Canada Day is however, for the benefit of those who aren’t entirely familiar with the day, is not an ‘independence day’ – Far from it in fact! It is the birthday of Canada. The commemoration of the 1st July 1867, when the enactment of the Constitution Act 1867 was brought into being – uniting three British colonies into one unified country; Canada. Originally the day was called Dominion Day, but when Canada gained its full independence from the United Kingdom in 1982, its name was changed to Canada Day.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Canada for today, you’ll be witness to patriotism we rarely ever see in the UK, and strangely we never seem to be given the opportunity to express. The Canadian patriotism is something that fills me with a happiness.. A country and its people, proud to be who they are and where they are – and for me at least, i believe the Canadian patriotism is at the perfect level – it’s loud and proud, but not offensive or overly in peoples faces – an example where a country in the world has simply got things right. But then, we are talking about the only country in the western world not to actually go into recession in the most recent financial crisis – so it’s not unfamiliar territory for Canada to be the ones who got it right!

So what if you aren’t in Canada? Well, you may jut be in luck. A couple of months ago you may remember me featuring this, as a heads up towards the event. Canada Day has come to the UK. Canada Day London is the biggest celebration for Canada Day outside of Canada, and like everything Canadian, 110% is put into ensuring the event is filled with a massive schedule of events, and Canadians and tourists who visit Canada will find some familiar logos around the place – one of the biggest being Tim Hortons! – Tim Hortons Coffee and Doughnuts are coming to London, so if you can get yourself there.. Make sure you do!

Canada Day London 2011 promises to be even bigger and better than ever before with more cultural activities, more food and drink from across Canada and a great new line-up of music and entertainment. Whether it’s watching the coveted Trafalgar Cup street hockey tournament, sampling uniquely Canadian food and drink or rocking out to some of Canada’s finest bands, this event is jam packed with exciting activities and performances for everyone.

Canada has no shortage of artistic greats like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Celine Dion and Brian Adams. New waves of artists like Arcade Fire, The Dears, Nelly Furtado and Nickelback are taking the international stage by storm. Montreal has been heralded as the global epicentre of indie music by Spin and the New York Times.

As part of Canada Day in London, Canada on Stage is a live concert starting at 6pm in Trafalgar Square, showcasing a stellar line-up of Canadian music talent.

This year’s performers includes: Blue Rodeo, Karkwa, Alex Cuba, The Mahones, Lennie Gallant, Devon Sproule, Jill Barber, Oh My Darling, Justin Hines, Tammy Weis and James Bryan.

The Experience Canada Pavilion will be set up and opening at 10:30am for anyone wondering about visiting Canada. Drop by the Experience Canada Pavilion and learn about the excitement and adventure of traveling to Canada. Visit Canada’s provinces at the pavilion and get information on all the hot travel spots.

The whole event starts in just an hour’s time from this article being published, starting at 10:30am – and the celebrations go on until 10pm tonight – so don’t miss this if you can make it to the show, it’s something you’ll always remember being at!

Canadian Affair, the company we always recommend as having the lowest cost flights going to and from Canada will also be there at their own stall – so while you’re there, remember to call in and have a chat to see what offers they have at the moment to help you go from ‘little Canada’ in Trafalgar Square today – to the real thing!

Canada Day London will be tweeting from the event live today on Twitter @canadadaylondon

Canadian Affair will also be joining in on the live tweeting from the event, so if you want to have a look what theyre doing right now check them out @CanadianAffair .. AND dont miss out on your chance to enter Canadian Affair’s Competition for a pair of free flights at their Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/CanadianAffair

And of coarse, while you’re on twitter, why not follow us @canadatrip so that you’re always up to date with the most recent article!

So, i think there’s only one last thing to say – HAPPY CANADA DAY to Canadians everywhere, hope you all have a great time

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We have, since we set up almost two years ago, always recommended Canadian Affair for flights, where you can get return tickets to Canada for as little as £318 including taxes.

Canadian Affair charter Thomas Cook flights, as well as Air Transat so you you have the piece of mind when you book that you can choose flights by which ever company you’re most familiar with (though Air Transat is my personal favourite). There’s two reasons for us always recommending Canadian Affair. The first being we ALWAYS book our flights to Canada with them – and have now been on 18 flights over the last 7 years, so we have huge experience with them. The second being – they are simply, the cheapest place to book flights to Canada from the UK. I know.. i search every few weeks, always looking to book my next trip!

Thomas Cook 757 at Toronto

Even if you may have heard of Canadian Affair before, there are deals that many people miss, so I’d always recommend checking out their Special Offers page before you start entering dates – so you can ensure you get the best deal before you book your tickets.

With most people, and understandably, the biggest factor is getting the cheap flights to Canada, but there’s more to Canadian Affair than simply being the cheapest flights to Canada! They strive to give you the best customer service possible, for example in the numerous times i have needed to contact them via email, they have always responded the same day – and on a couple of occasions within 30 minutes of me actually submitting my query!

They also provide you with choice. If your closest airport is Manchester and you want to get flights from Manchester to Toronto or flights from Manchester to Ottawa, you can! Likewise you also have the choice of getting your flights from Gatwick to Toronto and flying back from Toronto to Liverpool if you wanted.

Canadian Affair offer flights from the following UK airports: Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Exeter. Their destinations include Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton, but they also do package holidays to various resorts around these locations (such as Niagara Falls) in addition to their flights.

Remember to have a look at our full review from last year on Canadian Affair, details in it are for a trip we took in 2009 but service has only got better since then: Travelling to Canada with Canadian Affair in 2010

If you want to keep up to date on the latest offers we find, and our latest articles, be one of the first to find out by following us on Twitter!

Alternatively you could subscribe to our mailing list and choose what categories you want to be notified that a new review or article is out for it!

But a Holiday isn’t all about the flight right? And different people like different types of holidays. Some relaxing – taking the kids out to some of Canada’s best attractions, Some adventuring through types of wilderness that can only be found here, Some just looking to soak up the culture – or even go shopping. But whatever you want to do while on your Canada trip, we try to find places which you will love, and tag them to the locations you’re looking to Visit!

For example, if you’re heading out to have a drive round Ontario – check out our Ontario category. Or, if you’re planning on spending your time in a particular city or destination such as Toronto, then have a look at the places we’ve reviewed and featured in our Toronto Category. We are also building up a portfolio of Provincial Parks – The one we are focusing on at the moment is Algonquin Provincial Park which is easily accessible after landing in Toronto or Ottawa and you’re guaranteed to be able to spend your entire holiday camping, or staying in a hotel just outside the park – enjoying the unspoilt wilderness – and discovering everything the parks have to offer..

So, Reviews.. Where to start! We have 200 articles on Canada Trip.co.uk, all offering advice about where to go, what to see, how to save money and where to stay.. so when asked to pick out specific reviews, its a difficult choice to make! Below are some of the articles of places you absolutely must visit if you’re in the cities they’re located in..

Toronto

Toronto Zoo
Toronto zoo is one of the must see locations on your trip if you’re in the Toronto region – though remember to give yourself a whole day to look around this amazing place – When i visited in May, it was a beautiful sunny day, we got there in the morning and still didn’t quite get to see everything in the zoo… (more..)

Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto
While you’re in Toronto – why not take a day to visit Canada’s Premiere Themed Amusement Park! Whether you have kids young or old, or even if you don’t have any – Canada’s Wonderland is guaranteed to be a day you wont forget! (more..)

The CN Tower, Toronto
If you’re flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport, you may be lucky enough to be greeted to Canada with a beautiful cityscape of Toronto, set on the background of Lake Ontario – The city skyline of Toronto, no matter where you go in the world will always have a needle looking building to its centre – this is the truely world famous CN Tower Toronto. (more..)

more Toronto articles…

Ottawa

Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
Parliament Hill (colloquially The Hill, in French: Colline du Parlement) is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildings — the parliament buildings — serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural elements of national symbolic importance. Parliament Hill attracts approximately 3 million visitors each year… (more..)

Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto
The museum’s collection contains a wide variety of civilian and military aircraft, representing the history of Canadian aviation from the pioneer era before the First World War up to the present day. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of vintage bushplanes from the 1920s to the 1940s. The military aircraft represent aircraft flown by Canadians in the First World War, Second World War, and the Cold War. The museum’s best known exhibit is the surviving components of the Avro Arrow interceptor from the late 1950s. (more..)

more Ottawa articles…

Vancouver

Toronto Zoo
Back now to Vancouver – and one of the city’s key attractions – The Capilano Suspension Bridge. Not a place to go if you have a fear of heights, but if you’re clear of that – you’ll find the trip out to this attraction to be something special, and something you’ll remember for a long long time. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada… (more..)

Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest Aquarium, and also a non-profit organisation! They dedicate their efforts to effect the conservation of aquatic life through display, interpretation, education, research, and direct action. You will experience all this and more when you go visit them! (more..)

Fort Langley National Historic Site
My personal thoughts are that if you truly want to get to know somewhere, then you should always go a little bit further to learn about how it came to be this way in the first place, hence my love for history! So, I’m shining the spot light on Fort Langly National Historic Site of Canada in Vancouver, BC… (more..)

more Vancouver articles…

Halifax

Halifax, NS
Another one of the cornerstones of places to visit in Canada would certainly be Halifax. Halifax was the site of the first British town in Canada, founded in 1749. Since then, the area has evolved to be home for a diverse mix of people. Charming fishing villages, farming communities and Atlantic Canada’s largest city are just some of the things which Halifax has to offer. (more..)

Halifax Citadel
Located within the centre of Halifax, this fort is easy to get to from wherever you may be staying in the city. Though a little word of warning – each day at noon a cannon is fired as a symbol of Halifax’s military history.. This often comes as a great shock, being so loud, to unsuspecting tourists – so now you wont be one of them! (more..)

York Redoubt, Halifax
York Redoubt as a place to visit is both an interesting historic site, as well as a fantastic spot to take pictures of the surrounding landscape, and not only that it’s only a very short drive from the city its self… (more..)

more Halifax articles…

Quebec / Montreal

The Citadelle, Quebec City
And I’m once again going to delve into the history of Canada. Anyone who happens to be a member of English Heritage or National Trust in the UK may be interested in Castles, and simply for its imposing position, significance and importance – The Citadelle in Quebec City I would probably most likely compare to Dover Castle, as far as visitor experience is concerned. (more..)

Montreal Biodome, Montreal
If you or your kids ever wanted to be able to visit a number of different places around the world within a few hours, the Montreal Biodome is the place you’ll want to take your family!… (more..)

Canadian Railway Museum
f you have kids, love history and or trains – this is one place that if you’re in Montreal in Quebec, you will not want to miss out of your trip! (more..)

more Quebec / Montreal articles…

Calgary / Edmonton

Calgary, Alberta
Nestled in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Calgary, Heart of the New West is a place where visitors come to explore the heritage of the Canadian West. This safe, clean and vibrant city offers the best of all worlds: a cosmopolitan city of over 1 million people and breathtaking outdoor adventure in pristine wilderness. Not only does it offer amazing wilderness, it has an immense number of activities for you and your family to head off to! (more..)

Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and is well known for its scenic river valley and a thriving music and art community. Located 294 km (183 mi) north of Calgary, Edmonton is home to North America’s largest shopping and entertainment complex, West Edmonton Mall. More than just a shopping centre, West Edmonton Mall also has a giant water park, a man-made lake, a skating rink, two mini-golf courses, 21 movie theatres, a Vegas-style casino and an amusement park with 25 rides and attractions. (more..)

The Calgary Tower
Officially opened June 30th 1968, the ‘Tower’ has become the City of Calgary’s most famous and identifiable physical landmark. One of the first Towers of its kind, the Calgary Tower offers the best view in Calgary and is a must-see on any tourist’s itinerary… (more..)

more Calgary / Edmonton articles…

Remember, you can check any of the categories on the left to specify if you’re looking for anywhere that isn’t listed here. For the latest articles, feel free to head back to the home page and have a look around!

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The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The current bridge is 136 metres (446 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) above the river. It is part of a private facility, and draws over 800,000 visitors a year.

But crossing the bridge isn’t the only thing to do here. Cross over to towering evergreens, cedar-scented rainforest air, serene trails and the award winning Treetops Adventure – a series of suspended footbridges offering a close encounter with the very heart of the rainforest and stunning views from up to 100 feet above the forest floor.

Life-size photomurals and “voices from the past” chronicle the early history of the Bridge and Vancouver in the Story Centre. Watch as First Nations legends are chiseled into cedar and shared with guests at the Big House. Join a guided eco-tour or sing along to old time favorites during daily summer performances by the Pioneer Players. The diverse and authentic Canadian experiences at Capilano Suspension Bridge are refreshing, rain or shine.

The bridge was originally built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and park commissioner for Vancouver. It was originally made of hemp ropes with a deck of cedar planks, and was replaced with a wire cable bridge in 1903. In 1910 Edward Mahon purchased the Capilano Suspension Bridge. “Mac” MacEachran purchased the Bridge from Mahon in 1935 and invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, adding a native theme. In 1945, he sold the bridge to Henri Aubeneau.

The bridge was completely rebuilt in 1956.

The park was sold to Nancy Stibbard, the current owner, in 1983. Annual attendance has since increased, and in May 2004, Treetops Adventures was opened. This new attraction consists of seven footbridges suspended between old-growth Douglas Fir trees on the west side of the canyon, forming a walkway up to 30 metres (98 ft) above the forest floor.

As well as the bridge itself and Treetops Adventure, the park also features rain forest ecotours, award-winning gardens, nature trails, North America’s largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park’s history and the surrounding temperate rain forest. Guests can also witness a First Nations performance, featuring their traditional Regalia (ceremonial dress), masks, dancing and storytelling.

So if you’re looking for somewhere different to visit on your trip to Canada – remember to head to here!

For more information about opening hours and admission fees remember to check out their website http://www.capbridge.com/

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Thaw Out with These 7 Ways to Enjoy Spring in Vancouver
by Dana Lynch
(http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/things_to_do/springtime_vancouver_2011)

Spring in Vancouver is the season of rejuvenation. Gardens bloom, whales migrate and the entire city comes alive. In March, April and May, Vancouver’s special mix of cosmopolitan living and outdoor adventure is at its best. From dining and shopping to kayaking, golfing and exploring nature, Vancouver has the ultimate remedy for spring fever.

1. Stroll Through the Gardens
Nowhere is spring more evident — or more beautifully realized — than at Vancouver’s gorgeous public gardens. The roses at the Stanley Park Rose Garden are at peak bloom at the end of March through the beginning of April, while the first two weeks of May are the best times to see the 4,500 hybrid rhododendron and azalea plants at Stanley Park’s Ted & Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden. Spend a day touring gardens by combining trips to Stanley Park with visits to the lush VanDusen Botanical Garden and the free quarry gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park.

2. Watch the Whales
Whale-watching season starts in March, and the spring months are among the best to see these magnificent creatures in action. Experience the thrill of watching migrating orcas and gray whales up-close-and-personal with the professional naturalists onboard one of Vancouver’s whale-watching tour operators.

3. Shop for Spring Fashions
For fashion-lovers, every new season is an excuse to shop, and spring in Vancouver means new finds at the city’s best boutiques and fashion hot pots. Shop downtown’s Robson Street for name brands, historic Gastown for cutting-edge fashion or Main Street between 20th and 22nd avenues for the best in local and independent Canadian designs.

4. Kayak on False Creek
Situated in the heart of Vancouver, the False Creek inlet is the perfect spot for springtime kayaking. Take a kayak tour with Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre and see seals, otters, eagles, and fish while enjoying exercise, fresh sea air and amazing views of downtown Vancouver.

5. Dine on the Patio
What is it about outdoor dining that makes even five-star food taste better? Enjoy the warmer spring weather by dining outdoors under the iconic yellow umbrellas at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island, on the urban patio of Yaletown’s Blue Water Café + Raw Bar (the perfect spot to see-and-be-seen), or on Raincity Grill’s terrace overlooking the majestic English Bay.

6. Hit the Links
Vancouver’s public golf courses combine lush fairways and rolling greens with awesome mountain and water views — and they’re inexpensive, too! Hit the links at the challenging McCleery Golf Course at the foot of Mount Seymour, or play the Fraserview Golf Course, a true hidden gem and one of the best public golf courses in all of Canada. For more choice golf courses, click here.

7. Experience Nature Hands-On
If spring is the time to experience nature hands-on, then Stanley Park is the place to do it, guided by the naturalists of the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Along with operating the Stanley Park Nature House — Vancouver’s only ecological centre — the Ecology Society also offers inexpensive, guided “Discovery Walks” for learning about the park’s biodiversity, as well as programs for bird-watching and coyote-spotting.

To view the article, as well as links to the various places listed, click here!

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If you haven’t been to Canada yet, you’ll almost certainly walk into restaurants and find something on the menu called Poutine. Now, don’t be scared of its particularly unique name! Poutine is actually something that most people in the UK can relate to.. We have all (well.. most of us) gone to the chip shop and got either Chips with Gravy, OR Chips with Cheese .. Well .. although technically it wouldn’t be technically correct – if you had cheese and gravy on the same tray of chips, that is almost poutine! Now, i say almost because for it to be truly poutine, the cheese needs to be cheese curds, not just your normal cheese.

As you can see from the picture, poutine is definitely not the most elegant looking of foods, but lets face it, it beats the looks of mushy peas now doesn’t it! Besides, Canadians have always been known for their no-nonsence approach, and food in my opinion should always be about flavour, and not looks.

The dish originated in rural Quebec, Canada, in the late 1950s. Several Québécois communities claim to be the birthplace of poutine, including Drummondville (by Jean-Paul Roy in 1964), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and Victoriaville. One often-cited tale is that of Fernand Lachance, from Warwick, Quebec, which claims that poutine was invented in 1957. Lachance is said to have exclaimed ça va faire une maudite poutine (“it will make a damn mess”), hence the name. The sauce was allegedly added later, to keep the fries warm longer.

So, since in the UK fresh cheese curds are difficult to find, how do you make poutine in the UK? If you were fancying making and trying your own poutine, it’s actually not too difficult. my suggestion if curds are hard to find, use a cheese like Mozzarella (torn into small ‘curds’) or Cheshire or Lancashire cut into small cubes, then pour your sauce over them.

You can either make your own real meat gravy from your Sunday roast, or use tinned gravy granules (OXO or that nice Bovril granule mix), a touch of tomato sauce and a dash of pepper (black), or if you like a touch of oregano and garlic that is fine, depending on were you go in Quebec the poutine sauce can change.

The most important thing you should know, is the chips are supposed to be soft in the middle and crispy on the outside, and to make sure they keep their texture for as long as possible, take the chips to the table and put the gravy on immediately before eating!

So when you’re in Canada next, you’ll see it on the menus. And sometimes, someof the best places to get it are at the chip trucks you’ll see in store carparks or by the road – so why not call off and try out the genuine stuff? Comments would be welcome for places to get the best Poutine!

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Once upon a time, back in the 1800s, this was a fur trading post that traded with the First Nations people. Relive the history of the west at this picturesque site that houses the oldest surviving building in BC! The site offers demonstrations of fur trade skills, blacksmithing and coopering by costumed guides in addition to BC history and culture exhibits and interpretive programming for adults and families. You can also try your hand at panning for gold!

Experience the sights and sounds of the fur trade as you explore the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post all year round. Let costumed interpreters introduce you to the lives and loves of the people who lived at Fort Langley. Meet First Nations women and Hudson’s Bay Company workers from places like Quebec, Scotland and Hawaii. See their homes and how they worked. Enjoy guided walks or step into their world through interactive games and activities.

The fort was started in 1827 and in August of that year the first bastion was completed. November 26th 1827, the fort was officially completed. Due to its strategic location on the northern boundary of the Oregon Territory of the U.S. and in the path of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, Fort Langley grew dramatically. It played a key role in the establishment of the 49th parallel as the international boundary with the U.S. and was the staging point for prospectors heading up the Fraser Canyon in search of their fortune.

The social and political consequences of this influx of adventurers led the British Parliament to establish a crown colony on the Pacific Mainland. Old Fort Langley was the location of the proclamation of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858 by James Douglas, the colony’s first governor, during his journey upriver to confront American miners in the wake of the Fraser Canyon War as a pre-emptive move to forestall any drives for annexation to the US.

While some might have projected Fort Langley as the capital of the newly created colony, Colonial military commander, Colonel Moody of the Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment, deemed it militarily indefensible and ordered the construction of New Westminster on the high north bank of the Fraser River many miles downstream due to its much more defensible position.

In 1923, the Canadian government named Fort Langley as a site of national historic importance and erected a commemorative plaque near the storehouse. At this time, the site consisted only of the one building and 1-acre (4,000 m2) of land. From 1931 to 1956, the Native Sons and Daughters of British Columbia operated a museum out of the storehouse. The site was established as a Parks Canada National Historic Site in 1955, and a joint Federal-Provincial program reconstructed three buildings in time for the centennial of the founding of British Columbia in 1958. In 1978, the site became a national historic park, and has consisted of 8.5 hectares (21 acres) since 1985.

Back to the present though this is a much loved destination for a visit while you’re in Vancouver on your family holiday so why not stop in, have some fun and while you are – learn a little about some of the foundations that made Canada what it is today?

For up to date opening hours and admission fees – remember to checkout Fort Langly’s official website

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Belcarra Regional Park is located northeast of the meeting of Burrard Inlet with Indian Arm, beginning near Belcarra Bay and extending to Sasamat Lake. Sasamat is of the warmest lakes in Greater Vancouver, is located in Belcarra Regional Park. The park is northwest of the Village of Anmore and to the southwest of Buntzen Lake.

Included in the park is a First Nations archaeological site, which is operated and maintained by GVRD Parks.
There’s just so much to do in the park that its kind of like all the things to see and do in Vancouver but its all in nature!
In the warmest months the beaches at Belcarra’s Sasamat Lake are very popular for sunbathing and simply relaxing, so if you’re looking for a nice beach to spend some time on while in the park, this will be a great choice!

There are also two small docks for swimming which are located along the walkway, and with this being one of the warmest lakes in the area you shouldn’t be too shocked when you get in! The road that leads to the heart of Belcarra Park begins just before Sasamat Lake, so its a great access point here to travel further in after your relaxation!

The park itself is 1700 acres (687 hectares) in size just east of the city and is one of the best places outside of the city to go for a picnic and see wildlife year round.

With so many things to do here you can make it your day trip two or three times and still not see it all!

There’s fishing (but don’t forget to get your fishing permit!) hiking trails, mountain bike paths or you can spend your time on the water in a canoe or kayak and paddle in the calm waters.

A lot of the scuba diving schools in Vancouver bring their classes out to the park to learn to dive because the visibility and calm water is an ideal place to learn to dive. This pretty much gives you a hint therefore that this is not just a pretty lake, its a great place to take the opportunity to do some diving!

Some of the divers that go there catch crabs while on their dive and then have them for the freshest dinner you can catch when they’re back on shore!

It’s a good idea to get a map of Vancouver that also shows you Belcarra area as well before you go so that you don’t loose your way – remember, maps are your friend! I always make sure I have got a map of an area before i head out into an area I’ve not been before.
When you go from Vancouver to Belcarra Regional Park, I suggest you think about leaving before it gets too dark because its not that hard to get lost on the dark roads if you aren’t use to them!

So if you’re in Vancouver in the Spring to Autumn / Fall – why not head out for a little calmer, relaxing day – in Belcarra Regional Park?

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Once you’ve been to Big White you’ll understand why it earned its name, there is so much snow and whats more it’s fine, dry and perfect for carving turns or getting steep and deep in the abundant powder. Big White is a dedicated winter resort with a picturesque alpine village and has consistently been voted one of the top ski resorts in the world and we believe its one of the best family resorts to ski in Canada.

The resort lies in the picturesque Okanagan Valley and is uniquely blessed with sunny weather and a mild average temperature of -5 degrees celcius. From the minute you arrive at the central resort check in area, you’ll be overwhelmed by charming staff that are always ready to help make your holiday perfect.

At the largest totally ski-in ski-out resort in Canada, you can experience the luxury of stepping straight out onto the slopes from a fantastic range of accommodation. Choose from hotel rooms to one bedroom units, right up to four bedroom cabins and condo’s, which are fantastic if you are travelling with friends or with more than one family and want to share accommodation. Enjoy the convenience of kitchenettes right through to full kitchen units with washer/dryers – heaven sent for not returning to mountains of washing! Impress the kids and book a unit with a private hot tub on the balcony; it’s only a small upgrade .. for a huge amount of fun! While Big White is great for families, couples and groups will also find this the perfect resort too, with the quality of accommodation, uncrowded slopes and the awesome selection of local Okanagan wine to sample! The village is convenient for every accommodation option that Canadian Affair present, so if you want to eat out every night, you’ll just have a short stroll there and back, plus there are many choices from casual diners and cafes which the kids love, right up to fine cuisine.

For the kids there’s an abundance of things to do including twice weekly activity nights where the resort staff organise games and competitions in the village mall where they can win great prizes, have their faces painted, try their hand at hockey shoot outs and generally be entertained, it’s a welcome relief for parents who can enjoy the fun too – or enjoy a coffee and superb pastries in the cafe! We cant forget the outdoor ice rink, the Club Penguin tubing park, the snowmobile rides, the horse drawn carriage ride and the daily video showings and wii competition nights neither!!

Big White’s skiing mounts up as being 18% for Beginners, 56% for Intermediate and 26% for Expert skiers.

Ski season at Big White is Early December to Early April.

If you’re not so much wanting to do skiing – there are also a number of other activities you may want to have a look at! These include Snowmobiling, Ice Skating, snowshoeing,bungee trampoline, dogsled tours, First Trax breakfast, Sleigh rides, Tube park and Fondue dinner & evening decent.

Getting there, you’ll want to look at Canadian Affair‘s flights to Calgary then connect with WestJet on a flight to Kelowna which they have specially negotiated rates for!

Remember, Canadian Affair do a lot of the best priced holiday packages that you’ll ever find out there – specifically suited to skiers so remember to take a look at what special offers they have on right at the moment for the up and coming skiing season!

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A major benefit is that it’s one of North America’s few ski in – ski out resorts, and it enjoys some of the best winter weather conditions in North America – with plenty of fine dry powder snow, blue skies and comfortable average tempretures between -5 to -10 degrees Celcius!

On the slopes, getting around is so easy with no time wasted on shuttles or in queues. Each chairlift gives you access to green, blue and black runs most spilling back into the village. No matter how you like to make your turns – snowploughing, ripping it up in the deep powder, or carving down the terrain park – we are sure you’ll have an amasing time!

There is an excellent Snow Sports School with lessons for kids to adults, not one but 2 beginners areas, as well as day care facilities for toddlers and pre school kids. Explore more of the 3 mountains and find the locals favourite spots with twice daily complimentary tours with one of the Sun Guides and you may even see Sun Peaks resident and Canadian Olympic Champion, Nancy Greene, taking guests on complimentary tours.

The village has everything you’ll need from gorgeous boutiques, 2 grocery stores, cafes, bars, restaurants, a night club, beauty spa and a sports centre with an outdoor heated swimming pool. Take a tour of the village in a horse drawn sleigh, try tubing or ice-skating in the evening at the outdoor rink, or take the family on an evening snowshoe marshmallow roast! It is an intimate village, ideal for families, couples and those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle. If you still want more try out snowmobiling or dog sledding!

Sun Peak’s skiing mounts up as being 10% for Beginners, 58% for Intermediate and 32% for Expert skiers.

Ski season in Sun Peaks is Late November to Early April.

If you’re not so much wanting to do skiing – there are also a number of other activities you may want to have a look at! These include Snowmobiling, Ice Skating, snowshoeing, Outdoor heated pool & hot tub, bungee trampoline, dogsled tours, First Trax breakfast, Sleigh rides, Tube park and Fondue dinner & evening decent.

Getting there, you’ll want to look at Canadian Affair‘s flights to Vancouver from Gatwick. The transfer is 5 hours, however if you took an internal flight to Kamloops with WestJet, it would only be 45 minutes transfer.

Remember, Canadian Affair do a lot of the best priced holiday packages that you’ll ever find out there – specifically suited to skiers so remember to take a look at what special offers they have on right at the moment for the up and coming skiing season!

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Located just 6kms from the town of Revelstoke in the beautiful Columbia Mountains, in Interior BC the resort is an expert skiers paradise and has some jaw dropping mountain credentials – a vertical drop of 5,620 feet, over 3,000 acres of terrain, 15.2kms for the longest run and the resort features the longest lift-serviced vertical in North America – the 8 person Revelation Gondola – with a vertical ride of 3,547 feet!!

Revelstoke Mountain resort is the only worldwide resort to offer lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing from one village base. Learners and intermediates are still well catered for as there is a magic carpet area for beginners and a good variety of easy runs to build your confidence on. So it’s not all for experts, but there is no doubt, it’s an attractive resort for those looking for adrenaline action.
The adventurous can get even more kicks from Cat skiing and heli-skiing packages that are available with Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing.

Once you’ve had some action you can enjoy the mid-mountain lodge with its stunning views, a retail shop, cafeteria-style restaurant and espresso bar, and an expansive deck with outdoor barbeque looking out over the spectacular Columbia Valley. Or, head to the base of the resort to the totally cool and modern Rockford Wok | Bar | Grill, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and après ski.

For on mountain luxury stay at the Nelsen Lodge, with ski-in ski-out access, or stay just a few minutes downtown in Revelstoke and hop on the frequent ski shuttle bus.

Eating out and après ski in Revelstoke town offers a great assortment of restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs. And for a small town it packs in more than you’d expect from fine dining at the Woolsey Creek Café, The 112 Steak House, fabulous sushi at Kawakubo to Casual dining at The Village Idiot, Frisby Ridge (Japanese) and Great White North top of that with live music at a variety of cosy pubs and lounges – there’s something for everyone!

Revelstoke’s skiing mounts up as being 7% for Beginners, 45% for Intermediate and 48% for Expert skiers. This means if you’re an expert and looking for some new challenges, this is your place – but it certainly doesn’t forget the beginners!

Ski season in Revelstoke Mountain Resort is Early December to Early April.

If you’re not so much wanting to do skiing – there are also a number of other activities you may want to have a look at! These include Snowmobiling, Ice fishing, Natural Hot Springs, Aquatic Centre with salt water pool, Ice Skating and of coarse Revelstoke Arena – home to Revelstoke Grizzlies Hockey Team

Getting there, you’ll want to look at Canadian Affair‘s flights to Calgary on Saturdays and Wednesday from Gatwick and Manchester

Remember, Canadian Affair do a lot of the best priced holiday packages that you’ll ever find out there – so remember to take a look at their website!

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