Viewing the Northern Lights is a magical experience that tops bucket lists everywhere. It beckons travelers worldwide to frosty destinations. From now until 2026, the aurora borealis activity is expected to reach its highest levels in 11 years. This uptick in solar activity makes the current era a particularly good time for aurora-viewing vacations. This winter, why not combine the experience of searching for this natural phenomenon with a cultural experience in your choice of winter wonderlands?

The air is filled with swirling snow as my Nordic ski instructor, a slender mature woman named Debra, shows me how to stay upright on skis that are much skinnier than the regular downhill skis I’ve tried before. Before me, snow-cloaked pine trees and a groomed trail shimmer under the backdrop of the towering mountains of Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, British Columbia.

When I arrive at Healing Farm, I have an overwhelming sense that I’ve come home. This 18-acre organic farm on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula is everything I love about this part of the world, where I grew up.

Most of us probably remember from history class that Spanish explorers brought horses to North America in the 14th century. Many people are surprised to learn native horses existed before the Spanish arrived, at least in Canada. Ojibwe Spirit Horses, also known as Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies, are the only known indigenous horse breed native to Canada. Thousands of them lived in harmony with Indigenous communities in (mainly) Northern and Western Ontario and roamed the forests that surround Lac Le Croix.

Formed during the Ice Age when large torrents of water released from melting ice drained into what is now the Niagara River, Native Americans would have been the first to witness the magnitude of Niagara Falls. 

It was a hot summer day when a friend of mine and I pulled into the parking lot of Sombrio Beach, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. We planned to be there for the day and set up a shady spot on the sand to enjoy our ocean views. We were hoping to see some wildlife — a bald eagle, a sea lion, maybe even a breaching whale.

Why do certain experiences resonate with us the way they do? I spent a single day kayaking around the Clayoquot Sound – such an insignificant amount of time – and yet the experience was

Whether you stay in Toronto for a week or a year, not a day will go by without you finding something new and exciting to do.

Tofino is a funky surfer town on the West Coast that has earned its reputation as Canada's top adventure playground. With its sprawling beaches, wild inlets, and ancient rainforests, it's easy to see why Tofino has become such a popular destination. 

Before Europeans landed on North America, the continent was filled with a plethora of different native groups, with one of these being the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Confederacy consists of three First Nations bands in Canada, as well as one Native American tribe in the United States. Historically, the Blackfoot roamed across the Northern Plains, between British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana.

In 1608 the first Europeans set foot on North American soil. Samuel de Champlain, considered to be the founding father of New France, built a settlement that would later be called Quebec City.

Winter camping, even in relatively mild temperatures, isn’t something to take lightly. It requires planning, preparation, and a bit of spirit to get you through the evening!