The reimagined experience, called Awaken Canada, evolves the original Flyover journey – first debuted in 2013 – with new technology, new locations and more of the country’s beauty on display.
Riders sit in a ‘sphere’ and experience wind, mist, scents and more as they travel across Canada, from Arctic landscapes to lively city centres to golden prairies to coastal towns.
“The first Canada experience was wildly successful in Vancouver. It became embraced by the community,” says Sherpa Cinema’s David Mossop, writer and director of Awaken Canada. “It was a big challenge, but we tried our hardest to take this new experience to the next level.”
The new nationwide adventure takes guests to a few familiar locations, like Toronto’s CN Tower and Quebec City, as well as other remarkable spots far beyond the beaten path.
Filming took Mossop and crew to the far edges of the country, including the Yukon’s Mount Logan and Nunavut’s Baffin Island.
Awaken Canada highlights many places that visitors might only ever see through the lens – and Mossop wanted to make sure it was the best view possible.
“It’s such a huge privilege for us to get to go to these places that I’ve always dreamed of,” he says. “My job is to capture these places in a beautiful light, in the most beautiful conditions, in the most beautiful moment.”
The remote locations brought new challenges, including accessing tough-to-reach regions.
Through partnership with Parks Canada and the due protocols, respect and appreciation for the Indigenous nations across the country that helped and allowed his team to capture these places appropriately.
One of the most important elements of the journey is the music, which helps visitors engage emotionally with the experience.
“Building the score and creating that emotional path that people go through is my favourite part of the whole experience. It’s incredible to see what these composers can do to influence our emotions and take us on a journey,” added Mossop.
Throughout the journey, visitors hear from a diverse range of voices and musicians that pair with the visual elements of the experience.
Awaken Canada features new technology, most notably, the use of drones that get visitors up close and personal with Alberta’s Marble Canyon, the CN Tower and downtown Toronto, and even a skier navigating the narrow streets and walkways of Old Quebec.
Mossop says Awaken Canada was made possible through the power of partnership. From Parks Canada to Indigenous nations to small communities across the country, the welcoming spirit of Canadians was crucial in creating this unique and unifying adventure.
“We hope that this project reminds people how lucky we are to be in this majestic country, how unique we are to the world and that we celebrate and respect all of these diverse landscapes to help create a feeling of who we are as a collective.”
The ride, located at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, takes about 25 minutes and runs every 15 to 20 minutes during operating hours.
