It’s not too often that we get to add a new store to our outdoors store listings, but today marks the grand opening of Mountain Equipment Company in Whitby, Ontario. Congratulations to MEC for opening their 23rd standalone location across Canada ..read more

As of July 22nd, 2024, Parks Canada has closed Jasper National Park due to an active forest fire. All camping reservations from July 23rd to August 6th are automatically cancelled and fully refunded. “Reopening dates will be confirmed when available and any further cancelations communicated as required. If you wish to cancel reservations beyond August 6, regular cancellation charges may apply. We are sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this news brings to your travel plans. We appreciate your patience as we take necessary action to keep our visitors safe.” Stay up to date on the ..read more

The Government of Manitoba is offering free entry to all Manitoba Parks locations this July 15th to 21st. Vehicle permits will not be required to visit provincial parks however nightly camping fees still apply, as do entrance fees to national parks. Individuals who wish to camp in a provincial park can make a reservation through the Parks Reservation Service at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling 1-888-482-2267. “Manitobans love spending time outdoors during the summer and we are helping families have the chance to enjoy our parks without paying park entry fees. Our government is lowering cos ..read more

Norwegian knife maker Helle has announced a smaller version of their Nord knife called the Nordlys. “Nordlys is the ultimate allround fulltang knife for outdoor use. Even before we launched the Nord, we knew we wanted to make a smaller sibling. Something that retained the possibilities for multiple grips and preserved the utilitarian blade shape of our bushcrafting machine, but smaller, lighter and therefore easier to bring on your everyday adventures.” Weight incl. sheath: 278 g / 9.81 oz Blade material: Alleima 14C28N stainless steel Blade thickness: 3,1 mm / 0.122 inch Blade leng ..read more

Haliburton Paddle Shop has released a new catalog for 2024 that proudly shows off their different types of paddles. If you don’t know where to start when choosing a paddle, the catalog walks you though each of their offerings from the materials they are made from, to the different paddle and grip designs. Great work from owners Corey Pietryszyn and his partner Maria Paterson. Be sure to download a copy today and stay connected by following them on Instagram ..read more

I know… there nothing like talking about a warm puffy jacket in the dead heat of summer. A versatile piece of gear that is great to have from early Autumn to late Spring. Being able to reach down into your pack and turn a tiny ball into an incredible blanket of warmth is well worth bringing with you to battle the elements (or frosty nights). When my zipper started splitting every time I zipped it up however, its versatility waned. Thankfully in this case, Fjallraven has a lifetime warranty on repairs like this (Checking with local tailors and repair shops, out of warranty zipper repairs can c ..read more

Every year B.C. Parks asks for visitors feedback on how their visits to the provinces’ parks have been. It doesn’t matter if you went for day use, front country, or a backcountry trip, as long as you’ve visited recently, you’re invited to contribute. The 2024 B.C. Parks Visitor Satisfaction Survey is open and you have until September 16th, 2024 to complete it. “Our goal is to better understand the experiences of residents and visitors who use parks across the province. Through this survey, we hope to learn more about who is visiting parks, what activities they enjoy while visiting, what they ..read more

Swedish outdoor clothing maker Micklagård just announced a water resistant and windproof wool blanket. The Wadmal Wool Blanket is 150cm by 200 cm and will keep you warm and dry during any outdoor activity. With its combination of functionality and style, our water resistant and windproof wool blanket is the perfect choice for any outdoor enthusiast looking for a reliable and durable blanket that can withstand the toughest conditions. The extremely durable Swedish made homespun wool fabric is reinforced with tough Rayon fibres and made from 80% wool and 20% Rayon. Stay connected with Micklag ..read more

Parks Canada is looking for your input to help manage visitation at both the Lake Louise Area in Banff National Park as well as Jasper National Park as it has been on the rise… Lake Louise in Banff National Park rose 31% over the last 10 years Jasper National Park rose 20% from 2013-2023 Planning for visitor use management helps protect the mountain ecosystems special while providing high quality experiences for visitors and residents alike. Lake Louise Area in Banff National Park (closes July 28, 2024) Approximately 70% of Lake Louise visitors arrive between May and October, so plannin ..read more

Dan Cooke from Cooke Custom Sewing has passed away sadly. “It was rare to find Dan not near a canoe or planning for his next trip. There are maps littering the house with the places he’s been, a few unfinished trips, but more than that are the photos of the trips taken and enjoyed thoroughly with family, friends and even solo. He loved being outdoors, so much so that when he couldn’t get away, you would find him in the back yard setting up a tent in the middle of winter. In the last few years, he was able to enjoy time spent canoeing down rivers in Alaska, kayaking in Antarctica, hiking Mt. Ki ..read more