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Make a big zen shift for 2026
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If you've been making lists of new year goals, or searching "top new year's resolutions 2026" on your phone, stop now and get ready for a radically different approach.
I don't know about you, but I am starting 2026 ready for new adventures and connections. But to truly achieve more zen in 2026, we need to go beyond making resolutions. Instead of setting goals to lose weight or get organized or spend less time on your phone, start by getting your mind and body in the right place: outside.
A group of cross-country skiers on the trails at SilverStar.
Join us at ZenSeekers in making one big shift: to "get away from it all more" and come back refreshed, with a healthier attitude and richer perspective through getting outside more and connecting in a deeper way to awesome local scenes.
Here in Alberta and BC, it's pretty rad just how many places there are to get away from the screen and come back different in all the right ways—with an invitation from us to win any one of them.
Keep reading for contest details and entry information.
To kick off the new year, ZenSeekers is on a mission to deepen our community, realizing that the world around us is making it a bit tougher every day to achieve and maintain a state of zen.
Join us in celebrating the idea of less screen, more forest. Less screen, more snow. Less screen, more human connection.
How to make the shift
All you need to do is sign up for our free ZenSeekers newsletter, then take your pick from the adventures below and we'll send one lucky winner out to enjoy one later this winter.
Already signed up? Good on you—you're automatically entered. But please do us a solid and share this with your friends who are seeking more zen, too.
Which zen trip will you choose?
Are you going cross-country skiing? Soaking in hot springs? Star gazing overnight in a star dome? Choose from the adventures below, with one ZenSeekers trip up for grabs including:
- 1 night's accommodation
- 1 adventure experience (from those listed below)
- $200 in Husky gas cards to fuel your travels
The transformative experience you'll have? As the saying goes, "priceless."
Six zen trips to choose from
Here's a round up of six zen-filled adventures across Alberta and BC, for you to choose from.
Cross-country skiing at SilverStar Mountain Resort, BC
With 105 kilometers of cross-country skiing framed in a European village setting, it's no wonder you'll hear languages spoken from around the world when you go skiing here at SilverStar Mountain Resort.
Known as one of the top Nordic ski destinations in North America, click in and go cross-country in a snow globe.
To ski "the Star" you drive 20 mins outside of Vernon, BC and into adventure-based skiing -you taken a Gondola before to go for your Nordic ski? Perfect skiing paired with skookum views. Learn more here.
Ski and sip in Penticton, BC
The South Okanagan's Penticton, BC packs its own powder punch in a whole other way next to SilverStar. Score downhill ski or ride lift tickets to explore two mountains, Mount Baldy & Apex Mountain Resort.
Then descend into town for a very successful pub crawl and an overnight stay next to the lake— with perhaps a polar bear swim in the morning? Unlock what you are in for by reading this recent SnowSeekers story.
Stay under the stars at Metis Crossing, AB
A stay on the heritage site of Metis Crossing connects you to the land and Indigenous culture.
Sleep under the stars, in these newly crafted sky domes at Metis Crossing—one of Canada's top indigenous attractions, offering snowshoe tours, a wildlife tour and other experiences that provide perspective on Metis culture and way of life.
Those travelling to Metis Crossing, can confirm that time here leaves any ReconciliACTION minded traveller a wider understanding of the land and how to stay better connected to it. Get a sense of the experience here.
Winter in Whitecourt, AB
Photo:
Karl Lee
With a new Winter Wonder festival this February, a network of cross-country skiing trails, a community-run ski hill and awesome locally run independent shops and arts collectives, Whitecourt is an under-appreciated winter destination in Alberta.
Escape for a winter weekend in Whitecourt with all the trimmings, here's your primer. (New story to come soon, featuring the winter festival, so check back soon!)
Soak in hot springs in Arrow Lakes, BC
Two hot springs over two zen-filled days, snowshoeing or skiing mixed in, après with local chocolate and apple cider? Go link together Nakusp Hot Springs & Halcyon Hot Springs and pace yourself into these outdoor soaks that come with a big sense of awe.
Take on a northern BC ski epic with #skinorthbc
Next to four top Nordic destinations looping together across Wells, Quesnel, Smithers and Fort St. James, BC's North is home to a stellar collection of ski hills, that right now are growing to full on ski resorts.
Troll Ski Resort doubles in size this winter, Powder King is a growing community where people drive just to get the donuts never mind the ridiculous amount of POW they see on their slopes, while Smithers's Hudson Bay features amazing skiing and epic inversions to get you soaring above the clouds (as in the photo above).
Know and go via SnowSeekers #skinorthbc expedition, now eight years young and thriving.
Zen into 2026 with us. All you do is sign up for zen-filled inspiration via our ZenSeekers newsletter and take your pick to any of the six options above. Best of luck and when you are out there discovering be sure and tag us @zenseekers in your social media posts so we can engage and share your zen-filled findings!