Thursday November 2nd, 2023

News from Across Canada

THE NEW WEDGE MOUNTAIN LODGE & SPA, Whistler, British Columbia

Luxurious, fully serviced private retreat opening November 2023 The 12,000-square-foot lodge was thoughtfully crafted to fully accommodate a diverse range of groups from corporate retreats and weddings to intergenerational family getaways and intimate gatherings. Wedge Mountain Lodge boasts ten meticulously appointed bedrooms to accommodate 20 guests and up to 50 for a reception, also offers a private spa facility with a sauna, steam room, gym, massage rooms, hot tubs, refreshing pools and more. The Lodge also offers a conference room, a state-of-the-art movie theatre, an impeccably curated wine cellar, poker and billiards room, a bar, and a dedicated children's area.

“We are thrilled to witness the realization of our long-held vision for the lodge,” says Keltie Holdsworth, part of the family who envisioned, built and will operate the new lodge. “It has been a dream of our family for many years. Our enthusiasm stems from a passion for showcasing the wonders of Whistler. We firmly believe that the guest experience at the Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa will be an extraordinary and truly exceptional affair.” Full-service rates start at $12,500 per night in the shoulder season and up to $26,450 per night during the holiday season with a three-night minimum stay. www.WedgeMountainLodge.com

UP AND COMING NEIGHBOURHOOD, BRITISH COLUMBIA 

The Shipyards District in North Vancouver is a vibrant and new waterfront community just a 12-minute SeaBus-ride away from downtown Vancouver. With stunning views of the city across the water, this picturesque community has recently flourished with seaside restaurants, cafes, pubs and indie shops by the pier. The Lonsdale Quay Market and Food Hall are at its heart and the recently opened Monova Museum of North Vancouver nearby shares Indigenous and settler stories and history of North Vancouver. The Polygon Gallery exhibits photography and media art from acclaimed Vancouver photographers Fred Hertzog and Stan Douglas to world-renowned artists Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol. Transparent from floor to ceiling on three sides, the Main Floor lobby also features a café and boasts views of the Burred Inlet. The Upper Floor has two large galleries, one with a retractable glass wall that allows guests access to a covered balcony with city skyline views.

SKY WATCHING DOMES AT METIS CROSSING, ALBERTA 

Métis Crossing is pleased to offer guests a truly unique, luxury experience that will connect visitors with the night's sky and stars. Their luxury Sky Watching Domes include a king bed, running water, bathroom, and electricity. With nearly zero light pollution in the region, guests will spend the night gazing into the sky from the comfort of this luxury accommodation. The sky, stars, and constellations served as guiding lights for their ancestors. Learn how the Métis people used the stars to navigate and how the sky was used as a clock, calendar, and provides critical instructions for understanding when to plant, hunt, and work the land. This experience is the perfect combination of reconnecting with the land and traditional Métis life, while also enjoying all the finer things in life.

Combine  your stay a Sky watching package.   With The sky, stars, and constellations serve as guiding lights from  the Metis ancestors, hear why the skies were so important to the Métis in settling the west during the fur trade and how they served as a guide relied upon for survival. Listen to how the sky was used as a clock and calendar, providing critical instructions for understanding when to plant, hunt, and work the land. 

NEW HOTEL OPENING IN CALGARY, ALBERTA 

Opened in October 2023, The new Alt Hotel Calgary University District provides convenient access to nearby facilities in the surrounding area including The University of Calgary, the Alberta Children's Hospital, Olympic Oval, McMahon Stadium, Foothills Medical Centre and CF Market Mall.

 The hotel offers 155 guest rooms and more than 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space across four meeting rooms, two boardrooms and one creative lounge. Hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary 24-hour gym, on-site underground parking and pet-friendly guest rooms.

 Part of the hotel's sustainable efforts, the property has a strong focus on celebrating all things local, with 100 per cent Canadian-made beds, locally sourced bath products in each room and a rich tapestry of local art featured in its lobby.

 Guests can also enjoy the many amenities University District has to offer, including its vibrant Retail Main Street, outdoor parks, pathways, restaurants and retailers. There are endless opportunities to shop, eat, explore and socialize just steps away from the hotel doors. Alt Hotel Calgary University District is an ideal destination for business and leisure travellers who want to be immersed in the local culture, as well as those planning to visit friends and family in the area, including the University of Calgary. The hotel also offers easy access to the Trans-Canada Highway, leading west towards Banff and the Canadian Rockies.

Alt Hotel Calgary University District invites guests to experience a new era of hospitality that seamlessly blends style, sustainability, and local immersion. For bookings and further

information, visit https://www.germainhotels.com/en/alt-hotel/calgary-university-district. Alt Hotel Calgary University District is located at 482 Mclaurin Street NW, Calgary Alberta.

YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA: TR'ONDËK-KLONDIKE INSCRIBED ON THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

The Tr'ondëk-Klondike, located in Canada's northwestern Yukon Territory, has been officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, joining Kluane National Park as the Yukon's second UNESCO World Heritage Site and becoming the Yukon's first cultural World Heritage site. 

The Tr'ondëk-Klondike tells part of the story of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation's experiences during the rise and peak of the Klondike Gold Rush in Dawson City, between 1874 and 1908. 

Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in is a self-governing First Nation, with a population of approximately 1300 citizens. The World Heritage Site is a serial property comprised of eight distinct heritage locations throughout the traditional territory of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, with Dawson City at the heart.

Like a town frozen in time, Dawson City, itself a National Historic Site, resembles a movie set, with elaborate dance halls, wooden boardwalks and historical buildings that hark back to the late 1800s when 100,000 prospectors sought their fortunes during the gold rush. 

Today, visitors to Dawson City can immerse themselves in diverse adventures, exploring the region's historical, cultural and outdoor offerings:

• A visit to the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre is a must-do between June and September (or visit by appointment between October and April) to discover first-hand the unique culture of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in. Take a guided tour of the Hammerstone Gallery in the Dawson City Museum to understand the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in perspective of the gold rush era.
• Just 55 kilometres from Dawson City lies one of the Yukon's most striking natural phenomena and a world-class hiking destination, Tombstone Territorial Park. With its dramatic wind-carved alps, including the craggy granite peak of Mt Monolith, the interior of the Park features rainbows of striking, windswept tundra in a treeless landscape, ground-hugging plants, and unusual permafrost landforms like pingos and palsas.
• Travellers to Dawson City can take a front row seat to the glorious northern lights with Klondike Experience in Dawson City (open February – October). Knowledgeable tour guides entrance you with cultural and historical stories about the region as you nibble on snacks and enjoy hot drinks around the campfire in an enchanting winter wonderland. 

• Dawson City is a treasure trove of world-famous wordsmiths. Head to Eighth Avenue where actors in period costume will guide you through the rustic cabin of poet Robert Service, filled with goldrush relics.  On the same street, make a stop at Jack London's Cabin and Interpretive Centre, legendary for his short stories and books, such as The Call of the Wild and White Fang. 

The UNESCO World Heritage inscription has been made possible by the leadership of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government and the Tr'ondëk-Klondike World Heritage Site Advisory Committee, with support from the Government of Yukon and Parks Canada.

“Tr'ondëk-Klondike provides us with another opportunity to tell our story – the story of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and our continual stewardship of this land since time immemorial,” says Hähkè Darren Taylor, Chief of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in.

“In this nomination we honour our ancestors who stewarded the land before us, and we look to the future, with the knowledge that these special places will be respected by generations to come."

With this inscription, Tr'ondëk-Klondike joins the expanding list of World Heritage sites in Canada which includes awe-inspiring locations such as Nahanni National Park, Wood Buffalo National Park, Gros Morne National Park, and the Historic District of Old Québec.

The unique cultural makeup of the region is the product of the coexistence of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and settlers over the last century and a half. The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in experience and adaptation to European settler colonialism marked the landscape with distinct cultural heritage attributes that remain to this day.

Northern Nomad
Northern Nomad, an Indigenous owned eco-tourism company based in Whitehorse, is run by Candace Dow. The company offers thrilling multi-day adventures, including “Glacier Flow,” a yoga and ski offering that takes place in the St. Elias Mountains of Kluane National Park and Reserve. northernnomadoutdoors.com 

For more information about Yukon visit www.travelyukon.com. 

NEW OPENINGS IN ONTARIO

The Baltic (Fort Treehouse Co.)

Nestled among the forests of the Haliburton Highlands (north of Toronto and just south of Algonquin Provincial Park) is the new Fort Treehouse Co.'s, The Baltic, offering luxurious treetop accommodations. The intimate abode is the first of its kind for the region and a modern take on a treehouse with handcrafted, spartan details. Surrounded by windows on all sides, experience the magic of the Haliburton Highlands' iconic evergreens and mixed hardwood forests. Features include fully clad birch plywood ceilings and walls, open-concept living room with propane fireplace, oversized leather sofa, loft space bedroom surrounded by windows, full bath with rain shower large enough for two, kitchen, heated floors, an outdoor tree canopy shower, ground-level firepit and cedar wood fire hot tub. In fall 2023, six new treehouses will be added to create a Zen-like “village,” along with a Welcome Centre and solar panels so a stay here will be completely off-grid and sustainable. It's treetop living with the comforts of a boutique hotel!  

www.forttreehouseco.com

 Nobu Hotel Toronto

The famous Nobu Hotel opens its first Canadian location in Toronto in summer 2024. Designated as a heritage site, the base of the building will retain the classic brick façade of the original Pilkington Glass Factory and Art Deco elements from the early 1900s. Rising above it will be two striking towers that will be home to exclusive residences anchored by Toronto's flagship Nobu Restaurant with a signature Nobu Hotel at the top of the West Tower.

www.nobuhotels.com/hotel-collection/toronto

The Canadian Canoe Museum

The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough is moving to a new purpose-built, five-acre waterfront location along Ashburnham Drive in spring 2024. The new building is part of a major project to revitalize the museum as a new cultural destination that inspires visitors to learn about Canada's collective history through the unique lens of the canoe. Revitalized and new exhibits  will tell the long, fascinating history of the canoe and its significance and reinforce our connections to land, water and each other. The new location is surrounded by public parks and offers spectacular west-facing views of adjacent Little Lake and a link to the Trans Canada Trail. A recent donation will enable a new waterfront campus at the museum that will feature a Gathering Circle, a Canoe House, an accessible boardwalk, two seasonal canoe docks, and an adaptive canoe and kayak launch. 

https://canoemuseum.ca 

Port Lands, Toronto 

A new project is underway to create a new river valley and island – Villiers Island – at Toronto's Port Lands. Projected for completion in 2024, the natural landscape of the river valley will become home to diverse plants and wildlife. Land that was once unusable and under the threat of flooding will transform into complete communities and thriving businesses. This project will allow Toronto to grow sustainably, reduce urban sprawl and greenhouse gases, while giving us more access to greenspace. 

https://portlandsto.ca/after-2024/ 

Hudson Hotel, Toronto

New York's iconic Hudson Hotel is coming to Toronto's vibrant King West neighbourhood, making this the first international location for the the brand. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the 75,000-square-foot Hudson Toronto will feature 146 rooms, a rooftop restaurant, a three-meal signature restaurant, and a bar and cafe. The adjacent St. Andrews Park may also be expanded into a large green space and urban playground. Launched in partnership with Lamb Development Corp and IE Hospitality, the property will focus solely on hotel guests (with no condos). The Hudson Toronto is part of sbe's collection of luxury boutique hotels, the House of Originals, which includes the Sanderson and St. Martin's in London, 10 Karaköy in Istanbul and the Shore Club in Miami Beach.

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/sbe-to-bring-hudson-hotel-to-toronto-in-2024/

 

SLEEP OUT UNDER THE STARS IN SASKATCHEWAN

Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is located on the South Saskatchewan River north of Saskatoon. For more than 6,400 years, Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains gathered at this site to hunt. The park is the longest operating archaeological site in Canada, a National Historic Site, and awaiting designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors learn about the cultural importance of bison to the region and the role the reintroduced herd played most recently in a significant archaeological find. By wallowing in the dust, the animals uncovered a boulder with petroglyphs some 1,200 years old, including the prehistoric tool used to carve them into the stone. The restaurant at Wanuskewin Heritage Park is one of the best Indigenous restaurants in Canada.

A special highlight are the popular Han Wi Dinners, served on full moon summer nights under the open sky, followed by story-telling at the campfire.

NEW  to Wanuskewin is an overnight stay in one of the park's traditional tipis. When booking a Deluxe Tipi Sleepover, cots, bedding and cozy pillows are provided. The package also includes:

• the entrance to the park
• meals (dinner in the tipi village with bison stew and peach muskeg iced tea as well as breakfast)
• bannock on a stick and hot chocolate around the campfire, along with a discussion of traditional Plains life
• exploring the Wanuskewin bison herd with explanation of the spiritual relationship between Northern Plains Indigenous peoples and bison, and how the Wanuskewin bison herd is revitalizing culture and the environment
• tipi teachings at the visitor center .  Do  you know the significance of each tipi pole (13 or 15) ?

 There is the option to stay onsite the following day for self-guided touring.

Pêmiska – Tipi lodges will be ready for spring 2024 - Lodges include queen bed, 1 double pull-out trundle bed, and one bed up stairs in the loft. There will be 3 serviceable lodges, and 3 tipis available each with a queen bed. Kit hire  such as (fat bikes, canoes, kayaks, skis) are available to hire so travellers can be as adventurous or as lazy as they like.

ARCTIC EXCURSION TO LAUNCH IN NUNAVIKS GYRFALCON ISLANDS, QUEBEC

Thrill-seekers can take to the waters of northern Québec with a new ecotourism company, Ungava Polar Eco-Tours. Nunaviks Gyrfalcon Islands are located near the Inuit community of Tasiujaq in Leaf Bay, the site of the world's largest tides and currents. Accompanied by experienced Inuit guides, travellers will embark on a boat excursion to observe the region's natural landscapes and Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, muskox, seals, caribou, beluga whales and numerous bird species, all while immersing in Inuit culture.

What's more, Nunavik is known for its dazzling (and frequent) displays of the northern lights, so visitors should also have the opportunity to scratch this spectacle off their bucket list.

HISTORIC HOTEL REOPENS WITH NEW SPLENDOR:

THE STOWAWAY INN AT RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, MANITOBA

Visitors to Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park enjoy a reopened accommodation, nestled in the heart of the small townsite of Wasagaming: The Stowaway Inn.

Originally built in the early 1930s, just before Riding Mountain was officially declared a National Park and opened to visitors in 1933, the building looks back on a long history. It was moved to its current location from just outside of the original park gates in 1932. In the course of time, various extensions were added. The building has been home to various businesses over its lifetime, including a general store, a bank and finally a hotel.

In 2021, the property was purchased by Gillian and Patrick Sullivan and has undergone an extensive renovation after having been vacant for many years. They have created a cozy fun hotel, maintaining the charm and character of the old building. There is not a room in the place that is exact the same. With 23 modern bedrooms and suites, as well as one family loft suite, Stowaway has welcomed guests since summer 2023. In summer 2024, a restaurant is expected to open at the Inn in a vacant, streetside space, adding more flavour to the already impressive dining options in Wasagaming. The hotel is open from April to October and asks for a minimum stay of 2 nights.

The Stowaway Inn is a perfect homebase for any adventure in Riding Mountain National Park. This park sits atop the Manitoba Escarpment in Southwestern Manitoba and is one of the highest points in the region, making it unique. The forested parkland rises more than 457 metres (1,500 ft) and stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding prairie farmland. Riding Mountain was designated a National Park in order to protect three different ecosystems that converge in the area: grasslands, upland boreal and eastern deciduous forests. This makes it a very desirable park for wildlife such as black bears, beavers, moose, deer to name a few. It is even home to a resident herd of plains bison.

The heart of Riding Mountain National Park is the small townsite of Wasagaming on beautiful Clear Lake where you can find Parks Canada's Visitor Centre, the beach and marina, boutique stores and restaurants. Wasagaming is a perfect starting point for all kinds of activities and adventures in the wonderful nature setting of Riding Mountain National Park. A hidden gem in all seasons!

 Further information can be found at www.thestowawayinn.ca and www.travelmanitoba.com.

SEE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE FROM THE EDGE OF NORTH AMERICA , NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 

On April 8, 2024, large swathes of Newfoundland and Labrador will have front row seats to the Total Solar Eclipse. For some, this is a once in a lifetime experience—the last time the province saw a Total Solar Eclipse was in 1970, and the next one will be in 2079.

Some of the best places to see the Solar Eclipse from the island of Newfoundland include the Southwest Coast (including the scenic, mountainous Codroy Valley), Gander, Terra Nova National Park (home to a Dark Sky Preserve), the Baccalieu Coastal Drive, and the Bonavista Peninsula. April also coincides with iceberg season—come see 10,000-year-old ice cathedrals drifting along Iceberg Alley while witnessing the event of a lifetime.

From the capital city of St. John's, you can easily reach the Baccalieu Coastal Drive and the Bonavista Peninsula within a few hours of driving. From historic towns like Trinity and Bonavista to the craggy cliffs and sweeping coastline of Trinity Bay, you'll have plenty of space to sit back, absorb the silence, and take in this phenomenon. 

The Fogo Island Inn has a dedicated Total Solar Eclipse getaway, with special guests including ESA/Hubble & James Webb Space Telescopes Chief Science Communications Officer, Bethany Downer, and former NASA aerospace research engineer, Dr. Tom Edwards. Other sites and communities such as Gander and Terra Nova National Park have also hinted at special events. 

NEW NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRAROD TOURING ROUTE: UNESCO Trilogy

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has identified over 800 places in the world that are of outstanding natural and cultural significance. Two of them—Gros Morne National Park and L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site—are located on the west coast of the Island of Newfoundland. A third—Red Bay National Historic Site —is part of the Labrador Coastal Drive. It is a short drive from Blanc Sablon, Quebec, which is reached by ferry from St. Barbe, Newfoundland.

Now known as the UNESCO Trilogy route, this itinerary has an abundance of attractions, including:

• The Tablelands - Here, where the theory of plate tectonics was confirmed, you can walk over ancient sea floor and preserved ocean avalanches. It's a distinctive red landscape of exposed earth's mantle, thrust up by the collision of tectonic plates millions of years ago.
• Western Brook Pond Fjord - Experienced hikers can challenge themselves with the climb up the mountain overlooking Western Brook Pond Fjord, part of the Long Range Mountains. Summiting after a day's hike, and experiencing that view, is a bucket-list worthy event.
• Green Gardens - The trail at Green Gardens begins on the barrens of the Tablelands and descends through boreal forest to a fertile volcanic seacoast, where you will see a wonderful array of sea stacks, coves, and beaches.
• L'anse aux Meadows - At the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, an expedition from Greenland built a small encampment of timber-and-sod buildings over 1,000 years ago. Against a stunning backdrop of rugged cliffs, bog and coastline, discover the fascinating archaeological remains of this Viking encampment, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. 
• Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse - This cultural landmark features historical exhibits, short trails, combined with breathtaking sunsets and view points over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Parks experiences include tea time with homemade sweets and stories sure to please any member of the family. 
• Red Bay - Nowhere else in the world will you find a more complete example of early industrial-scale whaling than at Red Bay, designated a World Heritage Site in 2013. Visit the interpretation centre and Saddle Island to relive the Basque whaling tradition through a remarkable collection of original artifacts, archaeological remains, videos, models and guided tours. Visit the restored 16th century Chalupa, the oldest known whaling boat in the world.

 

For more story angles, ideas and news please contact Ms. Nim Singh, Media & PR manager, Destination Canada via singh.nim@destinationcanada.com

 

Image: 

Bison at Wanuskewin, Saskatchewan