Top 10 Reasons to Spend Your Winter Holidays in Banff Canada Banffs a winter lovers paradise.

Just about every winter outdoor activity imaginable can be found in the area since it is located within Banff National Park. There is so much to do visitors may have to plan their trips carefully in order to fully experience what Banff has to offer.1.Banff Winter Festival The Banff Winter Festival is an annual event in January and February of every year. The festival features winter activities, including a cross-country skiing race, the Mountain Madness relay race from the top of Mount Norquay to Central Park, an ice sculpture contest, ice skating, and the Banff Town Party at Wild Bills. The Town Party has been the Banff social event of the year since1917.2.Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise within Banff National Park are three world renowned ski resorts Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Collectively, these three resorts provide more than 240 trails on more than 7700 acres of skiing terrain. No matter what the ability of the skier, any of these resorts can comply with groomed runs rated from novice green to advanced double-black diamond, bowls, chutes, gullies, and terrain parks. Sunshine Village even offers on-site accommodations while all three resorts offer shuttle service to and fromBanff.3.Kicking Horse Mountain Resort For backcountry winter activities, Kicking Horse is the place to go. Theres plenty of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, helicopter skiing, authentic Telemark skiing, and ice climbing. The resort also offers aerial sight-seeing trips and tubing down the slopes at the base of the Catamount Chair. Kicking Horse is a definite must-see for the winter activity enthusiast.4.Dog Sledding Not many places offer dog sledding but this can be taken advantage of in Banff. Howling Dog Tours is one such outfit that offers a hands-on dog

Sledding experience. You can travel either as a passenger or learn to drive a dog sled team. Dog sledding offers a unique perspective on the Canadian Rockies during winter time.5.Sulphur Mountain Gondola Since 1959 the Banff Gondola, located 5 minutes from Banff on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain, has offered 360 degree views from the mountain summit. Within the summit gondola terminal is a restaurant and rooftop observation area. Also located on the summit is a 1km long board walk that winds along the Sulphur Mountain ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site.6.Ice Climbing Some of the best ice climbing areas in the world are located in Banff National Park. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been in the ice climbing business for over 30 years. Owned and operated by certified climber/guides, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers day

programs for the novice with noise climbing experience, weeklong programs, and intensive semester programs for the serious mountaineer. 7.Calgary Flames Take a day trip to Calgary to catch the Calgary Flames of the NHL. After all, hockey is a purely Canadian sport. A live hockey game is full of action the whole family can enjoy. Many hotels in Banff offer transportation to and from the Flames home games in Calgary.8.Ice Walks Three different canyons in the area can offer a unique experience: ice walks. The ice walk through Grotto Canyon on a frozen creek features ancient rock art, ice falls, and unusual rock formations. Johnston Canyon is quite popular where steel walkways have been built into the canyon walls. Thirdly, along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka, the sound of the frozen lakes crackling icecap pervades the air as you journey to Stewart Canyon Bridge and warm up next to a campfire and roast marshmallows.9.Winter wildlife tour During the winter deep snows at high elevations drive the animals to the valleys, providing excellent opportunities for viewing them in their natural environment. The Winter Wildlife Tour, offered in Banff National Park, boasts that wildlife is seen on 95% of the tours and is the best wildlife tour available.10.Outdoor Ice Skating Locals and visitors alike enjoy skating on various ponds, rivers, lakes, and artificial outdoor rinks. Skating spots include Forty Mile Creek, Johnston Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Louise. However, it is very important to inquire with locals about the current conditions for skating on any of these spots before venturing out yourself. Its easy to understand why Banff is one of the worlds top winter destinations. With so much to do, visitors to Banff can return again and again partaking in new activities with each visit. A trip to Banff in winter promises to be a trip never forgotten

Canadian Immigrants Top 5 road trips for newcomers in Toronto

For recent immigrants, a good old-fashioned road trip is the perfect way to really discover Canada. Here are 5 trips to get you Torontonians started! The Fall in love with Canada trip Toronto to Niagara Falls

Distance: 130 kilometres One of Canadas most popular tourist attractions, Niagara Falls is a must-see destination for newcomers. While the natural wonder itself is spectacular, theres plenty to see and do beyond the Falls. Starting point: From Toronto, take the 427 South to the QEW West. To get to the Falls, exit the QEW at McLeod Road. Turn east and follow the road to the entrance to Marineland. Turn left onto Upper Rapids Boulevard then turn left onto the Niagara Parkway. Stops along the way: Once past Hamilton, you have the option to take a more scenic route by getting off the QEW at Fifty Road or Casablanca Boulevard and take Highway 81 through the towns of Beamsville and Jordan, home to many of the regions greatest wineries. Angels Gate and Thirty Bench in Beamsville and Cave Springs in Jordan Stop are some tourist favourites. At your destination: There are plenty of ways to see the Falls after you arrive. Take the classic Maid of the Mist boat ride to admire them from below. Adrenaline junkies will want to board the Whirlpool Jet Boat. Go behind the falls where youll walk through tunnels and emerge from observation decks located at the foot of the falls for a view from below or head up to the top of the Skylon Tower for an overhead perspective. You can also stop in at the Niagara Botanical Gardens. Located along the scenic Niagara Parkway, a 10-minute drive from the Falls, the botanical gardens are home to 40 hectares of beautifully maintained gardens as well as the butterfly conservatory featuring more than over 2,000 colourful tropical butterflies. Also visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. Cross the Rainbow Bridge then follow the signs on the Niagara Parkway to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Take a horse and carriage ride around the old town, see a play at the historic Shaw Theatre or shop in the historic district. Dont forget to visit Maple Leaf Fudge. This classic treat is made fresh daily using the old-fashioned method in copper kettles and creamed on marble slabs right in front of you.

2. A capital journey Toronto to Ottawa

Distance: 450 kilometres Canadas capital city, Ottawa, is a family-friendly destination offering everything from museums to nature. Starting point: Get onto the Don Valley Parkway North. Take the 401 East Exit. Take Exit 721 A to merge onto ON-416N then take Exit 75B to merge onto ON-417 Trans-Canada Highway to Ottawa. Stops along the way: If its a warm day, stop in Belleville just off the 401 for an ice cream at Reids Dairy, located behind the Quinte Mall. From the 401, you can see a giant apple on route to Colborne. The Big Apple restaurant is a great place to stop for lunch. Climb 25 feet to the Big Apples observation deck for a 360-degree view of the village of Colborne and Lake Ontario. Dont forget to try their famous apple pie. At your destination: Parliament Hill, the site of Canadas federal government, is Ottawas most visited attraction. Take a free guided tour or walk around the scenic grounds overlooking the Ottawa River. During the summer, the front lawn of Parliament Hill is the setting for the changing of the guard ceremony. Just east of Parliament Hill is Byward Market, a historic farmers market and shopping district by day. Dont miss out on trying Ottawas most famous pastry, BeaverTails, at the entrance to the market. If youre visiting Ottawa in the winter, skate the Rideau Canal lace up your skates (or rent some) and visit the worlds largest ice rink. Take a break at the rest stops stationed along the 7.8 kilometre canal for hot drinks and tasty snacks.

3. You dont need to own a cottage to Visit Cottage Country Toronto to Muskoka

Distance: 200 kilometres When Canadians say Cottage Country, theyre referring to a region called Muskoka. Whether renting a cottage, staying in the luxurious JW Marriott on the shore of Lake Rousseau or camping, Muskoka is a relaxation haven full of quirky shops, interesting museums and great restaurants. Starting point: Take the 400 North to Gravenhurst. Exit and follow the signs to Highway 169. Once you see the worlds largest Muskoka chair, youll know youve arrived. Stops along the way: Experience true Canadiana in Bala, located off Highway 169, where Anne of Green Gables fans will want to visit the Bala Museum, which commemorates the summer of 1922 when author Lucy Maude Montgomery came to town. Montgomerys time here led to her book The Blue Castle, the only one of her novels set outside Prince Edward Island. At your destination: After snapping a photo of the giant Muskoka chair, turn toward the wharf and Gravenhurst. A former shipyard, this area was the arrival point for rail passengers who transferred to steamships that carried them to their lakeside resorts. Steamships still depart from here and host cruises for lunch or dinner.

You can also visit Port Carling, called the Hub of the Lakes, where Lake Rousseau and Lake Muskoka meet. Browse downtown boutiques and art studios and stop in the Muskoka Lake Museum where youll see a pioneer cabin, traditional canoes and learn about the history of the region. Or feeling up for some nature worshipping? Pack your hiking boots and hit one of Muskokas many scenic hiking trails.

4. A Shakespearean adventure Toronto to Stratford

Distance: 151 kilometres Canadas premier arts town, Stratford is home to the Stratford Festival and is well known for its garden city landscape and well-conserved Victorian architecture. Starting point: Take Highway 401 West, take Exit 278 to Highway 8 Kitchener. Follow Highway 8 West to join Highway 7 to Stratford. Stops along the way: Pick up all the fixings for a perfect picnic lunch at St. Jacobs, Canadas largest farmers market located in the middle of Mennonite country. Still hungry? Stop at the Best Little Pork Shop youll want to carry a cooler in your car for this pit stop. The sign of the giant pig is the ultimate destination for those seeking high-quality port chops, ribs and bacon. At your destination: One of the most prominent theatre festivals in Canada, the Stratford Festival runs from April to November and is best known for its Shakespeare productions. Stratford is home to many prize-winning gardens as well, including the Shakespearean Gardens, which contain 60 varieties of herbs, flowers and shrubs that Shakespeare mentions in his plays. Watching the swans swim along the Avon River is a favourite pastime of Stratford residents and guests. These regal creatures have been raised in Stratford since 1918. Since the swans cant survive on the water all year round, theyre taken to their indoor pens in the winter and are released back into the water in early April to the pomp and circumstance of the Stratford Police Services Band in what the town calls the Annual Parade of the Swans.

5. A taste of Quebec history Toronto to Montreal to Quebec City

Distance: 766 kilometres Cross over the Ontario border into Quebec for a visit to Montreal. The city boasts 50 national historic sites, more than any other city in Canada. Then keep going to Quebec City, located on the cliffs overlooking the St. Laurence Seaway. The old town is a UNESCO heritage site and the only fortified city in North America with its original city walls still intact. Starting point: Take Highway 401 East to Highway 20.

Stops along the way: Take Exit 522 on Highway 401 to Woolner Road South and immerse yourself in the culinary delight of Prince Edward County. This area produces award-winning wine and grows prize-winning produce; all the makings for a perfect picnic lunch. Next, take Exit 623 (Country Road 15) off Highway 401 and turn right on County Road 2 to learn about Canadas military history at Fort Henry. This British fort protected the entrance of the Rideau Canal and the town of Kingston. Peek into 19th-century military life and view military demonstrations performed by university students acting as Fort Henry guardsmen. At your first destination: Take a glimpse of French-Canadian history stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal by foot or by horse-drawn carriage and marvel at the still-preserved 19th-century architecture. Basilique Notre-Dame is probably the most significant landmark and architectural gem of Old Montreal. This Catholic Church has a stunning medieval-style interior, stained-glass windows and one of the largest organs in North America. For something sweet, visit Canadian Maple Delights. The shop offers a free maple museum tour in the basement where youll learn about the history of maple syrup and how its made. At your second destination: After departing Montreal, stop at Drummondville along Highway 20 for a visit to Fromagerie Lemaire. This cheese-making boutique sells cheese curds and serves up a great plate of authentic poutine. While eating your first poutine might seem like a spiritual experience, you can also stop at the SainteAnne-de-Beaupr shrine. This neo-Roman style basilica has been a site of miracles for the past 350 years. Regardless of your religious beliefs, its worth a visit for its stunning architecture. If visiting in the winter, you wont want to miss North Americas only ice hotel. Made of blocks of ice, the hotel melts in the spring and is rebuilt each year.