Out and about in the big country

12 best Canadian holidays

1 Cariboo trail ride American Round Up (tel: 01404 881777) tailor-makes ranch holidays in Echo Valley, Jesmond. Horse-ride in the British Columbia wilderness and stay in a lodge just off the Cariboo trail. Seven nights starts from £925 per person, based on two sharing, including accommodation, meals and ranch activities. Flights cost extra.

1 Cariboo trail ride American Round Up (tel: 01404 881777) tailor-makes ranch holidays in Echo Valley, Jesmond. Horse-ride in the British Columbia wilderness and stay in a lodge just off the Cariboo trail. Seven nights starts from £925 per person, based on two sharing, including accommodation, meals and ranch activities. Flights cost extra.

2 National park adventure Ski Independence (tel: 0870 555 0555; net: www.ski-independence.co.uk) offers a seven-night holiday in the Banff National Park from £685 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, transfers and room-only accommodation. Ski passes cost extra.

3 Canada by train Great Railway Journeys (tel: 01904 521900) offers a 17-day trip on the Trans Canada line from Toronto to Vancouver, costing from £2,250 per person, based on two sharing, including 13 nights room-only accommodation, return flights, and Silver & Blue class rail tickets in a double berth.

4 Artic explorers The Polar Travel Company (tel: 01364 631470) has a nine-day journey by dog-sled team, north of the Arctic Circle to Baffin Island, for about £2,810 per person,including all transport, accommodation, meals and equipment. Departures March to June.

5 Blue Mountain heli-ski Experienced skiers can try heli-skiing at the Blue Mountain ski resort, British Columbia. Scott Dunn Ski (tel: 020-8767 0202) offers a seven-day heli-skiing package from £3,000 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, transfers and seven nights full-board.

6 Niagara and Toronto A three-day city break exploring Toronto plus two nights at Niagara Falls, costs from £486 per person with Travelscene (tel: 020-8427 8800). The price is based on two sharing and includes return flights with Air Canada and accommodation.

7 Whale watching Combine a week's skiing in Whistler with three days on Vancouver Island to watch the annual grey whale migration in March and April with Skisafari (tel: 020-7740 1221). The price starts from £920 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, 10-days' car hire and accommodation.

8 Bears on the tundra "Kingdom of the Icebear", a nine-day holiday with Discover The World (tel: 01737 214214), is a chance to see migrating polar bears. The price is £1,825 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, eight nights hotel accommodation, excursions and some meals. Departs 1 November.

9 Ski resort luxury Relax after a hard day's skiing in your own outdoor hot tub at the Swiss Cottage Lodge in Whistler. Skiworld (tel: 020-7602 4826) is offering a 10-night stay. The price is £725 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, transfers and full-board accommodation.

10 Wilderness trek Explore Lake Louise on a 12-day walking holiday with Trek America (tel: 01295 256777). The price is £559 per person and includes all ground transportation, camping equipment and National Park fees. Departures from May to September.

11 A taste of France Peregor Travel (01895 630871) has a 10-day self-drive holiday, staying at the country inns of the French-influenced Saguenay and Charlevoix West regions. The price is £973 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights to Montreal, accommodation and car hire.

12 Cheap flights Return flights in November and December start from £295 (plus tax) from Heathrow to Toronto with Air Canada (tel: 0870 524 7226).