Around the hill

Ski

Carve through pristine snow with ocean views on Cape Smokey’s slopes. From gentle beginner runs to adrenaline-pumping expert trails, every turn comes with breathtaking mountain scenery and the thrill of winter at its best.

Winter activity

Journey the Cabot Trail

One of the world’s most stunning drives. Winding roads lead you past rugged ocean cliffs, endless forests, and views that take your breath away. Every turn is a new postcard moment - the kind that stays with you long after the journey ends.

Summer & winter activity

Northern Lights

Watch the aurora swirl and dance across a dark, star-filled sky - no city lights, no distractions. Just you, the night, and nature’s most magical show from the best seat in the house. You can often spot them on the webcam at the top of Cape Smokey.

Summer & winter activity

Gondola Ride

Glide high above Cape Smokey for sweeping ocean and mountain views. In winter, float over snow-laden trees; in fall, drift above hills ablaze with colour. Every ride ends with a view you’ll never forget.

Summer & winter activity

Guided Boat Tour

Venture into the waters around Cape Smokey, where humpback and minke whales breach the surface, bald eagles glide overhead, and playful seals pop up to greet you. With expert guides leading the way, every trip is a front-row seat to nature’s most captivating marine and coastal wildlife.

Summer activity

Wildlife Watching

From bald eagles soaring overhead to moose stepping through the morning mist, nature here comes right to your doorstep. At Cape Smokey, the wild isn’t far away - it’s part of everyday life.

Summer & winter activity

Canoe Adventure

Glide through calm waters alive with birdsong and reflections. Each paddle stroke takes you deeper into untouched wilderness, whether chasing the sunrise or drifting under a starlit sky. Here, canoeing isn’t just an activity - it’s pure peace.

Summer & winter activity

Snowmobile the Backcountry

Power through Cape Breton’s snow-covered wilderness on miles of groomed trails and rugged backcountry routes. From forested paths to wide-open highlands, every ride delivers adrenaline, fresh mountain air, and winter scenery you’ll never forget.

Winter activity

Taste of the Region

Savour the flavours of Nova Scotia - fresh Atlantic lobster, wild blueberries, and maple tapped from nearby trees. From beachside boils to fireside feasts, every bite is rooted in the land, the sea, and the seasons. It’s not just a meal - it’s a memory made here.

Summer & winter activity

Seasonal Events

From winter festivals to summer concerts under the stars, Cape Breton’s calendar is always alive. Every season brings its own celebrations - where culture, community, and good times meet.

Summer & winter activity

Golf

Tee off at Highlands Links, a Stanley Thompson–designed course often ranked among Canada’s best. Set within Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it winds through forest, along ocean cliffs, and across rolling highlands.

Summer activity

Hiking Trails

Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park on trails that wind through lush forests, along rugged cliffs, and to breathtaking lookouts. From the famed Skyline Trail’s sweeping ocean views to hidden waterfall paths, every hike here is a new adventure.

Summer & winter activity

Surfing

Ride the Atlantic swells along Ingonish’s uncrowded shores. The best waves roll in from late summer through fall, when warm waters meet consistent surf. Whether you’re chasing perfect breaks or catching your first wave, this coastline delivers.

Summer & winter activity

Trail-blazing by ATV

Roar through forests, climb mountain paths, and skirt ocean cliffs on Ingonish’s scenic ATV trails. From rugged backcountry routes to hidden viewpoints, every ride is an adventure into Cape Breton’s wild side.

Summer & winter activity

Mountain Biking

Ride through Cape Breton Highlands National Park on trails that range from gentle forest paths to thrilling downhill runs. With ocean views, rugged terrain, and pristine wilderness at every turn, biking in Ingonish is as breathtaking as it is exhilarating.

Summer & winter activity

Jet-Skiing

Feel the rush as you race across crystal-clear Atlantic waters with Cape Breton’s rugged coastline at your side. More than a thrill ride, it’s your front-row seat to the edge of the ocean.

Summer activity

Paddle Boarding

Stand tall on calm lakes or weave through hidden coves along Ingonish’s rugged coast. Paddle boarding here offers a fresh perspective on Cape Breton’s wild beauty.

Summer & winter activity

Yachting

Glide across the Atlantic, skimming past Ingonish’s dramatic cliffs and untouched coves. With steady winds and breathtaking views, it’s the perfect setting for a day at sea - from adventurous coastal cruises to peaceful anchorages in hidden bays.

Summer & winter activity

Snowshoeing

Step into a winter wonderland as you trek through quiet, snow-covered forests. With trails ranging from gentle loops to backcountry routes, snowshoeing in Ingonish is a peaceful way to explore the beauty of Cape Breton in winter.

Winter activity

Fishing

Cast for salmon in clear mountain streams or reel in cod and mackerel from the open Atlantic. From riverbanks to deep-sea waters, Cape Breton offers an angler’s paradise and a true taste of the ocean’s bounty.

Summer & winter activity

Stargazing

Under Cape Breton’s dark skies, constellations, the Milky Way, and the occasional shooting star shine bright. It’s a quiet magic found only where the night is truly still.

Summer & winter activity

Zip Line

Glide above treetops with sweeping views of Cape Breton’s coastline, forests, and highlands. Whether you’re chasing thrills or trying it for the first time, it’s an unforgettable way to see the island from a whole new perspective.

Summer activity

Maple Harvest Traditions

Each spring, Nova Scotia celebrates one of its sweetest seasons - the maple harvest. You’ll find pure maple syrup and hand-crafted treats at farmers’ markets and local shops, bringing the taste of spring straight to your table.

Summer activity

Wildflowers

Wander through meadows painted with wildflowers, where lupins, asters, and buttercups bloom in a shifting tapestry of colour. From spring’s first blossoms to summer’s vibrant fields, each season brings new hues to Cape Breton’s landscapes.

Summer activity

Heritage & History

Step back in time with a visit to Cape Breton’s historic villages and museums. Wander cobblestone streets, explore traditional homes, and hear the stories of those who shaped the island’s past.

Summer activity

Music Nights

Evenings near Cape Smokey come alive with the sound of Cape Breton. From intimate pub sessions to lively community gatherings, music is woven into the culture of the island.

Summer activity

Whale Watching

Venture into the open waters around Cape Smokey, where humpback and minke whales rise from the deep in awe-inspiring displays. With expert guides at your side, each excursion offers an unforgettable front-row seat to the ocean’s most majestic giants.

Summer activity

Tennis

Near Cape Smokey, guests can enjoy tennis surrounded by the natural beauty of Cape Breton. Local courts and clubs offer the chance to play a friendly match or simply practice your swing, all while breathing in the fresh ocean air.

Summer activity

Autumn Leaves

Cape Breton is world-famous for its fall foliage, drawing visitors from across the globe to witness the fiery reds, golden yellows, and vibrant oranges that blanket the highlands each autumn.

Summer activity

Beach Walks

Stroll along endless stretches of shoreline where every season tells a different story. No matter the time of year, a walk by the sea is a timeless invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with nature.

Summer activity

Kayaking

Glide across shimmering waters where silence meets adventure. Each stroke of the paddle propels you closer to hidden coves and winding inlets, whether you’re racing the morning tide or drifting at sunset’s glow.

Summer activity

Free Ride Slopes & Backcountry

For those who crave freedom beyond the groomed runs, Cape Smokey’s free ride slopes open up a playground of natural terrain. From untouched powder fields to rolling drops and tree-lined gullies, every descent offers a new adventure shaped by the mountain itself.

Winter activity

Cross-Country & Backcountry

Just beyond Cape Smokey, you’ll find a network of serene cross-country (Nordic) ski trails, winding through snow-covered forests and open landscapes with breathtaking ocean and highland views.

Winter activity

Ice Fishing

A true winter tradition in Cape Breton, ice fishing offers both adventure and calm. As the lakes freeze over, locals and visitors alike gather in cozy huts or out on the open ice to fish for trout and perch.

Winter activity

Seasonal Farmer’s Markets

Savour the flavours of Nova Scotia at its seasonal farmer’s markets — where crisp apples, handpicked berries, and homemade preserves fill the stalls.

Summer activity