Despite being the second-largest country in the world, Canada has a relatively small population for its enormous size. Most Canadians live relatively close to the United States border, leaving huge areas of mountains, forests, lakes, and wilderness across the rest of the country.
I’ve visited several very different parts of Canada over the years, from major cities to mountain towns and some of the country’s incredible wilderness. The destinations below cover some of my favorite experiences so far.
Explore Banff
Banff and the surrounding Canadian Rockies are famous for towering mountains, deep valleys, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife. In winter, the landscape transforms beneath snow and ice, with frozen rivers, canyons, and waterfalls creating opportunities for hiking and ice climbing.
Explore Calgary
Calgary is Alberta’s largest city and a major center of Canada’s energy industry. Its modern downtown is filled with skyscrapers and connected by the extensive Plus 15 pedestrian network, while the Bow River and distinctive Peace Bridge cut through the heart of the city.
Explore Mt. Garibaldi
Mt. Garibaldi rises above the Coast Mountains near Squamish in southwestern British Columbia. Climbing the mountain involves rugged approaches, glaciers, crevasses, and more technical terrain higher on the route, while rapidly changing mountain weather can make reaching the summit considerably more difficult.
Explore Vancouver
Vancouver occupies a spectacular setting on Canada’s Pacific coast, where a dense modern city meets the ocean and the Coast Mountains. Its waterfront includes beaches, marinas, parks, False Creek, and long sections of seawall, giving the city unusually easy access to the outdoors.
