maritime provinces, Ontario and Québec are more humid than the western provinces. Temperatures in Halifax, Nova Scotia range from 0 °C in January to a very temperate 24 °C in July. Plan on wearing a sweater and light raincoat in the summer. Québec and Ontario are usually a little colder in the winter and slightly warmer in the summer.

Rockies and other Mountain Areas
The greatest variation of temperatures is to be found in the mountains. Mountain temperatures average from -16°C in the winter to 24°C during the summer. However, when visiting the Rockies, be sure to have layers of comfortable clothing available in case of a sudden change in weather conditions (in the mountains, even summer evenings tend to be cool).

If you are planning on walks or hikes, bring sturdy shoes and a warm jacket. If you plan to visit the Rockies in the winter, come dressed for snow – make sure your outer clothing is warm and wind/water repellent.

Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island
Vancouver and Victoria rarely experience temperatures below freezing. These cities enjoy the mildest weather in Canada, averaging 5°C in the winter and 23°C during the summer. However, an umbrella and raincoat are recommended for Vancouver year-round – just in case it rains.