The Wild Wild West
^{(Across Alberta)}

Two things that Albertans love to brag about are mountains and cowboy culture. During the winter, both come together in the sport of skijoring, featuring cowboys on galloping horses towing daring skiers 🐴 ⛷️. The sport is nothing new. In 1902, skijoring was a demonstration sport at the winter Olympics, but in the past decade it has steadily grown in popularity across western Canada. Part of the popularity is attributed to the party vibes. Spectators and participants dress up in western fashions and 80s neon ski onesies. Catch skijoring competitions this weekend in Calgary at the Confluence Historic Site, two hours north of Edmonton in St. Paul, and up in Cold Lake in March.

Curious Canada Tip: Skijoring is practically an extension of the Calgary Stampede 🤠. Yahoo! Pull out your cowboy hat and other western wear. Just don’t forget your longjohns.

Best Seat in the House
^{(Vancouver, Canada)}

And the award for the worst named awards goes to...the JUNOs 🏆 ⭐ 🎤. No seriously, I don't think most Canadians could tell you how Canada's biggest music award got its name or even name five 2025 nominees. And yet unknown artists is what makes the JUNOs, in my opinion, one of the best award shows in North America. It's kind of like attending your favourite folk music festival; you never know what to expect but a good time will be had. This year’s show takes place March 30 in Vancouver and is hosted by Michael Bublé.

Curious Canada Tip: If you want to attend the JUNOs for free, sign up to become a seat filler. Your job is to make sure that the arena looks full for the TV broadcast when Sum 41 go up to accept their award or when Tate McCrae takes a pee break. Sign up to volunteer through the official JUNO page and also check Television Audiences Eventbrite page closer to the date.

Believe It or Not
^{(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)}

Whoever said museums are boring obviously didn't visit Glitchy’s Oddities in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Make your way past the books and candy counter to see a sweet collection of curiosities that include the world's largest cheezie, a two-headed calf and fur-covered mounted fish. The free museum will give you a newfound appreciation for the very weird and wonderful Saskatoon. 

Drop the Needle
^{(Montreal, Quebec)}

An emerging digital detox trend I'm seeing across Canada is the rise of vinyl cafes 🎷 ☕. They originally started in Japan in the 1950s when bars and cafes amassed huge jazz record collections as a result of a growing interest in American jazz music. The idea was to listen to the music, not talk 🎧. The listening room concept never really took off in North America, but 70 years later a new generation of audiophiles are embracing vinyl cafes. With its rich history of Canadian jazz, Montreal is the hotbed of vinyl cafes. Got Soul Cafe in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood houses a mind-blowing 15,000+ records. Chill to 60s jazz at Bar Le Record in Villaroy quartier. The club atmosphere at Sans Soleil Bar in Montreal’s Chinatown might not be for everyone, but it has an impressive collection of speakers that will blow you away.

THE THROUPLE

3 Uniquely Canadian TV Shows

Any typos in this newsletter are the fault of my own. I am human not AI