CANADA IN WINTER
Canada In Winter - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Snow & Ice | |||||
| By: Diana Nguyen, Issue 43 – Winter 2010 | |||||
| (Canada in Winter) | |||||
| SKIING IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WINTER FUN IN CANADA. DIANA NGUYEN DISCOVERS HIGH-END TOURS THAT INVOLVE GETTING UP CLOSE TO POLAR BEARS AND BELUGA WHALES IN CANADA’S PICTURESQUE NATURAL LANDSCAPES. | |||||
| Canada, the land of hockey and maple syrup, is also world-renowned for its expanses of pure, untouched snow and the Rocky Mountains, otherwise known as the “Canadian Rockies”. Clear, glacial lakes and large glaciers are formed during the colder months and alongside extensive forests and untamed rivers they comprise the stunning winter landscapes of North America. As the world’s second largest country by landmass, Canada offers travellers plenty of snow-based adventures during the winter season from November to April. Besides skiing there’s dog sledding, ice hotels, polar bears and beluga whale watching to be experienced in the Canadian hinterland. Whistler Blackcomb in the Canadian province of British Columbia on the west coast is the largest ski resort in Northern America and was host to some of the most successful events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The grand Whistler Mountain has a summit elevation of 2,284 metres with a vertical drop of 1,530 metres and 4,757 acres of skiable inbound terrain. The Peak 2 Peak gondola connects Whistler to Blackcomb Mountain, which has a summit elevation of 2,440 metres with a skiable vertical drop of 1,609 metres and covers 3,414 acres. Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies will not be disappointed by the 28 kilometre cross-country runs available at Whistler Blackcomb, the snowmobiling tours or the tube park. Visitors can also choose custom-made heli-skiing packages aboard an A-star helicopter with 1.5 hours of flying time and a private photographer upon request. However, those looking for more peaceful entertainment can enjoy panoramic views of mountain peaks and glacier-fed lakes from the resort’s helicopter tours, or take in gourmet dishes paired with fine British Columbian wines on the wine tasting tours. In the neighbouring province of Alberta, within the Banff National Park, is the picturesque hamlet of Lake Louise. Several snowcapped mountains and lush evergreen forests are the backdrop to the area. The hamlet’s snowfall averages 3.3 metres annually and is unpredictable; it can snow in any month of the year. Lake Louise remains refreshingly cool throughout the year and winter temperatures can dip below minus 40 degrees Celsius and even summer brings frosty mornings and chilled crisp days. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise resort hotel offers the finest suites in the Rocky Mountains and is situated in the heart of Banff National Park. The Chateau’s opulent Fairmont Gold Floor provides guests with personalised services including limousine arrangements, lounge access, private check-in, and a dedicated concierge. The resort also offers recreational activities such as world-class downhill skiing, heli-skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating and romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides for visitors who are not content with just hiking or scenic drives through the popular Canadian Rocky Mountains. Travelling further east to Manitoba, Churchill is a town on the shore of Hudson Bay that offers eco-friendly activities to minimise the human impact on the pristine surrounding environment. Nicknamed the “Polar bear capital of the world” and the “Beluga capital of the world”, Churchill is best known for the migration of polar bears toward the shore from inland during autumn and the influx of beluga whales moving into the warmer waters of Churchill River estuary during summer. For an elite, exclusive experience, head to Churchill Wild, a family-owned accommodation and tour business that offers luxury eco-lodges with ground level viewing of polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. These remote, private eco-lodges are located at Dymond Lake, which is about 30 kilometres north of Churchill and can only be accessed by helicopter or plane. Churchill Wild also offers the “Bird, Bears and Belugas” tour in July and August to watch the polar bears hunt and hear the calls of beluga whales. Visitors can get up close to the 1,200 bears that congregate at Hudson Bay every year or plunge into the cool waters and swim with the belugas. For those interested in the spectacular Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as The Northern Lights, Churchill Wild also conducts “Fire and Ice” adventures throughout the year (but Northern Lights are best seen during spring). This five-day package gives guests prime views of the light phenomenon in the wilderness but there’s a catch: they are required to build their own igloos. Staying overnight is the best way to view the aurora show and so, out of respect for the native people and to minimize their impact on the natural environment, they build their own overnight accommodation. The entertainment for the stay, other than the aurora show itself, are authentic dog sled races. The far east, French-speaking Canadian province of Québec is home to the unique Hôtel de Glace, which is the only ice hotel in America. Located 253 kilometres from Montréal and entirely made out of snow (15,000 tonnes of it!) and 500 tonnes of ice, with a surface area of 3,000 square metres housing 36 rooms and suites, the hotel is translucent. Hôtel de Glace offers guests personalised events and projects, including the supply of fireworks, fire-eaters and a red carpet for private functions. Guests can stay in premium suites, keep warm in front of their own fireplace and sink into their private spa and sauna. More than 85,000 people visit the hotel each year and have access to everything ice-related: the ice bar and courtyard, ice café, ice skating, ice fishing and ice slide. | |||||
| Details: | |||||
| Getting there Air Canada | |||||
| Whistler Blackcomb | |||||
| Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise resort hotel | |||||
| Churchill Wild | |||||
| Hôtel de Glace | |||||
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