CANADA: OUTDOOR TOUR OPERATORS

As we’ve travelled across the country, we’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of tour operators in various provinces. Here are a few:
Tips for Booking an Outdoor Tour Operator

ATLANTIC CANADA

Founded in the early 1970s by the inimitable and effusive Stan Cook, Wild Newfoundland the family-run business is one of the best known and respected on the island. They can take you out for the day or organize a group multi-day trip.

Ed English is an expert guide and owner of Cornerbrook-based Linkum Tours. Hikes and kayaking excursions are the specialty. We hiked to the summit of Gros Morne Mountain with Ed and it was a fabulous experience. www.linkumtours.com

ONTARIO

Yours Outdoors offers guided cycling around this beautiful region dotted with lakes. To those who live in Ontario, it's known as "cottage country." Yours Outdoors will also set up cultural experiences. On our last visit to the region, owner Barrie Martin arranged a half-day cycling tour to connect with a few local artisans in their studios. What a perfect way to combo art, fitness and nature.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

We have travelled with the operators of Whistler Outback Adventures
(the sister company is Arizona Outback Adventures based in Scottsdale) a number of times and their carefully orchestrated tours are flawless. Based in Whistler Village, Whistler Outback Adventures is the company to look to if you're thinking of cycling or hiking in the Whistler or the Okanogan regions of British Columbia.




Tips to help book an outdoor tour operator

• Get recommendations from those you trust who have the same standards of travel as you do.

• Ask about credentials for activities with an element of risk such as kayaking.

• Ask how long the company has been in business and how long the guides have been working in the region.

• Ask about safety procedures. Are the guides equipped to handle minor or major accidents. What's the level of training?

• Ask about the guide-to-guest ratio. Smaller is generally better. The rule of thumb is one guide to every six people.