Travel – Winnipeg Free Press

PHOTOS BY Gord Mackintosh / Free Press
The Mackintosh oTENTik at Riding Mountain National Park: ‘Gord, you left the door ajar!’

Glacial glamping: Riding Mountain woos in winter

Gord Mackintosh 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

As they say, it was so cold it’d freeze the nuts off an iron bridge. Margie and I slept in a prospector-style tent, or what Riding Mountain National Park calls an “oTENTik,” at -39 C.

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Le Massif ski resort northeast of Quebec City to partially reopen during strike

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Le Massif ski resort northeast of Quebec City to partially reopen during strike

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 3:45 PM CST

A major ski resort northeast of Quebec City says it will partially reopen this week while its 300 unionized workers are on unlimited general strike.

Le Massif de Charlevoix says its doors will open from Wednesday to Saturday between 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. in the Camp-Boule sector — but only for season passholders, ski-and-stay package guests, and guests of Club Med Québec-Charlevoix.

The resort says that in subsequent weeks it will be open between Tuesday and Saturday for the same limited type of guests.

One of the province's most renowned winter playgrounds had suspended operations on Friday after its unionized workforce walked off the job.

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Yesterday at 3:45 PM CST

Gondola cabins carry skiers at Le Massif de Charlevoix ski resort in Petite-Rivière-St-François on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Northern lights inspire recovery in Telegraph Cove, B.C., year after devastating fire

Nono Shen, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Northern lights inspire recovery in Telegraph Cove, B.C., year after devastating fire

Nono Shen, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Mary Borrowman says she'll never forget the moment she and her husband, Jim, watched the northern lights shimmer across the sky on the morning of Jan. 1, 2025, from their home in Telegraph Cove, B.C.

"When we looked out our window, and we looked over the water, everywhere you could see in the sky were the most beautiful dancing red and green, and purple northern lights that we have ever seen," said Borrowman.

A day earlier, a massive New Year's Eve fire in the quaint tourist resort on northeastern Vancouver Island had destroyed the Whale Interpretive Centre that she and her husband founded, the local pub and restaurant and the office of the Prince of Whales whale-watching firm.

"I said to Jim, if that's not a sign from above that we're meant to carry on, then I don't know what is," said Borrowman, 73, recalling the aurora flickering above.

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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

This handout photo shows volunteers Brenda deRoos, left to right, and Bob deRoos helping Tyra Bain (Manager of the Whale Interpretive Centre) raise a pygmy sperm whale skeleton, in Telegraph Cove, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Whale Interpretive Centre (Mandatory Credit)

French actor Brigitte Bardot remembered in Canada for fighting seal hunt

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

French actor Brigitte Bardot remembered in Canada for fighting seal hunt

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025

Brigitte Bardot, a French actor and animal rights activist who died Sunday at the age of 91, is being remembered in Canada as a vocal opponent of the country's seal hunt.

Bardot, known as one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century, was the first high-profile celebrity to speak out against Canada's seal hunt in 1976.

The following year, she travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador to witness it herself. Asked by reporters what her plans were for the trip, Bardot replied, "To save baby seals, that's all."

During that trip, she was photographed holding a baby harp seal, known as a whitecoat. The CBC reported her protest caused a major reduction in the price of seal pelts, affecting the livelihoods of people in fishing communities in Atlantic Canada and in the Arctic.

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Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025

French actor Brigitte Bardot and head of the

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

OTTAWA - The federal transport minister says Santa Claus has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace.

Steven MacKinnon released a video in which he authorizes Santa to deliver Christmas presents in Canada.

It has become an annual tradition for the federal transport minister to release a Christmas Eve video officially permitting Santa's travel.

This year's video is the first to feature Prime Minister Mark Carney.

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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Santa Claus waves to children as they enjoy a Christmas parade in front of La Phare, a palliative care clinic for children in Montreal, on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

American visits north up for first time in eight months as Canadians still avoid U.S.

Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

American visits north up for first time in eight months as Canadians still avoid U.S.

Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Canadians are still holding back from travelling south of the border, as trips by Americans to Canada rose for the first time in eight months in October, Statistics Canada reported.

The number of Canadian-resident return trips from the United States in October totalled 2,336,872, down 26.3 per cent from 3,170,986 a year ago.

"There's a lot of hesitation around travelling to the U.S.," said Amra Durakovic, head of communications at Flight Centre Travel Group Canada.

Political tension over Trump's tariffs, changing immigration and border policies, and a lousy exchange rate as the loonie trades around 72 cents US are continuing to discourage many Canadians from travelling stateside, she said.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Canadian and U.S. flags fly atop the Peace Arch monument at the Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Paddlers and others bemoan impending loss of Manitoba government map store

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Paddlers and others bemoan impending loss of Manitoba government map store

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

WINNIPEG - For biologist and avid canoeist Jim Duncan, nothing beats the old-fashioned way of planning a multi-day wilderness outing — pulling out a large paper map, gathering his travelling companions around it, and discussing the itinerary.

They mark up the paper with notations. C might indicate a planned campsite. P for a spot to portage the canoe.

Some lines might denote a set of rapids.

"There's something satisfying about spreading a map out on your lap or table and talking about routes," said 65-year-old Duncan, who studies owls and explores waterways in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Margerit Roger is seen in this handout photo, with her canoe on a lake near Kenora, Ont., in August 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Margerit Roger (Mandatory Credit)

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Rio’s urban rainforest

Steve MacNaull 5 minute read Preview

Rio’s urban rainforest

Steve MacNaull 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Just like the Baroness d’Escragnolle, my wife is luxuriating in the cascade of a waterfall.

Kerry raises her face to the cool tumble of water and flicks her hair, much like the 19th century aristocrat must have.

This re-creation of nobility is happening at Cascata de Baronesa, which means in Portuguese, “Baroness Waterfall.”

The waterfall is in the Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban rainforest, covering 40 square kilometres smack dab in the middle of the megalopolis of Rio de Janeiro.

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Fairmont Copacabana photo
The infinity pool at the Fairmont Copacabana flows toward the beach and Atlantic Ocean.

Toronto—Quebec City high-speed rail could see dozens of daily trains: documents

Maura Forrest, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Toronto—Quebec City high-speed rail could see dozens of daily trains: documents

Maura Forrest, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

MONTREAL - A planned high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City could dramatically increase the number of trains that travel along the corridor each day, according to internal documents.

The Crown corporation responsible for the project has estimated that 72 passenger trains per day could travel through Canada’s most densely populated region if the proposed 1,000-kilometre network is built. The high-speed rail project would slash current travel times and could take passengers from Montreal to Toronto in just three hours.

Draft versions of a 2023 technical briefing, obtained by The Canadian Press through an access-to-information request, show how the Crown corporation, now called Alto, was studying the merits of high-speed rail more than a year before the government announced the project.

An Alto spokesperson confirmed the corporation still believes 72 trains per day is a “reasonable estimate.”

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

A VIA Rail train is seen on tracks in Dorval, Que., as it heads out of Montreal on Friday, May 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Family of Ontario man who went missing in Quebec ski town renews call for help

Charlotte Glorieux, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Family of Ontario man who went missing in Quebec ski town renews call for help

Charlotte Glorieux, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

MONTREAL - The family of a 22-year-old Ontario man are renewing efforts to find him, more than 10 months after he disappeared at the Mont-Tremblant, Que., ski resort north of Montreal.

On Friday, they published online an open letter reminding the public he is still missing. And in a recent interview, Liam’s mother Kathleen Toman said the family is asking the thousands of people who were at the resort last season to see if they remember anything that could help the case.

“The (new) ski season is opening, and this is the time that people are thinking about their past trip last year — a memory could spark something,’’ she said.

Liam Toman was last seen Feb. 2 around 3 a.m. as he was heading back to his hotel at the popular Quebec resort, during a ski trip with friends.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Liam Toman, 22, who went missing while on a ski trip in Mont-Tremblant, Que., on Feb. 2, 2025, is seen in an undated family handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Chris Toman (Mandatory Credit)

‘We’re buddies now’: Canada’s foodies enlisted to host Americans and boost tourism

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

‘We’re buddies now’: Canada’s foodies enlisted to host Americans and boost tourism

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

TORONTO - Some of the country’s savviest home entertainers are on the front lines of a new tourism strategy to lure U.S. and international visitors, one home-cooked meal at a time.

They’re part of Destination Canada’s OpenHome program, which pairs friendly foodies with curious travellers who are eager for a memorable visit and an inside glimpse into the lives of everyday Canadians.

It comes after a year of fractured international relations that has at times weaponized travel and tourism, with many Canadians refusing to travel south of the border out of frustration over tariffs and other policies — and data showing it may be tit-for-tat with American visits also down.

The federal tourism agency says the marketing push leans on our reputation for being warm and welcoming, while catering to a desire among travellers for “connection and real experiences.”

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Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

Calgary chefs and entrepreneurs John Jackson, left, and Connie DeSousa, second from left, pose for a photo with guests in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - John Jackson (Mandatory Credit)

Travel experts share advice for passengers on vacation as Air Transat strike looms

Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Travel experts share advice for passengers on vacation as Air Transat strike looms

Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

With Air Transat cancelling flights and bringing people back from vacation early ahead of a strike deadline, travel experts say there are some best practices for passengers to avoid getting stuck abroad.

Barry Choi, who runs the Money We Have personal finance and travel website, said he recommends continuously monitoring for updates from the airline about the strike through their website or other channels.

“Anytime there's a strike like this or any stoppage in work, things are fluid. Air Transat has already said they're going to send some more flights in advance of the strike, but that's only if you want to return home early,” Choi said.

He added that consumer rights regulations don't "necessarily cover strikes," but the airline is responsible for ensuring passengers get back.

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Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

An Air Transat Airbus A330 approaches for landing in Lisbon just before sunrise, Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Transat deal offers relief for vacationers worried strike would disrupt travel plans

Christopher Reynolds and Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Transat deal offers relief for vacationers worried strike would disrupt travel plans

Christopher Reynolds and Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

MONTREAL AND TORONTO - A tentative deal reached hours ahead of a strike deadline by the Air Transat pilots union prevented the chaos of a holiday-adjacent work stoppage but came too late for some passengers whose flights had been cancelled as a precautionary measure.

The airline had announced a fresh round of flight cancellations Tuesday afternoon as the clock ticked down on a Wednesday morning strike deadline.

Travel company Transat A.T. Inc., which owns the Montreal-based leisure airline, said it had cancelled a dozen flights, plus another half-dozen scheduled for the next day.

The cancelled trips included sun destinations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Spain as well as London and Paris. All 18 flights were slated to either take off or land in Toronto or Montreal.

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Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

An Air Transat plane is seen as an Air Canada plane lands at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal on Thursday, May 16, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Banff is a Christmastime delight

Gord Mackintosh 6 minute read Preview

Banff is a Christmastime delight

Gord Mackintosh 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

‘Evergreen Jinglespark.”

That’s Margie’s new name. Banff Gondola’s mountaintop Elf Name Generator (a roulette wheel) decided it.

My name: “Pudding Merrytoes.” I announced, “Just call me Pud!” Staff quipped, “Aside from the name tag, you’ll need paperwork or a current driver’s licence.”

Ascending Banff’s steep Sulphur Mountain in a gondola at Christmastime also means cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting, Santa Claus and craft tables where children studiously fashion gondola-inspired tree ornaments. Plus, find a slightly redundant sign saying “Steep Terrain.” I’ll bet whoever posted that was over the edge.

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Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

Dr. Roberta Bondar, 1st Canadian woman in space, turns 80

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

Dr. Roberta Bondar, 1st Canadian woman in space, turns 80

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Dr. Roberta Bondar was the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist to travel to space.

As she celebrates her 80th birthday on Thursday, the Sault-Ste-Marie-born Bondar reflects on the future of space exploration, her life and what's to come.

On being the first Canadian woman in space:

Bondar holds four degrees and is a physician, scientist, environmentalist and award-winning landscape photographer and author.

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Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Dr. Roberta Bondar poses for a portrait in Toronto, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

N.S. premier to meet with Massachusetts governor to discuss trade and energy exchange

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

N.S. premier to meet with Massachusetts governor to discuss trade and energy exchange

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is in Boston to talk about trade and energy opportunities with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

Houston’s office says Rebecca Tepper, the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environment, and Nova Scotia ministers of Tourism and Natural Resources, are also expected to participate in discussions.

While in Boston, Houston has plans to attend the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Boston Common Thursday.

Every year, Nova Scotia sends a Christmas tree to Boston to thank it for sending medical personnel and supplies following a major explosion in Halifax in 1917.

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Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

January 6, 2026

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