Awesome Canada

This awe-inspiring video footage shot on Lake Louise in Banff National Park shows a literally cool natural phenomenon. This stuff is called “candle ice,” and it forms when the sun warms ice enough that it starts to break down due to air or liquid water trapped between ice crystals. As the ice begins to melt, it breaks easily into candle-shaped columns.

After gulping down a can of sponsor Monster Energy’s high-powered drink, snowbiker and X Games athlete Cody Matechuk headed into the snow-capped mountains of British Colombia for a thrilling ride on his motorized snowbike. Expect lots of daring jumps off of rocky cliffs into a thick cushion of fresh powder.

Located in Quebec, Canada, the Shiship is a tiny home built into a high-cube shipping container. The 31-foot-long cabin has a massive picture window in the bedroom, custom wood cabinetry, a full kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower. Best of all, you can rent the house from Repère Boréal with access to their baths and sauna.

The 65,000 square foot Peter Grant Mansion sits along the lakefront in Haileybury, Ontario, Canada. The enormous, custom-built home was never completed after a financial collapse in 2008. Bright Sun Films takes us on a tour of the now-abandoned monument to excess.

“Of all of the Canadian Ryans, you’ve gotta be in our top three!” Ryan Reynolds was honored with the 2021 Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, and to celebrate the occasion, musician Steven Page performed a song to go along with the prize. We trust that Ryan will wear his gold medal even when he goes out to Starbucks.

If we’re mountain biking and see a trailhead sign that says “Beyond Expert,” we’re turning back. But if your name is Ddangerous Ddave, you’re required to pedal on. Here’s POV footage of Ddave’s first ride down a treacherous trail at Iron Mountain, which offers “an infinite number of mosquitoes” as one of its challenges.

James Blackwood is a retired RCMP constable with a love for animals. With winter bearing down on the Great White North, he sat down on his deck to greet some of the local wildlife, playing Santa Claus to more than 30 raccoons by handing out grapes, hot dogs, and other snacks to the hungry horde. (Thanks Rob!)

There are a number of great American cars manufactured in Canada. In total, our neighbors to the North produced 2.4 million cars in 2019 alone. But for some reason, Canada no longer has any of its own major car brands. Donut Media digs into this puzzling question and attempts to provide some answers.

Ready for a peaceful getaway? Take a road trip to this historic home on Canada’s Niagara wine route. Rosemount-on-the-Bench combines rustic charm and modern amenities with impeccably landscaped grounds, and is walking or biking distance from seven wineries. Check Canada’s travel restrictions before booking.

After riding into stardom as a little kid back in 2010, Jackson Goldstone has become a force to be reckoned with on his mountain bike. Ride Shimano and Anthill Films take us inside of Jackson’s world, set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of Squamish, B.C., which has certainly played a part in him honing his craft.

Jason Young’s wordless documentary introduces us to John and Nancy Little, a couple who spends their days enjoying retirement in the Nova Scotia countryside, and their nights performing a secret task for the RCMP. The short film stands as both a commentary on gun violence, and an intriguing work of visual art.

Take a soothing 360º flight through the snowy and scenic mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Helicopter pilot Bradley Friesen and videographer Devin Olsen captured more than 50 minutes of their flight using a GoPro MAX action camera. It’s even more immersive if you’ve got a VR headset to watch it on.

We highly recommend going full screen on the biggest landscape mode display you have to get the most out of this playful montage of ultra-widescreen animations made by a team of Montreal designers and curated by Rémi Vincent. The sequence originally appeared on a massive 50:9-ratio projection video wall for MAPP Montreal.

Exploring Alternatives introduces us to Catherine and Wayne, who have lived for nearly 30 years on a tiny man-made island in Tofino, BC, Canada. Freedom Cove was built by hand, using recycled and sustainable materials. It has multiple greenhouses, an art gallery, and a floating dance floor.

FPV drone pilot Mactac takes us on another epic flight, this time traversing the tops of a steep mountain range on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the UAV flies between the trees and craggy rocks, it comes across the glorious sight of Cobalt Lake. After a long hike up, it required patience between all the clouds that rolled in.

Sudbury, Canada’s Old St. Joseph’s Hospital has been dormant for more than a decade, and may eventually be demolished. But before its bricks hits the ground, West Coast graffiti artist Kelly “RISK” Graval and a team of artists splashed the exterior of the 74,000 sq.ft. building into a bright and colorful work of abstract street art.