CANADA FOR ALL SEASONS Feature


bike trails and country lanes. Ontario’s Bruce Trail is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Canada’s oldest and longest hiking trail, at 450 miles, but the Trans-Canada Trail will be the longest of its kind in the world when it is completed. Encourage visitors to check out local


sections of these routes, or, if they are up for a challenge, recommend the West Coast Trail running 48 miles along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. Prince Edward Island is a good pick


for cyclists, with its Confederation Trail; or Québec has La Route Verte. Vancouver has a well-developed network of cycle ways which make exploring the city by bike a safe option, particularly the loop in Stanley Park, while anyone bound for Niagara can try the riverside route to Niagara on the Lake, or take a wineries bike tour. Visit in autumn and lasting memories


will be all about the colours. Swathes of vibrant red and orange leaves give the landscapes an intense beauty in September and October. Among the best places to view these are Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Ontario’s Algonquin National Park, or the Niagara Park. The Laurentian Mountains in Québec,


are famed for their fall foliage while the forests of Prince Edward Island also have exceptional hues in autumn. Canada's leaf-peeping season is short


but offers a great alternative to New England as the trails are far less busy.


Come the inevitable snows, winter


sports fans should be easily persuaded. Canada is renowned as the Great White North, and from December to April, or even May in some parts, the vast quantities of superb-quality snow make Canada a real mecca for skiers and snow boarders. It’s not just skiers who love Canada in


the winter. Beyond the slopes, the destination also offers a huge range of good family-fun activities for non-skiers too. Tobogganing, ice climbing, glacier walks and dog-sledding are all readily available, as are horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice-fishing trips, tubing and snowmobiling. For those who are driven by the pistes


the choice is excellent. The Rockies is the main attraction with heli-skiing and cat-skiing offered here as well as cross- country and downhill skiing. British Columbia’s WhistlerBlackcomb,


two hours from Vancouver, is regularly ranked among the top ski resorts of North America. And there are also good resorts in the Kootenay and Thompson Okanagan region of the province. Alberta too pulls the winter crowds


with Banff-Jasper, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. These promote themselves as Ski the Big 3 and offer slopes suitable for all abilities. Ontario has the Blue Mountain resort


– two hours from Toronto – which is a user-friendly family resort although the mountains are far smaller here. Mount Tremblant, Le Massif and Mont-


"The clients you target may vary depending on the season but without doubt Canada should figure highly in your sales figures during any month of the year"


CANADA  Top Tips...


WINTER • Wise Up: To sell the slopes you need knowledge. Check out www.skialbertaspecialist.co.uk


• Offer Off-Piste: For non-skiers focus on festivals such Winterlude in Ottawa or the Carnaval de Québec


SPRING • Go Green: Sell Canada to gardeners – flower festivals abound. Check out the tulip festival and Canada Blooms


• Wow Wildlife Lovers: Tell tales of Canada’s waking bears and whales – migrating from March


SUMMER • Get Them Active: When the snows melt Canada is perfect for soft adventures


• Open Roads: Recommend an RV tour for the ultimate free- wheeling summer holiday


AUTUMN • Feed Them Up: Check out the food and wine festivals – they’re a great excuse to go to Canada


• Colour in: Sell the fab fall colours – the Maple trees are stunning and Canada’s leaf peeping routes are less congested than those of New England


Sainte-Anne are the top picks in Québec; while in Atlantic Canada Marble Mountain in Newfoundland is a highlight. So, hook clients in with their key


interests but be sure to follow up with contrasting ideas for all the seasons.


For All Seasons


TOURISM TALK RUPERT PETERS MD Canadian Tourism Commission, London “Canada is definitely a four-season destination.


It’s filled with a myriad of activities, festivals and events. It really is perfect for all types of travellers, year round.”


For All Seasons


SAMPLE PACKAGES WINTER Virgins’ Snow brochure includes skiing in Whistler, Banff and Mont Tremblant with lift passes, equipment and tuition. Seven nights from £1043. www.virginholidays.co.uk


AUTUMN Titan Hitours has an 11-day Maple Leaf Trail tour combining Ottawa, Québec, Montreal and Niagara Falls. From £1645. www.titanhitours.co.uk


SPRING Premier Holidays offers an 11-night tour in May to Calgary, Lake Louise, Banff, the Rocky Mountaineer and Vancouver. Priced from £2,449pp. www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk •


From left: Parlee Beach, New Brunswick; Fall foliage in Ontario and fun of the slopes in Fernie Mountain Resort, British Columbia


Selling Canada • Spring 2011 09


BMI PUBLISHING/JULIE BAXTER


CTC


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