7 Beautiful Signs That Spring Is Just Around the Corner in Canada

Since it’s technically still winter, we may be jumping the gun here in Canada, but the the thought of Spring is too exciting not to talk about. There aren’t many other things that thrill Canadians more than seeing the first few signs of warmer weather: the old, grey piles of snow in Calgary transforming into ankle-deep puddles, the first sights of the new potholes blooming in Saskatoon, any temperature that doesn’t have a minus in front of it in Winnipeg, or one day, just one day, that it doesn’t rain in Vancouver are all welcome signs that spring is near, and we can put another Canadian winter under our belts. Here are 7 Signs that spring is juuuuuust around the corner.

Buds

These little friends are usually the first signs of spring Canadians will see. Of course, the second thing they’ll see is fellow Canadians running around exclaiming, “BUDS ON THE TREES! BUDS ON THE TREES!”

Robins

Robins know when things are starting to thaw out, so when they show up in your backyard, it’s a good sign that your extremities are about to get warmer.

Sun

Photo courtesy of Banff Lake Louise Tourism

It’s a unique experience to play a bit of pond hockey with the warm sun on your face. In the above photo, the Banff Women’s Hockey team are here taking full advantage at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.

Blooms

Crocuses are usually the first buds to poke their little heads out of the cold, Canadian ground, and we’ve made early Crocus spotting a competitive spring sport.

Geese

The comforting honk of these feathered friends making their way back to our lakes and ponds are a welcome sound in the ears of chilly, damp Canadians.

Patios

This patio at Canim Lake, BC isn’t quite ready for lounging on yet, but you know as soon as the temperature gets anywhere around 5 degrees, it will get dusted off and put to good use.

Spring Skiing

Is there any better feeling than skiing with no jacket? No. No there is not. Check out this daring canuck flipping for spring in Whistler, BC.

 

How excited are you about spring? Tell us, or even better yet show us, in the comments!

4 Spectacular Weekend Getaways for Calgarians

Where to go for a weekend away from Cowtown? Obviously the Okanagan and Lake Louise are worthy destinations, but we’re willing to bet that most Calgarians already hit both of them on the regular (wine tours in the summer and ski trips in the winter, right?). Instead, we’re sending you off the beaten path to some drivable destinations that deserve a little more credit.

Drumheller, Alberta (Driving distance: 135 km)

Of course there’s the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the hoodoos, but Drumheller is also a top pick purely because of its beautiful landscape. Camping & hiking in the Badlands will treat visitors to Horseshoe Canyon, a mini Grand Canyon, where you can view the sedimentary layers of the land. There’s also the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park, where vast amounts of dinosaur bones have been discovered. Take a tour and revel in the long history of the beautiful province.

Jasper, Alberta (Driving distance: 413 km)

 

Heading to Alberta’s other National Park may seem like an extra far drive, but keep in mind that the Columbia Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) from Banff to Jasper is agreed upon by many to be Canada’s most beautiful drive. Take your time on the drive, and expect to stop for several photo ops. Once in Jasper, you can hike, bike, wander, ski, snowmobile – whatever you want! A fun aspect of skiing Marmot Basin is the ski-out parking lots. Join in on the fun with the locals by tailgating for lunch.

Kalispell, Montana (Driving distance: 423 km)

Despite the declining value of the Canadian dollar, we had to include at least one roadtrip south of the border. Calgarians are lucky to be so close to the beautiful rolling hills of Montana, so why not take advantage? Whether it’s ski-out accommodations at nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort or the rustic village culture in downtown Kalispell, you’re in for a treat.

Edmonton, Alberta (Driving distance: 299 km)

 

We know the rivalry is intense between Calgarians and Edmontonians, but hear us out. Sometimes it’s just fun to go to another city for a weekend. What other excuse do you have to get a hotel room and wrap up in a fluffy bathrobe? Nicknamed “Canada’s Festival City,” you know there’s always going to be something going on for entertainment. It’s also got a river valley that’s 22 times bigger than New York’s Central Park. Bike and kayak in the summer, or snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter for a real treat. Lastly, when Edmonton opens their new hockey arena, Rogers Place, in fall 2016, it’s going to be a must-see (and in the process, you can see new NHL all-star Connor McDavid play).