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Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011

Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

For travellers planning their summer trips in Canada this year, the regional editors of Where magazine have released their top picks for summer travel. The winners of Where Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011 represent the most exciting attractions – new, significantly improved, or celebrating major milestones this year. A diverse group of attractions from coast to coast, this year’s winners offer a wide range of activities and events suitable for any family, art lover, sports fanatic, nature lover or adventurer. Together, these attractions serve as the top must-see and must-dos for anyone travelling in Canada this summer. (more…)

Hot Entertainment: Love of the Game

The Vancouver Canucks Quizbook

True Vancouver Canucks fans test their hockey knowledge with a rousing round of trivia or a challenging crossword in The Vancouver Canucks Quizbook (Nightwood Editions, $8.95). Learn about the record-setting Sedin twins or local boy Trevor Linden. Make it a group game night and wave the white towel as teammates guess the most common last name in Canuck history, or take a shot at figuring out in which round of the 1989 draft picks Pavel Bure was chosen. Available at local bookstores.—Jennifer Patterson

Ready, Set… Go!

Halifax hosts the 2011 Canada Games—the biggest sports event in Nova Scotian history

By Christina Copp and Trevor J. Adams

In February, all eyes will be on Halifax as it hosts the Canada Games. Running from February 11 to 27, the Games will be the largest multi-sport competition in Canada in 2011.

Sports fans have lot to look forward to during the Games. “Essentially, [there are] 20 different sports, so it’s like putting on 20 national championships over 18 days,” says Melissa MacKinnon, director of communications for the Games. She suggests that outdoor sports fans head over to the long-track speed skating at the new Oval on the Halifax Common. Admission is free.

All of the events at both ski venues are also free for fans. A 45-minute drive northwest of Halifax, Martock in Windsor hosts cross-country, biathlon and snowboard competitions Freestyle and alpine skiing take place at Wentworth, an 80-minute drive north.Other highlights include gymnastics, badminton and synchronized swimming at the new Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park, hockey at the Dartmouth Sportsplex and Halifax Metro Centre and boxing at the Halifax Forum. A 40-minute drive west of the city, the St. Margaret’s Centre in St. Margaret’s Bay hosts short-track speed skating and figure skating. The Metro Centre also hosts the opening ceremonies.

The party will continue after the athletes’ days are done, too. “Celebration Square in Grand Parade will be the place to be each evening,” says MacKinnon. The concert venue in front of Halifax City Hall will feature acts like The Stanfields, Christina Martin and Matt Mays. Martin, a multiple Nova Scotia Music Award Winner, was one of more than 300 acts who submitted their names to perform during the Games cultural festivities.

“I applied to perform during the Canada Games because I want to be a part of this monumental event that is taking place on my home turf,” says Christina Martin. “After experiencing the excitement from performing at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic event.”

Games CEO Chris Morrissey is excited about the potential to bring Haligonians, athletes and visiting sports fans together. “Everyone can come together to celebrate athletic achievements while enjoying live entertainment that showcases Nova Scotia talent and culture,” he says.

Running from February 11 to 27, the Games embrace a wide variety of disciplines. For schedule and venue details, click here or phone 902-490-2011.

Hot Entertainment: Hockey Fever

Chicago Blackhawks v Vancouver Canucks - Game Three

Photo by Jeff Vinnick courtesy Vancouver Canucks

Root for Luongo, Kesler and the rest of the our NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks, on their road to the Stanley Cup. In Jan. and Feb., they play 15 home games, captivating both diehard and fairweather fans in local sports bars. If you want to smell the ice, ask your concierge about tickets—these games sell out quickly.—Kristina Urquhart

Winter Wonderland

Skiing, snowboarding—and a whole lot of other outdoor adventures

By Sheri Radford

Photo by Bonny Makarewicz courtesy Tourism Whistler

Snow bunnies already know about the unparalleled snowboarding and skiing—everything from downhill and cross-country to para- and heli-skiing—on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, but those not addicted to schussing also find much to enjoy.

Tubing is ideal for klutzes, since no skill is required. As long as you can sit in an inner tube and let gravity lead the way, you’re set.
Ziplining requires a tad more ability, since you have to walk (or roll along in an all-terrain wheelchair) between launching platforms. But guides take care of the challenging parts, such as getting participants into climbing harnesses and helmets before clipping them onto ziplines.

Adrenaline junkies choose the thrill of bungee jumping or snowmobiling, while those yearning for a good old-fashioned winter opt for ice hockey on a frozen mountaintop pond or snowshoeing through a dense forest. Animal-lovers like to ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or get pulled across the countryside by a dogsledding team. (Whistler may not have the Iditarod, but it does have lots of eager huskies ready to recreate the exhilarating experience.)

The best part about a long day spent in the snow? Warming up afterwards, beside a crackling fire, with a steaming mug of cocoa.

For activities listings, click here.

The 12 Gifts of Christmas

By Jennifer Patterson

On the first day of Christmas my uncle gave to me a bevvy to toast the season: one bottle of Blasted Church’s Hatfield’s Fuse (at liquor stores).

ONE

On the second day of Christmas my father gave to me two made-to-order gifts: including the whisky cave from the newly renovated two-level Louis Vuitton.

TWO

On the third day of Christmas my sister gave to me a festive holiday outfit: a red three-piece ensemble from La Vie En Rose.

THREE

On the fourth day of Christmas my brother gave to me four event tickets: a pair to The Nutcracker and a pair to a Vancouver Canucks game.

FOUR (Photo by Chictype copyright IStock)

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five golden rings from Tiffany & Co.

FIVE

On the sixth day of Christmas my mother gave to me art from all six of these First Nations galleries: Douglas Reynolds, Inuit Gallery, Hill’s Native Art, Bill Reid, Spirit Wrestler and Coastal Peoples.

SIX (Photo courtesy Bill Reid Gallery)

On the seventh day of Christmas my cousin gave to me seven treats from Chanel: the seven-piece holiday collection with four eye shadows, a nail polish, lip gloss and blush (available at Murale).

SEVEN

On the eighth day of Christmas my grandmother gave to me a little help in the kitchen with eight local cookbooks: Vij’s at Home, Vancouver Cooks 2, Blue Water Cafe, West, Araxi, Simply Bishop’s, C Food and Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill (at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks).

EIGHT

On the ninth day of Christmas my kids gave to me a reminder of yesteryear: a nine-piece wooden lotus flower puzzle from Dilly Dally Kids.

NINE

On the tenth day of Christmas my boss gave to me no excuse to be late for a meeting ever again: 10 timepieces by Ice-Watch (at Zoë Boutiques).

TEN

On the eleventh day of Christmas my aunt gave to me a little make-up guidance: the 11-piece Lash Stash kit from Sephora.

ELEVEN

And on the twelfth day of Christmas my best friend gave to me 12 misfits: too-cute-for-words felt dolls by Usus, at the One of a Kind Show and Sale (Dec. 9 to 12).

TWELVE

Hot Date: Vancouver Canucks

'Nucks fans cheer on their team. Photo by Jeff Vinnick courtesy Vancouver Canucks

Hockey fans rejoice as the new season gets underway this month at Rogers Arena (Oct. 9, 11, 17, 22, 26). The Canucks have sold out every home game since 2002, but determined fans always find a way to snag a seat. Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler and the Sedin twins are all back for the latest round of Canada’s unofficial religion, worshipped in arenas large and small across the country.—Sheri Radford

September Hot Date: Play Ball!

BC Lions photo by Caroline Toth

BASEBALL Take me out to the old ballgame: the Canadians wrap up their season at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium (Sep. 3 to 5).

HOCKEY Luongo, the Sedins and the rest of the Canucks return for pre-season games at Rogers Arena (Sep. 22, 25, 28).

SOCCER The Whitecaps men’s team plays two home games at Swangard Stadium (Sep. 5, 24).

FOOTBALL The Lions face their competitors outdoors, in their temporary home of Empire Field (pictured; Sep. 11, 18).—Sheri Radford

April Hot Date: Go, Canucks, Go!

Photo by Jeff Vinnick courtesy Vancouver Canucks

In Vancouver, hockey fever hit hard during the 2010 Winter Games, with cries of “Looooooo” filling the city whenever Roberto Luongo made a save. Now the goalie (not to mention his Olympic gold medal) is back playing for the Vancouver Canucks, making—we hope—just as many spectacular saves. See the team in action at GM Place this month.—Sheri Radford

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: April

Vancouver's gorgeous cherry blossoms paint the sky pink. Photo by Tom Ryan courtesy Tourism BC

1 Cherry blossoms. Nothing says “springtime” quite like the cheerful pink blossoms.
2 Using our noodle…for a quick, cheap meal at the West End’s Kintaro Ramen, Legendary Noodle or Hon’s Wun-Tun House.
3 Rogers’ Chocolates, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Chocolate lovers choose the irresistible Victoria Creams—with fillings ranging from coffee, ginger and orange to vanilla, strawberry and always-patriotic maple.
4 Walking or biking along the seawall on a blustery day.
5 The annual Chutzpah! Festival (to Apr. 8).
6 Sipping a hot cuppa coffee while perusing the designer shops along bustling Robson Street.
7 The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
8 Tasting the very best of British Columbia at Edible BC, including organic jam, wild pacific salmon and local honey.
9 Grinder and Coola, two orphaned bears who reside on Grouse Mountain. They usually come out of hibernation in April.
10 Lingering over dessert at Lupo.
11 The larger-than-life art installations located throughout the city during the Biennale.
12 South Granville Street—aka Gallery Row—for its never-ending selection of art galleries.

Eye-pleasing confections at Lupo Restaurant & Vinoteca. Photo by KK Law

13 Dim sum, or any quick-to-eat Chinese food, such as take-out barbecue pork, from Chinatown.
14 Cheering for the Vancouver Canucks.
15 The Richmond Olympic Oval, which reopens to the public this month. It was the official speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Games.