8 Workshops & Classes in Canada That Live Up to the Photos

1.The Bagel Class presents : Montreal Bagel Making Workshop!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 463 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Join Will or another experienced host in a Montreal home kitchen for a two-hour, hands-on bagel class. You will knead dough, shape and season your own Montreal-style bagels, learn about flour, and taste the warm results. The class is in English, near public transportation, and limited to a small group.

“Will is a very "fun" guy that makes this experience one for the books. Not only do you learn how to make bagels, you make them yourself. And the right way! You will learn a skill that will be valuable to your home cooking skills and for when you crave your own homemade bagels. The class was so much fun and productive. Not to be missed!”

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2.8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff’s Best in First Class.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $149

Spend 10 to 12 hours touring Banff and the Icefields Parkway in a comfortable vehicle with up to 12 people. Guides such as Rahul, Vishal, Ankit, and Vani handle the driving, timing, parking, and photos. Summer includes Moraine Lake; winter swaps it for Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge.

“Superb tour with Vishal. A long day populated with some absolutely fantastic scenery and sites. Vishal skilfully drove the bus providing commentary and answering questions easily. Would heartily recommend.”

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3.Athabasca Canyon Run Family Rafting: Class II Plus Rapids

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 193 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

This half-day rafting trip takes you from downtown Jasper to Athabasca Falls, where a certified guide such as Collin, Eric, or Chris leads a six-person raft through Class II rapids and Athabasca Canyon. You’ll wear a supplied wetsuit, paddle jacket, booties, and life jacket, then finish with a calm river stretch and a bus ride back to Jasper.

“Fantastic rafting through the beautiful Jasper wilderness. Amazing mountain views. Wonderful guides, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Perfect tour for families even with youngsters.”

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4.Sunwapta Challenge Whitewater Rafting: Class III Rapids

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $103

Paddle a 13-kilometer stretch of Jasper’s Sunwapta River in a six-person raft with guides such as Ty, Austin, Craig, and Liz. Expect a safety lesson, wet suits, Class II and III rapids, mountain views, and about 1.5 hours on the water. It is an active but beginner-friendly half-day trip.

“A fantastic experience. 10/10. Staff were rockstars; friendly, knowledgeable and a good time. Lead a bachelor party weekend and it was the highlight of our trip. Absolutely plan to go again. I would only suggest they invest in change rooms for before and after. The whole bus stripping down in front of each other or in the bush felt a little weird.”

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5.Class 3 Sunwapta River Rafting Adventure in Jasper

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110

Spend about four hours rafting the Sunwapta River with Rocky Mountain River Guides. You’ll paddle through lively Class 3 rapids under instruction from guides such as Jonah, Nate, Jacob, or Shane, with wetsuit gear, transport, and river photos available for purchase. No rafting experience is required, but you must be at least 12 and ready to paddle.

“The entire crew are awesome. From van pickup, the drive to bus ( thanks Connor) and the raft ride was spectacular. It rained and the water was high enough to get a great ride (swamping). Beautiful scenery with a dust of snow on the mountain rim. Thanks again to Nate ( our guide)”

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6.Quebec: Cuivres A. Gilles – (Free Entry) Fee for Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 1 day · from $12Best value

At Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles in Château-Richer, you’ll explore copper mining, Albert Gilles’ church commissions, and his 50-panel Christorama. A professional guide explains repoussé, then you shape your own copper piece with the family’s tools and take it home. Tours are offered in English and French.

“Toute la famille a aimé sa visite. L’accueil a été excellent. Nous avons grandement apprécié faire notre propre création de cuivre. Si vous séjournez dans le vieux Québec, prévoir un moyen de transport pour vous rendre à l’activité (environ 15-20 km du vieux Québec).”

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7.Leather belt making workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

At Flechr studio in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal, designer Kimberly Fletcher guides you through making a leather belt from start to finish. In about 2 hours 30 minutes, you’ll choose leather, cut and shape it, assemble the belt, and add finishing touches. The English-language class is limited to four people and suits beginners age 13 and up.

“This class was soooo enjoyable and well worth the price of admission! We were guided by a kind sole who is a very skilled, master craftswoman! Her patience and humor where just what I needed to facilitate my making my own piece of wearable art! Thanks Kim!”

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8.Lake Louise: Cross Country Skiing Lesson with Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 5 hours · from $146

Meet at Lake Louise at 10:30 AM for a beginner or refresher lesson with an English-speaking guide. Learn to glide, stop, fall, and get up, then ski a guided route with a 25-minute break. Groups are limited to four, and equipment rental costs extra.

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