The ritziest resorts in the Great White North attract lovers of the outdoors. (Courtesy of Wickaninnish Inn & Ancient Cedars Spa)

At Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, in Tofino, British Columbia, guests sleep in heated tents equipped with private showers, remote-controlled propane wood stoves and pressed-glass oil lamps. Nearby are the resort's "Healing Grounds," which include four massage and spa treatment tents, three wood-fired cedar hot tubs, a wood-fired cedar sauna, outdoor showers, sea water baths and wrap-around sun decks.

It's one of several Canadian resorts capturing the attention of travelers seeking high-end adventures.

Although travel to Canada is expected to decrease due to the weakening U.S. economy, those that don't deal in dollars are flocking, says Monica Campbell-Hoppé, a representative from the Canadian Tourism Commission, a national marketing organization.

In fact, Statistics Canada--the nation's federal statistics agency--says that while same-day car travel from the U.S. has decreased by 10.2% since February 2007, travel from overseas reached a three-year high in November.

Where are these adventurers heading? British Columbia, an area peppered with several wilderness resorts, is popular for its warm summers that offer more than just sun and sand.

"You're pretty much on your own at a beach resort," says Brent Macdonald, president of Vancouver-based luxury travel company Exclusively Canada. "But at places like the King Pacific Lodge, they're interested in pampering each guest individually. For example, when you land on the island, you're greeted with a glass of champagne. They take special care of you from there on."

Folks at this intimate 17-room floating lodge also enjoy guided ocean fishing, fly fishing and wildlife tours, all featuring beautiful views of the Canadian landscape. Each guest room and suite is furnished with a king-size bed and slate-lined bathroom with a deep-soaker tub, then individualized from there. For example, The Wilderness View king room overlooks the nearby rain forest, while the Romance suite features a Jacuzzi that looks out onto Barnard Harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Spectacular Slopes

Fishing lodges may be increasingly popular with luxury travelers, but ski resorts reign supreme, particularly in Whistler.

This tiny village--set to host the 2010 Winter Olympics--boasts what some argue are the best slopes in North America, many with a drop of 5,000 feet.

When they're not flying down the 200-plus marked trails, guests at the Four Seasons Whistler enjoy freshly shucked oysters and market-fresh crab from the Fifty Two 80 Bistro or--for the non-skier--a virtual training session in the gym. Downloaded to your iPod, these audio sessions guide you through a variety of cardio and weight-training workouts.

And while the West may be diverse in terms of lodging options, there are many gems back East.

Donald Mazzella, 64, a journalist based in Palisades Park, N.J., has traveled extensively in Canada, but prefers the Fox Harb'r Resort in Wallace, Nova Scotia, above all.

He and his partner, JoAnn Laing, visited the resort this past Labor Day weekend and have been recommending it to friends ever since. Along with a seafood menu including Atlantic lobster and seafood chowder that Laing says was tastier than Nobu sushi, the couple played the Graham Cooke-designed golf course, eight-room spa and 63-foot luxury cabin cruiser for private sightseeing tours.

But more than anything, they were impressed by the attentive staff. Mazzella says that's why he continues to travel in Canada--the customer service can't be beat.

"The people were wonderful," says Mazzella. "And that's what counts the most."