Page 14 - Carrier Magazine in partnership with Full Circle Travel

14 Inspiration Spotlight on Canada 15

The drive takes you through the Icefields Bright lights, new restaurants and bars. There are already a
Parkway (be sure to stop at Athabasca Glacier) big cities host of current off-piste adventures including
before heading on to the glacial terrain of the Canada’s longest zip-line, the Olympic bobsleigh
eastern Rockies. Maligne Lake and Canyon is a Canada might be one of the track, heli-skiing, snowmobile rides through Left to right
world’s greatest wildernesses
must, including a boat trip to Spirit Island for one but it also has a thriving cedar forests and horse-drawn sleigh rides over CN Tower, Toronto; Niagara Falls;
of the best views in the Rockies. Bed down at the urban scene. snow-covered fields. Whistler itself is traffic- Nova Scotia harbour
gorgeous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 700 free and gorgeous, sparkling with thousands of
acre year-round mountain resort, it’s situated Trendy Toronto’s diverse colourful lights. The après ski scene is second-
on the shores of Lac Beauvert and houses guests neighbourhoods give it to-none with champagne lounges, a vodka ice bar
an NYC vibe. Large and
in homely cedar chalets and log cabins. The diverse, from Chinatown and the weekly fire and ice show (a skiing and
Moose’s Nook Chophouse is also a must for to Greektown, there’s a real firework spectacular). As one would expect of
steak and seafood. If you’re not ready to unleash urban buzz alongside a hefty such an upscale resort, there are dreamy five-star
your inner Thelma and Louise, there is another dose of hockey mania. hotels in which to rest tired legs and be pampered
way to travel the Rocky Mountains: by Rocky France’s home away from from top-to-toe. Three stand out from the luxe
Mountaineer. Hailed as ‘the most spectacular home, Montréal is a chic crowd: the all-suite Westin Resort & Spa with
train trip in the world’ this two-day journey cultural hub filled with its vast rooms and killer views; the fire-pit strewn
allows you to experience the drama and beauty quirky restaurants, cool bars, Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the base of
from your luxury carriage. Travelling between vintage shops and a full Blackcomb mountain is an unforgettable ski-in,
Vancouver and Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff or festival calendar. ski-out experience complete with ‘snow hosts’;
Calgary, cameras will be on overdrive as you view Mountains meet sea in whilst the super-grand Four Seasons Resort
glacier-clad mountains, prairies and lakes from Vancouver, a cosmopolitan and Residences Whistler has a heated outdoor
the outdoor viewing platform or your glass- city and gateway to the pool and heavenly spa. For chalet-lovers, there
domed carriage. Canadian Rockies. is definitely no shortage with gorgeous hidey-
holes for groups of five to 19. There are ski-in,
HIT THE SLOPES ski-out chalets, properties with outdoor terraces,
Come winter, Canada turns into a snowy bars and hot tubs. Big Timber Chalet is one
wonderland with some of the world’s best of Whistler’s largest and newest. Things to get lively squares that brim with bistros, bars and every bend there’s another awesome discovery:
skiing. Whistler is North America’s largest and you excited: it starts with its forested setting and boutiques. The skiing is compact, with slopes ocean views, dramatic cliffs, whales just offshore
one of the most popular ski resorts. Host of the continues with access to the private Kadenwood for every ability including excellent nursery or a moose going about its daily business. Celtic Food for thought
Winter Olympics in 2010, we’re talking serious Another French favourite gondola, games room and six beautifully designed slopes, whilst the tree-lined runs on the Soleil communities dot the area, (highland jigs are not Canada is fast-becoming
slope action. There is 8,000 acres of skiing is Quebéc City (above) bedrooms. Other western Canadian ski spots are side of the mountain will challenge expert uncommon) and there are little fishing towns, a top foodie destination.
spread across two mountains (Whistler and with its labyrinthine streets buzzing Banff and serene Lake Louise, but for skiers. There are also a host of alternative lone lighthouses, clapboard houses, atmospheric The cities serve up
Blackcomb) and the season is long, running from and Fairmont Le Chateâu those who yearn for a shorter flight, the charming pursuits such as dog-sledding, ice climbing, zip local pubs and divine seafood restaurants where everything including
Frontenac, the famous hotel
late November to May. Wide, lengthy runs wend that dominates the skyline. small-scale resort of Tremblant will hit the spot. wiring, ice fishing, sleigh rides and ice skating. you can feast on platters of lobster and smoked brilliant fusion food.
through snow-clad forests, plus the resort has Under eight hours to Montréal, Tremblant is Two standout hotels cocoon guests in snowy salmon. In autumn, the island bursts with Hit one of the Asian
announced a multi-million dollar investment And don’t forget small a candy-coloured magical resort, perfect for luxury: the ski-in, ski-out Fairmont Tremblant colour, vivid shades of crimson and gold setting night markets for a
sensory overload.
that includes expanding the beginner-friendly friendly Ottawa, it is the families. This ski through village has a traffic free with its majestic lake and mountain views and the coast ablaze. After windswept Nova Scotia,
terrain, high-speed lifts, night skiing as well as capital city after all. centre where cobblestone streets open up into the recently revamped Le Westin Resort & hop over to Prince Edward Island to soak up Feast on wild salmon
Spa, just a minute’s walk from the lifts. And some rays on its miles of pink-sand beaches, and fresh scallops in
British Columbia.
remember, wherever you head, book before fish for mackerel or play golf on one of its many
31 August 2017 to secure the best deals. impressive Links courses. Foodies will also love Travelling the east coast,
this place as farm-to-fork is less a trend, more you’re in la la lobster land.
a way of life. Travellers wanting to cover more Don’t leave without
EASTERN PROMISE ‘ground’ should look into cruise options. Regent indulging your sweet tooth.
The east of Canada is awash with amazing cities: Seven Seas has a fantastic Autumn Foliage Maple syrup on pancakes
with ice cream is melt-in-
Toronto, Ottawa, Quebéc City and Montréal to itinerary starting in Montréal before heading to the-mouth territory. It’s the
name but a handful. It also has wild wow factor Quebéc City, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and then national emblem after all.
in bucket loads starting with the spectacular down to Portland, New York, Baltimore and The French influence in
Niagara Falls. Niagara has to be on the ‘to do’ ending in Florida. Montréal means a Parisian-
list. Straddling the US/Canadian border, it esqe café scene with oodles
has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the Whether exploring by road, rail, water or of croissants and mugs of
world. Jump on board the Maid of the Mist for air, from north to south, east to west (and café au lait.
a fully immersive experience. Further north is everywhere in between), Canada guarantees Originally manufactured
whale-ridden Nova Scotia (New Scotland). a journey like no other. by Trappist monks, anyone
This is Atlantic Canada, strewn with quaint in Quebéc must try Oka
fishing villages, a crashing surf scene (brave cheese. Semi-soft and creamy,
it’s a Canadian staple.
a lesson at Lawrencetown Beach) and rugged
coastline waiting to be explored. On Nova Canada also has more
doughnut shops per capita
Scotia’s northern tip you’ll find Cape Breton
Left to right than anywhere else in the
Island and the famed Cabot Trail. The road
Skiing in Whistler; heli-skiing; world. It would be rude not
candy-coloured Tremblant resort twists and climbs over coastal mountains, and at to indulge.

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