Fiona

Hi we are 2 Australians that want to spend 6 weeks in Canada this Feb'03. So far on our list to do is go skiing at whistler. What else is out there for us? We love nature and all things out doors. We will be on a budget, so recomendations on youth hostels will be great.

x

with 6 weeks, i'd focus on b.c. & alberta. whistler, vancouver, out to the islands, okanagan area (vernon, kelowna) lake louise/banff, jasper, and if you are into shopping go to edmonton to see "west edmonton mall". there is a really good hostel in lake louise - book early. the hostels in banff & jasper are good too just not quite as great as lake louise. there is a long weekend in alberta about the 3rd week of february so don't plan on being in banff or jasper then - will be busy.

gary

Except for the SW coast Canada can be very cold in february and even the South Coast will be chillier and damper than anything you're used to in Australia. But if you love skiing Whistler and then Banff and a myriad of places in between are available.<BR><BR>I would spend a few weeks in BC and Alberta and then head to the Toronto/Montreal/Quebec/Ottawa. area. Carnival in Quebec is usually in February and is the No. 1 winter event in Eastern Canada. There is skiing in Eastern Canada but not the quality of the west. Cross country skiing is very popular there and especially in the Laurentians north of Montreal.<BR><BR> Montreal and Toronto have big city attractions all year round. Even though you say you like outdoor things it would be a shame if you didn't experiance some of our city life and that includes Vancouver as well. Ottawa has great museums and Niagara Falls can be beautiful in the depth of winter. Go on line for youth hostels. The rates in the city hostels should be excellant in the winter while in the ski areas they will be at a premium and probably require advance booking. But be prepared to be cold!

Faina

Our tour guide to Whistler told us the cheapest motel room there is $350 CAN. Can Whistler be done on budget?

Susan

Have only been to Whistler in the summer and that was maybe 2 or 3 years ago, but we stayed at a B&B. We certainly didn't spend anywhere near $350 / night.

gary

$350/night is totally untrue but it is true that there is very little cheap accomodation in Whistler Village, (i.e. below $100/night), and because of that most people looking for cheap accomodation stay in Pemberton - about 30 K. North - or Squamish, about 50 k south. There's regular bus service between those places because many people who work in whistler cannot afford to live there so they commute from those towns.