5 Best Sights in Canada

A fun and funky way to get from Downtown to the North Saskatchewan River Valley, this 48-second ride in a glass-walled elevator will transport you to a promenade where you can have a picnic or read a book. Carry on to the Frederick G. Todd Lookout if you want unobstructed views of the river valley. There’s also a cool set of stairs with built-in benches if you prefer to descend under your own power.

Built in 1953–54 and added to the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 2006, Field's International-style train station (not open to the public) is located next to the tracks at the foot of the Big Hill up to Kicking Horse Pass. Another historic Canadian Pacific Railway building, and the only pre-WW2 building remaining in Field, is the old stone and brick telegraph building built in 1931 at the base of the Field townsite. While it's no longer in operation and you can't go inside, it's a great spot to sit a spell and watch for one of the trains that pass through here 25 to 30 times a day.

The tram whisks you 973 vertical meters (3,191 vertical feet) up the steep flank of Whistlers Mountain to an impressive overlook of the town and the surrounding mountains. The seven-minute ride deposits you above the tree line (be sure to bring warm clothes) at the upper station. From here, a 30- to 45-minute hike leads to the summit, which is 2,464 meters (8,085 feet) above sea level. Several unmarked trails lead through alpine meadows beyond.

Hop on the gondola to an alpine plateau for a stunning view that includes more than a dozen glaciers. The deck of the viewing platform is a good place to enjoy an ice-cream cone, a cold drink, or a picnic lunch, or you can buy a ticket that includes breakfast or lunch at the lodge near the gondola's base. Several easy hikes are accessible from the top of the lift and guided interpretive walks (45 minutes) take place several times daily. The Wildlife Interpretive Centre is a 5–10 minute walk from the top of the gondola and it has programming, life-size animal displays, and information about local wildlife. It's common to see grizzly bears from the safety of the gondola.

A passenger ferry operated by this company leaves Fortune (south of Grand Bank) from late April through December. Through July and August, there is daily service (with twice-daily service some days), but the schedule thins out rapidly in the shoulder season so check the schedule and plan ahead. The crossing takes roughly an hour; one-way is about C$65 (45€), round-trip is about C$110 (73€), but rates are set in euros so check the website and exchange rate close to your travel date.