We’re not usually ones for sweeping statements. But with Canada, you can’t help but not make them. For this is a country that simply has it all. Whether it be bear watching in coastal rainforests or up glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the Northern Lights in Manitoba, ice fishing in Ontario or ordering poutine, the country’s national dish, the must dos in Canada are endless. Fortunately, our experts have tried and tested them all. So, read on to discover everything you really should do when visiting the ‘Great White North’.
- Leaf peeping
- Order poutine
- A night in an ice hotel
- Ski in the morning, swim in the afternoon
- Ice fishing
1
Leaf peeping
Depending on when and where you go in this enormous country (second only to Russia in terms of size), you’ll always find the sun. On the country’s eastern coast, spring is gone in the blink of an eye. But summer, making up for spring’s early exit, reigns supreme from June to September. In October, after the first frost, temperatures tend to rise again for a brief Indian summer. This period coincides with autumn (a.k.a. ‘fall’) foliage, which sets Canada’s landscapes ablaze with vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Head to the tree-lined UNESCO World Heritage site Rideau Canal, which weaves its way through small towns all the way to Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and packs a punch in swoon-worthy views. Or, watch Québec’s sugar maple trees shift to fiery reds, bright yellows and vibrant oranges in Mont Tremblant, an alpine city set high in the Laurentian Mountains.
Image by Olivier Romano
2
Order poutine
As Canada’s national dish, it’s integral that poutine makes the list of must dos in Canada. Made up of fries, gravy (the beefier the better) and cheese curds, it probably isn’t the most delicate culinary experience, but it sure is one of the tastiest. Its origins can be traced back to rural 1950s snack bars in Québec. Yet, many cafes and restaurants claim to be the first to have come up with the idea – likely due to their proximity to the Québécois fromageries that produced the cheese curds. Poutine really found its groove on Canadian menus in the 1990s though, so much so that it’s now a staple in fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King.
3
A night in an ice hotel
Nothing screams must dos in Canada more than a night in an ice hotel. Located in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier (Québec), the ephemeral Hôtel de Glace gets a new look every year. The only constant is that everything is made of ice and snow: the walls, the beds, the tables… Fascinating art and winter splendour greet you as soon as you enter the Grand Hall or your themed suite, which is decorated with majestic sculptures. Make sure you add a touch of warmth to your visit with an evening at its bar (made of ice), enjoying a delicious cocktail served in a glass, which is (surprise, surprise) also made of ice.
Image by Nicolas Quiniou
4
Ski in the morning, swim in the afternoon
Thanks to the Sea to Sky Highway, you can slalom down slopes in Whistler in the morning and, after a two-hour drive, go for a swim off Jericho Beach in Vancouver. Of course, this isn’t possible year-round. But time it right (between November and March), and you can have the best of both worlds. The journey between the two is pretty spectacular too. Pass the waters of Howe Sound, snap snow-capped peaks, including Stawamus Chief, and pause for lunch beside Shannon Falls, the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia.
5
Ice fishing
This is a country that comes alive in winter. Fact. Dog sledding and skating on frozen rivers turn into ultimate must dos in Canada; snowshoeing and snowmobiling become routine practices (especially among locals), and the Northern Lights attempt to put on their best show. So, take your pick. But if we were to recommend just one, it’d be ice fishing. Considered one of the most traditional winter activities – dating back over 2,000 years – it has long been seen as a key survival skill. Most fishermen position a shelter above a drilled opening on a frozen lake, sometimes filled with heaters, stoves and full-sized beds, while patiently waiting for fish to bite. Depending on the region, you can fish for trout, walleye, northern pike, whitefish, black crappie and perch.
Header Image by Samantha Faivre