With Family Day approaching, many Canadians will be heading out to enjoy nature and discover the beauty of this vast country. In fact, according to a recent survey commissioned by Mazda Canada, nine out of ten (90%) Canadians agree that spending time in nature is important for their families’ well-being.
With its countless alpine lakes, mountain ranges and river valleys, Canada’s travel Rocky Mountaineer wilderness is an adventure waiting to happen. It is also a vital source of food for billions of North American migratory birds and home to iconic animals, such as moose and wolves.
The Canadian Rockies’ dramatic peaks and rugged scenery have made the area a world-class ski destination and mountain biking mecca. However, the mountains also offer plenty of other opportunities to experience nature. Visitors can hike, take a scenic drive or enjoy the numerous lakes and rivers.
Located less than an hour from Vancouver, Golden Ears Provincial Park offers an escape to natural surroundings on the Pacific coast. The park’s pristine beaches and hiking trails attract many outdoors enthusiasts, as do its water activities, such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
Canada’s vast wetlands are the “kidneys of the planet” and play an essential role in cleaning the water that flows into our rivers, lakes and oceans. In addition to being important habitat for iconic species, wetlands are critical sources of nutrients for the rest of the ecosystem. A bowl of blueberries, for example, is largely thanks to the bees that pollinate generations of blueberry plants in Canada’s wetlands.
In the west, the mountains of Whistler draw thousands of skiers and snowboarders each year. But, this village on the edge of British Columbia’s coastal forest is also home to a wide array of activities, including mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.
While it may be a short flight away from the urban hubs of Canada’s largest cities, Quebec City is a surprisingly wild place. This picturesque metropolis is surrounded by green spaces that offer the chance to explore wildlife, such as the at-risk Canadian Lynx.
Canada’s northern wilderness reaches from the Arctic islands to the icy edges of the North Pole. It is a place where Boreal forests meet maritime climates, creating a unique habitat that supports both southern and northern species. This diversity can be seen at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, where you can see lost villages and totem-pole carvings among a backdrop of pristine natural landscapes. You can also get up close to polar bears on the rugged shores of Hudson Bay in Yukon. The Yukon is also a prime spot to see the Northern Lights, as the absence of light pollution combined with the high latitude means you have an excellent chance of seeing this phenomenon. The lights can be seen over the capital of Whitehorse, or at a number of other viewing sites across the territory.