For A Cozy Winter Escape, Visit These Canadian Towns
Friendly and stunning, these locales have us daydreaming of life as a Canuck.
Do you have that one friend who is always threatening to move to Canada? It’s actually not hard to see the draw. Beyond the obvious appeal of free universal healthcare, up to 61 weeks of government paid maternity leave, and a general sense of work-life balance, Canada is an absolutely stunning place not just to travel, but to live.
From breathtaking national parks like Banff and Jasper to buzzing metropolitan cities like Vancouver, there are so many reasons why we find ourselves full of wanderlust. Here are some of our favorite towns in the West for a virtual escape, or a move for those brave enough to take the leap towards Express Entry.
Courtesy of Wickaninnish Inn
Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
On this remote coast, three meters of rain come down every year, making for incredible hiking through lush rainforests. In the summer, enjoy surf breaks, whale-watching tours, fishing charters, beachfront camp-grounds, and posh hotels perched on sea cliffs. It’s an outdoors-person’s paradise. Check out our guide here.
Courtesy of Harrison Hot Springs Resort
Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
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Located at the southern tip of Harrison Lake just 90 minutes from Vancouver, this small town is renowned for its natural hot springs, which have long been revered as a place of healing by local First Nations peoples. Considering the stress the whole world seems to be under these days, a hot spring could be just the remedy.
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Jasper, Alberta
Nestled in the heart of the famous Jasper National Park, this small alpine village is a hub for all things outdoors. While the real draw is the nearby parkland, nature often makes its way down to the center of town, where elk are known to roam the streets alongside residents.
Banff, Alberta
There’s no place more stunning than the Canadian Rockies, which straddle the border between Alberta and B.C. Banff is surrounded by 6,500 square kilometers of parkland, including hot springs and Lake Louise’s turquoise colored waters. In addition to easy access to Canada’s alpine national parks, the resort town has plenty of restaurants, distilleries, and breweries for a taste of the city life you might eventually be missing. It’s the perfect spot for a road trip or for settling in on the long term. Check out a rundown of some of our favorite spots to stop here.
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Golden, Alberta
Surrounded by six national parks (Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho), Golden is an ideal base for exploring the Canadian Rockies. There’s white water rafting along Kicking Horse River, a wolf sanctuary, and the tentpole of any great mountain town, a burgeoning craft beer and food scene.
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