West | I Backpack Canada

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Dec 8, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Horseback Riding in Prince Albert National Park with Sturgeon River Ranch [Photo Essay]

If you’re from Saskatchewan, chances are there’s a little cowboy running through your blood. Be it the whimsical nature that we seem to have when it comes to long road trips (ie “It’s only an 8 hour drive, easy as pie!), or the general love affair most prairie folk seem to have with country music. Everyone from this little prairie province loves to claim they’re a little more... read more

Dec 1, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Relax in the Little Resort Town of Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan

In the 1800′s, First nations tribes were being wiped out at an alarming rate by the european settlers. War, disease, and famine were tearing apart an entire civilization. For most of those who came down with smallpox, death followed soon thereafter. However, there were exceptions. According to the local stories, there was once an Assiniboine tribe who had several tribe members come down with... read more

Nov 23, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

6 Reasons You Should Visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan

I’ve always had a fascination with history. I suppose I have my folks to thank for that. They always made an effort to stop at every historical point of interest during family road trips. As kids, my folks would have my siblings and I read the signs that would explain where we were, and what we were looking at. I’m sure as little snots we didn’t seem all that interested, but somewhere... read more

Nov 17, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Chasing Prairie Skyscrapers across the flatlands of Saskatchewan [Photo Essay]

The dry, arid winds of Saskatchewan hammer against my left arm. My hand is curved into a wing-like shape as I hang my forearm out the driver’s side window. I entertain myself with the magic of lift. It’s late September and I’m watching the yellow dashed lines extend into the horizon. The highway is empty and the land is flat. I stare at the small formation of clouds in what has to be... read more

Nov 8, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Exploring The Big Muddy Badlands & Castle Butte [Photo Essay]

Over the years I’ve become quite good at explaining to others what Saskatchewan looks like. It’s more than just 7 hours across and a whole bunch of farmland. If you take the time to get off Highway 1 you’ll find yourself in one of the most unique and beautiful provinces in Canada. Case and point, drive south to the Big Muddy Badlands and see what I mean.Country Roads, Take Me Home On my... read more

Nov 6, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – Full Mountie – Lonely Planet in Saskatchewan

It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve managed to find a video I wanted to share. Totally my bad, I’ve been pretty preoccupied trying to sort out the next couple months of my life. To say I’ve been busy would be the biggest understatement of the decade. Thankfully there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and once I get through the next 6 weeks, my life will be a lot more simple.... read more

Oct 21, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Photo Du Jour – Sunsets, Power Lines, and Saskatchewan Silhouettes

After being surrounded by the the tall (but increadibly awesome) trees of Ontario for a while, coming to Saskatchewan was a breathe of wide open air. I borrowed some family wheels and hit the road running. Touring this province is no easy task. Hours upon hours between stops, long and exhausting highways, and if you’re not on a main highway you have to expect the road will be riddled with potholes... read more

Sep 18, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Westbound to Ontario and Saskatchewan

This weekend I won’t be featuring a Photo Du Jour nor a Travel Video. Breathe…I know. It sucks! But please, hold back those tears. I have a good reason. On Wednesday I fly out of Halifax for the next leg of my Canadian travels, and I’ve got some serious packing and preparation to do.I’ll be arriving in Toronto first to meet up with my friend, and fellow travel writer, Natalie... read more

Sep 11, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – The Surf Lifestyle in Tofino BC

I’ve been on a real west coast stint as of lately with Fridays photo of Vancouvers Skyline and countless posts in the last couple months about British Columbia. So just to be consistent, I’ve decided to share a video by Tourism Canada of one of my favourite locations in Canada. Tofino is a surf town at its very core, and its a great stop for backpackers. There’s a couple Hostels in town,... read more

Sep 9, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Photo Du Jour – Downtown Vancouver Skyline

Since starting I Backpack Canada in 2009, I’ve had the opportunity to see some extraordinary places and meet countless other travel writers and bloggers. The community and sense of “family” that’s developed around the travel blogging industry initially caught me by surprise. It has now become my go-to when I have questions regarding everything from ethics, photography tips,... read more

Sep 2, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Photo Du Jour – Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan Valley

I love coming across locations in Canada that break my preconceived ideas of what Canada “looks like”. It’s all too easy to sum up Canada as a big giant nation with mountains, lakes, some arctic regions, a few prairies and a whole bunch of trees. However, there’s many places across Canada that defy that notion. One of which is the Okanagan Valley.Located in Southern British... read more

Aug 26, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Photo Du Jour – Hometown Sunset, Regina SK

It’s been several months since I’ve been back home. This wet summer the maritimes has been having is making me crave the scorching hot dry summers of Saskatchewan. Which inspired me to share this image of my hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan. It was taken during sunset at Wascana Lake. I’m a big fan of silhouettes & the colour orange, so I figured I’d share a piece of my home for... read more

Aug 25, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Luxury Hostels Exist In Banff – HI Banff Alpine Centre

Pop culture hasn’t been kind to budget accommodation. Movies featuring grimey, dingy, cockroach infested rooms have been prevalent for years. While that may be the case in some impoverished nations, or just poorly managed facilities, my experience in Canadian hostels hasn’t seen much of that. Sure, you’ll get an un-comfy bed every once in a while; maybe a messy kitchen, but for the... read more

Aug 7, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Sunday Canadian Travel Video: A Saskatchewan Sunset

One of the things I miss most about my home province of Saskatchewan is catching the famous Saskatchewan sunsets. There’s a reason why they call this province the “Land of the Living Skies”. Matthew Garand managed to capture a piece of that, so hats off to him for that. Despite the beauty of this time lapse, videos don’t do these sunsets justice. Experiencing a Saskatchewan Sunset,... read more

Jun 23, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

An Australian Backpacker Caught In The Vancouver Riots

As everyone knows by now, chaos engulfed the downtown streets of Vancouver after the Game 7 loss between the Canucks and the Bruins. The story has been killed 8 shades of dead by now. We all know windows were smashed, people were injured, cars were lit up, and stores were looted. What many people don’t realize is that there were everyday backpackers and tourists caught in the middle of the tear gas,... read more

Jun 19, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Kayaking Near Revelstoke Mountain with The Hoodapus Gang

The Moose Bus pulled up at a small campground on the edge of Williamson Lake, travellers from all over the world climbed out and took in the fresh air. Mount Revelstoke loomed over us like a protective parent. We approached the small lake and were greeted by an SUV and trailer full of wooden kayaks. The folks of Natural Escapes Kayaking smiled as we approached. We played the name game for a few minutes,... read more

May 9, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

My Guide to Food in Saskatchewan

The mighty province of Saskatchewan, famously known for its boxy shape, flat lands, and its notorious habit for being spelt wrong by nearly everyone (including myself), is surprisingly full of a wide variety of food. While some of it is unique to Saskatchewan, much of the food has been accumulated and passed on from different cultures who’ve settled in the area. In turn, these recipes have become... read more

Jan 15, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Ice Fishing Saskatchewans Last Mountain Lake

My old man and I had been planning on getting some fishing in while I was home in Saskatchewan; however, the weather wasn’t behaving. Winds were gusting like crazy and causing the windchill to drop below -40 degrees celcius. Fortunate for me, the weather let up eventually, which gave us the opportunity to hurry out to Last Mountain Lake (Yea, so what, Saskatchewan likes irony) and drop our lines... read more

Jan 4, 2011 Posted by Corbin Fraser

Tobogganing Mount Pleasant in Regina SK

It had been years since I had partook in the sport that is Tobogganing; however, that was about to change. After a few Rum & Egg Nogs with some old friends, we decided to suit up and sled the gargantuan hill that is Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant Park is a great place to check out during the winter or summer, as there is always something to do. Be it track & field and soccer in the summer, or... read more

Oct 24, 2010 Posted by Corbin Fraser

The Sunday Canadian Travel Video: Whistlers Nightlife

There are two things everyone discovers upon checking out Whistler. First thing is how awesome the mountain is, winter or summer. The second thing they discover, is how awesome Whistlers nightlife is. See for... read more