John Lee - British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies

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Soul-stirring mountains, mist-shrouded coastal forests and epic tooth-and-claw wildlife this is Canadas outdoor wonderland. And it comes with adrenalin-pumping activities and a full menu of lively local scenes.

Sighing is the usual reflex when encountering this regions dense diorama of sawtooth peaks, ethereally colored lakes and crenulated coastlines battered by dramatic ocean waves. But its the vast scale of this seemingly infinite wilderness that strikes most, triggering a humbled, heart-calming response in the face of natures grand scheme. There has never been a more persuasive argument for tree-hugging, although when it comes to the areas astonishing wildlife, from whales and grizzlies to wolves and moose, its best to keep the hugging to a minimum.

Its not just about the aesthetics here either. Locals with calves-of-steel have been discovering ways to interact with nature for decades and there are hundreds of operators that can help you do the same. From skiing and snowboarding on Whistlers Olympic slopes, to hiking the alpine meadows in Banff National Park or surfing with the West Coast beach bums in Tofino, there are more ways to work up a sweat here than you can swing a paddle at. Which reminds us: these are prime kayaking waters, with tree-lined lakes and rough-and-tumble ocean routes awaiting.

Currently noshing its way into a slow-food golden age, British Colombia has amazing farmers markets, juicy seafood, lush Okanagan fruit, velvet-soft ranchland steaks and crunchy veggies flavored by the region that theyre grown in. Restaurants fall over themselves to showcase the regions finest food, but its Vancouver, arguably Canadas top dining city, that leads the way. And alongside the grape-tastic Okanagan and its wine-producing satellite regions, theres been a surge in local beer-making. A tasty round of microbreweries has popped up, making this a thirst-slaking paradise for traveling beer nuts.

Timing is everything if you want to party with the locals at some of the regions annual events. From ice wine-quaffing at Januarys Winter Okanagan Wine Festival to waving a maple-leaf flag (and donning a face tattoo) at regional Canada Day celebrations on July 1, youll never be far from a happening. Vancouver lures with its street parades, Chinese New Year, Pride Week and the Santa Claus Parade among them, while excellent arts events include Edmontons Fringe Theatre Festival, and the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. Food and drink are also a big focus: Vancouver Craft Beer Week and Whistlers Cornucopia will have you feasting like a naughty bacchanalian.

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta ()
SEAN CAFFREY/LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Elk strut defiantly around the towns edge, nervous deer dart among the trees, and giant bald eagles swoop overhead. Jasper National Parks ( ) dramatic mountain setting is enough to keep most camera-wielding visitors happy, but the surfeit of wandering wildlife makes you feel like youre part of a nature documentary. If youre lucky, you might even spot the shows stars: grizzly bears snuffling for berries alongside the highway or, across the other side of a river, a lone wolf silently tracking its next fresh-catch ungulate.

Bighorn sheep, Jasper National Park
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Sailing the Inside Passage

Youre on the sun-warmed outer deck on a BC Ferries day-long service ( ) to Prince Rupert, a breathtaking nautical odyssey guaranteed to slow your heart rate to hibernation levels. With a gentle breeze licking your face, you let the Inside Passage diorama roll past: sharp peaks, tree-covered islands, pristine sandy bays, red-capped lighthouses and tiny settlements with exotic names such as Namu and Dryad Point. Then the captain wakes you from your visual spa treatment with an announcement: you grab your camera just in time as a pod of orcas spout nearby.

Daisies along the Inside Passage, Prince Rupert, BC
MIKE GRANDMAISON/ALAMY

Vista Viewing in Banff

The colossal, snaggletoothed crags are like natural skyscrapers, while Banffs legendary magazine-cover lakes are so ethereally colored you begin to wonder if Mother Nature has Photoshop. Banff National Park ( ) is so rich in jaw-droppingly wondrous visuals that visitors cant help sighing almost everywhere they turn. And its not just about the tour-group-luring top attractions; getting off the beaten path youll stumble on hidden waterfalls, alpine meadows studded with flowers and wildlife-packed valleys. Youll find it all under dome-like blue skies where the surrounding peaks peer down on you.

EMILY RIDDELL/LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Skiing at Whistler

This picture-postcard village ( ) is frosted with icicles and teeming with chatty visitors during the winter season; but its the slopes that are the main attraction. Whistler was the host mountain for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and you can emulate your Lycra-clad heroes on some of North Americas most popular downhills. Then its back to the village to compare your bruises, brag about your black-diamond abilities and imbibe a few hot chocolates. As the fireplace blazes nearby, watch the skiers outside and plan your next assault.

RANDY LINCKS/PHOTOLIBRARY

Beachcombing on Vancouver Island

The largest populated landmass off North Americas west coast, Vancouver Island ( ), youll suddenly emerge blinking in the sunlight on an empty, white-sand beach studded with tide pools and rocky outcrops. The waves lap gently and marine birds swoop around as if they own the place.

GUNTER MARX/ALAMY