Canadian weather is as varied as the country is large. The Arctic Circle has two seasons with midnight sun through summer and long, cold, winter nights, whereas British Columbia has mild winters and warm summers. Montréal and Québec City have warm summers that can become hot and humid. Their winters run from October to early May, and are cold and snowy. Toronto has Canada’s warmest summers. Winter temperatures in Canada drop to the midteens (Fahrenheit), but the cultural season is in full swing and indoor sporting events are at their peak. Ottawa also has warm summer days, but nighttime temperatures can drop to the low 30s. Snow falls by October, winter temperatures drop to single digits, and February has 12 inches of snow.
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Peak season:
Canada's peak seasons vary -- it all depends on why you're traveling to Canada. For winter sports enthusiasts, November to March offers the best chance of good snow. For those keen to go outdoors - camping or caravanning, to the lakes, national parks, or beaches of British Columbia - late-May to early September (Victoria Day to Labor Day) enjoy the best weather. Temperatures are warm, but not unbearable.
Off season:
Canada has a very well-developed winter tourist season. In addition to superlative skiing and snowboarding facilities, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, ice-fishing and snowshoeing are also on offer. If you are not keen on these pursuits, November to February visits are best abandoned.
Find flights to Canada
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Given the huge distances between cities, booking local Canada flights is a good option. CanJet serves 15 destinations in Canada and the U.S. including St. John's, Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Air Canada Jazz, a regional airline, serves more than 70 destinations in Canada and the U.S.
The train offers a good way to see the countryside, and VIA Rail Canada offers several packages for intrepid travelers. The one most often recommended however is the Canrailpass, which offers 12 days' travel anywhere in Canada during a 30-day period.
Renting a car can give you the freedom to follow your own itinerary. Car rental companies are represented at all the major airports. Travelers looking to drive around Canada should search for discounted car rental rates when booking flights to Canada.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Ottawa (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Canada.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Toronto | 1.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 |
|---|
| Montréal | 0.30 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
|---|
| Winnipeg | 2.30 | 32.00 | 32.00 |
|---|
| Vancouver | 5.00 | 62.00 | 75.00 |
|---|
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- Although not well-known, Canada's capital is a charming cosmopolitan city and possibly the most British of the Canadian cities. Downtown Ottawa has renovated Victorian houses serving as homes, restaurants, and shops. The architecture and historical significance of the Parliamentary buildings attract visitors, as does strolling along the Rideau Canal and watching boats go through its eight locks.
- Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city known for its natural beauty and mild climate. As a year-round tourist destination, there's always something to do: water and land sports and film, jazz, folk, and theater festivals. Vancouver also offers opera, ballet, symphony, and an exciting nightlife. Vancouver will be hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
- Parts of Canada are transformed into winter wonderlands by the snowy weather and several cities make the most of the big freeze including Quebec City (Winter Carnival and its ice hotel), Montreal (High Lights festival) and Ottawa (Winterlude, a winter carnival) to name just three.
- On Sundays, entire families do the Grouse Grind in Vancouver. An almost two-mile trail takes you up the face of Grouse Mountain, nearly 3,000 feet. If you are fit, it should take about 50 minutes. Hike up, but take the gondola down to protect your knees of course.
- Visitors to Montreal should take note of the "Sunday Tam-Tams" in Mount Royal. Tam-tams are a type of hand drum, and hundreds of Montrealers and visitors turn up on summer Sundays to play around the monument to Sir George-Etienne Cartier.
- As well as nearby Niagara Falls, Toronto claims the world's tallest building. The CN Tower stands at 1,815 feet. Once at the top - by elevator naturally - there is plenty to do including walking on a glass floor, eating at the revolving restaurant and enjoying the view.
- Bring your Stetson. The Calgary Stampede takes place in July, and is the province's most popular tourist attraction. It features a rodeo, chuckwagon races, concert and amusement park.
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All visitors must hold a valid passport. An onward or return ticket and sufficient funds to cover the period of intended stay is required by all visitors.
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U.S. travelers should have proof of citizenship, such as a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, or a Birth Certificate, U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization papers. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months.
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