Expecting deep forests and bears? The capital of British Columbia will throw you off completely. You'll feel more like you're in old England, somehow transplanted to the Pacific coast.

I remember sitting down with our spreadsheet for the first time and being completely floored by the initial cost estimates. How much does a dream trip to majestic glaciers and salmon-catching bears really cost — without living on bread and water?

Ancient rainforests tumble straight into the wild ocean here, and the air is thick with salt mingled with the scent of thousand-year-old cedars. This little surf town got under our skin from the very first breath.

Pacific Rim National Park is the only national park on Canada's west coast — 16 km Long Beach, Wild Pacific Trail, storm watching in November, hot springs accessible only by boat. A guide with 10 tips: surfing in Tofino, whale watching, rainforest boardwalks, and the famous 75 km West Coast Trail.

Banff has 12 different faces depending on the month — January for skiing, July for crowds and wildfire smoke, September for golden larches in Larch Valley. We lived and worked there in winter 2016/17 and know exactly when and where to go. A month-by-month guide plus a decision matrix by priorities (hiking, photography, bears, aurora).

Banff Canada skiing = the best in the country: champagne powder, an ultra-long season (December–July) and 3 resorts under one SkiBig3 pass. We worked in Banff in 2016/17. Full guide to 6 resorts (Lake Louise, Sunshine, Mt Norquay, Marmot Basin, Castle Mountain, Nakiska) + lift passes 2026.