8 of the most stunning locations that star in Canada's Ultimate Challenge
CBC’s new reality series turns Canada into a giant obstacle course
Traversing the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge in Squamish, BC
Squamish is known as the "outdoor adventure" capital of Canada and home to the iconic Sea to Sky Gondola. A 10-minute ride takes visitors 885 metres above sea level for stunning views of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains.
At the top, is the 100-metre-long Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, which falls away hundreds of metres below, giving a dramatic feeling of height over land — and the scene for a daring challenge as players traverse the bridge on an obstacle course located underneath it!
Paddling the Athabasca River in Hinton, Alberta
At 1,200 kilometres long, the mighty Athabasca is the longest river in Alberta and originates in Jasper National Park. Now a Canadian Heritage River, it was the waterway explorer David Thompson paddled as he mapped most of Western Canada in the 1800s.
The Athabasca provided crucial transportation for First Nations and early European settlers who navigated the waterway to transport supplies — just like the Canada's Ultimate Challenge players who use it to move caches downstream.
Racing across the Carcross Desert in Carcross, Yukon
The Carcross Desert is considered to be one of the world's smallest deserts, measuring approximately 2.6 kilometres squared.
It was formed during the last glacial period when a large lake dried up leaving behind silt, which strong winds have funneled into sand dunes.
Although Carcross Desert is too humid to be a true desert, the area receive less than 50 cm of precipitation a year because the surrounding mountains cast a shadow, sheltering it from rain.
It's flanked by four stunning peaks, which are named after a Tagish First Nations story; Tekade'uch, Weji'tsay, Cheli'chele and Tatlachechi (Montana, Grey, Caribou and Nares Mountains). Riding fat-tire bikes, players race along the dunes just like locals who use the area for recreation.
Scaling the Myra Canyon in Kelowna, British Columbia
The stunning Myra Canyon was once used for the Kettle Valley Railway which was built at the turn of the last century. This section of the railway has now been designated a National Historic Site of Canada and is a popular hiking and cycling spot.
A series of 18 magnificent wooden trestles and two tunnels were built to traverse the deep canyon. At 238 metres long, the Belleview Trestle is the site of a nail-biting challenge as players climb a colossal rope net to reach the top.
Kayaking the 1000 Islands in Gananoque, Ontario
The 1000 Islands region located in Eastern Ontario is celebrated as one of the world's best fresh-water shipwreck diving destinations. The beautiful, crystal-clear waters are often called the 'Caribbean of the North'.
Trading and tall ships once travelled the waterways around the over 1800 islands ranging in size from 100 square kilometres to a single piece of rock. Our players paddle in tandem kayaks on a course through the coves and bays.
Rappelling the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec
Built in 1893, the Chateau Frontenac is an iconic landmark that has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. The hotel is 80 metres high but sits on a 50-metre hill giving it the impression of being much taller. And just below the Chateau is the Place Royal area where Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608.
Players will rappel down from the Chateau roof to ground sixteen stories below.
Underground rescue at the MacLean Engineering Mine in Sudbury, Ontario
While building the transcontinental railroad in 1883, workers discovered rich deposits of nickel ore in the Canadian Shield. Since then, mining has been an integral part of the birth and rise of Sudbury. Mining companies around Sudbury still employ thousands of residents making it a vital industry to the city.
The MacLean Engineering Mine is a training facility with a 300-metre ramp that takes players 40 metres below the earth where they compete in a dramatic mine rescue obstacle course.
'Lobster fishing' off Confederation Bridge in Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick
The Confederation Bridge is the longest bridge in the world crossing ice-covered water. The toll bridge spans 12.9 kilometres, connecting Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, to Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. It opened for use in 1997 and provided a fixed link across the Northumberland Strait.
In our final episode, players will be lowered off the bridge into the water 60 metres below to retrieve a weighted lobster trap.
