Canadian Wildlife in Winter--Best viewing time?

Haliburton Deer (photo r.taylor)

Keeping a camera close at hand is always wise for cross country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts as they travel through the forests and woodlands....the unexpected is always around the corner....A recent article by Canada Living highlights several Ontario areas where you might expect to see significant wildlife.

I get excited about Deer, and seeing a Beaver and Wild Turkey....the great wildlife experience for the serious adventurers might be to see The Arctic Big 5 .for a mere $5695 (Globe & Mail Jan.27). you can travel in search of Walrus, Caribou, Muskox, Whales and Polar Bears...surprise not the winter but in August with See Great Canadian Travel

Do Canadians Embrace winter? Think again!!

If you think making an ice rink in the back yard, or on a pond is embracing winter, think again with this insightful article and surviving for fun in Canada's Arctic.  Most of us will embrace winter with a getaway north in Ontario's cottage country, try becoming "the fastest pisser in the Arctic"... at-read on

 Plan on polar training? Here's where to go

Globe and Mail - Margo Pfeiff - 16 hours ago

Train in Iqaluit from Feb. 21 to March 5. The $3800 rate includes all meals, equipment (you are encouraged to test your own gear), accommodation and guiding ...

Valentines Kissses, Romance and Sunsets-Canadian Style

Sunsets are a plus on a romantic getaway

Condsider the ways to melt the winter away with a Valentines Staycation in Canada
"Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. No matter what you got him or her last month, taking your sweetums to Canadian romance spots will keep the flame alight for a little while longer." From the Atlantic to the Pacific...there is a special spot for you.    Canada Hearts Valentine’s Day by Heather Greenwood Davis from the Canadian Tourism Commission story has a list of hot spots to get the steam rising...... with a few additions by this publisher.  Where are your best kissing destinations??  (Geographic Destinations Only Please)

The True Centre of Canada--Canadian Destination Wish List

 Once when driving from Winnipeg along the Trans Canada Highway back into Ontario towards Kenora, I recall a sign, about the Georgraphic centre of Canada...it was a snowy, blizardy type of day so I did not bother to get the "photo to say I have been there"!  Good thing as as it turns out to be only the longitudanal centre of Canada.  Once thought to be the centre a shot on Flicker near Baker Lake has been in a debate with Arviat laying claim to the centre of Canada. The exact georgraphic co-ordinates can be found by reading the Globe and Mail article.... Ottawa's Mark Shore learned from Natural Resources Canada that the centre can be measured in many ways, but “the most readily understood .., Revealed: the true centre of Canada - The Globe and Mail

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Quebec Winter Carnival Featured in Boston Herald

Winter snow-ice slides create smiles

Winter wonderland: Have blast in winter at Quebec carnival
Boston Herald
A 500-foot zip-line whisks those willing to brave the icy temps over the
busiest parts of the fest, while snow tubing, skating and dogsled racing
keep ...

Can't make it to Quebec how about The Rest of Canada (ROC).  Winter Carnivals continue right across Canada during the January February months.

"Chillylicious" Menus Cure Canada's Winter Blahs

Dining and indulging during the Canadian winter is a sure way to excite the genes responsible for the winter blahs and blues.  Canada's winter dining celebrations are multiplying with exciting and creative menus, pairings and innovative winter cuisine.  Restaurants and hotels put on specially priced meals in an attempt to move the masses away from their cozy living rooms TVs and fireplaces out into the frosty winter air and dining establishments.  Barrilicious is a celebration of food in the Snowbelt area of Barrie Ontario and Simcoe County;  Toronto has Winterlicious,  Ottawa's Winterlude one of Canada's largest winter celebrations brings out Taste of Winterlude, and Vancouver has its Dine Out Vancouver

Pick your destination, combine an overnight stay and eat your way out of those winter down times.

Book hotels in Barrie, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa

 

Folk Art on the Ice in Canada

Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe Barrie Ontario

Ice fishermen can be very creative in the designs and images created by their ice-huts.  As many ardent fishermen are heading out into the ice fields for their annual ice fishing getaway a degree of  rudimentary art & architecture connect.   A recent Globe and Mail article by Lisa Rochon highlighted ice fishing villages and huts, "When the water freezes 12 inches thick on Canada’s lakes, rivers and oceans, ice huts are hauled from farmers’ fields and marinas and assembled into instant villages on the winter-white canvas.....Toronto photographer Richard Johnson in northern communities in Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Prince Edward Island, are unfettered expressions of personality. The colours are wild, the forms as enchanting as masks. Against the brilliant white of snow and ice, the ice village appears as pointillist slashes of colour. Up close, when found materials are collaged together to keep out the wind, the ice hut becomes a rudimentary, raw piece of abstraction." Get out  and explore some of the local fish hut art while attending a lakeside winter carnival with the kids.

Weekend Newspaper Travel Suggestion Highlights

First and foremost--STAY IN CANADA EMBRACE WINTER
As Canada cools down into mid-winter ice and snow a number of getaways are highlighted in the travel sections of major newspapers including the National Post article on Winter Drive Trips close to home.  My favourites ...the Huntsville area, and specifically  described in the story Arowhead Provincial Park for tubing and tobogganing, followed by Blue Mountain Village-Collingwood Area. 

The Globe and Mail puts the Rockies in the forefront of Skiing experience with  Climb, swoosh, sauna, sleep.  The Globe also  talks about the skinny ski experience (x-country skiing), and offers several bargains across the country.

Toronto Star touts the Niagara Ice Wine Festival in Ontario.
Also see Winter in Canada ideas for outdoor fun experiences.

Family Fun-Toronto Goes Summer at Boat Show in January

Boating, Great Lakes, Summer Family Fun

The Toronto International boat show (Book Best Deal Toronto Hotels On-line) will be sure to put you in the summer mood as many Ontario resort destinations, marinas and lakeside lodging properties will be on hand to make you want to water ski, windsurf, swim, play on the beach, try a water slide, or buy a new boat.....boating fun in Toronto in January. Pick your favourite Ontario lakes for boating and summer resort family fun! 

Winter Family Fun: Canada Resorts in NA Top 10

Winter Family fun On & Off the Slopes

Often it takes someone else to make you appreciate how many great Canada travel opportunities exist without leaving home.  Perhaps Canadians will forgo the southern destinations trip for a little family fun this winter here at home.  MSNBC just posted the Top 10 family-friendly ski resorts in North America for family winter getaways and guess what?   Mont Tremblant in Quebec and Collingwood-Blue Mountain where named along with major U.S. resorts.  Both resorts are 4 season resort destinations within driving distance of Montreal and Toronto.
For most Ontario residents the Collingwood-Blue Mountain trip is close at hand with a road trip north on Highway 400 to Highway 26, making a family vacation easily accessible.  A bit further away from Toronto is Mont Tremblant in Quebec, however is eassily  road accessible north of Montreal.

Inspiration for a Canadian Road Trip

If you have not seen the  movie One Week, and have a love for Canada...I strongly suggest reading the article in today's Montreal Gazette.."One Week in Canadiana" and then you may be interested in seeing the movie. It gives a perspective not just how great Canada is, but intertwines with the lives of the many kind and quirky Canadians you will meet in your travels.
In the Gazette story Michael McGowan is quoted "I like celebrating what's great about Canada without making it a Tourism Canada ad," McGowan explains. "I try not to hit people over the head with a gallon of Maple Syrup...More ideas on a Canadian Road Trip can be found at Canada Travel News, and for Ontario check the selection of selected Road trips north of Toronto (fall colour trips, but good for any time inspiration clicks).