Backpacker Buzz

Frozen waterfalls more than 30 metres high and dozens of epic climbs, with some yet to be formally discovered. This is the David Thompson Corridor, home to some of the best ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies yet without the crowds of the National Parks. Read more »

Victoria is full of old world charm with its historic buildings. It’s also home to the famous Butchart Gardens and boasts Canada’s mildest climate, but there is more to B.C.’s capital than this. Victoria has a number of neighbourhoods around the downtown area that are well worth a visit. Here are a few of my favourites: Read more »

Most people prefer to visit Jasper National Park in the summer season but the folks in Jasper want to show you just how much fun winter can be! Jasper in January is Western Canada’s premier winter festival, running from January 13 - 29, 2012.

New to the festival lineup this year is Yukigassen, Japanese for Snow Battle. That's right, it's an organized snowball fight. Although Yukigassen was developed in Japan, this sport is about as Canadian as it gets. Says Maggie Davison, CEO of Tourism Jasper, “From new ski lifts at Marmot Basin to dynamic snow battles, the winter experience in Jasper just keeps getting better.” Read more »

With the NHL taking a break over the holidays, all eyes will be on the young hockey stars competing in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Jointly hosted by Edmonton and Calgary, this competition will bring the world’s best junior hockey stars to Alberta. Games from December 26-31 will be held in Edmonton, while the finals will take place January 1-5 in Calgary.

Visit www.hockeycanada.ca/2012juniors for tickets. They will sell out quickly!

Team Canada games: Read more »

Are you counting down the days until you can get out and start racing again? Then be sure to add HI’s 2012 running events to your calendar!

Spring Trio – Sunday, April 22, 2012

Kananaskis 100 Mile Relay (K-100) – Saturday, June 23, 2012 Read more »

By Anthony Brook

When people think of winter in the Canadian Rockies, they usually associate it with skiing. So they should; it’s steep, sometimes deep and the powder is some of the lightest you’ll find anywhere. However, I’ll leave that to the ski hill marketing departments, because there is more to winter in the Canadian Rockies. The thing is, most people don’t look beyond the chairlifts but I know the essence of the mountains lays only a few hundred metres beyond the townsite or parking lot. It’s not hard to get to. Most people will leave without ever knowing they missed it. That’s not a bad thing. Read more »

Strategizing about the best way to get your Christmas shopping done this year? Why not head to Edmonton for a shopping getaway? Edmonton offers an abundance of places to shop, from North America’s largest mall to funky independent boutiques, so you’ll be sure to find something for everyone on your list. Read more »

Sun-Young Kim is from Seoul, Korea, but she is currently studying English in Vancouver. While she is living in Canada, she has been volunteering at HI’s Regional Office and helping out with data entry. She graciously wrote us this report of her recent vacation.

I went to east of America for trip. The trip was so tough.  It was for 8 days and 7 nights. It started in New York and we got there by plane from Vancouver. Read more »

HI staff member and frequent blog contributor Lydia Simpson is a real live Vancouverite.

So you’ve rocked into town and you want to go beyond the guidebook. Sure, you’re going to go to Stanley Park and Granville Island and that, but you’d also like to see some non-tourist sights, go where the locals go. No problem- we’ve got some ideas for you. Read more »

As temperatures drop and the leaves start to change colour, Canadians head indoors to savour cinematic pleasures. The following film festivals represent some of the finest independent filmmaking from across Canada and around the world. Read more »