Activities | I Backpack Canada

Mar 9th 10 Posted by Corbin

The Secret of Sable Island

Nifty islands are pretty common throughout the Maritimes. Many of them prove to be an eco-tourists dream come true. However, almost all of them tremble at the feet of one of the wildest, most dangerously awesome islands on the east coast of Canada. Sable Island Nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic, Sable Island has been the final resting place for over 350 ships since it’s discovery....

Mar 5th 10 Posted by Corbin

Crashed Ice is back in Quebec City!

First off, What is Crashed Ice? Crashed Ice is what you get when you amp up a bunch of hockey players on Red Bull, tell them to race to the bottom of an icy hill, and be a hero. At all costs. Mayhem, adrenaline, speed, and nasty spills typically ensue. Fans describe it as a mix of hockey, downhill skating, and boardercross. The Crashed Ice courses typically take place in an urban environment...

Feb 1st 10 Posted by Corbin

6 reasons why Saskatchewan Doesn’t Suck

Saskatchewan is probably one of the least visited provinces in Canada. Most people only know Saskatchewan for the #1 highway which get’s you from one end to the other in roughly 7 hours. It unfortunately gets a bad rap from other Canadians, whom occasionally define it as boring, flat, plain, and dull. All of which can occasionally be true. But any true traveler knows that if you’re...

Jan 12th 10 Posted by Corbin

5 Things English speakers need to know when Traveling through Quebec

As many of you are aware, Quebec has the most French speaking Canadian citizens. The majority of Quebec’s people know plenty of English, many are even good enough to find grammatical errors in pretty much everything I say and write. Most Quebecois’ know more English than you know French. However there are some people, primarily in smaller remote towns, both in Quebec and New Brunswick,...

Jan 5th 10 Posted by Corbin

How many Tim Hortons are there in Canada?

This many. (Zoom in to be extra blown away) To those who are unaware of Timmy’s firm grasp over Canadians, a quick glance at this map should show you how many millions of Canadians are hooked on their coffee. Tim Hortons can be your home away from home while traveling in Canada. They serve primarily Coffee, Donuts, Soup, and Sandwiches, and many of them are open 24 hours of the day. I’ve...

Jan 2nd 10 Posted by Corbin

Happy New Years! Au Revoir 2009!

I just wanted to say Happy New Years from iBackpackCanada. I’m really looking forward to 2010, and expect it to be a monumental year in my life. Resolutions have been made, ideas are in the works, and I’m ready to start completing goals I had set out years ago in my life. So wish me luck! In an effort to make this post not just a rhetorical piece of filler material, the National Association...

Dec 24th 09 Posted by Corbin

Mummering: A Newfoundland Christmas Tradition

The holidays are notorious for bringing out some strange traditions. Whether it’s something as simple as leaving some cookies and milk out for the big guy, or something as painful as watching your uncles out-drink one another. Traditions come and go, the beauty of it is that they’re all in good fun. However I’m sure that one of the weirdest & funniest Christmas traditions has...

Dec 22nd 09 Posted by Corbin

Legal Drinking Age in Canada

I ran into an American last weekend while I was out drinking. We got into a conversation and he told me he was in town with a group of friends. They drove up to Halifax to take advantage of the younger drinking age and to visit some friends. I laughed and said “Right on!” I gave him my condolences, as 21 does seem pretty cruel. He was surprised when I told him that the drinking age changes...

Dec 19th 09 Posted by Corbin

How to Build an Igloo

Via Rails Virtual Tour guide, Vivian, submitted a great link in a comment on my recent post of the best winter activities in Canada. The video depicts two Inuit men building an igloo. It’s roughly 10 minutes long, and it’s one of those really crazy old videos. It’s not ‘cheesy’ old, it just sort of has a cool nostalgic feel to it. You’ll see what I mean. It’s...

Dec 8th 09 Posted by Corbin

10 Winter Activities You Shouldn’t Miss

Winter is no doubt the harshest season in Canada. The weather can drop below -40 degrees Celsius over night, and stay there for weeks. However, being stuck inside the comfort of your home can cause cabin fever in no time. The need to get outside, to do something fun, is very strong in this culture. There are countless things to do in the winter to keep yourself entertained, but to truly experience...

Dec 3rd 09 Posted by Corbin

Nova Scotia says ‘Thank You’ to Boston

Located on the east coast of Canada is Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Every year around Christmas, the province of Nova Scotia sends a massive Christmas tree down to Boston to thank the Bostonian’s who aided in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The Boston aid arrived the day after the explosion that kill 1,900 people and wounded another 9,000. For those who...

Dec 1st 09 Posted by Corbin

Canada Ranks #1 with Expats Living Abroad

Catherine Faas at Holy Kaw summed it up well in her recent post. For those considering living and working abroad, you might want to have a second glance at Canada. The HSBC Expat Experience Survey recently named Canada as the best place in the world to be an expat. The survey reported the highest overall increase in quality of life since landing in this frosty northern country. The HSBC Expat Experience...

Nov 27th 09 Posted by Corbin

Wicked Camper Van Rentals in Canada

Fact #1. Camper vans rock. Fact #2. Buying & Selling vehicles can be a pain. Fact #3. Saving money by sleeping in a Camper Van is clever. For those who don’t know, Wicked Camper Vans are one of the many transport options backpackers have to travel across Canada. They’re an affordable way to see Canada the way you want to see it. Plus they have cool paintings on them, which makes losing...

Nov 24th 09 Posted by Corbin

Top 7 Ski Resorts in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Canada’s mountainous terrain is famous for some of the best snowboarding & skiing in the world. Whether you’re looking for back country powder, or a well groomed trail to learn on, you won’t have to look far to find some of the best mountains in Canada. The Rocky Mountains, found in Alberta and British Columbia, have dozens of resorts which cater to snowboarders & skiiers...

Nov 12th 09 Posted by Corbin

How to apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa

For those considering working in Canada during their travels, the most important thing you’ll need is a Work Permit, otherwise known as a Working Holiday Visa. The process itself can be done by yourself, and you may be able to save some money in the process. However, if you want to kick back and just wait for the application to go through, there are several companies which can do that for you...

Nov 8th 09 Posted by Corbin

Top 5 Rivers for White Water Rafting in Canada

In the land of the “True North Strong & Free” it’s fairly simple to come across some of North America’s most beautiful rivers. But to truly feel and understand the power behind Canada’s rivers, you’re going to have to get a little wet. The most exciting way to do this is to go white water rafting. There are several tours that operate across Canada, providing...

Nov 1st 09 Posted by Corbin

Win a 3 Month Ski Pass Care of Powder Highway

For all you ski or snowboard bums dreading how much money you’ll be coughing up this winter on ski passes, accommodation, and gas, your luck might do a 180. Powder Highway is hooking up one lucky winner with the ultimate 3 month adventure. They’re willing to give away Free Lift Tickets at all of the resorts, 15 days of Heli & Cat Skiing, Accommodation, Transportation, & Gas. All...

Oct 7th 09 Posted by Corbin

5 Best Places to Bungee Jump in Canada

Although bungee jumping isn’t an ordinary pass time for most Canadians, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rush of falling towards the planet while you’re traveling in Canada. You’re not going to find the biggest bungee jumps here, but the locations that offer bungee jumping are one hundred percent worth checking out. From the cliffs of Quebec, to the freezing rivers...