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OFF THE BEATEN PORCH (p. 2 of 3)
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EXHILARATION
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JOIN THE WAVE
Degree of Difficulty: EXTREME
Wind in your hair, water in your face and adrenalin pumping through your veins. That about sums up what happens when you raft the lava gorges on the Chilko River.
Start your six-day, 200-kilometre trip in the calm water of Chilko Lake, a 90-minute flight from Vancouver. Between rough-and-tumble sections (hang on to your wetsuit), float gently on three rivers: the Chilko, Chilcotin and Fraser. Chatting with the guides and other guests, you’ll swear it’s a floating party, with bighorn sheep and grizzly sightings along the way.
At camp, toast yourself with the sommelier’s choice for being christened with whitewater; feast on the chef’s gourmet fare. Bed down in your private expedition tent, nestled in the silk-lined down sleeping bags, and remark that your air mattress is surprisingly comfortable (who knew?).
www.riversandoceans.com
5
TO A TEE
Degree of Difficulty: MODERATE
There’s golfing, and then there’s golfing in style. In picturesque Pictou, N.S., hop aboard Canada’s newest and largest sailing ship, the Caledonia, for what is likely to be your first sea-to-tee adventure. The ports of call include Charlottetown and the small Cape Breton village of St. Peters, two
18-hole hubs. Yell "Fore!" at the Fox Meadows, Green Gables or Crowbush courses in PEI; or putt your way to golfer’s glory on the greens of Nova Scotia’s Dundee, Bell Bay or Highland Links. Now this is clubbing.
www.cansailexp.com
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SPORTS CAST
Degree of Difficulty: EXTREME
Welcome to the Club – Club Intrawest, that is. With a membership, you can jump into a multisport extravaganza. Choose one of several locations in North America (the newest at Blue Mountain in Ontario is a good pick). Your personal guest experience manager (like a concierge, only for adventure) will set up bespoke trips. You name it, they’ll make it happen: biking, hiking, hummer rides, horseback riding. There’s more, but you get the picture. When you’re done going big and just want to go home, settle into your private apartment at the club. The in-room Jacuzzi is guaranteed to be your new best friend.
www.clubintrawest.com
7
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
Degree of Difficulty: EXTREME
At the Bridgestone Racing Academy, about an hour east of Toronto, boldly assume the Andretti attitude and try to psych out your competitors. Don your fire-resistant suit. Strap on your helmet. Slip into a Formula 2000 racecar (the smaller version of an F1 machine). Start your engine. Go fast. With a little lesson, it’s that simple.
www.goodman-motorsports.com
8
BITE ON TRACK
Degree of Difficulty: MODERATE
Before you leave, make a list of trout: cutthroat, brown, rainbow and bull. Have your guide check them off; you’ll be too busy reeling them in, starting on Calgary’s Bow River. By the time you board the rolling fishing lodge, better known as the Royal Canadian Pacific train, you’ll already have tall tales to tell. Get ready for more. The luxuriously restored business train will take you on a whirlwind tour of southern Alberta and B.C. waterways for more guided fishing, fine dining and restful sleep in your private stateroom.
www.cprtours.com
9
NATURAL CYCLE
Degree of Difficulty: EXTREME
Say bonjour to Quebec’s bike-touring scene. The 11th annual Le Grand Tour – an eight-day, 700-kilometre ride – starts (and ends) in pretty Saint-Pascal, two hours east of Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River. Ride into the sunset, but don’t forget the Bengay.
www.velo.qc.ca
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