See the Aurora in Yellowknife
Encountering the aurora shining in the night sky is one of the best parts of traveling to Canada in the winter. Blessed with a vast land area, Canada is dotted with charming towns perfect for aurora viewing. One of the most famous is Yellowknife, a town on the shores of Great Slave Lake, located about 400 km south of the Arctic Circle. Located at a high latitude of about 62 degrees north, Yellowknife is in a great location, located directly under the "aurora belt" where many auroras occur. If you step outside this small town of less than 20,000 people, you will find a vast expanse of land where no artificial light reaches, and there is a high probability of seeing the aurora. The best season for aurora viewing is from mid-November to April, when the sun sets early and the weather is stable. The mysterious auroras swaying in the clear winter night sky invite the sighs of travelers from all over the world. Also, in Yellowknife, it is possible to observe a beautiful phenomenon called a "breakup," in which multiple layers of green, orange, and purple auroras overlap and spread across the sky. Yellowknife also has a facility for viewing the aurora called Aurora Village, and a variety of aurora viewing tours are available. We recommend staying in the city for a few days to enjoy an unparalleled aurora experience. The most common way to get to Yellowknife is to transfer to a domestic flight in Vancouver and then travel via Edmonton or Calgary.
Beautiful stars shining in the Jasper night sky
Winter, when the air is crisp and clear, is the season to enjoy the beautiful light of the stars. In Canada, where untouched nature remains, you can encounter breathtaking starry skies. If you want to observe the stars in Canada, head to Jasper National Park, which is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. This area, dotted with glaciers, mountains, and 40 large and small lakes, has been designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society as an area suitable for stargazing where artificial light does not reach. It is also known for hosting the Jasper Dark Sky Festival every October. The vast national park is dotted with excellent stargazing spots such as Pyramid Island, Maligne Lake, Old Fort Point, and Athabasca Glacier.
You can enjoy the spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and starry skies. In addition to the starry skies, the surrounding area of Jasper National Park offers a variety of travel attractions, including encounters with wildlife, outdoor activities, and mineral-rich hot springs. The most common way to get to Jasper National Park is to fly from Vancouver to Edmonton on a domestic flight, then take a bus from there. Starting from the city of Jasper, located inside the national park, enjoy a leisurely winter trip that can only be experienced in this area.
Enjoy sparkling powder in Whistler
Many people would say, "If I go to Canada in the winter, I want to enjoy skiing and snowboarding!" Canada, with its beautiful mountain ranges, is a "snow play paradise" where you can enjoy the best powder snow. One of Canada's leading snow resorts is Whistler, located about 120 km north of Vancouver. The largest ski resort in the Americas consists of Blackcomb Mountain at an altitude of 2,284 m and Whistler Mountain at an altitude of 2,182 m, and the vast ski area has more than 200 courses. The snow quality is of course impeccable, and there are plenty of activities such as heli-skiing and health snowboarding. Beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy the smooth powder snow.
Whistler Village, the heart of the snow resort, is packed with stylish hotels, restaurants, and shops. Experience the charms of this world-class snow resort to your heart's content. In addition to Whistler, Canada is dotted with a variety of snow resorts, including Banff, where you can enjoy snow activities while taking in the majestic scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the world of powder snow sparkling in the winter sun to your heart's content!
Experience Christmas lights in Vancouver
The "beautiful lights" that color the Canadian winter are not only found in the great outdoors, but also in the city. For example, in Vancouver, a major city on the west coast, gorgeous Christmas lights are displayed not only in the city center, but also in tourist attractions such as Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and VanDusen Botanical Garden. In addition, at Jacques-Paul Plaza, where the Olympic flame was placed during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the "Vancouver Christmas Market" is held, themed on a traditional German Christmas market, with many stalls and gift shops lined up. Christmas lights gently light up the city at night, and the bustle of people enjoying the arrival of winter... Why not enjoy a romantic stroll? Of course, Christmas lights are not only found in Vancouver, but also in Toronto, Montreal, Victoria, Quebec City, and other parts of Canada. A trip to see the "beautiful lights" that can only be enjoyed in winter is sure to be a wonderful memory!
Comment
In the Canadian winter, you can enjoy beautiful lights in the midst of nature, such as observing the aurora in Yellowknife or looking up at a star-filled sky in Jasper. If you visit these places, you will need to take adequate measures to protect yourself from the cold. Sub-freezing temperatures are common in winter, and depending on the weather and time of day, they can drop to minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, so a thick down jacket and snow boots will come in handy. We also recommend joining a tour that rents winter clothing!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
