45 Climate Conscious Canadian Outdoor Adventures for Those Who Care
In 1981, scientist James Hansen and colleagues published a study in Science examining how rising atmospheric carbon dioxide could affect Earth’s climate. Today, 45 years later, the scientific community knows a lot more about climate change, and that’s why we are highlighting 45 climate conscious outdoor adventures in Canada as part of Explore Magazine’s 45th anniversary. These adventures touch on some aspect of climate change, whether it involves a community science project people can participate in, or ways to experience environments that are changing due to the climate change.
1. Sail the Northwest Passage
As Arctic ice melts, the Northwest Passage has become increasingly accessible to expedition tourism. A number of companies, including Adventure Canada and HX Expeditions offer expeditions to this remote part of Canada, and these trips also travel to Greenland.
2. Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine Faces a Changing Winter Tourism Season
In Quebec’s Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the winter tourism season long relied on people coming to see harp seal pups for a few weeks in late winter. However, climate change has made this activity very difficult, so the islands are now focusing on winter tourism activities like snow biking, snowshoeing and an artisan trail.
3. See Churchill’s Famous Polar Bears
Climate change is threatening polar bears around the world, including those in the “polar bear capital of the world.” Each fall, bears gather near Churchill, Manitoba as they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze and allow access to their seal-hunting areas on the frozen bay. However, climate change means a shorter ice season, so bears in some areas are forced to spend additional time on land, where food is often scarce. Operators like Natural Habitat Adventures are great to see the bears during peak season.
4. Raft the Tatshenshini and Lower Alsek Rivers
In 2024, I rafted the Tatshenshini and Lower Alsek Rivers with Canadian River Expeditions on an 11-day trip that included parts of the Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska. Along the way, we observed spectacular glaciers and saw how climate change is impacting the region. Additionally, we learned that scientists say the melting Grand Plateau Glacier may ultimately reroute the river.
5. Iceberg Chasing in Newfoundland
Every year in late spring and early summer, people go searching for icebergs in Newfoundland’s Iceberg Alley. Peak viewing season in Newfoundland is late May and early June, though off the coast of Labrador, the season is longer, lasting from March through July. These impressive icebergs can be spotted on a boat tour, kayak or from land. The famous icebergs originate in Greenland, where climate change is impacting glaciers.
6. Visit the Torngat Mountains
In Labrador, observe Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems on a trip to the Torngat Mountains with operators like Arctic Kingdom. Wildlife like polar bears, barren-ground black bears, caribou and other wildlife make this area their home. Explore glacier-carved landscapes and learn about how climate change impacts this remote and special place.
7. Experience Québec City’s Glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin
Built in 1884, the historic Glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin toboggan slide overlooking the St. Lawrence River needed to install additional refrigeration systems to make sure people could reliably enjoy the slide in spite of climate change’s warming impacts.
8. Go Dogsledding
One of Canada’s most iconic outdoor activities is threatened by climate change, as warming conditions make trails challenging or even treacherous. Light snowfall can inadequately cover trails, rain can freeze and create dangerous layers, snow seasons can be shorter, and dogs can overheat if the weather isn’t cold enough. A number of operators throughout Canada offer guided dog sledding excursions, including Wapusk Adventures in Churchill and a number of outfitters in Quebec, among other locations.
9. Experience the Floe Edge
Travel to the very edge of the ice floe in Nunavut, and see narwhals, polar bears and other species impacted by climate change. Arctic Kingdom offers an expedition that brings travellers to the edge of sea ice and the Arctic Ocean, which are closely tied to climate change. The expeditions are timed forwhen narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales are frequently seen in the area.
10. See Spirit Bears with Maple Leaf Adventures
Venture into the Great Bear Rainforest in fall for the best chance of seeing cream-coloured “spirit bears” with Maple Leaf Adventures. The best time to see the bears is when the salmon are running, however, climate change is impacting salmon, including with warming waters and other ecosystem impacts.
11. Go on an E-Bike Safari Eco-Tour
Use human power to explore with the E-Bikes Safari Eco-Tour in Jasper. This climate-friendly tour brings guests 25 kilometres in, with a guide sharing information along the way, bringing people to lakes that can’t be reached by giant tour buses, with a focus on sustainable travel and climate education
12. Monitor Glaciers with “Icy”
Team up with Parks Canada and partners to participate in the Icy community science program to help monitor glacier chances. It is currently in two national parks and three provincial parks located in British Columbia and Alberta, though there may be other sites in the future. Pictures snapped by visitors help scientists track glacier changes, including retreat, thinning and even when a glacier may disappear.
13. Raft the Columbia Wetlands
Rafting the Columbia Wetlands near Golden, BC, is a great way to explore a critical wetland complex. It supports more than 200 bird species, and Columbia Wetlands Outpost offers guided tours. Climate change is affecting wetland systems around the world, with changing patterns of precipitation, warmer temperatures and other impacts.
14. See Whistler’s Snow Walls
Experience walking between massive walls of snow at Whistler Blackcomb during spring and early summer. This unique experience showcasing the massive snowpack highlights the park’s large-scale snow storage, which it uses to adapt to the variable winter conditions created by climate change.
15. Take a Glacier Wilderness Trip
Sign up for a four-day guided trip with Nuk Tessli to explore incredible glacier terrain. The Coastal Mountains Glacier Experience brings guests to the Monarch Icefield to explore moraines, glacial pools, ice caves and more, camping beside gorgeous glacier landscapes, which are impacted by climate change.
16. Learn About Fire on Jasper’s Wildfire Peak-Nic Tour
In 2024, a devastating wildfire ravaged Jasper National Park, and now visitors can learn about it and see the ecosystem’s recovery on a Wildfire Peak-Nic tour. The hike is four kilometres long, and focuses on forest regeneration, along with a lunch.
17. Travel with Eco-Conscious Maple Leaf Adventures
Since 2020, Maple Leaf Adventures has created Marine Debris Removal Initiatives along the coast of British Columbia, and they have removed more than 350 tons of debris like plastic, fishing nets and ropes. Climate change can fuel fierce storms, which help bring more debris onto shores. Sign up for one of the company’s trips, such as Vancouver Island’s Wild Side, to explore these incredible destinations.
18. Take a “Tread Lightly” Glacier Hike
Rockaboo Mountain Adventures’ Tread Lightly Glacier Hike focuses on sustainability as it brings guests to the Athabasca Glacier. Over four hours, guests join guides to learn about glacier science, glacier travel and how climate change is impacting glaciers, with a front-row view of climate change.
19. Take a Guided Wildlife Conservation Hike in Banff National Park
Join a Parks Canada guide to explore Consolation Lake and learn about wildlife conservation. The trail is about six kilometres and includes views of Quadra Glacier, which is impacted by climate change.
20. Participate in the Coastie Initiative
Snap coastal photos to help scientists learn about Canada’s coastal ecosystems. The Coastie Initiative involves taking photos at specific designated sites, using an on-site phone cradle to snap just the right angle, to help scientists monitor changes—including those relating to climate—at sites over time.
21. See the Heart of the Arctic
See some of the communities and areas most impacted by climate change by heading to Canada’s High Arctic. Adventure Canada offers a Heart of the Arctic trip that visits remote northern communities and destinations.
22. Try Quebec City’s Famous Ice Canoeing
Take a whirl at Quebec City’s famous ice canoeing, which involves paddling and pushing a canoe along the ice of the Saint Lawrence River, which is impacted by climate change.
23. Experience Candle Ice in Banff National Park
When alpine lakes start thawing out after winter, they can break up in a fascinating formation that leaves the ice in pillar-like “candles.” Climate change is impacting freeze-thaw cycles, and it may impact this fascinating phenomenon, which can be experienced in Banff National Park.
24. Ski the Powder Highway
British Columbia’s famous Powder Highway is home to eight alpine ski resorts, as well as 20 lodges for backcountry skiing. This area is feeling the impacts of climate change, with variable snowfall.
25. See the Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Glacier
In Jasper, go on a tour of the Athabasca Glacier and take a walk on the Glacier Skywalk to see incredible views of areas that are threatened by a changing climate.
26. Go Fat Biking in Quebec
Winter sports are facing pressure from climate change, with shorter and more unpredictable seasons, as well as winter rain leading to frozen layers in the snowpack. To enjoy winter under human power, go fat biking in Quebec, which is home to amazing trails, including Empire 47.
27. Participate in the Jasper EcoQuest
Learn about Jasper National Park’s ecology by participating in Jasper EcoQuest. To participate, learn about invasive plants, hike one of the participating trails, take 10 plant photos and share them.
28. Count Golden Eagles
Eagle Watch is a community science initiative where volunteers help count golden eagles and record migration statistics in Kananaskis. Help scientists learn how climate change is impacting these incredible birds.
29. See Belugas in Churchill
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One of the best places to see beluga whales is the Churchill River Estuary from mid-July to mid-August. Climate change impacts beluga whales and many other aquatic species.
30. Go Birding
Birding is a very popular pastime, and Canada is full of incredible places to spot these avian wonders. Climate change is impacting bird migration patterns, with some species shifting their migration dates significantly.
31. Go Cross-Country Skiing in Quebec
Quebec’s Gatineau Park has more than 200 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiing, which is a sport that is impacted by climate change. Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-country Ski Centre is located near Quebec City and features 184 kilometres of trails.
32. Visit Ellesmere Island
Canada’s High Arctic is experiencing the impacts of climate change rapidly. Adventure Canada offers an opportunity to visit some of these remote regions, including Ellesmere Island.
33. Raft the Firth River
Experience the Firth River’s Class IV rapids and have a thrilling adventure on this climate change-impacted river in Ivvavik National Park. Canadian River Expeditions offers 12-day rafting trips to experience the river first-hand.
(Image from R.O.A.M Adventures)
34. Trek the Wapta Icefield
Take a three-day journey along the Wapta Icefield on this Canadian Tourism Commission Signature Experience, where you can learn about how climate change is impacting these glaciers.
35. Collect Data for Rink Watch
Outdoor skating is a much-beloved pastime, and RinkWatch is a community science initiative to help collect data about outdoor rink conditions to help study how climate change is impacting winter sports.
36. Experience Banff National Park
Scientists estimate temperatures in Banff National Park may rise by three to six degrees in the coming decades. Climate change is impacting this park in a number of ways, including shrinking glaciers, more winter rain and higher wildfire risk.
37. Participate in the Blitz the Gap Bio Blitz
All across Canada, people are helping fill biodiversity knowledge gaps by spending time outdoors helping gather data with Blitz the Gap.
38. Go Whale Watching in Newfoundland
Home to numerous species of whales, Newfoundland is a top location for whale watching. Humpbacks are one of the species that is commonly seen in this area, and scientists believe the species may be impacted by climate change.
39. Document the Diversity of BC Parks
Next time you’re enjoying BC Parks, take some time to participate in a community science program to help document the parks’ biodiversity to help prepare for climate change and other impacts.
40. Take an Indigenous Heli Tour
Take an Indigenous Heli Tour with Jasper Hinton Air to learn about Indigenous land stewardship, and see a landscape shaped by climate change.
41. Swim in a BC Lake
British Columbia offers an incredible array of lakes for swimming, but lakes are facing a number of threats from climate change.
42. Participate in Monarch Research
Climate change is threatening monarch butterflies and people can help scientists gather more information about these incredible butterflies by participating in Mission Monarch and Milkweed Watch.
43. Go Snowmobiling in Saskatchewan
With a 1,600-kilometer snowmobile trail system, northeast Saskatchewan is a prime location for snowmobiling, which is an activity that is impacted by climate change.
44. Take a Yukon River Paddling and Outdoor Skills Course
Learn about climate change and other topics while taking a Yukon River paddling and outdoor skills training course.
45. See the Bay of Fundy
New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy has some of the world’s highest tides, so explore by walking at low tide at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and go sea kayaking. Oceans around the world are being impacted by climate change.
