Your ultimate guide to exploringCanada

What makes Canada, Canada? Sure the mountains that seem to never end and vast flat plains that go past the end of the earth are part of the attraction. But Canada is oh so much more.

Every week we reveal another special Canadian landscape or character you would love to meet.

Welcome to Meanwhile in Canada…

The best season to visit Canada depends on what sort of holiday you’re looking for.

Spring sees the snow gradually melting to reveal forests and wild flowers. March to June are particularly lovely months in Toronto because there are so many cultural things to do, from festivals to exhibitions.

Summer’s long, balmy evenings are ideal for getting out in nature, while September is the peak of the salmon run, meaning your chances of spotting bears are higher than at any other time of the year.

And of course ski resorts such as Whistler and Banff come alive in winter with pristine slopes and countless cozy bars. Not a skier? Check out our guide to Canadian winter festivals that are well worth their air fare.

With its fascinating blend of French, English, American and Aboriginal culture and mysterious swathes of wilderness, there are enough incredible things to see in Canada to last a lifetime, let alone a single trip.

Whether you prefer to spend your days exploring Nova Scotia’s boutique distilleries or camping in Yellowknife Park beneath the eerie glow of the Northern Lights, you won’t be short of epic experiences.

Get inspired with our curated guide of the top things to do in Canada.

Outdoor activities and adventures

OH Canada! Where do we even begin…

Does learning to surf at the famously laid-back Tofino take your fancy? How about snorkelling with beluga whales in Manitoba? Have the most clandestine chasms and remote mountain meadows of the Canadian Rockies to yourself with a heli-hiking trip, or set off for the ultimate Arctic adventure, spotting polar bears and sowy foxes as you go.

Don’t blame us if you don’t end up catching that flight back home…

Tours and sightseeing

On a country of this scale (and with such extreme weather), a tour can be the best way to focus your trip and allow you to push your experience to the limits.

Why not live like a cowboy in Canada’s Grasslands National park or cruise Ontario’s tranquil canals on a luxury barge?

A train tour is a nostalgic way to see the country and the Rocky Mountaineer harks back to Canada’s golden age of rail travel. Sip martinis and relax on velvet seats as monumental vistas flash by.

Skiing and snowboarding

With its long winters and profusion of rugged mountains, Canada is a winter sports enthusiast’s paradise.

Whistler and Banff are the fun-loving poster girls of Western Canada’s ski scene. It’s here, mostly in Alberta and British Columbia, that you’ll find the legendary deep powder snow that sprays like champagne at the lightest brush of a ski.

In Eastern Canada, much of the action is focused on Quebec’s gentle slopes which are peppered with historic villages and family-fun hotels that have barely changed in generations. There’s plenty for non-skiers to get excited about too… Check out our guide to Canadian winters for non skiers.

The best time to visit Canada for snow is from December to March.

Festivals and Events

From Calgary’s stampede to Shambhala, one of the biggest music festivals in Canada, your bound to find an event to get you excited.

Edmonton’s Fringe Theatre Festival is the oldest and biggest of its kind in North America, and is something of a rite of passage for theatre folk. The Montreal Jazz Festival is the biggest in the world, while New Brunswick’s is far more intimate. Read all about it here.

The weather might be cool for Quebec’s Winter Carnival, but it’s an utterly heartwarming tradition that’s great for families. With its winter sports, ice sculptures and parades, it’s one of the best things to see in Canada in winter.

Alongside their infamous politeness, Canadians are also known for their hearty, wholesome cooking. So what food do they eat in Canada?

Every region has its specialities: Ontario’s kitchens are often filled with the smell of warm butter tarts, Newfoundland’s fishing communities love fish and brewis (salt cod and pork scratchings) and Calgarians can’t get enough of spicy Caesar cocktails.

Roll up your sleeves and get stuck into our tasty guide of the best places to eat in Canada.

Where to find the best maple syrup

As synonymous with Canada as grizzly bears and Ryan Gosling, Maple trees are the country’s official symbol as well as a key contributor to breakfasts everywhere. In fact, Canada produces more than 90% of the world’s maple syrup.

Most of it comes from gorgeous Quebec Province, where traditional sugar shacks still open their doors every March, inviting visitors in to sample their wares and make chewy syrup taffy in the snow.

Sucrerie de la Montagne has been drawing the crowds for more than 30 years, while Cosman and Webb produce top quality organic syrup on their third generation family farm.

Where to find the best Poutine

A delectable combination of french fries, cheese curds and gravy, poutine has been Canada’s culinary calling card since the 1950s. It’s top of our list of what to eat in Canada when you visit, particularly during those cold, crisp winter nights.

La Banquise in Montreal offers more than 30 varieties (try the addition of hot smoked Montreal meat), while Belgian Fries in Vancouver serves an exotic butter chicken variety.

Powdery snow covers the slopes outside, the festive season has begun and you’re wrapped up by the fire inside your luxurious winter lodge watching the snow fall softly out the window. Could there be a more magical scene? A snow holiday in Canada is a bucket-list trip for many Australians – and for good reason too.

The country is renowned for the quality and quantity of its snow and its many ski resorts, including Jasper, Whistler, Banff, Panorama Mountain Resort, Fernie, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Revelstroke, Sun Peaks and SilverStar, which cater to all levels and interests –they’ve even thought of the non-skiers.

But for those keen to hit the slopes you’ll find everything you need to know about skiing in Canada here. If you’re looking for extreme runs, you’ll want to read our guide to Canada’s six scariest ski slopes.