The town of Canmore is both the gateway to Banff National Park and an access point to Kananaskis Country. As a result there is an unbelievable amount of truly exceptional hiking within an hour's drive. I've tried to showcase Canmore hikes that offer views within a short distance of the town, with most about a 15 -20 minute drive away. The hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is the exception. Many of these Canmore hikes can…
How do you get through the COVID-19 crisis with your physical and mental health intact? I for one have loads of work to do (updating old posts, writing new ones, fixing photos...) so staying busy isn't a problem. It's how to make the most of my down time. I'm less and less keen to even watch the nightly news and spend time on social media. There is too much hype and misinformation for my liking.…
The Sugar Mama - Sugar Daddy hike is part of a loop that starts at the Allen Bill parking lot off Highway 66 near Bragg Creek, Alberta. It's a great shoulder-season or winter hike that delivers a workout because of its length. But I'd give it a pass in the summer (unless you bike it) when you get up into the mountains at higher elevations. The full loop is just under 14 kilometres long and…
I'm happy to have a few girlfriends who say yes to adventures most won't consider. Cue my friend of almost four decades - Jo. She has always wanted to visit Quetico Provincial Park in northwest Ontario, though a winter trip was perhaps not what she initially had in mind. To her credit, she said she was game for a stay in a simple cabin on a frozen lake, accessed via a 2 kilometre snowshoe in.…
The best way I know of to get through a Canadian winter, and have fun at the same time, is to plan loads of activities and short getaways. From Alberta and British Columbia, one of the easy options is a trip to Kelowna - the largest city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. In the summer Kelowna is a very popular recreational area with loads of sandy beaches and opportunities for boating, swimming, SUP & wind…
Today, February 22nd is World Encephalitis Day (#WED), dedicated to raising awareness of encephalitis across the globe. Even the healthiest people can be affected by encephalitis: read the incredible story of how one Canadian family was affected by Japanese encephalitis - and how an active, athletic 62-year-old father succumbed to the disease after contracting it in Thailand. What do travelers need to know? Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by one of two things…
Penticton, a town that's perfect for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, beer aficionados and wine lovers alike, is located in the south Okanagan Valley. Home to about 35,000 full-time residents, it has plenty to offer both locals and visitors on a year-round basis. Even though winter is a quieter time to visit, there are still lots of things to do in Penticton, as you'll see below. Bike a section of the Kettle Valley Railway, visit wineries, go…
Scottsdale is probably not the first city you think of when it comes to mountain biking. But it should actually be on your radar. Scottsdale is home to 200 plus miles of trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve ALONE with trails ranging from beginner through to advanced. Some trails like the ones we did at Brown's Ranch are made with crushed granite and compacted soil while others are rocky with loose gravel (and so more…
If you want a unique hiking experience, then the Aravaipa Canyon hike needs to go on the must hike list. The canyon, located between Phoenix and Tucson in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, sits in a landscape of soaring cliffs with a beautiful creek flowing through it year-round. Massive trees, thick riparian vegetation and lots of birds and wildlife make this a one of a kind Arizona experience. Reportedly when the leaves change colours in the fall,…
Snowshoeing in Kananaskis Country is a rewarding way to spend a winter day. Many of the trails are just an hour from Calgary, while others can be closer to two hours depending on road conditions. There's a huge amount of variety - with respect to difficulty and terrain. Many of these trails fall into the dead easy category, but still they're very beautiful. If you want a workout with some mountain slendour, you'll have to…