The "Eh" List: Canadian Bucket List Destinations

There are few things we’ll travel out of our way for (1,960 kilometres to be precise) in the subarctic cold, but a trek to see polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba is definitely one of them. The “polar bear capital of the world” is one of the few human settlements where you can see the “lords of the Arctic” in the wild. October and November are the prime months for observing. This is the time of year when the bears move from their summer habitat back across the packed ice that forms over Hudson Bay. There are a few ways to see the polar bears; accredited companies offer tundra buggy tours which move slowly over the ice on established trails or you can stay at a wilderness lodge. Summer visits are possible for those not willing to brave the cold – boats travel to the coastal areas where polar bears can be seen on land and swimming in the sea.

When we think of nature’s ability to take our breath away, striking mountains and wavy landscapes with seasonal colours come to mind. Other than a beautiful sunset, we rarely travel somewhere to stare into the sky. Canada’s northern lights is one form of nature’s magic we can see in our collective backyard. This beautiful and calming sky scene is created by a phenomenon where the magnetosphere is hit with solar winds that charge particles. They look like gigantic glowing curtains waving through the sky in massive shapes. The aurora is best enjoyed in the months from August to April, and the shores of Great Slave Lake near Yellowknife is the best place in Canada to take in the views.

They say travelling by train is civilized and we agree. Via Rail’s trains cross the country, providing a cushy way to take in Canada’s distinct landscapes from snowy mountain peaks to the calming prairie fields. Starting out in Halifax, the Ocean train takes you through the Maritimes to Montreal and from there the Corridor train heads to Toronto. The Canadian train is the longest stretch of the journey, travelling from Toronto to Vancouver. In the Panorama Car and a section of the Skyline Car, windows extend up to the ceiling for breathtaking views of the Canadian wilderness unfolding before your eyes as you travel across the country.

“The Chief,” an affectionate name for the granite monolith towering 700 metres above Squamish, B.C. and nearby Howe Sound, has long been a popular hiking destination. But it wasn’t until Ed Cooper and Jim Baldwin made the first ascent of The Grand Wall in 1961 that rock climbers started flocking there. Technology has advanced and it’s now possible to ascend it in a matter of hours. The Grand Wall route is still a serious undertaking, involving a multi-pitch climb (requiring professional gear and belays), but tour operators have opportunities for novice climbers, too – and with hundreds of hiking routes, you don’t need to scale a sheer rock face for a view of one of the Pacific Coast’s deepest fjords. 

This little island in the St. Lawrence River may only be a 15-minute drive from Quebec City, but it offers a charming glimpse into traditional French-Canadian countryside life. One of the region’s earliest French settlements, the whole island is a designated historical area. We recommend renting a car for the day and making a circuit of the main road that loops around the island, stopping at the lookout points, roadside stands and galleries that you’ll see along the way. Depending on the season, you can pick fresh strawberries, raspberries or apples at various farms. Don’t miss Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans, which serves chocolate creations made from imported Belgian cocoa beans and local ingredients like maple syrup along with fresh fruit for ice cream in the summer. 

A country that lives along a narrow band of highway needs to keep everything close at hand. In Canada that definitely includes giant novelty statues. Some, like the famous Big Nickel, make sense given a town’s industry or history. Others are just there for tourist chuckles. Colborne, Ontario’s Big Apple is hard to miss (the pies aren’t), at least thirteen Ontario towns have giant Muskoka chairs, but the monumental range, probably of at least 1,500 total, stretches across Canada. Vegreville, Alberta has a giant Easter egg, Nackawic, New Brunswick. showcases its forestry connection with the world’s largest axe, New Brunswick hosts the world’s biggest lobster in Shediac, and Vancouver’s giant orca (it’s digital!) was designed by Douglas Coupland.  

Hornby Island bills itself as a secret refuge, tucked away in the Salish Sea and hidden by the two ferry rides it takes to get there. Just off the coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Hornby is a lush, beachy paradise for bohemians and artists of all kinds. One in every 18 residents on the island is a working artist so galleries and home studios abound. The Hornby Island Studio Guide lets you know which ones to make an appointment at before you drop in. The best time to visit is during the summer months when businesses keep regular hours and the island’s services are available. The Hornby Festival takes place every August and features 10 days of musical performances in various locales across the island, but you can catch live music and free concerts all summer long in various locations across the island.

Those scared of heights, should look away now. Whistler is not only home to some of the best skiing in the world, it also boasts the Sasquatch, which, at 2 kilometres, is the longest zipline in Canada and the U.S. The tour traverses the expanse over the Fitzsimmons Valley between the picturesque Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offering a stunning view of the scenery from a 7,000-foot vantage point. Real adrenaline junkies will dig the “free range harnesses”, which let guests (safely) go upside down. Superfly is another ziplining option, located a 10-minute drive north of Whistler Village in the Cougar Mountain area. If you’re looking for a little moral support, this company offers a unique service – guests can ride side-by-side, each on their own cable.

Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii is an archipelago off B.C.’s coast. The isolated islands are the ancestral home of the Haida First Nation, and offer curious travellers a chance to enjoy their unique ecosystem of wildlife and culture. The island attracts outdoor enthusiasts that love the surf-friendly beaches and endless hiking options. If you’re interested in learning more about the Haida people, visit one of many ancient Haida village sites like the SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO heritage site with an ensemble of weathered totem poles lining the beach. You won’t find resorts in this remote area, but there are cabins and camping grounds for weary adventurers to rest their heads.

Hiking the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, is a very customizable experience. From a leisurely afternoon stroll with your pup to long-distance hiking and rock climbing, the Bruce Trail has it all. The Ontario hiking trail is over 800 kilometres long and runs along the Niagara Escarpment all the way up the Bruce Peninsula. At the north end of the trail, Bruce Peninsula National Park offers stunning views of Georgian Bay and the Grotto, a sea cave with a shimmering pool of water inside – climb down the open cliff face for a closer look. At the south end, Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls, most of which are located along the Bruce Trail. For multi-day hikes, there are designated campsites, but they’re few and far between. Plan to include motels and B&B’s in your list of accommodations and be sure to map out your hike before you go.

If you’ve ever heard of a little ship called the Titanic, you already know the North Atlantic is a prime spot for icebergs. Millennia-old icebergs of all shapes and sizes drift down from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, and they can be sighted floating off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. April through June is the best time of year to see these icy behemoths, which are often visible from the shore in well-known places like Twillingate or the Cape Spear Lighthouse. For a closer look, book a spot with an iceberg boat tour, many of which combine iceberg viewing with whale and seabird watching.

The name alone should tell you that this bucket list item isn’t for the faint of heart. Located in Baffin Island’s Auyuittuq National Park, Mount Thor’s west face is the world’s highest vertical drop at 1,250 metres. This distinction makes it a popular spot for climbers, but suffice to say that conquering this peak is a serious challenge. While summiting Mount Thor might not be a practical goal for those of us with no climbing skills, Auyuittuq is considered to be one of the most accessible national parks in Nunavut, so seeing this impressive 1,675-metre-high mountain in person is something we can all aspire to.