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10 awesome places in Canada for a corporate retreat
1. Niagara-on-the-Lake
This charming town on the shores of Lake Ontario was established in 1779 as a supply depot for British Loyalist forces, and features some of Canada’s oldest architecture. It once served as the capital of the province of Upper Canada (now southern Ontario). Travellers can enjoy activities here like visiting a winery, seeing a theatre show, exploring the Fort George historic military post, playing golf at the oldest golf course in North America, or visiting nearby Niagara Falls for a boat tour.Venues we recommend: NOTL features retreat venues with meeting spaces like the Charles Hotel, Exodia Estate, or Ivy League Estate. An alternative budget option is the Residence & Conference Centre, which offers group rentals May through August on the campus of Niagara College. How to get there:From Toronto, people can reach Niagara-on-the-Lake by car or taxi in about two hours. Another way to get to the town is by travelling to Niagara Falls first and then taking a 25-minute bus or taxi ride. Niagara Falls can be reached via its international airport, by bus, or by train.Best time to visit:The best time of year to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the spring, summer, or autumn months when the weather is pleasant. Winters can be cold and rainy, although they’re less snowy than elsewhere in Ontario. Average budget: $-$$$
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2. Banff
This well-known resort town in Alberta is the perfect spot for outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy skiing, hiking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, and canoeing, among other options. Banff is located within the scenic Banff National Park, and is surrounded by the peaks of Mount Rundle and Mount Cascade, which are part of the Rocky Mountains. Venues we recommend:Venues like the Banff Centre, Banff Springs Hotel, or Chateau Lake Louise can be booked out for company retreats in a peaceful mountain setting. Here, travellers can enjoy master-facilitated sessions, food, and team building activities like kayaking, golf, or snowshoeing. If your team isn’t staying at an event venue, try out a luxury hotel and spa like the Fairmont Banff Springs, or opt for a simple budget lodge like the HI Banff Alpine Centre or Samesun Banff. How to get there:To get to Banff from Calgary, drive for an hour and a half, arrange a private transfer, or take the On-It Regional Transit Service bus. Best time to visit: Visitors may enjoy exploring Banff during the shoulder seasons (May, June, and September), when there is warm weather but fewer crowds. For winter sports such as skiing, February and March are the best months to visit Banff.Average budget: $$$-$$$$
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3. Laurentian Mountains
This popular mountain range in Quebec is one of the oldest mountain regions in the world. It’s part of the Canadian Shield, and is bordered by the Ottawa, St. Lawrence, and Saguenay rivers, making it the perfect location for watersports and other activities. Venues we recommend:You’ll find many great venues for your next corporate retreat in the Laurentians. A few of these include Le Couvent at Val-Morin, the Grand Lodge in Mont-Tremblant, and the Auberge du Lac Morency. Travellers can engage in team building activities, explore the area’s lakes and forests, go skiing, or enjoy a wine tasting. Another great option is visiting a “sugar shack” to enjoy a feast of maple syrup delights. How to get there:Popular towns in the Laurentians can be reached in a 1.5 hour drive from Montreal. Buses leave regularly from Montreal’s central bus station, arriving in St-Sauveur, Ste-Adèle, and Mont-Tremblant. Mont-Tremblant also has its own international airport. Best time to visit:Summer and autumn are great seasons to visit for hiking, while winter is best for skiing. The maple syrup harvest takes place from February to April. Average budget: $$-$$$
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4. Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is an Ontario resort town that’s home to the Blue Mountain ski resort and several private ski clubs. Visitors will find world-class skiing, snowboarding, golf, spas, and dining options. Venues we recommend:At the base of Blue Mountain, Tyrolean Village offers corporate retreat packages including a group stay in chalets, as well as activities like beach volleyball, baseball, soccer, a private beach at Georgian Bay, and more. Other venues in the area include Silver Springs Retreat and Valhalla, both featuring a sprawling property at a scenic location. The village of Blue Mountain is also a great place for food, dancing, and shopping. How to get there:Getting to Blue Mountain is a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto. Other options are taking a shuttle bus, or travelling by train or bus to Barrie, then taking a bus to Collingwood, and then a taxi.Best time to visit: The best time to visit is from December to March to enjoy winter activities. Average budget: $$-$$$
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5. Muskoka
Muskoka has around 1600 lakes and is known as “cottage country.” It’s a popular summer destination for Toronto residents. The area is known for its scenic landscapes and wildlife, and visitors may spot moose, beavers, or blue herons. Some things to do in Muskoka include boat cruises, cycling, golfing, hiking, and wine tours. Venues we recommend:Popular venues for Muskoka retreats include Deerhurst Resort, Trillium Resort, and Rawley Resort, among others. Some of the resorts have spas/wellness centres, pools, conference centres, and team building activities like yoga, cooking, board games, and escape rooms. Best time to visit:Muskoka offers skiing in the winter, but many people like to visit in July and August to enjoy outdoor activities in the area. How to get there:To get there from Toronto, drive for three hours, hire a coach bus, or take a bus to Gravenhurst and then take a taxi. Average budget: $$$-$$$$
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6. Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island on the Pacific Coast of Canada with a mild climate, which is known for its abundance of wildlife. Visitors can spot orcas, black bears, and other animals. The island features a diversity of scenery including mountains, beaches, cities, and small towns. Some activities to do here include whale watching, sea kayaking, and hiking. Venues we recommend:Popular retreat venues on Vancouver Island include Villa Eyrie Resort, Wildwood, and Indigenous-owned spaces like Haida House, Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Spirit Bear Lodge, and more. Travellers can enjoy a scavenger hunt, kayaking, yoga, tours of the forest, or Indigenous arts and cultural experiences. Best time to visit:Vancouver Island offers a mild climate, and the best time to visit is from mid-May to early October. How to get there:To get there, you can fly into one of the island’s airports, like Victoria International Airport or Nanaimo Airport. You can also take a ferry from Vancouver, a journey of about 3.5 hours. Average budget: $$$-$$$$
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7. Whistler
This small town north of Vancouver is home to the largest ski resort in North America. At the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, the town of Whistler is a pedestrian-only area that’s home to many shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars. Within the resort, visitors can enjoy many winter sports activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ski jumping. Venues we recommend:When planning a corporate retreat in Whistler, companies can consider accommodation options like the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, Nita Lake Lodge, or Journeyman Lodge. Team building activities available in the area include axe-throwing, ziplining, helicopter sightseeing, whitewater rafting, and bungee jumping. Best time to visit:Travellers can visit Whistler from December to March to enjoy some winter sports, or try out mountain biking in July and August. How to get there:To get to Whistler from Vancouver, drive for 1.5 hours, catch the Skylynx bus, or take the Rocky Mountaineer train. Average budget: $$$$
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8. Okanagan Valley
Nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Range in British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley is known for its wineries, fruit orchards, and pine forests. Its mild climate makes it a great year-round retreat destination. Travellers can tour a winery, visit one of the region’s lakeside beaches, play golf, try wakeboarding or kayaking, go shopping, or peruse some local art galleries. Venues we recommend: There are many popular corporate retreat venues in the Okanagan. At Predator Ridge, companies can host team building events, yoga retreats, golf tournaments, and more. Watermark Beach Resort is a good spot for golf, wine tours, and events, while Burrowing Owl Winery is great for a food and wine retreat. Best time to visit:The wine tourism season runs from late spring to early autumn, so groups looking to plan a tasting trip should aim to visit during those times. How to get there: The valley is about a 4.5 hour drive from Vancouver, or a 6-hour drive from Calgary. The biggest city in the Okanagan is Kelowna, which can be reached via Kelowna International Airport, or by bus or train from other cities in Canada. Average budget: $$-$$$
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9. Drumheller
Drumheller is a fun and quirky option for corporate retreats in Alberta. Known for its coal-mining heritage and dinosaur fossils, this region is also a great place for hiking, biking, amusement parks, and rafting. One of the most famous features of Drumheller is its hoodoos, which are tall, bulbous spires of rock formed by erosion. Drumheller is part of the Canadian Badlands and is sometimes known as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World.” Venues we recommend:Some venues for corporate retreats in Drumheller include the Heartwood Inn and Spa, the Canalta Jurassic Hotel and its Cretaceous Conference Centre, and the Ramada Drumheller Hotels & Suites. All these hotels offer conference space, perfect for giving presentations before heading out to explore the region’s attractions. Best time to visit:The best time to visit Drumheller is in May and June, when visitors can enjoy pleasant weather without too much heat or mosquitos. How to get there: To get there, drive 1.5 hours from Calgary or 3 hours from Edmonton, or hire a private coach or shuttle service. Average budget: $-$$
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10. Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park is a scenic corporate retreat option for companies based on the Canadian Prairies. The park protects three different ecosystems: grasslands, upland boreal, and eastern deciduous forests. It’s known for its diverse flora and fauna, and offers a plethora of outdoor activities to try. Park visitors can enjoy hiking, boating, wildlife tours, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. Venues we recommend: Venue options for retreats in the park include the Elkhorn Resort, Spa & Conference Centre, Smokey Hollow Motel & Resort, the Russell Inn, or the Dauphin Inn Express Motel. On-site meeting rooms, guest rooms, and dining rooms with catering are available. Best time to visit:The park can be visited year-round, but autumn is a popular time to visit and see the leaves changing colour, while winter is best for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.How to get there: It’s a 3-hour drive from Winnipeg and a 4-hour drive from Regina. The area is served by regional airports in Dauphin and Brandon. Mahihkan Bus Lines also offers a bus service that stops in towns near the park. Average budget: $-$$
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