Canada's Winter Wonderland: Great Canadian Winter Sports Destinations

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics will soon be upon us. What better time to celebrate  Canada's greatest winter sports destinations? Two of the best known are Banff and Jasper -  internationally renowned National Parks, hot vacation destinations, home of majestic mountain scenery, meccas for snowboarding, down-hill skiing, cross-country skiing, and magnet for back-country ski-do adventurers.

There are other fabulous winter playgrounds in Canada, but these are perhaps the best known. Photographed in all seasons, the mountain grandeur of both these vacation spots has been featured in the world's most prestigious publications. Used as an amazing backdrop for a variety of expensive ad campaigns or as the main feature, the parks contain some of the most photographed terrain this side of Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, and the Matterhorn.

One of the most familiar and easily recognized of the mountains near Banff, AB, is Castle Mountain. Prosaically but aptly named, this giant has welcomed travelers since the park was first established in 1885.

According to Wikipedia,

...since the 1960s, park accommodations have been open year-round, with annual tourist visits to Banff increasing to over 5 million in the 1990s. Millions more visitors pass through the park on the Trans-Canada Highway making Banff is one of the world's most visited national parks.

The Banff Ice Fields Parkway extends from Lake Louise all the way up to Jasper National Park. The mountain route between the two parks holds some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the planet.

It's is not as well known as the main route north through B.C. following the Coquihalla and Yellowhead Highways, nor as well-traveled as the most widely used route through Alberta - Highway #2 from Calgary to Edmonton, and Highway #16 from there to Jasper - but it's certainly worth a second look.

Winter sports enthusiasts descend on Banff in the tens of thousands every winter seeking fresh powder, exciting down-hill runs, and breath-taking scenery. Down-hill skiers and snowboarders from all over the world find an unparalleled experience on Banff''s mountains.

For those who don't care to take in the scenery at such a speedy pace, Banff and the surrounding area offer winter hiking trails, overnight winter camping trips, and breathtaking views from the Sulfur Mountain gondola ride.

In addition, visitors can buy high-quality gear or receive instruction through a multitude of pro-shops, sample the local cuisine at 5-star restaurants, and, after a busy day's fun, relax in the comfort of world-class accommodations.

Jasper National Park, haven for winter sports enthusiasts, has long been the destination of choice for world-class skiers and snowboarders alike. Established in 1907, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, encompassing over 10,000 square kilometers of spectacular mountain wilderness.

According to the Parks Canada website:

Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian rocky mountain national park, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Comprised of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is none-the-less rugged and mountainous.

In this special corner of Canada you can thrill to the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the serene beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, connect with nature along 1,000-plus kilometres of trails, experience Athabasca Glacier up close or just resign yourself to a relaxing soak in Miette Hotsprings.

Great Aunt Sadie and her husband were among the first residents at the park. We have some very old snapshots of our very young aunt standing on the steps of the original log park buildings.

She cooked at the main lodge, while he was one of the groundskeepers. An avid gardener, Great Uncle Tom is responsible in part for the exquisite rose plantings near the main lodge.

Come discover what Canadians have always known - these two parks encompass some of the most amazing and most accessible mountain scenery in the world. Winter's playground beckons from the splendor of the Rockie Mountains' snow-crested peaks to the steaming pools of the Miette Hotsprings. Join us for the best in skiing, winter hiking, snowboarding, sleigh rides, and family fun!

© Elle Fredine, 2010, All rights reserved