Stories

After weeks of social distancing and isolation, we’re all in need of some fresh ideas to stay optimistic and inspired at home.

We’ve seen a lot of changes since the pandemic hit. Changes to how we work, how we play, how we support local businesses and even how we “travel.” Virtual experiences are on the rise and that includes some pretty innovative experiences right here in Alberta. 

The Town of Vermilion, in partnership with ZenSeekers, has launched the first-ever #VermilionOnline. It’s a virtual festival showcasing experiences and businesses in the charming rural town of Vermilion, located just two hours east of Edmonton in central Alberta.

• RSVP to attend the final May 13 #VermilionOnline Festival

My former self, a passionate juggler with constant balls in the air lived a pretty frantic life. But these days, because of meditation, my coping mechanism from the collective jolt of COVID reality has led me into a place of calm and a grounded perspective. 

In today’s world, many of us are arriving at a new understanding of what matters. The reality is we are moving through some challenging days. Being optimistic means that, yes, these are challenging days, but there is a brighter future on the other side of it all. 

Bob Vedan is living the active lifestyle dream in Vernon.

“My trifecta is skiing in the morning, golfing in the afternoon, and curling at night,” the 20-year Silverstar Mountain Host Bob Vedan told me over a cup of hot chocolate in the village on a snowy Friday afternoon. He completed his trifecta last year, and he’s going for it again this year.

There’s nothing like feeling like a total rockstar when you land at a destination for a few days of wintertime fun. I arrived at the Kelowna International Airport, directly from Vancouver, and was met by Chad Haller, co-owner of the Kelowna Concierge. Within minutes I was whisked through the city and up to The View Winery where I met my group for a sunset snowshoe in the vineyard.

CROWSNEST PASS - Exploring the Crowsnest Pass three ways by water last spring gave us the inspiration to do it all again, only in winter. There’s excellent downhill skiing, some amazing opportunities for switching to the skinny skis for cross-country skiing or sledding amid 360-degree magical mountain views.

CRANBROOK, B.C. – Picture a frozen lake you can have pretty much to yourself, and a place where you can glide on ice skates or catch a fish for some dinner at the base of some of the world’s most famous mountains. This is as Canadian as it gets. 

With hands strengthened by more than 30 years of working traps, Paul Padlesky removes a small, white furry weasel from his trap box and shows it to Cate Kittlitz and Derek Shackleton. Looking at it, he smiles, reminded of how his grandfather used to skin these small critters and give the furs to Paul when he was just a young boy.

Using a length of coiled wire and a dead aspen branch, Lilyrose Meyers demonstrates how to set a snare between two spruce trees, their trunks littered with the telltale reddish-brown, loamy detritus of a squirrel midden. The low lying sun speckles the naked winter forest at her feet.

When we hear about the many environmental dangers threatening the health of our oceans, the fate of the majestic whale is often front and centre. Now, they are at risk of losing one of their vital sources of food.

C'est l'amour! Valentine's Day doesn’t have to be about a box of chocolates or a card. Instead of asking ‘what should I get for Valentines Day?’, ask yourself ‘what should we DO?’

You’re going to find something great to try on this list of unexpected Valentine's Day ideas for you and your sweetheart or you and your friends.

Oh, oh, a few pounds crept on during the festive season of 2019. Not to worry. Today is the day you plan your route to better health and fitness. But the Biggest Loser system of dropping weight and regaining fitness is not the way to go. Slow and steady builds a better body. So, what to do? Set your sights on one of the most sought after events in the region: The Kootenay Gran Fondo.

If you have yet to experience the Powder Highway, it’s a trip you must put on your bucket list. It's a snow hound's nirvana because it puts you smack in the middle of the world’s largest collections of skiable locations.

One of the most compelling moments at the International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC), recently held in Kelowna, was the moment TV host, artist and activist Sarain Fox, proclaimed, “It’s not influencer, it’s infiltrator.” She was describing the importance of her role as a change-making Indigenous woman and how others can do the same.

Early snow in Alberta and B.C. didn't stop Larch-madness from taking over the internet. The beautiful conifers continue to turn a stunning shade of autumn yellow in Western Canada.

Seekers Media and its partners have won the Marketing Canada Award by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC).

Flow is the one word that best describes my recent trip to Lethbridge. Each of my activities was connected by it, from finding the calming flow of my thoughts at Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens to chasing the flow of the Oldman River during my mountain bike ride and trail run. The analogy seemed appropriate too, for the current of electricity that charged my car at new Peaks To Prairies high-speed charger.

Over the past few years there has been a surge in low-impact travel as we search for ways to visit beautiful places but doing so in a sustainable manner. As an eco-conscious traveller, I try to spend my trips in the outdoors on foot or bike, but in the past year I’ve added in an electric vehicle to propel me to these active destinations.

Yes, Eco-Anxiety is now a thing. Some of us are feeling a bit of dread and are weary with the way we are living. Our impact on the environment seems to be finally sinking in, but we are not sure which way to go or how to act.