While it is typically not in the national character to be overly exuberant or raucous—save, say, the outpouring of red-and-white pride each July on Canada Day or when victorious in hockey competition—Canadians are generally one contented lot, routinely ranking at or near the top of global surveys of categories such as quality of life, happiness, friendliness and overall satisfaction.
They come by this bonhomie “naturally,” for Canadians treasure their relationship with the great outdoors, which Canada, the world’s second-largest country by land mass, has in abundant supply from coast to coast.
“Throughout Canada you’ll find people camping in our provincial and national parks, relaxing at their cottages, exploring the trails and just otherwise recharging their batteries within the natural world,” says Jantine Van Kregten, Ottawa Tourism’s director of communications and an outdoor enthusiast herself. “Those experiences are never far away and help define us as a people—and we like nothing better than sharing our favorite spots with our visitors!”
Canada’s especially gifted eastern provinces offer some of the world’s most inspiring interactions with the outdoors, including the following eight great group experiences.
CANYONING-QUEBEC, BEAUPRE
www.canyoning-quebec.com
Marc Tremblay is a geological engineer and internationally renowned caver whose underground expeditions have taken him around the globe. Also an expert in canyoning (canyoneering in the U.S.), he founded Canyoning-Quebec in 2000 to share his passions with others. Based in the Mont-Sainte-Anne ski resort area some 30 miles east of Quebec City, his award-winning canyoning program is unique in North America and exclusive to the region.
“Canyoning is a thrilling vertical adventure to share with friends and colleagues,” Tremblay says. “Our professional guides safely run a three-hour trip with a group of 30 persons in the 12- and 19-meter drops of Jean Larose Falls at Mont-Sainte-Anne, along with other experiences.”
Tremblay continues to expand his offerings, with a full-day program for up to 60 participants that can be divided into two groups, alternating canyoning and hiking or biking at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
CYCLE AND SNOW TOURS OF MONTREAL
www.cycletoursmontreal.com
www.snowtoursmontreal.com
Organized by the same company, these multifaceted urban sightseeing excursions are exciting ways to experience Montreal as the locals do. Cycle Tours Montreal’s knowledgeable guides lead a number of informative daily tours along the city’s main thoroughfares and less-known routes. Private tours are available and group reservations are welcome, with a number of bike styles to choose from. Snow Tours Montreal, meanwhile, offers a guided experience that allows visitors to explore major sights, discover unique districts, and enjoy activities like ice skating in beautiful Parc LaFontaine, cross-country skiing on Mont-Royal, tobogganing, snow-tubing and snowshoeing.
CHEMIN DU TERROIR, THE LAURENTIANS
www.cheminduterroir.com
Launched in October 2010, the “Chemin du Terroir” is a multifaceted new four-season tourism product uniquely blending the agricultural, historical and cultural wealth of Quebec’s Lower Laurentian region north of Montreal. Winding through more than 140 miles of country backroads and byways, the sign-posted trail affords groups leisurely discovery of 30 different attractions throughout bucolic Mirabel, Basses-Laurentides and Argenteuil. With the architectural beauty of old heritage villages like Sainte-Scholastique, Saint-Augustin and Saint-Benoit providing a treat for the eyes, local producers offer a movable feast of honey, maple syrup, wine, mead and other appetizing treats.
Located in the tranquil countryside halfway between Montreal and the Ottawa/Gatineau region, historic Saint-Andre d’Argenteuil, Brownsburg-Chatham and Lachute are especially sublime, evoking the timelessness of an Old Master painting. Breathtaking, too, is the trail’s passage through the Two Mountains region, featuring heavenly Oka National Park and heritage treasures such as Old Saint-Eustache and the Legare Mill.
BALLS FALLS CENTRE FOR CONSERVATION, JORDAN
www.npca.ca
As Niagara’s “other” falls, Balls Falls was once home to an early 19th century working hamlet, some restored event-capable vestiges of which remain. Nestled on the Niagara Escarpment, a World Biosphere Reserve site, and part of the scenic Twenty Valley watershed, the falls lend their name to an important new conservation and ecotourism area. Showcasing local ecological, natural and cultural resources, the museum-style LEED Gold-certified Centre for Conservation is also an inspiring stage for meetings.
Panoramically overlooking scenic woodlands, the configurable Glen Elgin Room can accommodate groups as large as 150 people, with additional space in the skylit atrium and outdoor terrace. Groups can go green outside, too, with activities including orienteering, guided nature hikes, scavenger hunts and winery tours.
“Our environmentally responsible meetings are good for the Earth and great for business,” says Darcy Baker, director of land management for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. “Best of all, every dollar you spend goes back into conservation and education— that’s an unbeatable combination.”
AGAWA CANYON TOUR TRAIN, SAULT STE. MARIE
www.agawacanyontourtrain.com
One of North America’s supreme wilderness experiences, this spectacular one-day rail adventure transports travelers 144 miles over towering trestles, alongside pristine lakes and rivers and through the granite rock formations and vast forests of the Canadian Shield. Introduced for the 2011 season, an $11 million facelift includes 14 newly refurbished coaches with panoramic windows; GPS-triggered commentary about the rich history of the region in five languages; and new state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.
Locomotive-mounted digital cameras provide an engineer’s eye of the tracks ahead on flat-screen monitors installed throughout the coaches. From the highest point (1,600 feet) at Mile 94 to the wall-hugging 10-mile descent into the ancient, glacier-shaped canyon at Mile 102, the views, especially in fall, are awe-inspiring.
ECOCAB TOURS, TORONTOM
www.ecocab.com
Covering practically every major point of interest in the city’s core, including CN Tower, Kensington Market and the fashion, entertainment and theater districts, professionally guided rides in these futuristic three-seat, three-wheeled tour vehicles are an eco-friendly way to experience Toronto. Four tour options (look for the giant white hands indicating pick-up points at the designated locations) include The Main Tour, covering the majority of the downtown area and focusing on the city’s largest and most popular landmarks. Highlights of The South Tour include Chinatown and Toronto’s scenic Harborfront area, the North Tour heads up the exclusive Yorkville shopping district and on to the Royal Ontario Museum, and the personal option allows for customized day or nighttime sightseeing adventures.
MADAWASKA KANU CENTRE, OTTAWA AND BARRY’S BAY
www.owl-mkc.ca
White-water rafting in Canada’s capital city? That’s but one of the high-adrenaline river adventures offered by this world-class family-run outfit, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Co-owners and operators Claudia and Dirk Van Wijk are champion white-water paddlers; Claudia’s parents, white-water champions themselves, founded the company in 1972. From one-day adventures and weekend clinics to multi-day getaways at the chalet-style MKC Resort, groups can choose from a range of programs along the length of the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers. Introduced this summer, MKC in the City offers seasonal entry-level white-water classes right below Ottawa’s Parliament Hill.
“It’s very exciting to be offering courses in downtown Ottawa,” says Claudia, a 10-time Canadian kayak champion. “With three rivers plus the Rideau Canal converging in our nation’s capital, Ottawa is the perfect city to take your first step to becoming a white-water paddler.”
TIDAL BORE RAFTING PARK & COTTAGES, SHUBENACADIE
www.tidalboreraftingpark.com
Uniquely created by the daily swelling and rocking of seawater in the Bay of Fundy—the world’s highest tide, at 53 feet—a “tidal bore” describes raging rapids formed by the powerful reversal of outgoing rivers feeding into the bay. Located just outside of Halifax on the largest of these rivers, the Shubenacadie, this meetings-ready facility is the oldest tidal bore rafting operation in Nova Scotia and offers a wide range of options for groups.
“We can accommodate up to 125 people per day,” says co-owner Heather Smith. “Our rafting trips go two or four hours on rapids ranging from a few feet to upwards of 12 feet, and all include mudsliding.”
Guests stay in a mix of cottages and chalets. The five-bedroom chalet is ideal for meetings.
Regular Meetings Focus East contributor Jeff Heilman loves getting out and about in Canada.
