In the geographical stakes, Canada is cut from a different cloth to Britain. For a start, its sheer scale sets it apart. But there’s also the wild beauty of the place – teeming with mountains, lakes, waterfalls and forests, it’s like an enchanted place.
And that’s not to mention the snow – rafts of champagne powder that glisten in the sun. So what better country to visit for a holiday you’ll never forget? Just a week or two there is sure to awaken the explorer inside and take you a long, long way from your daily commute.
One means of exploring this dramatic landscape is a ski trip. Imagine the sheer awe of being up in the mountains: the blue skies, white light and crisp, fresh snow under your feet.
Whether it’s an extreme heli-skiing trip or a simple beginner’s ten-day resort package, Canada is the perfect option. For a start, there is a huge choice of resorts – from the international celebrity status of Whistler to the charms of the smaller more family orientated Big White on Canada’s West Coast, to the ease of access of a five-hour direct flight so Newfoundland’s Marble Mountain in the East.
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As well as a range of resorts, you’ll quickly find that Canadian ski resorts are incredibly easy to get around and filled with great shopping, restaurants and galleries. Apart from the brilliant quality of the snow (generally deep and soft), there are excellent ride conditions – think short lift times and a large expanse of terrain to ride.
Then there are the other benfits. Canadians are among the friendliest, most open people in the world. From making friends chatting on the ski lift, to bonding fireside in the bar afterwards, there are possibilities for meeting new people at every turn. And if you want to practice your French, you can always do that in the province of Quebec but for the most part, English is spoken throughout Canada.
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Skiing isn’t the only winter activity on offer. Indeed, Canada is a veritable winter wonderland – from dog sledding in Ontario to snowshoeing, horse sleigh rides, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, there are all sorts of ways to get active in the outdoors. There are plenty of ways to de-stress afterwards as well – relaxing in a hot tub or getting massaged in a spa. And if everything else fails, the natural wonder of the place will keep you occupied – what about a visit to the Arctic glow of the Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories? They’re like something from another planet…
The breathtaking scenery certainly has a wild edge, but that doesn’t stop Canada from being a cosmopolitan destination. With excellent restaurants and world-class shopping, you can still get your consumer fix. Its affordability means that you can easily eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still not break the bank. The accommodation options are also staggering in their diversity.
From chic boutique hotels to the more rustic charms of a mountain lodge, you can pack several different experiences into the same holiday. A single trip is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you’ve been, you’re bound to get the bug and want to keep going back for the country’s unique brand of adventure and culture. Even if you tailor a trip entirely to suit your preferences, you are still bound to come away with a fresh perspective.
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Such a life-altering holiday isn’t nearly as far away as you might think. People tend to assume that Canada’s jaw-dropping scenery just has to be on the other side of the world but with some flights at around six hours, it would probably take you longer to get to Cornwall than to fly there. There are non-stop daily flights at reasonable prices and it’s incredibly easy to book – more than 50 UK tour operators include Canadian resorts in their winter ski brochures and online.
For further information visit www.canadakeepexploring.co.uk for your taste of the magical wilderness.
Canada. Keep exploring.