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Know some winning outdoor websites? E-mail us at the address below. If we choose one of your favourites, we'll mail you a 'special' gift from Nova Scotia. Look here soon for a list of winning entries.
Outdoor Nova Scotia welcomes Shelly Hipson as our Top 5 website co-ordinator. Questions, comments and suggestions for our Top 5 websites should addressed to Shelly at the e-mail address below.
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The Top 5
Outdoor Web Sites! Six times a year Outdoor Nova Scotia searches cyberspace for what we consider are the 5 best outdoor web sites on the Internet. And we look for the same things you do...solid design, great photography, credible information and lasting entertainment value. Have your own Top 5? Like to make a comment? Send your website suggestions, comments or questions to our Top5 co-ordinator at: top5@outdoorns.com Here are our November/December, 2002 Top 5 picks... Enjoy!
Previous Picks - September/October 2002 Canada’s largest outdoor resource had 1.25 million hits in the month of July 2002. It highlights National Parks, fun adventures, and feature articles on resorts, hiking trails and paddling. The "Out There" directory touches on everything from orienteering to dog sledding. Sandi Mellon and Kim Scwanky join the ranks of men to enjoy the primarily male dominated sports of hunting and fishing. I guess if ya can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Great photos of "mountain moose memories" and "tails of caribou trails". The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is dedicated to protecting significant natural areas on privately owned land. The Trust is a non-government charitable and conservation organization. Find out if you can play a role in protecting our landscapes and the many species that inhabit our great outdoors.
The United Nations designated 2002 as the International Year of Eco-tourism. The quest is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits while ensuring sustainability. Eco-professionals can find information on market data and conservation. Looking for a travel experience that is a little off the wall? How about tracking and protecting wolves in India? Or a UFO Expedition in the Australian Outback? All kinds of interesting adventures that make you stop and think that your life is totally boring... July/August 2002 Site categories include birding, scuba diving, nature tours and skiing. Detailed company information is provided so that you can plan your next vacation adventure.The Bay of Fundy site focuses on the natural wonders of the area such as the enormous tides, coastal management and pointers on how to explore the bay. One hundred billion tones of water flow into and out of the Bay on an average tide. Learn more about the Bay of Fundy.
The CRCA has served 2.3 million non-competitive paddlers in Canada since 1971. Planning a paddling adventure? Some worthwhile pointers are listed. They promote safe, enjoyable paddling for everyone! Bored of seeing the "same old, same old" while traveling? This site offers travel for the spirited that would enjoy "behind the scenes" opportunities. Maybe you would like to shop for lunch at the morning market with a chef in Vietnam? Now that would be something different! Ever wonder how some resorts come to be in the middle of nowhere in such countries as Costa Rica or Guatemala. Naturegate creates destinations for rare experiences that are environmentally sustainable. Nature based lodges, activities and experiences are listed. May/June 2002  Adventure
Living
Do you prefer to live life or watch it slide by? This site will inspire you to start living. Included are stories, action photos and great info on white water rafting, expeditions and scuba etc. Check out the section titled, "Life". Are you ready for adventure? Planning to travel throughout Canada this summer? You may want to check out this site to plan your accommodations. There are 6576 facilities listed broken down by Province and region. Description of the properties includes photos, list of amenities and rates. Ecotrust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the emergence of a conservation economy along the West Coast of North America from San Francisco to Anchorage. Ever wonder what’s behind that farmed salmon steak? Very informative slide show. Informative site for those interested in the Tourism and Travel Industry. Interesting stats, educational and tourism development information are highlighted. The First World Eco-tourism Summit was held May 19-22, 2002 in Quebec with over 1,100 delegates from 133 countries. The official site of the summit is www.ecotourism2002.org/ Do you want to reach the summit? Great climbing photos with information on courses, international expeditions and trekking. The "Live Your Dreams Program", encourages new and experienced climbers to reach some of the highest peaks in the world. March/April 2002 Raid the North challenges participants to a 36-hour non-stop adventure in some of the most rugged backcountry that Canada has to offer. Up for a true challenge this summer? Check out Raid the North Extreme for six non-stop days of hiking, biking and paddling. More women are participating in typically male dominated sports to challenge themselves physically and mentally. If you are looking for sportswear to try out hand gliding, parachuting or windsurfing or are interested in news articles and pointers, check this site out. Outdoor Adventure Canada provides good information about the Canadian Outdoors that features articles on backpacking, paddling and hiking. June's feature is sea kayaking Quebec's Saguenay Fjord; an opportunity to see remarkable vistas and the beluga whale. Mountain bike events, trails, pointers on fixing bike problems and some great photos and graphics of the sport are featured. Makes you want to dust off that bike in the basement! Interested in connecting with Nature? The Institute of Global Education encourages people to reconnect with nature so that they can improve health and well-being. We all feel better when we take a walk in the woods. Check out the free course that is being offered. Sounds neat. January/February 2002 A year-round guide to Arts & Craft Studios in Nova Scotia. Excellent resource. No rally after 2001, no government funding. A quirky, fun site that has
many neat projects to follow from "Dog What are you
doing this weekend? Geared towards Toronto residents, this site
motivates people to make most of their leisure time by offering The Nova Scotia Sea School is an adventure sailing camp that specializes in building wooden boats and sail training for youth 14 - 18 years of age. This grass
routes advocacy club as more than 700,000 members and November/December 2001
Nova Scotia has the largest number of lighthouses in Canada yet many are in serious danger of being lost forever. Click on 'The Doomsday List' to understand the society's mandate. Along with New Brunswick’s snowmobile trail conditions check out "The Rocket." February 1, 2002, a team of women are planning to set a new Guiness World Record. Succulent lobsters to fresh seasonal vegetables. A mouth watering site to explore. It is a province-wide, non-profit restaurant program whose members are committed to offering the best food Nova Scotia has to offer. The world's largest non-profit educational and travel organization for adults 55 and over. Shelburne, Nova Scotia is offering several Elderhostel programs. Atlantic Canada cycling trips of a lifetime. Events, tours & directories. Lots of links. Check out Cape Breton Island Tour July 21-28, 2002. September/October 2001 An excellent website devoted to "virtually everything about trails in Canada." Search for resource material and trails by province and region. Learn about the Trans Canada Trail project including the 250 kilometer, Nova Scotia portion of the trail. Always interesting stuff to surf! This government sponsored website promises to be a superb resource for trails of all types in the province. Great maps! Informative, easy to navigate; watch for important additions to this website soon. Submit your favourite trail to their database. Like to see more information on actual trails in the province. Federation newsletter, NS Trails, can be downloaded - an excellent resource! July/August 2001 This site has had a facelift. It is easier to navigate, there are better graphics and more detailed forecasts from various locations in each province. Another weather site particularly useful this time of the year. Good information and great satellite photos. Bound to be a hit with surfers in Nova Scotia. Mathew Hogg is a student in Halifax and an avid hiker. This is his website about his many adventures in Nova Scotia The site is well designed and easy to navigate. A site dedicated to the many hiking trails of Cape Breton Island. This is one of the best trail sites in Nova Scotia. One to bookmark.
One man's account (Allen Hodgson) of several canoe adventures on the Shubenacadie River. A site worth reading, containing useful and interesting information on the Shubie River and Canal System. (Note: Despite a through search of the internet we are unable to find a new address for this website. If anyone has the URL please forward it to us.) May/June 2001 Want to see how your favourite gear and equipment rates among outdoor enthusiasts? Want to submit your own review? This site is a real gem! Excellent site! Bookmark this one. With all the changes in boating regulations this year, this website would be a good one to bookmark. Well-researched information. Pat has done his homework. A beautifully designed website. Their database of adventure listings is impressive; foreign visitors will find the "Before You Travel" information helpful. David Smith's site is an 'excellent' source for hiking trials on the island. Complete with personal photos and notes on each of his many adventures. Plenty of information, nicely designed. Newfoundland looks like a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. A very professional marketing effort. March/April 2001 A great new site from the Nova Scotia government, complete with photo gallery, 'find-a-park' search engine, great photos, maps and useful information. Keep abreast of all the latest duck habitat news and programs from one Canada's premier conservation organizations. Check out DU's new 'What's New?' page. Another in a series of wonderful and informative nature sites from The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. Just the site you want for that last minute school project.
A good source of information on Nova Scotia's wonderful 'french shore.' Take a tour or read of Clare's fascinating history and cultural attractions.
Plenty of information and great photos on Nova Scotia's Lighthouse Route brought to you by the SSTA. Solid design. Easy to navigate. January/February 2001 Great Site. Nicely designed. Easy to navigate. Excellent photographs. Good information. You will want to bookmark this one. One of the most popular sites in the province. An excellent 'who's who' of the web in Nova Scotia. Nicely designed, regularly updated. This site has had a major facelift. Nice refinements. Excellent photographs, but still a little short on content. Worth a second look. This Canadian company has become a major power in the outdoor gear business. It's owned by its members! Good site. Easy to navigate. Eye catching design. Great photographs. A good source of information on Nova Scotia's capital city. November/December 2000 A great magazine and an informative website. Nicely designed. Their breeds and breeders information are great! Over 200 breeds described. One of the largest travel sites on the net. All the latest travel news and discounts. Check out Expedia Maps, the service is impressive. Walking tours worldwide - note their tour of Cape Breton Island. The site is interesting and informative; their print travel catalogue is excellent. Write for it! News, views, maps and numerous great photographs of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area in south central Nova Scotia. Full marks to the Committee! Parks Canada official website. A good introduction to one of Canada's most spectacular National Parks. Information on camping, hours of operation, etc. September/October 2000 One of several informative sites from The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. A great, on line guide to birding in the province. Funded by the Heinz Foundation, the Conservancy operates the largest private system of nature sanctuaries in the world. Have a look. Yet another informative website from The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. This site will surely ignite an interest in rockhounding in the province. A Nova Scotia government site. Lots of information and great photos. Don't forget to click on the "Wildlife of Nova Scotia" page. A summary of angling regulations in Nova Scotia - seasons, bag limits, licenses, fishing regions, river closures, etc. The angler diary program is interesting. July/August 2000 Great Outdoors is a "great" website; brought to you by the Outdoor Life Network. Check out the video clips on a wide variety of outdoor activities. "Your link to the Natural World" - A wonderful site; great features, you can surf for hours; includes The Bird Watcher's Digest. Learn more about an international organization with over 50 schools and centers in five continents...dedicated to wilderness survival and endurance. Planning a paddle trip this summer? This website will assist you in choosing the best route. Nicely designed site and always something of interest for outdoor enthusiasts. Easy to navigate. Don't forget to subscribe to "Collections". May/June 2000 A great resource for identifying wintering birds in Nova Scotia. Tips on feeding. Illustrations are wonderful. Make sure you click on the "Clues Page." An American non-profit organization dedicated to abandoned rail development and preservation. Good starting point for potential developers in Nova Scotia. Yet another great information website from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. And yes, we have more than one species in the province. Take a look! Not only a great commercial site but a wealth of information on cycling, hiking, kayaking and other outdoor activities. Click on their "Explore the Outdoors" icon. Official website of the Boy Scouts of Canada. Keep up-to-date with the Scouting community. Contacts, Program Reviews, Scout Shops, Clipart Gallery and more. March/April 2000
Among the top outdoor websites on the Internet. Hundreds of outdoor web pages, features and destinations from around the world. You can surf GORP for hours!
Looking for a birding location with a difference? Choose from the dozens of birding destinations offered by Field Guides Birding Tours. Informative, some great photos. Follow Nova Scotia Snowboarder, Trevor Andrew on his journey to stardom. Great action photography. All the latest snowboarding news. Thinking about buying a dog? The CKC website is a good place to start. The 'Selecting a Breed' form and 'Breed Histories' section are great. Give it a surf. Photos of bald eagles, koalas and kangaroos by wildlife photographer, John Herron. The bald eagle photos are spectacular! January/February 2000
Our top web site - informative, wonderful, educational. You'll love it! Check out the illustrated children's book on Sable Island. You will want to bookmark this one for future reference.
A great kid's site or anyone else who would like to see wild animals up-close. Great photos, nicely designed. A recommended cyberspace destination! Informative, well-designed, easy to navigate, colourful maps... a great introduction to Nova Scotia; published by the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS). Rated 5 out of 5 by Web Magazine, Virtual Nova Scotia is a relatively new site developed by the provincial tourism department. Don't forget to order your Travel Guide!
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