Canada is one of North America's greatest treasures. The nation has over two million lakes spread amongst its 13 provinces. From backpacking to kayaking, skiing to mountain biking, the country provides some of the most natural adventure vacations available anywhere.
Kayaking
Outdoor lovers: combine a rich exploration of Canada's history with a scenic paddle down the Hayes River. The Hayes River is located in the province of Manitoba and is widely regarded as one of the catalysts for the founding of the nation. During the time that Canada was established, the river was a main artery from the U.S. and was travels by fur traders as early as the 1700's. The Intuits (also known as Eskimos) integrated with the settlers by trading furs, so the river truly facilitated the growth of that integration and the cultural shift towards commerce and trade for all of North America.
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers from all over North America are flocking to Vancouver to hit the steep mountain biking trails. Vancouver is something of a booming town, which has a thriving film and television community. Yet the scenic town has also managed to maintain its clean, small-town feel. Mountain bikers enjoy biking along trails that are pristine, free from litter and challenging. Plus, the Vancouver mountain biking community is said to be amongst the best and most friendly in North America in terms of integrating new mountain bikers.
Glacier Climbing
If you can stand the cold, then head to northern Canada (the arctic region) for the best glacier and ice climbing in the world. You'll have to get to the best glacier climbing spots either by boat or by plane, as they are not accessible by road or any other form of mass transportation. As such, you and your team of climbers will be isolated amongst the rolling hills of ice along with animals that are indigenous to the area, such as sea lions, polar bears and whales. Plus, the stars will never seem brighter than at the top of the world!
Ski and Snowboard
Canada is quite possibly the only national in the world with as many ski and snowboard resorts as it has (about 30 per province). Canadians practically grow up with skis of some sort strapped to their feet and their love of skiing continues throughout their lives. There are hundreds of award-winning ski resorts throughout Canada - making Canada the nation with the most diverse ski options in all of North America. Plus, the nation celebrates its fondness for skiing by dedicating an entire week out of every year as National Ski and Snowboard week.
For pristine outdoor adventure in North America in an environment that is as friendly as it is beautiful, it's tough to beat Old Canada. Be sure to do your weather research before heading north, though, as Canadian winters are widely reputed as being painfully cold, though summers can be quite mild and humidity-free.
