T
he Canadian wilderness is vast and
unforgiving towards this new lifestyle.
There is no room for Wi-Fi and the only
“tweets” welcome here are those of chirping birds
in the distance. If the nomad inside of you has led
you to wondering about whether or not there is any
clean air left in this world, then you’ve come to the
right place. Let go of the modern lifelines you cling
to so dearly and escape back into the simplicity
that is the beauty of this world.
Let us explore the grand Arctic regions of Quebec’s
Far North in Nunavik. Let us sink deep into the untouched wilderness of the Banff National Park in
Alberta, or go dog sledding in Ontario. It is time to
re-hatch our explorative instincts, as we step out
of our cities, and into the Canadian Wild’s dangerously calming embrace.
Start by packing a bag and heading to Nunavik for
a new light show. Nature’s show of the Northern
Lights, that is. Otherwise known as Aurora Borealis,
the Northern Lights is made possible by “energized
electrons that smash into earth’s atmosphere at
extremely high speeds.” When this happens, the
reaction causes radiation, viewed in our eyes as
a colorful spread of greens and purples across the
night sky. The ideal time to go see the Northern
Lights is from August-March.
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, make your
way west towards Ontario. Dog Sledding is a big
winter pastime in Canada, and worth every penny. Dog Sledding was not a sport in the beginning,
but rather viewed as the most efficient method of
transportation in the north. Through the snow and
over rough and icy terrain, the best way to maneuver came through the help of a loyal team of Eskimo
dogs, which would pull a sled of goods, along with
their master, or “musher.”
The term “musher” was developed through the use
of the French word “marche,” which was a command that moved the leaders of the pack to take
off, and the rest of the point dogs and wheel dogs
to fall into line at the correct pace. Early English
explorers heard “marche” as “mush” and thus was
the history of the musher term.
Nowadays, you can book trips to Canadian lodges,
where you will bond with your pack, learn commands, and sled throughout the white wilderness
of Canada’s winter. This becomes a true Canadian
adventure, as you camp out in the lodges with hot
meals and great company. Other day courses and festival known as the Winterstart Festival. With the
activities are available on site, and you’ll have a appropriate claim of “Winter. Starts. Here.,” the
guide the entire time.
festival attracts thousands of tourists throughout
Canada and the U.S. Make plans for November, as
Your dreams of driving a team of excellent canines the festival begins then. At the festival, you can exthrough old growth and miles of snow-capped perience world cup ski races, skiing courses for
mountains can now become a reality with the help beginners, and slopes open to all for fun.
of these vacation packages. For more information,
check out online sources and choose a lodge with Also held at the event is a Santa Claus parade and
good reviews that provides background knowledge a light show. Check out the Lake Louise Ski Resort
and hands-on training with the animals.
to book a trip this winter. The resort offers several enticing packages, including a “dinner and ski”
If you enjoy hiking and skiing, head to Banff National package, as well as mountain tours and 2016/2017
Park in Alberta, Canada. Winter is the perfect time fall and winter season passes. The resort is nestled
to explore this beautiful park. Banff National Park in the mountains and its structure is magnificently
is Canada’s oldest park, and was established in rustic and inviting. Lodges around Alberta are all
1885. With over 2,000 square miles of territory to worth checking out, and this type of trip is fun for
explore, there isn’t enough time in one vacation to the whole family, or great for exploring on your
do everything. Each year, Banff receives more than own, also.
3 million visitors, all of whom come for the park’s
exquisite layout of peaks, valleys, and glass-clear
lakes. Be sure to check out the Columbia Icefield, Winter is often seen as an intimidating seawhich is the largest “uninterrupted glacier mass” son. One to “wait out” by staying inside under
a warm blanket, sipping a hot cup of cocoa.
in the Rockies.
While that is definitely an old favorite, why
In the park, you will find an abundance of wildlife, not get out and explore nature every chance
including grizzlies, cougars, bighorn sheep, moose, we get? Activities and adventures change with
and wolverines. Pine trees line the scenery and the seasons, and Canada is assuredly a top
views from the high peaks that open into panora- contender when looking to spend time in the
mas of the entire park are worth far more than any snow. Temperatures are going to be freezing,
camera ever used to capture them.
sometimes a little below (depending on where
you are headed to) so invest in a parka and get
The town of Banff offers an array of activities as going. Your Canadian adventure is just around
well, including history and art museums, and local the corner!
cuisine. Every year, the town hosts a month-long
Adventure Outdoors Fall 2016 45