Provinces | I Backpack Canada

Jul 5th 10 Posted by Corbin

Northern Saskatchewan Fishing Trip: Part 1

As highway 6 stretched further North, the small towns that were so frequent began to be replaced by lush vistas of the boreal forest. It’s funny how easy it is to forget that there is more to Saskatchewan than just farms and prairies. Saskatchewan is after all larger than France, and nobody mistakes France for being home to only winefields and sexy beaches. Regardless of our own assumptions...

Jul 3rd 10 Posted by Corbin

2010 Canada Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Arriving back in Halifax only a couple days ahead of Canada Day after my 2 week stint in Saskatchewan, I hardly felt prepared when Canada Day arrived on my doorsteps. Despite my lack of preparations, I wasn’t going to fail my country. I was going to go out and have a grand ol’ time. My plan was to wake up early, get ready with plenty of time to catch the 21 gun salute at Citadel...

Jun 29th 10 Posted by Corbin

Backpack Toronto: Things to See and Do

Downtown Toronto Stay: Most of the city’s hostels are found downtown. Some top rated ones include: Backpackers on Dundas, Clarence Castle and the Canadiana Backpackers Inn. Visit: Walk to the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, ROM, AGO, see the Blue Jays, Raptors or the Leafs depending on the season. Shop: Check out the Eaton Center or if you prefer shopping outside Queen West has many big chains like...

Jun 22nd 10 Posted by Corbin

Gone Fishing in Northern Saskatchewan

Off to McLennan Lake It’s been over a decade since I’ve spent any significant amount of time in Northern Saskatchewan. Through luck, fate, or just sheer coincidence, my Dad and two brothers and I have all managed to find enough time off to make the 12 hour drive up north to McLennan Lake for some fishing, camping, and some good old fashion wholesome outdoor activities. Chances are I’ll...

Jun 22nd 10 Posted by Corbin

Back in Saskatchewan: Roadtrip to Joe Cocker & Tom Petty

A jaunt, skip, and a couple flights through, and I found myself back in Saskatchewan, in the city that rhymes with fun (Regina). However greetings with my hometown were cut short. Within 24 hours of landing I found myself on a drunken roadtrip to Saskatoon with some old friends to see Joe Cocker & Tom Petty sing their hearts out on stage at the Credit Union Centre. The roadtrip With a bottle of...

Jun 15th 10 Posted by Corbin

Getting to Know Halifax: Point Pleasant Park

Okay, so I’ve been living in Halifax for what seems like only a few months, but has really been closer to like 7 months, all of which have been the cold wintery types that don’t make you want to do much but stay in and avoid the cold. To this day there is still a bunch of places and things I know nothing about. So after breaking down and buying a bike, and with the weather progressively...

Jun 2nd 10 Posted by Corbin

The Ultimate List of Summer Music festivals in Canada

Stone cold fact. Canadians know how to party. It’s been proven time and time again, and with any luck, should continue this way far beyond the time my bones turn to mush and my skin sags to old. One of the amazing things about Canada is the fact that no matter what time of day, or what season it is, there’s bound to be a festival somewhere. However, since summer is such a short season,...

May 31st 10 Posted by Corbin

Big win for Backpacking in British Columbia

Chalk one up for the backpacking scene in British Columbia, Hostelling International has unveiled yet another hostel in Canada, this time boasting a 188 bed hostel in Whistler, B.C. This four storey hostel is found in the new Cheakamus Crossing subdivision, that was originally set out for athletes housing during the Winter Games. The 188 beds are spread across over 40 four-person shared rooms, private...

May 25th 10 Posted by Corbin

The Top 5 Things to do in Banff

I’ve been swamped to the extreme as of lately, so I’m handing the reigns over to the good guys & gals at ExploreRockies to tell you about some of the best things to see and do while exploring Banff. These guys live and breathe the Rockies, so you know you’re getting the information straight from the horses mouth! When you plan your next holiday, if you are looking for beautiful...

May 11th 10 Posted by Corbin

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel

Numero huit mes amis! It would be sheer lunacy to ignore some of the amazing hostels found a little further off the beaten trail. One of these rare beauties is the Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel, yet another amazing HI-Canada hostel. Tony Chatham was kind enough to give us a few answers along with an amazing description on what you can expect when you book a night in the famous Castle Mountain Hostel. Q:...

Apr 20th 10 Posted by Corbin

Camping in Canada: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Find your way to the west coast of Canada and be prepared for some of the most scenic views in Canada. The Pacific Rim National Park has a rugged ocean coastline and hundreds of kilometers of dense rain forests, perfect for hiking and camping. This luscious area is one of British Columbia’s most popular National Parks. The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a hefty 511 square kilometers and...

Apr 15th 10 Posted by Corbin

Montreal Bike Fest lighting up in June

Photo by carre23 - Each year in Montreal, locals and visitors flock to the streets for the world’s largest bike festival. Montreals bike festival includes a few different events, including Operation Bike-to-work, the Metropolitan Challenge, and Tour de l’Île de Montréal and one of the most popular and flashy events, Un Tour la Nuit, where everyone gets decked out in their brightest...

Apr 13th 10 Posted by Corbin

Watch Matt Mays & Sam Roberts get their surf on in Nova Scotia!

A couple things you need to know before watching this video. 1. Matt Mays is the cats pajamas. 2. Sam Roberts is the bee’s knees. So if you haven’t heard of either them for some reason, hit up iTunes and check them out. They’re some of the few true blue rockers left in the music industry these days, and they pull it off with grace and 100% sheer awesomeness. Matt Mays‘ “Terminal...

Apr 8th 10 Posted by Corbin

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Vancouver Central

Lucky number 7! As usual, HI Canada went above and beyond and hooked me up with another interview. These interview questions were answered by Keith Luciow, the Manager at HI-Vancouver Central Hostel. So rather than wasting your time, lets dive right into the meat and potatoes and find out a little more about one of Vancouvers most popular hostels. Q: How long have you been operating your hostel? A:...

Apr 5th 10 Posted by Corbin

Camping in Canada: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Straddling the border of Saskatchewan and Alberta sits Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. If you’re looking for the best view of the Great Plains of Saskatchewan and the lush hills of Alberta, this is the place to see it. Cypress Hills rises 600 meters above the plains and offers some of the most breath taking pieces of scenery you’ll see in this part of Canada. There’s so much room for...

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. Partly...

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 with thousands...

Mar 2nd 10 Posted by Corbin

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Penticton

Number five Com Padres! I’m excited to still be working on this series of posts. Surprised it’s come this far. Once again, HI Canada pulled through with this interview. This time we’re taking a sneak peak at HI Penticton Hostel, which is located in the beautiful city of Penticton, British Columbia. Lisa Grey-Dreaper was kind enough to answer some questions, so let’s get started! Q:...