COMPASS
WESTERN CANADA
On the trail of
small-town Manitoba
While travelers are very familiar with Manitoba’s signature
cities, Winnipeg and Churchill, the province also boasts a
number of small towns where hospitality and local spirit
shine. According to Michel LaRiviere, Travel Manitoba’s inter-
national marketing specialist, groups can enjoy that home-
town feel at the following four destinations:
Dauphin Tucked between Lake Manitoba and Lake
Winnipegosis at the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, the
city is known for its arts and culture scene and sites pertaining
to the area’s Ukrainian heritage.
Gimli A haven for settlers who founded New Iceland on
the shore of Lake Winnipeg in 1875, Gimli pays tribute to its
Nordic roots at the Icelandic Heritage Museum and during
Islendingadagurinn, a summer festival.
Morden The city’s largest resident, a 43-foot marine reptile
named Bruce, who resides at the Canadian Fossil Discovery
Centre, is just one of the many historical figures groups can
encounter in this Pembina Valley gem.
BC’s River Rock Casino Resort
“A variety of discounts are available for operators, includ-
ing food and beverage credits and gaming incentives. Plus, we
offer easily accessible tour bus pick up/drop off as well as free
parking,” Fry adds.
Contact him at [email protected] or go to riverrock.com to
find out more.
Festivals feature
Yukon’s cultural riches
This month, more than 50 dog teams and their handlers will
head out on the Yukon tundra for one of the most grueling
competitions on the planet, the Yukon Quest International Sled
Dog Race. Beyond the renowned 1,000-mile race, Yukon is home
to a gaggle of other annual festivals, including the following
ones that showcase local cities and culture (2018 dates listed):
The Sourdough Rendezvous Festival
Feb. 16–25
Whitehorse resi-
dents and visitors
celebrate the cold
winter months in
style with a week
of mainstage con-
certs, snow-carv-
ing displays and
unusual contests—
everything from lip
syncing and hair
freezing to chain-
saw chucking.
The Adäka Cultural Festival
June 29–July 5
The talents and contributions of Yukon’s First Nations people are
showcased in Whitehorse through traditional and contemporary music,
dance, art and storytelling, as well as interactive craft workshops.
Dawson City Music Festival
Wasagaming The main town site is home to the southern July 20–22
visitor center for Riding Mountain National Park. Visitors can
enjoy the area’s natural beauty and take part in a number of
activities centered around the popular Clear Lake. This summer celebration, which turns 40 in 2018, features six
stages of music and dozens of bands, workshops led by perform-
ers, open jam sessions, an arts pavilion and a beer garden.
For more information, contact LaRiviere at mlariviere@
travelmanitoba.com or visit travelmanitoba.com. To learn more, contact Tourism Yukon’s Stephen Reynolds
at [email protected] or go to travelyukon.com.
50
February 2018
Gimli’s Islendingadagurinn festival
“For us, it’s all about location, location, location,” says James
Fry, the director of sales and catering for the Richmond,
British Columbia-based River Rock Casino Resort. “We are a
three-minute train ride from Vancouver International Airport
and 18 minutes from downtown Vancouver.”
The full-service resort offers casino gaming, nightly live
music in the lounge, performances in the Show Theatre, an
award-winning spa, contemporary rooms, a waterslide and
more. Groups also can enjoy a range of culinary experiences
at its 10 dining spots.
Tramonto and Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant are two
of the property’s top restaurants. Patrons can have gour-
met meals and take in great views of the Fraser River at
Tramonto, which is consistently rated as one of the Vancouver
area’s best restaurants. Sea Harbour serves up contempo-
rary Cantonese fare, dim sum and fresh seafood dishes in a
sophisticated setting.
Rolling at the River Rock