Individually, it’s one of the world’s largest countries, reaching well over 9.9m km squared and covering vast tracts of land that most sane humans would consider
uninhabitable. Its lower reaches graze the American border in a series of vastly populated cities that make up for the almost non-existent population numbers elsewhere, and if you travel to its inhospitable northern shores, you could be forgiven for thinking you were steps away from the North Pole. With blisteringly cold winters contrasted with
enjoyably warm summers, it’s earned its title as a land of extremes. Enduring here is definitely a case of being prepared.

Ask any Canadian for a couple of tips on how to survive in Canada and he’ll tell you not to dress in plaid and to choose your hockey team carefully. Great advice it might be, but not if your destination is a little more remote than urban Calgary. If that’s the case, and you’re planning on venturing into the wilds of the Rocky Mountains or the barren expanse of the snow covered Yukon, here are some considerably more useful tips you’ll want to think about before you go.

Know Where You’re Going

Whether you’re planning a major campout as far from civilisation as you can stumble on two feet, or thinking of pitching your tent in the nearest ranger-patrolled National Park, you need to have a good understanding of the area you’re heading to. Don’t think that just because you’re close to civilisation you’ll be out of danger, because here in Canada the bears might not always agree. The most common bears, the Grizzly, can be found all over the country, and with over 120,000 of them patrolling the undergrowth of British Columbia alone, the chances of an encounter might not be as slim as you think. Before you head off on your hike, check with rangers and tune in to local radio stations for up to date information about local bear sightings.

Travelling by Road

Canadian cities are big by any country’s standards, but getting to them by road often means driving for long distances without any sign of habitation, and getting safely from one stop to the next means thinking ahead. Take the opportunity to fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank wherever possible. Even if there’s another station between you and your next destination, don’t assume it’ll definitely have fuel. If you’re driving in winter and you’re getting a hire car, make sure you choose the right vehicle for your route. No matter how economical a two door economy car is, it won’t get you over some of the mountain passes around Alberta and British Columbia. A few more Canadian Dollars for a 4×4 might seem like an unnecessary expense when you book, but you’ll be glad you did when the snow is ten foot deep at either side of the road.

Careful What You Eat

Like the rest of the Northern American continent, most of Canada is civilised land, with 7-Eleven’s on every street corner, high rise malls that stretch for block after block and late night convenience stores for all those last minute essentials. One of the most popular store types, perhaps unsurprisingly, are chains of outdoor stockists, where everything from rifles to bear whistles are on sale. They’re also the perfect stop for loading up on freeze dried food, and although that may not sound too appealing, it’s a better option than running out of victuals halfway through your trip. The Canadian wilds are brimming with edible plants and berries, but if you don’t know your way around a Greenbriar or a Prickly Pear Cacti, it’s probably not a good idea to start eating your way across the landscape. The Red Baneberry, for example, is a prolific plant across many parts of the country. They grow to about two feet tall, have distinctive sharp leaves and an abundance of red fruit, but these berries are so deadly even the hardiest of bears steer well clear.

600 GB Pounds Buys The Following Amount Of Canadian Dollars:



Written by Fiona Galloway
Chief travel writer – Currency Today