Trip #1
 

• Lived in Canada for 12 months in 2017/2018. During this time I travelled around in my GMC Safari with Michael where we explored the East and West Coast!

Accommodation/s
 

• During my winter season I lived at the Raven at Big White Ski Resort. 

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• During summer I lived in staff accommodation while working for The Rundlestone Lodge in Banff.

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• Lastly, I lived out my GMC Safari while on the road. 

 

Things to do

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• Go skiing or snowboarding at Big White Ski Resort! There's no place like it for snow and it turns into a winter wonderland between November and April. Just make sure you check the weather before you book as some years they get less snow than others. I'd recommend visiting between December and February to guarantee the highest chance of seeing heaps of snow. 

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• Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow. I did this at Big White Ski Resort and it is one of my core memories, I will never forget it. I felt like I was in an actual snow globe. 

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• Visit the Wolfdogs at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. This is an experience like no other... you get to be up close and personal with these huge Wolfdogs and feed them while you learn about their species and the work the Sanctuary does for them. At feeding time, you'll hear them howling so loudly it's a sound you'll never forget. 

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• Take a long and slow drive up the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, or Jasper to Banff. Whichever direction you come or go from just make sure you do the whole length of it. Be sure to stop at Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and many more. It's hands down the most beautiful stretch of road I've ever driven on and probably ever will.  

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• Stop for a spot of shopping or lunch in Canmore. You're up close and personal with the mountains here and it's a nice quiet spot for lunch or dinner as oppose to Banff (although can still get quite busy). 

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• Explore Banff, Alberta. This is a must (and I cannot stress this enough). I can't get into a full list of what to explore in Banff as there's just too much to list but be sure to explore my map of everywhere I've been in Canada at the bottom of this page for the full list! A MUST do though is to go up the Banff Gondola. You are surrounded by the mountains up here and it's absolutely beautiful at sunset. If you're considering proposing to someone... I'd save it for this viewpoint. 

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• Vancouver Island is gorgeous. It's like it's own little world over there and depending what season you go in you'll get a different show of beauty. 

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• Check out Montreal and Quebec City for the East Coast big city feel! They speak French over on the east so it's super fascinating to witness. The Architecture is beautiful, the cities are full of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars to sink your teeth into and it's a unique experience in itself - different to the rugged beauty of the West Coast. 

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• Vancouver is another great city to spend some time in. There's lots to do, eat and see there and is great for buying souvenirs and all the essentials. 

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• Check out Niagara Falls (Ontario side) for a spectacular view of the Falls! 

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Be mindful of

 

• The wildlife. I cannot stress this enough. If you will be hiking in any capacity while in Canada take bear spray with you. Even in winter there have been many bear sightings across the country including some of the places I've lived in! You can never be too bear-aware or safe when it comes to this. Educate yourself before you go on how to ensure your safety against the wild animals of Canada. 

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•  The cold! If you are travelling in winter, pack very warm clothes and lots of layers. Everywhere is heated inside so you'll need a big coat you can take off/layers you can strip off once inside. But as soon as you go outside be prepared to be hit with a wall of cold again. 

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• Driving/road conditions during winter. Canadians put chains on their tyres in winter to protect them from driving over black ice and losing control of their car. The roads are salted over there to try and prevent this from happening however you can never be too careful. If you're renting a car or will be driving any portion of your trip make sure you have the correct seasonal tyres for the duration of your journey. 

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• Do not fall asleep in the snow. It sounds obvious (but it wasn't for me after a few too many drinks at high altitude) and you can find yourself in some very dangerous situations simply due to the climate in Canada. Don't go anywhere alone if you've been drinking alcohol and make sure you certainly don't take a nap or sleep anywhere other than indoors. 

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• Beware of Fentanyl. While I do not encourage or endorse this - if you are offered dr*gs or choose to do them while in Canada please be mindful that a lot of them are cut with an incredibly dangerous and fatal opioid called Fentanyl. It is 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and can kill you in an instant if you ingest an amount as much as a grain of salt. I would advise you steer clear of any of this stuff and just stick to drinking if you choose. 

 

Food & Drink

 

• Tim Hortons.

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• A&W.

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• Aardvark's Pizza.

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• Beavertails. 

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• Banff Fudge Shop. 

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• Boston Pizza.

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• The Spaghetti Factory. 

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• Dairy Queen.

 

The Positives

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• Canada is a playground for those of you who love the outdoors. You don't have to be a fitness fanatic or love to ski, hike or snowboard to enjoy it though. There's truly something for everyone and you can enjoy it's beauty just by looking out your window. 

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• The people are some of the friendliest people I've had the pleasure of getting to know. They are super polite, considerate and similar to Aussies in our zest for the great outdoors. 

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• I'm actually lost for words when trying to articulate the positives about Canada. It's just heaven on earth and there's really no other way to describe it. You really have to see it for yourself to truly understand. 

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The Negatives 

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• I could never say a bad thing about this place. 

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Final Thoughts and Recommendations
 

• Do your research before you go. This isn't somewhere you just want to 'see what happens' when you only have a set amount of time. Squeeze every last bit of juice you can out of Canada because there is so much to see and do. Save your sleep ins for when you're home - you'll want to be up and out there seizing each and every day in Canada. 

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• ​Find a full map of things I explored and did while in Canada here.