In partnership with Brewster Travel Canada and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, the My Parks Pass program is getting students behind the camera for a chance to win Canada's Coolest School trip. In November Canadian Grade 8/secondary 2 classes were challenged to make a short video highlighting a moment of significance from a national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area. The winning class will receive round trip airfare to Calgary and spend four days exploring in the Canadian Rockies. They will experience the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, a ride on the Banff Gondola and the Banff Lake Cruise.
With over sixty entries from schools all across Canada we need you to help to pick the top ten videos that will go before the judging panel for a final decision. Vote on your favorite video to send one lucky class on the trip of a lifetime with Canada’s Coolest School Trip.
Here's how to vote:
This past Friday, the Brewster Blazers suited up to take part in Banff’s Annual Mountain Madness relay, where teams of five athletes, mostly locals, take part in the race. Each team strives to out-do each other with wacky team names, themes and costumes. The Mountain Madness relay is a multi-sport relay consisting of 5 legs. The first leg is a downhill ski from the top of Mount Norquay, followed by a 2 kilometer run, 3 kilometer cross-country ski, 1.5 kilometer ice skate and finally a 3 kilometer skate-ski to the finish line.
The Brewster Blazers competed in the mixed-adult category and finished with a time of 39:58. A huge congrats to all the teams and especially our own Brewster Blazers; Barry, Lindsey, Devin, Kevin, and Kristie. We look forward to next year’s race!
If you’re looking for the very best that Canada has to offer, look no further. With a constant stream of festivals, events, happenings, and sights to see, Canada has coast to coast entertainment and diversity. There is truly something for everyone in this majestic land of beauty, of culture, of art, of nature. Below are 12 of the most exciting and interesting travel experiences in Canada.
Food
Saint John Farmers Market
Saint John, New Brunswick holds the title of North America’s oldest farmer’s market, starting back in 1876. Still holding true to form, the market is home to fresh produce, meats, fish, baked goods, and cheeses. With a focus on local products, this is as close to the farm as you need to get.
Montreal High Lights Festival
If you’re looking for an amazing ten days of arts, culture, music, theatre, and parades, look no farther. This annual event will take place in Montreal February 16-26, 2012, and features some of Canada’s top artistic, culinary, and musical talent.
Arts
Royal Ontario Museum
Ontario’s finest museum, the Royal Ontario Museum is one of the worlds best for natural history and culture. With an ever-changing series of collections, exhibitions, and galleries, it’s easy to get lost in the beautiful design and art within. And make sure to get a picture of the building; it’s a marvel in and of itself.
NXNE
North by Northeast was started 18 years ago with inspiration drawn from its southerly neighbor, SXSW in Austin, Texas. Boasting much the same format, NXNE is known for its music and film. 2012 promises to be its best show yet, with 650 bands and 40 films filling screen and stage.
Outdoor
The Narwhal
The mysterious and legendary narwhal – the unicorn of the sea. Known for it’s horn-like appendage jutting forward from it’s jaw, these whales are only found in the Arctic, and populations are worryingly shrinking with climate change. Be that as it may, you can go see these rare and beautiful creatures on a kayak trip in Northern Canada.
Anne of Green Gables
Prince Edward Island – where Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea were filmed – is one of the most beautiful landscapes anywhere in the world. For that reason, it’s worth looking into a sightseeing tour of the area. Even if it means renting a car and driving around the island, it is a trip that won’t soon be forgotten.
City Life
Montreal
Music, fashion, art, haute cuisine, architecture, and culture are just a few words that Montreal represents. Take a stroll down Bernard Street for some of Montreal’s finest restaurants. Or head to the Agora de la Danse to see the latest performance at a world-class contemporary dance venue. Or maybe take a stroll through the various time periods of architecture, simply by walking the city streets. Regardless of your taste, Montreal truly has something for everyone.
Victoria, BC
If you’re looking for a beautiful, culturally-rich, and fun-filled place to visit, take a flight to Vancouver, hop on the ferry and look no further. Victoria boasts all of the above, and much more. Visit the Butchart Gardens for a relaxing and peaceful among nature. Then head to the Inner Harbor where museums and art galleries mix, and the regal Empress Hotel welcomes you with crawling ivy and traditional high tea. Enjoy the food, the music, the people, and the sights of the gem on the Pacific coast of Canada.
Festivals
Celebration of Light
Vancouver boasts the Celebration of Light as the largest fireworks competition in the world, and never does it disappoint. For 21 years, this competition has been wowing crowds in Vancouver, BC and featured countries from the world over such as China and Spain. Make sure to book in advance for summer 2012, and prepare for a night to remember.
Toronto International Film Festival
If you plan to be in Toronto this September, you’re in luck. If not, find a way to get there. The Toronto Film Festival is one of North America’s premiere independent film events, drawing attention from critics and stars alike. The 2009 festival boasted 500,000 attendees, enjoying 336 films from 64 countries. This year the festival is being held from September 8th – 18th, and promises to be the best yet.
Events
Calgary Stampede
Every summer, Calgary is taken for ten days of roping, bull-riding, wrestling, and racing. The Calgary Stampede is fun for the whole family with nightly shows, competitions, parades, animal shows, and derbies. The events are heart-poundingly fast, rough, and bring out the cowboy in all of us. 2011 was the best year to date, and the Calgary Stampede's 2012 Centennial celebration promises to be even better.
World Pond Hockey Championship
In February 2012, Plaster Rock will be transformed into a town of hockey-filled madness. Not that it isn’t already, like most towns in Canada. The difference is, Plaster Rock will be hosting the World Pond Hockey Championship. With 120 teams from 15+ countries and features on ESPN and major news affiliates, Pond Ice Hockey has grown substantially from its humble roots. Fortunately it still features the same level of talent and athleticism as always, and promises to be an amazing event.
Brewster Travel Canada is proud to partner with Canada’s leading educational, environmental and historical organizations to launch the first-ever Canada’s Coolest School Trip video contest. In cooperation with Nature Canada, the Historica-Dominion Institute, Parks Canada and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, this national campaign provides 400,000 grade eight students across the country with the opportunity to win a 4-day school trip to Banff National Park for the entire class. The Canada's Coolest School Trip contest was announced on November 10th 2011, in Toronto by the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister.
The winning grade eight class will fly round-trip with Air Canada, stay at the historical Mount Royal Hotel right on Banff Avenue, travel to the top of a mountain at the Banff Gondola, explore magical stories on the Banff Lake Cruise, sightsee to the treasure of the Rockies; spectacular Lake Louise. And that’s not all! The trip also features the renowned Columbia Icefield, where the class will not only sleepover at the Glacier View Inn, but also venture onto the Athabasca Glacier onboard a massive Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure.
Enter your grade 8 class here or click below to watch the video and learn more:
This weekend, visitors to Banff National Park will be treated to a unforgettable, musical mountaintop performance. The 80-member Trelawny Male Choir from Cornwall, UK is scheduled to perform a complementary concert at the summit of the Banff Gondola on Saturday, October 8th, 2011 at 2pm. This special performance is part of a Western Canada Autumn Tour that features Cornish music, culture and singing.
The Trelawny Male Choir consists of members from various male choirs throughout Cornwall and is lead by their incredible musical team: Elaine Tangye (Musical Director), Philip Taylor (Deputy MD, Organist) and Elizabeth Sidebotham (Pianist). The choir sings a varied range of music including sacred, secular, classical and popular pieces. All proceeds collected from this special Western Canada tour will be donated to local charities.
Tickets for the Banff Gondola can be purchased in advance online. Visitors are encouraged to arrive before 1pm on Saturday, October 8th to enjoy this special performance.