Canada’s 4 Seasons of Adventure

Do not lump adventure seasons together when thinking of Canada. We are just too big of a country to have one season fit all.

Canada is the second largest country in the world. Second only to Russia. Canada covers a total area of 9.9 million square kilometres and borders three oceans – Pacific , Atlantic and the Arctic. The coastline in Canada measures 244, 000 kilometres long with over 755,00 square kilometres of water located inland.

Canada is so large that it spans east-west over 6 time zones. The geography and weather in Canada varies greatly from the east to west and north to south. There are massive mountain ranges and over 6000 islands on the west coast. There are hectares of grasslands and badlands with coulees and hoodoos in the central prairies. There are red rock coastlines, deep gorges, river valleys and provincial islands on the east coast. Up north there are monster waterfalls, wetlands and arctic tundra.

Happiness is Winter Adventures

With so much diversity in our landscapes it creates a varied tourism season. This is what makes Canada special this is what makes Canada a year round travel destination.

The winter adventure season in Canada varies east to west. This year it is a blanket of snow Canada wide.  A few years ago we saw no snow.  Some winters there is only sunshine or rain and mild temperatures.  Heck.. we have worn shorts through every season in some years.

Depending on the area of Canada you are exploring will determine the winter activities available to you. Too many to list here but here is an idea of what is ahead. In the British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario mountains there are some great downhill and snowboarding skiing destinations.

In the central prairie provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba there are opportunities to enjoy long haul snowmobiling, ice fishing and polar bear tours.

In the maritimes the lakes and ocean bays freeze and ice shacks are erected for ice fishing…. while snowmobiles travel the roads, frozen rivers and backcountry trails. Some off to do some grocery shopping while others are out to play.

In the north, during the winter months, there are snowmobilers too plus dog sledding adventures, the Northern Lights and igloo camping. And the universal activity enjoyed Canada wide is cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Each region provides many adventures and many adventures provide activity to each region. This is only a snap shot of the adventures in Canada’s winter wonderland.

The weather plays a big role in the adventures. There have been many years where the weather has thrown a curve ball and instead of skiing people are golfing year round. Instead of ice fishing people are canoeing and kayaking down lakes and rivers. It is a changing world and tourism is changing with it.

The first signs of summer tourism generally starts on the west coast and works its way east. As early as March people on the west coast are wearing shorts, riding bikes, swinging golf clubs and planning adventures. The biggest challenge in the west is the rain… as it can rain for days on end at times.

The central prairies, east and the north of Canada tend to ice up more, take longer to thaw out and for every snowman to melt… but that is not a doom and gloom statement… no way.. Frosty the Snowman lives on because in the central, east and north the winter adventures just last longer and summer kicks in faster.

As the weather warms up from the west to east the summer activities start to grow momentum. If there was a date to recognize the start of the summer season across all of Canada it would be the May long weekend. This date tends to be a big day for many who wish to get outdoors and begin camping and enjoying some of their favorite adventures.

Canada is a wonderful adventure destination were summer and winter activities can be enjoyed year round. Pick your adventure and then pick a destination because.. in most cases… adventures are endless and weather is our friend. It is our weather which makes Canada the best 4 season adventure destination in the world.

Although.. if you walk the streets, or are driving to work in the snowstorms today you will find it easy to find nay sayers of our weather and winter adventure seasons. I guess we look through rose colored glasses over here at EH Tourism.  Blame it on the snowman in the front yards of Prince Edward Island as they are always smiling and waving at us as we drive by.