The birthplace of ice hockey
More than a sport, ice hockey is THE national sport here! In fact, it was invented in Canada in the 19th century. Since then, all over the country, people have been running around the rinks. And, as soon as the NHL (National Hockey League, which includes franchises in Canada and the United States) championship resumes, few Canadians are not in front of their television with their family, a few hot dogs on the table... From the beginning of October for the opening game to the final in June, they will live to the rhythm of the games. And, as proof that the center of the field hockey world is in Montreal, it is in the Quebec city that the names of the winners are engraved on the mythical Stanley Cup, the most prestigious award in the world.
But for the past few years, a gradual disaffection has been felt by the population. This is because the Canadian sport is now controlled by the American market. Canadian professional clubs sometimes disappear and local players are bought by US clubs... Nevertheless, if there is an emblematic team in the League, it is the Montreal Canadiens. A venerable NHL member, they are quite simply the oldest team in the world. Founded on December 4, 1909, it is also the most successful team with 24 Stanley Cups won. Six other clubs defend the Canadian colors in the NHL: the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers, the Winnipeg Jets in the West, and in the East the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.
Canada continues to shine regularly on the international stage, although the last Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022 had a bitter taste with the men's elimination in the quarter finals. Fortunately, the women's team saved the day by winning the gold medal.
Curling, another national sport
Less popular than field hockey (and less impressive, it must be said) and less publicized abroad, curling is nevertheless a national sport, perhaps more so in English-speaking countries. The aim is to throw a granite stone weighing about 20 kilos on a rink, a bit like bowling or pétanque, and to hit a target. Once the stone is thrown, the teammates (the famous sweepers) must rub the ice to try to make the stone progress even further and deflect it to the goal. Canadian teams, both men's and women's, have made it to the podiums around the world every year.
Canadian soccer, cousin of US soccer
The sport is very similar to American soccer, except for a few rules, and shares many affinities with rugby. The Canadian Football League (CFL) consists of nine teams and the rules are somewhat different from those of the American league (NFL). The regular season runs from early July to early November, followed by the semi-finals and finals for the championship. The Toronto Argonauts have won 18 Grey Cups, most recently in 2022, making them the most successful team in the country.
Lacrosse, the unknown sport
Sometimes seen in North American comedies, and officially invented by Canadian William George Beers in 1867, this sport has its origins in a ball game played by Amerindians long before the arrival of Europeans. The goal is to throw the ball into the opponent's court on a grassy field using a stick with a net. Almost unknown outside Canada and the United States, lacrosse is considered a national sport by Canadians.
In winter, snow and wide open spaces
World-renowned for its wide open spaces covered with snow and its quality infrastructure, the country's history has been shaped by its ancestral practices and its investment in the organization of the Winter Olympic Games (Calgary in 1988 and Vancouver in 2010). With the snow arriving in October and lasting until April, measures had to be taken to adapt to climatic and environmental conditions. The natives were already travelling by dogsled while the first Scandinavian immigrants introduced skiing as a means of travel across the vast expanses of the territory. Since then, many other sports have developed and are now practiced more frequently thanks to the efficient infrastructure that makes this area an ideal playground for snow sports enthusiasts. Thanks to the exceptional snow conditions, especially in the northern regions, winter sports can be practiced from December to March or April. There are many ski resorts where you can go downhill or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Otherwise, the national and provincial parks and reserves also offer a variety of winter activities, the most popular of which are snowmobiling and dog sledding. Finally, in the city, the many skating rinks attract skaters and field hockey players.
Skiing and winter sports. Quality resorts attract skiers and snowboarders from around the world. The following is a partial list of the most famous. In British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb, the site of the 2010 Olympics, attracts more than 2 million skiers and snowboarders each year and is the largest resort in North America. Near Whistler Mountain, Cypress Mountain hosted the snowboarding events at the Vancouver Olympics. In the province, we must also mention Revelstoke, a small paradise for freeride, Snow Peaks, the second largest Canadian ski resort, Big White Ski Resort and its generous powder, and, finally, the well named Panorama. In the Rockies, Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Banff Norquay and Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort in Banff are also among the best resorts in the country. Most of them are used as training grounds for Olympic athletes.
Finally, you can take your skis to the east of Canada, to Tremblant or Charlevoix in Quebec and to Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular in many resorts and in regional and national parks.
Dog sledding. Dog sledding is a great winter experience that dates back thousands of years. An invention of the northern peoples to facilitate their mode of travel across the Great North, the native peoples were already exploring the wilderness with their faithful allies in search of new hunting grounds. Born in the Yukon in Canada, this practice became popular with the Klondike gold rush (1896-1899), when thousands of men used this precious aid, among them a certain Jack London, author of the cult novel The Call of the Wild or White Fang.
Nowadays, dog sleds are mainly used for tourist purposes. Excursions vary from one hour to half a day and can extend over several days in order to fully enjoy the northern adventure. These long trips offer the possibility of bivouacking, and some companies offer to sleep in igloos or to live the experience in a tent. The season is generally from November to April when the snow is deep. Many companies offer this very pleasant activity.
In Canada, the most famous endurance race is without a doubt the Yukon Quest and its 1,600 km route between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon. Ten to fourteen days are required to complete it, depending on the condition of the trail and the weather.
Snowmobile. More noisy, there are many snowmobile routes across the country. The necessary equipment (clothing and snowmobile) can be rented locally from a specialized rental company, hotel or resort (driver's license required).
In summer, nature is also in the spotlight
If Canada is a winter sports paradise, there's also plenty to do when the weather turns warm. In the great outdoors, in national parks and wildlife reserves, whether you are a daring adventurer or a simple vacationer looking for the great outdoors, the vastness and wild beauty of the territory can be revealed through a multitude of activities.
Hiking. From a simple stroll to a real expedition lasting several days, the country's parks offer superb hiking trails for all levels. The most emblematic is certainly Banff National Park, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, which allows you to enjoy unique mountain scenery and a real postcard of the country. Still in the Rockies, Jasper National Park also offers incredible views from every trail.
Canoeing, rafting and water sports. Water sports are very popular in Canada, and you can easily find a rental shop for a couple of hours. Whether you are canoeing on Lake Louise (Alberta), in La Mauricie National Park (Quebec), Lake Superior National Park, Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario) or exploring Deep Cove by kayak near Vancouver, you will certainly enjoy your experience. Sea kayaking is also worth trying, especially around Vancouver(Salt Spring Island, Sunshine Coast...).
Rafting is a very popular extreme sport in Canada, with many rivers to descend. The companies are all located in the major tourist towns of the Rockies like Banff, Canmore and Jasper. There are also great opportunities on the Ottawa River (Quebec, Ontario). Expeditions of several days can be organized.
Of course, a host of other water activities are available in Canada, such as kitesurfing, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, paddling, scuba diving...
Fishing. Salmon fishing is a major activity in British Columbia for example. But whether it's on the river or on the open ocean, in the east or west of the country, qualified professionals offer to accompany beginners on sport fishing excursions. For those who like to catch fish!
Cycling and mountain biking. Despite the very long distances, more and more cyclists are taking to the roads of the country. The mythical 24,000 km long Trans Canada Trail crosses all of Canada from east to west. City dwellers can also rent bikes and ride on the many bike paths that crisscross the country's cities. For thrill-seekers, mountain biking on the converted slopes of ski resorts promises a great adrenaline rush.
