April/May 2025


to the mountains of Whistler to enjoy some of the best snow conditions anywhere. In


the a


these mountains become


summer, world-


class mountain biking and hiking destination. Throw in the area’s incredible lakes and rivers, and it isn’t hard to figure why people flock to this village 90 minutes north of Vancouver to immerse themselves in nature.


While on the topic of mountains, the Rocky Mountains are undoubtedly a natural wonder, and they can be enjoyed after just a short, drive


90-minute from Calgary.


That quick jaunt will bring you into the unmatched


glaciers, Banff


National Park, home to


forests,


rivers, valleys, and of course, mountains, all of which will dazzle you with their scale and beauty.


It’s in


this park that you’ll find the picturesque Lake


Louise, with


its jaw-dropping turquoise blue waters set perfectly in front of the Victoria Glacier. Then there’s the beautiful Moraine Lake, equally photo-worthy and a great place for a hike or paddle. (Please note that Banff and Lake Louise areas are highly visited areas that require advance planning and booking). About two hours east of Calgary is Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of the biggest dinosaur


www.nitravelnews.com


graveyards in the world. Fossils of nearly 500 species of animals and a remarkable 40 dinosaurs have been found amidst the park’s spires, pinnacles, and other formations. Across the country,


Pacific both Nova


Scotia and New Brunswick host an internationally-known natural wonder: the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. The daily tides, resulting 12-metre change in water level, has shaped the unique landscape of the coastline and entire region, but is displayed most impressively at the unique Hopewell Rocks;only 30 minutes from Moncton, the second biggest city in New Brunswick.


Last but not least is Canada’s own tiny little Dead Sea, Little Manitou Lake. Located just over an hour’s drive from Saskatoon, this unique lake is filled with briny water rich in mineral salts that are said to possess natural skin and body care properties. The perfect place to go for a rejuvenating float! For more information on visiting Canada, check out travel.destinationcanada.com.


wildlife viewing:


GO WEST... CANADA CALLING! | 43


from grizzlies to orcas A GRIZZLY bear feeding on salmon in the wild; a whale breaching just off a boat’s bow; eagles gathered in the thousands; images like these might feel like they’re pulled right from the Discovery Channel, but they’re here for everyone in British Columbia.


Pacific Grey Whales Every March and April, about 20,000


Pacific grey whales travel along the west coast of Vancouver Island, during one of the longest migrations of any mammal,a 5,000- mile journey between their winter calving lagoons in Mexico and their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi seas.


Orcas


Throughout the summer, whale-watching boats leave from Victoria, Sooke and Sidney on Vancouver Island, downtown Vancouver, and from Steveston Fishing Village in Richmond, south of Vancouver, hoping for a visit from some of the estimated 85 orcas, or killer whales, residing in the southern Strait of Georgia between the BC Mainland and Vancouver Island.


Salmon


Throughout summer and fall, all five species of North American Pacific salmon leave the ocean and return to the streams and rivers of their birth to spawn. The great salmon runs are fascinating to watch as thousands of fish battle their way upstream, attracting eagles and other predators en route.


Grizzly Bears


A rich population of grizzlies can also be found in the Great Bear Rainforest, a vast tract of wilderness (more than twice the size of Northern Ireland) on BC’s road-less


mid coast. Two floating lodges in the vicinity, Knight Inlet Lodge and Great Bear Lodge, offer


grizzly bear-viewing tours from spring through autumn.


The Kermode (Spirit) bear There aren’t just grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest. The magical Princess Royal Island is home to the rare Kermode (Spirit)


bear, a sub-species of black bear found only in this part of the world and the official mammal of BC. About 10 per cent of the black bears born in this area carry a recessive gene that gives them a naturally white coat.


Bald Eagles


One of the world’s largest concentrations of bald eagles gathers to feed on salmon at Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park near Squamish, about an hour from Vancouver. Between 650 and 1,000 eagles are usually spotted during a single day each January. Guided walking tours are available, while several rafting companies offer guided eagle- viewing float trips.


For more information on visiting Canada, check out travel.destinationcanada.com.


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