A top rated ski destination and a great choice for cosmopolitan city break holidays

Canada is an enormous landmass on the North American continent, consisting of rugged mountains, vast frozen wilderness and sprawling high-rise cities. The chilly winter weather in Canada is in stark contrast to the warm and friendly Canadian people, who come from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. The rich culture found in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal is a testament to the profoundly successful cultural integration of this proud commonwealth nation. Canada is perhaps best known to UK travellers for its excellent ski resorts such as Whistler and Banff, and winter holidays in the Canadian Rockies are rated among the top destinations for skiers and snowboarders. On the shores of Lake Ontario, the city of Toronto is a cool and cultured high-rise metropolis, while on the west coast the city of Vancouver has a very highly-regarded art scene.

Why Go?
Canada has massive appeal to skiers and snowboarders, who pack the flights to Calgary on an annual basis. Huge cosmopolitan cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and the capital Ottawa, along with beautiful historic cities like Quebec, are places full of culture, fun and excitement.

When to Go?
For skiing in Canada you are obviously better off booking flights to Calgary between January and March. For walking and hiking holidays in the Rockies, you can avoid the high-summer crowds by visiting in September. Cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa are best enjoyed in the summer as winter temperatures can seriously hamper outdoor sightseeing.

How to get there?
Flights to Ottawa (YOW) are available with Air Canada from Heathrow. Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) flights are operated by BA and Air Canada from Heathrow, as well as regional departures with Air Transat. Vancouver International (YVR) flights depart from Heathrow on BA and Air Canada. Book charter flights to Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa (May to October) with Thomas Cook. Fly to Calgary (YYC) with BA or Air Canada from Heathrow, or with Air Transat from Gatwick.

Must see
The Jasper National Park is the largest in Canada, with a wealth of opportunities for hiking and walking holidays, as well as skiing and ice climbing in some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. Around 75 miles southeast of Toronto, Niagara Falls is one of the world’s foremost natural tourist attractions. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada’s largest museum of natural history and culture, which is housed in a fantastic building and contains everything from dinosaur fossils to international artworks and historical relics from around the world.