But, forget about roughing it in a tent or washing in icy waterfalls. Manitoba drivers adventure for all, with a nice hot shower at the end of the day and a comfy bed.
Here are our Top Ten soft adventures in the Keystone Province.
HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME!
Manitoba is the only prairie province with a seacoast: Hudson Bay. Three hours
by plane from Winnipeg, Churchill (population 923) is world-famous for its polar
bears. Less well-known, but far more interactive are the thousands of white
beluga whales that feed offshore between mid-June and late August. See them
from a boat, or even better go snorkelling amongst these 900 pound creatures.
Wear a snug dry suit, float in the icy water, peer at 14-footers frolicking
like kids in a playground. Thanks to underwater microphones you can even hear
the belugas' squeaky conversations.
GONE FISHIN'
For trophy fishing, nowhere beats Manitoba. Take a 90-minute flight due north
of Winnipeg to Bolton Lake, about 17 miles long and 12 miles wide. From May
and September, this is angling heaven, crammed with 45-pound lake trout, 30-pound
pike and 12-pound walleye. Lure them with Lindy Tandem Spins, Mepps Muskie Killers
and Lindy Fuzz-E-Grubs. Then release them, so that everyone can enjoy this special
experience.
Stay and fish: Bolton Lake Lodge has 3-day packages from US $1900, including flights from Winnipeg, private cabins, fishing guides and all meals
BACK TO NATURE
Rising from the prairie, 2000-ft Riding Mountain looks higher. Three hours northwest
of Winnipeg, this national park is home to wolves, moose, bear and buffalo that
live in a wilderness of forest and grasslands. In summer, families love the
village of Wasagaming. Youngsters sign up for the Junior Naturalist programme
at the Visitor Centre, then go hiking, bear watching and learn about First Nations
culture.
Stay and play: McTavish's Wasagaming Lodge close to Clear Lake beach.
CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Understand wildlife better with a real expert. Celes Davar of Earth Rhythms
knows Riding Mountain National Park like the back of his hand and takes you
close to bison (Canadian for buffalo). The trick is to stay downwind. Watching
these gentle giants is a truly awesome encounter. Continue that back-tonature
feel with treatments at the Elkhorn Resort's Solstice Spa. The Clear Lake Cleanse
uses wild rosehip and juniper berries; the Wasagaming Ritual uses wild seaweed
harvested on Vancouver Island.
Stay, see and spa: Elkhorn Resort has an array of packages for wildlife viewing, spas
DESERT ISLAND DITTIES
In the middle of Canada, Lake Winnipeg is vast, bigger than Wales. Now everyone
is talking about the stylish new 5-star Radisson Resort Hecla on Hecla Island,
2.5 hours from Winnipeg. With its championship 18-hole golf course, spa and
indoor/outdoor water park, this is perfect for relaxation. But you can also
take a boat to uninhabited Black Island to go swimming or hunting for gigantic
freshwater clam shells. On Deer Island, gorge yourself on wild blueberries.
Go to Punk and Little Punk Islands - just to say you've been there.
Stay and boat: the 90-room Radisson Resort Hecla has double rooms
SWINGING OR DODGY?
Make like Tarzan on Canada’s longest, free-suspension footbridge. Find
it in Souris, three hours west of Winnipeg. Built in 1904, this 3-ft wide wire
and wood plank Swinging Bridge swoops across the Souris River. It may be only
582 feet long, but it looks longer when you step on one end. And it also bounces...
Stay and sway: the Azelin Rose Bed and Breakfast in Souris has doubles
SPRING INTO ACTION
Surrounded by unspoiled lakes and forest, Thompson is the 'Hub of the North;
500 miles north of Winnipeg. Drive down to Pisew Falls (pronounce that Pee-shoe),
where the Grass River drops 40 feet, suddenly changes direction, then hurtles
down through a gorge. In spring, photograph the foaming water from special observation
platforms. Then make the 14-mile round-trip hike to the 47-ft Kwasitchewan Falls,
Manitoba's highest waterfall.
• Stay and hike: at the Northern Lights Bed & Breakfast. Rick and
Kirstie Svenkeson have double rooms
PAS DE PROBLEMS
An 80-minute flight from Winnipeg, The Pas is all about the real Manitoba. Locals
recommend the view from 2,730-ft Baldly Mountain (Manitoba's highest point,
set in Duck Mountain Provincial Park), walking the Bell River Canyon hiking
trail, singing songs round a campfire, breakfasting on freshly-caught trout.
In August, join in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation's annual Indian Days celebrations.
Stay and explore: Super 8 Motel The Pas has double rooms.
ON YOUR BIKE!
For sightseeing with a difference, try Winnipeg's Murder Mystery bike tours!
Choose from three self-guided cycle rides through Winnipeg's neighbourhoods,
starting and finishing at The Forks Market. The routes are on the Routes on
the Red website; the characters are from three thrillers, written by Winnipeg
authors: The Geranium Girls (Alison Preston), Sins of the Suffragette (Allan
Levine), The Dead of Midnight (Catherine Hunter). Download one tour (6 miles)
or download all three.
SNAKE ALIVE
With more snakes in one place than anywhere else in the world, this is pure
Indiana Jones! A 90 minute drive north of Winnipeg, the Narcisse Snake Dens
are astonishing, especially in spring (April – May). That’s when
tens of thousands of red sided garter snakes wake up after their winter hibernation,
mate madly and then take off for their summer holidays. Oh… did we say
that garter snakes are harmless? These critters are not poisonous, so you can
pick them up but be gentle.