Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 1: YYC, YYJ

Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada has begun... wasn't that a great episode?

In addition to information on the airports the teams visit, for this season of the race we will also bring you information on how to go where the teams went, and how to do what they did. Just in case you yelled, "I want to do that!" at your TV. Let's start with the fun stuff.

Want to go where the 11 teams did, and do what the teams did?

You saw Jon walking on the breathtaking Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park... want to try it too?	Glacier Skywalk Admission
Yes, you can ride in that cool red and white glacier friendly bus on Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park!	Columbia Icefield Tour from Calgary (or Jasper, or Banff)
Are you brave enough to ride North America's fastest zipline? You saw the teams do it, so you know why it's called "The Monster". Tip: you can also ride the bobsled at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park while you are there.	Zipline at Winsports Canada Olympic Park
Have you ever wanted to skydive? We can't think of a more beautiful spot to do a tandem skydive than Victoria! Of course, you can also take a scenic flight without jumping out!	Skydivers Victoria Panoramic Seaplane Tour
Was your mouth watering? The good news is the servers are very well trained, and Tea at the Empress is a very special experience.	Tea at the Empress Reservations Victoria City Tour - with optional Tea at the Empress
Fisgard Lighthouse, the pitstop for Week 1, is located in Colwood, just outside Victoria. The lighthouse opened in 1860 and was the first lighthouse on Canada's west coast.	Visit Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites

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Unfortunately, we can't tell you how to participate in the emergency drill activities the teams completed at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, as the base is not open to the public. There are occasions when the site is open to the public though, so check out the CFB Esquimalt Facebook page.

Now, to the airports... As you will recall, the teams visited two airports during week 1, so here is information on them both.

The Amazing Race Canada visited Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Season 1. If you missed it, you can read about what we said in our Season 1 Amazing Race Canada - Week 3 blog post.

This was the first visit to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) for the Amazing Race Canada. Here are some things you may not know about Victoria International Airport (YYJ):

• Victoria International Airport was named 8 among the 10 most loved airports in the world in a 2011 poll conducted by CNN on Facebook.
• YYJ is Canada's 10th busiest airport.
• There are direct flights from YYJ to San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, as well as cities in British Columbia.
• Seasonal direct service is offered Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Las Vegas and Honolulu.
• YYJ is located adjacent to the Pat Bay Seaplane Base (also known as Victoria Airport Water Aerodrome).
• The RCAF 443 Squadron operates a heliport here, which they refer to as Patricia Bay Heliport.
• There is a great observation lounge upstairs in the terminal (look for the elevator behind Tim Horton's).
• There is a 9.3 kilometre paved trail that surrounds the airport for walking, running, and cycling.

If you go, the easiest way to get to/from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is by taxi, though there is now a decent YYJ airport shuttle, and even bus service.

We hope you found our information of value, and welcome your feedback. Like you, we look forward to Week 2. Go teams, go!

Related resources:

• Amazing Race Canada Season 1 airports recap
• Calgary International Airport (YYC) transportation guide 
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ) transportation guide 
• Layover ideas and things to do in Calgary
• Layover ideas and things to do in Victoria

Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 airports recap

With Season 2 upon us, we thought we would recap the airports that the Amazing Race Canada teams visited in Season 1.

We started with our Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 Airport Quiz. Did you try it out? How did you do? If not, take the quiz now and check your memory!.

In Season 1, The Amazing Race Canada's visited 12 Canadian airports (the links below go to our transportation guides for each):

Air Canada is The Amazing Race Canada's lead sponsor

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax International Airport (YHZ)
• Iqaluit Airport (YFB)
• Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
• Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Quebec City Jean Lasage International Airport (YQB)
• Regina Airport (YQR)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Whitehorse International Airport (YXY)
• Yellowknife Airport (YZF)

As Season 1 unfolded, we blogged about the visits, and a bit more about the airports themselves. If you'd like to read up, here's a link to all our Amazing Race Canada Season 1 blog posts.

We also did a little feature on Toronto Billy Bishop City Centre Airport (YTZ) as, while the teams didn't visit the airport, they did visit the Toronto Islands, in the city centre, where YTZ is located (read it here).

We hope you will follow along as we blog about the airports visited on Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada. We'll even tell you about the best ways to get to/from each, in case you are inspired to visit!

Related resources:

• 5 Busiest Airports in Canada 
• Canada's Story - Airport Councils International
• End of Days - YYZ to discontinue bus service 
• Do we really hate taxis?

Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 airport quiz

Hint: the answers to all questions are in our
IHateTaxis Amazing Race Canada Blog

What airports did The Amazing Race Canada teams visit in Season 1? What do you know about them? Test your knowledge with our Amazing Race Canada Season 1 Airport Quiz!

How's YOUR knowledge? Take our quiz to find out!
Click here to start the quiz

Amazing Race Canada Season 2 - starts July 8th!

Oh Canada! The Amazing Race Canada is back for another season!

The new season of The Amazing Race Canada is set to kick off on July 8th on CTV.

Here are some highlights from the official press release:

Back this summer with all-new teams and exciting, edge-of-your-seat challenges, the most-watched Canadian television series on record returns for a second season of action-packed adventure. Season 1 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA raced ahead of the pack with an average audience of 3.5 million viewers each week, and garnered two Canadian Screen Award wins for Best Photography in a Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Program or Series, and Best Writing in a Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Program or Series.

The most-watched Canadian television series on record kicks-off its heart-pounding second season in a new timeslot, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, beginning July 8 on CTV and CTV GO.

What isn't in the press release is one of the most exciting aspects of Season 2: all applicants were required to have a valid passport and be eligible to travel anywhere in the world. As much as we loved the focus on Canada least year, rumours about international travel on The Race this year are most welcome! 

What we're excited about:

• International travel - we wonder what airports the teams will visit?
• Rex Harrington will be a competitor (the retired dancer)

What we hope to see this season:

• Visits to the Canadian provinces missed in Season 1: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
• More Canadian flags!

Be sure you follow:

• @AmazingRaceCDA - the official show tweets
• @jonmonty - Jon Montgomery, the show's host (and Olympian!)
• @ihatetaxis - we'll be blogging and tweeting about the airports visited

Related resources:

• The Amazing Race Canada - the official CTV website
• Meet the Contestants of Amazing Race Canada, Season 2
• Read the full press release

Amazing Race Canada - Week 10: The Toronto Islands finish fine

All eyes were on Toronto last week as the first season of The Amazing Race Canada wrapped up.

Toronto skyline, viewed from Toronto Islands

The race finished on the Toronto Islands, a small chain of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, just offshore from the city. Even if you aren't familiar with the islands, you are probably familiar with the Toronto skyline, the shots of which are taken from various spots on the islands.


The Amazing Race Canada concluded on Olympic Island (click map to enlarge)

As the action at the finish line has been well covered, we'll focus on where it all took place, with a visit to the Toronto Islands. While often referred to collectively, the final leg of The Amazing Race Canada actually took place on Olympic Island.

Popular with both Toronto residents and tourists, there is plenty to attract visitors to the oasis of calm on the Toronto Islands.

With no fixed road link from the mainland, the islands rely on ferries, water taxis and other boats for their transport needs. Cyclists are welcomed on the ferries, or you can rent a bike on the islands. You can also rent canoes - boating is popular. It's a friendly and relaxed place to get away.

There are wonderful parks, numerous beaches and all manner of things to keep kids entertained, including a miniature railroad. There's plenty to keep adults occupied too.

In addition to being a popular recreational destination, the Toronto Islands are home to a small residential community. The Toronto Islands actually comprise the largest urban car-free community in North America (though some service vehicles are permitted).

House on Ward's Island

The islands are also home to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Although the teams didn't use the airport, we think it's close enough to warrant a little coverage! Also referred to as Toronto Islands Airport, YTZ the smallest of the city's two main airports - we've covered Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in previous posts.


Toronto Harbour, Toronto Islands and the airport, taken from the CN Tower

There is no public access between the airport and the rest of the island chain. A separate dedicated ferry provides a vehicle and passenger connection from a dock at the foot of Bathurst Street. You can read about how the YTZ airport ferry connection works here.

In 2014, the western end of the island will become accessible to pedestrians with the opening of the Toronto Islands Airport Pedestrian Tunnel. The 800 ft. pedestrian tunnel will have moving sidewalks and elevators at both ends. On the island side, an escalator will also be constructed. The tunnel is already 50% complete.

Porter Airlines Bombardier Q400 landing at YTZ

It's safe to say that The Amazing Race Canada was a smashing success. Canadians from coast to coast tuned into Canada's version of the iconic race, in record numbers. Enthusiasm for the locations visited, disappointment about cities left out and support for the teams themselves brought Canadians together in collective pride.

How exciting it is that a second season has been ordered... we wonder where they will go? We'll be tuned in, as we're sure you will be too.

Amazing Race Canada - Week 9: 1 ferry, no airports!

The excitement continued on The Amazing Race Canada in Week 9 - if you missed the episode, you can watch it, and get full details on the official website.

As far as our coverage goes - as we have focused on the airports visited on the race - we were left a bit stumped as to what to post for Week 9.... as there were no airports involved!

The teams began in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but we had covered Halifax's Airport in our Week 8 blog post).

On the MV Atlantic Vision ferry, Marine Atlantic,
between North Sydney (Nova Scotia) and
Port aux Basques (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Next, the teams took the ferry from North Sydney to Port aux Basques, on their way to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ferry service in the area is provided by Marine Atlantic.

As a result, during the entire Week 9 episode, there were no airports!

Instead, we did a blog post this week on the 5 Busiest Airports in Canada - with lots of extra trivia and information. Check it out.

We look forward to more Amazing Race blog posts - with airports! - as the race goes into the final stretch...

Go teams go!!

Amazing Race Canada - Week 8: YFB, YHZ

Week 8 of The Amazing Race Canada began in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Aerial view of Iqaluit, Nanavut, Canada.

If you missed it, our Week 7 blog post last week highlighted many of the unique challenges of air travel in this remote region of Canada, as well as the beauty and culture of this unique community.

So, onto Week 8, as the teams departed from Iqaluit Airport (YFB), and flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of Canada's beautiful Maritime provinces.

As with our most recent Amazing Race Canada blog posts, we will focus on the airport and other items of interest in the region (as there are many different sites doing a great job of recapping the teams and the race itself!).

Halifax's airport has won numerous international awards.

At the beginning of Week 8, the teams arrived in Halifax International Airport (YHZ). It's officially called Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport, named to honour former Nova Scotia Premier, "Honest Bob" (Robert) Stanfield.

Halifax Airport is open and bright.

If you are compelled to visit, chances are you won't get the same transportation pre-arranged as the teams did. And you'll need a transportation plan, as Halifax Airport is located 35 kilometres from the city of Halifax.

But, good news: getting to/from Halifax Airport just got much easier this week!

On September 3, 2013, the Halifax Airport Express shuttle commenced service. The shuttle will operate from YHZ airport to major hotels and universities downtown (and visa versa, of course!). You can even book online. Learn more about the Halifax Airport shuttle here.

This is in addition to the MetroX 320 airport bus. Halifax Airport bus service was introduced when the prior shuttle service closed down in October 2012, and there is definite hope that it will continue, as it offers a very economical alternative. Learn more about the Halifax Airport bus here.

You might also be interested to learn about the unique role the team at Halifax Airport played during 9/11. Just one of many Canadian airports to accept diverted flights and passengers on September 11, 2001, the role played by Halifax's airport was highlighted in a CBC news story on the 10th anniversary.

As it turns out, at the end of Week 8's episode, the teams were still in Halifax (in a bit of a "to be continued" cliffhanger), so we'll pick up our coverage here next week.