1. Ski an Olympic Trail
Whistler served as the official mountain resort of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and the slopes are still there to play on. With nearly 200 marked trails and the highest vertical drop (5,278 feet) of any ski field on the continent, there are trails for anyone from beginner to expert. Canada Working Holiday Visa can get you there.
Aside from skiing, Whistler is also a great place to go zip-lining, hiking, and kayaking. Whistler is just a two-hour drive from the beautiful city of Vancouver and is a great addition to any trip there.
2. Kayak with Killer Whales
Each year over 200 orcas come to the North of Vancouver Island, BC and it is possible to go kayaking next to these amazing creatures. Whale watching in Vancouver is definitely a highlight of a trip to Canada. During a kayaking trip, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Vancouver Island. You can also spot other local wildlife including humpback whales, black bears, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises, and bald eagles.
3. Surf in Tofino: Surfing isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the great white north. But in fact Tofino, British Columbia is a premier all-year surfing destination. You just need to wear a wetsuit to go surfing as the water is between 5° C and 7° C. Apply for a working holiday visa in Canada and apply for a job in a beach resort in Tofino. Like any good surf town, Torino also boasts a number of high-quality restaurants including a tasty taco shack appropriately named Tacofino. Aside from surfing, Tofino is a gorgeous area to explore with rainforest hiking trails, wildlife, and an endless coastline to explore.
4. Uncover the Past in Alberta’s Badlands
The badlands near Drumheller, Alberta are such a unique and fascinating part of the country to explore. This is the area where dinosaurs once roamed and as a result, it’s full of incredible fossil beds and rock formations such as hoodoos.
5. Drive the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper
The best Alberta road trip is from Banff to Jasper (or vice versa) through the Icefields Parkway. In fact, National Geographic named this one of the best road trips in the world! If this is your first time visiting Canada, prepare to be amazed! You will pass through ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and emerald lakes surrounded by forests. The drive has many points of interest along the way including Lake Louise, Athabasca Falls, and the Columbia Icefield.
6. Rock or Ice Climb in The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are one of the most beautiful spots to explore in Canada, stretching from Alberta into British Columbia. During the summertime, they are a premier destination for rock climbers to come and try new routes. But climbing doesn’t stop when the snow comes. Ice climbing in Banff national park has become a popular activity to do during the wintertime.
7. Go Dog Sledding in Canmore
Just outside of Banff National Park is the beautiful small town of Canmore, which has its own beautiful mountains to explore. A great way to explore the mountains is to try the Canadian tradition of dog sledding!
8. Search for Polar Bears in Churchill
Every year during the migration season hundreds of polar bears pass through the town of Churchill, Manitoba as part of their route. This makes the town of Churchill one of the best places in the world to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat. To see the polar bears, you can either take day tours in purpose-built buggies or stay in transportable tundra lodges. Polar bear season in Churchill generally runs from July to November. During a trip, you might even spot other wildlife including arctic foxes and Caribou.
9. Watch the Northern Lights in Yellowknife
The Northern Lights are one of the most incredible natural phenomena on the planet and Canada is a great place to view them. Yellowknife is the go-to destination in Canada for the Northern Lights, and even named Aurora Village after them. If you can’t make it all the way to Yellowknife, it is still possible to see the Northern lights in other parts of Canada.
- Go Backcountry Canoeing in Algonquin Park
Even in Canada’s biggest city, you don’t need to go far to be back in the midst of nature. Just a couple of hours drive from Toronto is Algonquin Park. Covering over 3,080 square miles of rugged Canadian Shield, the gorgeous park is home to lakes, rivers, forests, and a diverse wildlife population.
11. Walk Around the Tallest Building in North America
Toronto is Canada’s largest city with neighborhoods sprawling out from the city center. For the best views of the city head to the top of the CN Tower. It’s the tallest building in Canada and towers above the city at 1,815 feet.
12. Take Part in Canada’s Best Music Festival in Montreal
What started as a small festival to celebrate art and music has turned into one of North America’s best music festivals. Each August, thousands of visitors and locals come to Montreal to take part in this 3-day music festival in Montreal’s Park Jean-Drapeau. This eclectic music and art festival features major headliners and continues to grow year after year.