After the long freezing winters, watching the white canvas of snow slowly changing into vibrant colours is a beautiful sight to watch. Canada is a huge country and weather variation in the spring season makes it spell bounding.
Spring comes as early as February on the west coast. Usually, the last winter’s snow can be seen in April except in higher altitudes like Whistler or Banff – both popular ski destinations where the season doesn’t end until May. The massive snowstorm could be experienced in May in Canmore, Alberta. Elsewhere in the country, spring sticks around through April and extends through to June.
With the diversity in its landscapes, spring in Canada is far from the norm. The season is a great time travelling the country as it offers the chance to explore the fun in both warm and cool climates. Spring brings new life while still reminiscing in its wintery splendour.
Here are the attractions and activities you can do during springtime in Canada:
Vancouver Blossoms
Spring in Vancouver is celebrated with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. Charm your sight with millions of pink and white blooms every April. The event is inspired by the Sakura Festival in Japan.
Do you know that Japan gifted Canada with 500 cherry trees in the 1930s? This gesture is to thank the service of Japanese Canadians in World War 1. Now, Vancouver has over 40,000 cherry blossom trees which spurt into full bloom during spring.
Ottawa Tulip Festival
The month of May kicks off the annual Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Spring in Ottawa means welcoming a spectacular sight of endless stretches of colourful tulips. The Canadian Tulip Festival is one of the most celebratory events in the country. Millions of Tulips act as the basis of celebrating family, art, culinary prowess and history.
During the three year Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, Queen Julian and her family enjoyed safe refuge in Canada in the mid-1900s. As a sign of gratitude, the Dutch Royal Family sent 100, 000 Tulips to Ottawa in 1945. This beautiful part of history led to the mass displays of different species of tulips in vibrant colours stretching in Ottawa which inspired the annual tulip festival.
Turning Sweet with Maple Syrup season
Canada has the largest maple syrup industry in the world. It is responsible for 85 percent of the global maple syrup supply.
Depending on the weather and location, the harvest time of maple usually runs from mid-February into April. Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick celebrate the start of the season by offering delicious maple themed breakfasts, maple taffy on snow, sugar making demonstrations, woodland wagon rides and more.
One of the most unique maple traditions has to be the ‘licherie‘ in Northeastern New Brunswick. A long wooden stick is dipped into a boiling pot of maple syrup and a smaller stick is used to scrape off the rapidly cooling maple syrup.
A trip to the sugar shack is a spring tradition for many Canadians.
Spring Ski
Experience the pulsating rush of smashing the slopes as late as June. Most ski resorts in Canada are open until the start or middle of April, often finishing the season with a ‘Slush Cup’ where participants ski or board into an icy pool of water wearing a costume.
With the weather much warmer than the icy winter climate, the snow is still intact and powdery is perfect for a great skiing vacation for outdoor lovers.
Wine Delight
Canada has a few famous and productive wine regions.
Situated in British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley is home to over 200 vineyards and counting. The area is Canada’s second-largest wine-producing region. It is also one of the country’s warmest areas with temperatures reaching 28c as early as May.
Between Niagara Falls and Toronto is where the Niagara Wine Region is situated. Wine tours provide a great way of enjoying Canadian wineries while seeing unique and beautiful sceneries complemented by delicious wine. It is a perfect break from snowboarding and the ultimate accompaniment during flower festivals.
Waterfall chasing
Spring is an ideal time to go waterfall chasing in Canada. Waterfalls are usually more powerful during this season in the country. Della Falls, Canada’s highest waterfall almost dries up in summer.
Nature displays its power with melting snow that creates raging rivers and thundering waterfalls.
Hiking
Outdoor adventure loves the arrival of spring in Canada. It is the signal that the hiking season is back. Hiking opportunities vary across the country. Most sea-level hiking in the provinces should be snow-free in May. In the Alpine, trails may not be clear well until July.
With all these exciting activities you can do during springtime in Canada, the season is also the worst season when it comes to allergies. Pollens are prevalent as trees and flowers bloom. The pollen is released into the air to fertilize other plants but sometimes they get into your nose and nasal passage.
If you’re allergic, your immune system sends out histamines into your blood and your nose starts running. Your eyes get watery, too, as your body tries to expel what it thinks is a danger.
When you choose to go outdoors and allergies happen, check the nearest walk in clinic Guelph in your area for a checkup.
