IN THIS EMAIL:
- Read about what it's like to ski in the Canadian Prairies, the country's most underrated winter destination - Discover why Sundays were former NHL-er and hockey analyst Nick Kypreos' favourite day of the week - Go behind the scenes of a new Nature of Things documentary about great white sharks - Ready for your next adventure? Take a look at Maple Leaf Adventure's journey in Haida Gwaii, B.C. |
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Head for the hills: skiing in the Canadian Prairies
As unexpected as they are unexpectedly popular: welcome to Canada’s prairie ski destinations
Photography by Kari Medig with words by Marcello Di Cintio
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| | The ski runs at Asessippi Ski Area and Resort, Manitoba’s largest ski resort.
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Eric Ylioja wore a gray ballcap on his head, ski boots on his feet and denim everywhere in between. He’d driven 250 kilometres from Outlook, Sask., to spend a spring Saturday on the slopes of Table Mountain. Ylioja’s plan was simple: “Goin’ fast. Hittin’ jumps.” It was his first ski day of the year. “I might as well get ’er done before the season’s done,” he said.
Unlike the mountain resorts that attract skiers from around the world, these Prairie hills serve the neighbours. They are exclusive clubs, in their way: a winter secret shared among the towns-folk and farmers who live within a (relatively) short highway drive. The ski hills give the locals a reason to brave the bleak winters on the plains. |
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Illustration: Jacqui Oakley/CanGeo
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| When I was a kid, Sunday was always the most special day of the week. Sunday was synonymous with Niagara Falls, where the end of the weekend meant my family would pile into our Oldsmobile and drive from Toronto to the Falls. I grew up in the restaurant business so my dad didn’t have many days off, but Sunday afternoons were special. My dad had such a fascination with Niagara Falls and its worldwide reputation. My parents grew up in a village in Sparta, Greece, and whenever friends or relatives from Greece would come to visit, one of the first places my dad would take them was Niagara Falls. It was a special place for him and, consequently, became a special place for me too. |
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| | Jawsome: Canada’s Great White Sharks will premiere on Thursday, Jan. 25, on CBC Gem and CBC TV at 9 p.m. (EST). (Photo: Nick Hawkins)
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Known for their power, speed and strength, great white sharks are one of the most elusive fish in the sea — and easily one of the most feared. Equipped with razor-sharp teeth, streamlined bodies and strong crescent-shaped tails, these apex predators could be something out of a nightmare, but in reality, “your chances of being crushed by a vending machine are higher than being bitten by a shark,” says Korean-Canadian filmmaker Sonya Lee. Great white sharks have been roaming our oceans for millions of years, keeping food chains in check, ecosystems healthy and oceans thriving. But recently, an increasing number of Canadians have spotted this iconic fish in Atlantic Canada, sparking curiosity, awe and fear, leaving many people wondering: why do these sightings keep happening — and what do they mean? |
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Canadian Geographic Adventures
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| | Haida Gwaii is a must-see destination wildlife lovers, far-flung places and/or northwest coast First Nations culture. This cruise explores it all – from rich intertidal life to lush rainforests, hot springs to Haida village sites, including UN World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay. You will be personally guided on your journey by cultural expert Gaajiiaawa-Linda Tollas. |
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The small size of our ships means you’ll have one-on-one time with our other expert guides and Haida resource people. Linda is of the Skedans Raven clan and lives in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. Having lived most of her life in Haida Gwaii, she’s both a seeker and sharer of her ancestral knowledge, realized through a decade-plus tenure educating on Haida culture as a Cultural Heritage Interpreter with Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Linda has also guided hikes of the forests and presented evening slide shows to visitors, as well as delivering educational and interactive programs to all schools in Haida Gwaii.
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