1

It would take 3 to 4 days to drive from the east coast to Winnipeg. So I would suggest to fly to Winnipeg, then a bus to Saskatoon. At 21 years old, you may not be able to rent a car, so you will be stuck taking buses to Whistler. Stop off in Jasper for a few days. It is just as beautiful as Banff, although the attractions around Jasper will require either tours or hitchhiking in the park. Stay at a Jasper hostel, and you may be able to hitch/share rides from other lodge guests to see the surrounding sights.

2

I agree with what #1 says. As a nature lover, you should focus on the Rockies and British Columbia. You'll eat up some of that time in Winnipeg and Saskatoon, which are not nearly as interesting/exciting as further west so you'll have to balance the thrill of adventure and travel with the fun that can be had with friends. From Saskatoon head to either Banff or Jasper. If you stay in a hostel you will meet people with whom you can hiking and touring. At 21, you will be able to rent a car but you will incur an under-25 surcharge. I'd focus on the Rockies, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. If you have a car, you can make more stops in between the Rockies and Vancouver, such as in the Kootenays (Nelson area) and the Okanagan (Penticton area).

Hmmm...assuming 3 days with your friend in Winnipeg, 3 days with your friend in Saskatoon, and 3 days with your friend in Whistler then you only have 6 days on your own. I see the bus from Saskatoon to Calgary goes via Edmonton, so you might be better off getting off there and going to Jasper; 3 days in Jasper plus the day to get there...so then you have 2 days for Vancouver. Alternatively, if you fly from Saskatoon to Vancouver then you can split 3 days in Vancouver and 3 days in Tofino (Vancouver Island). Have fun!

3

fly to winnipeg from the east coast to save time totally, Winnipeg in june is great, lots of touristy and culture, arts and great food in the city (although many non locals may disagree!) most of the fun nature-esque things are just beyond the city though in Gimli, Grand Beach etc so hopefully your friends will take you there if desired

you cold take the train from Winnipeg to saskatoon or jasper (schedule permitting) check via rail if it fits at all. Otherwise like others said bus is the other option to keep it cheap, if you're lucky maybe you'll get a great one way flight deal but don't hold your breath.

To be honest, I find Banff too touristy but I think you should check it out for the day at most. Spend as much time in BC as possible as its great. Osoyoos in the Okanagan is fun, Vancouver Island too.

4

If you had enough time to visit Newfoundland, you'd be as far East in Canada as you can be. There are a lot of sights to see here, but whether or not you'd have enough time is another question. There is Signal Hill in St. John's, Gros Morne National Park, L'Anse Aux Meadows (where the Norse settled in the eight century), and more.

A website about tourism in Newfoundland -> http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/
About the Norse -> http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/norse.html
Trip Advisor -> http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154962-Activities-Newfoundland_and_Labrador.html

5

Try desperately to convince your Saskatoon friend to join you in the Rockies. You have little time and will be covering relatively vast distances, so something's got to give. Although Winnipeg has its merits, and even Saskatoon has boosters here, the Robson/Jasper/Banff/Yoho axis is like nowhere else in the world.

Another option, offered by the previous poster, would be to blow off everyone and everything--head in the opposite direction entirely, to Newfoundland. Given your time constraints, this strikes me as an odd suggestion.

Or: resign yourself to the apparent fact that this is a trip devoted to visiting friends, not to seeing the sights. You can bus or train from the prairies to Vancouver (and Whistler) and will see some nice stuff out the window as you hurtle past.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

6

The original poster did say they wanted to start on the East coast (Vancouver is quite the opposite of East). I am just opening up options and lending suggestions, just as you are.

7

The OP said that the highest priorities are visiting friends in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Whistler. That'll be difficult to combine with a trip to Newfoundland.

Not criticizing--I just found it quite odd.

Mark

8

getting from boston to the east coast is relatively expensive, and you could probably fly west for a similar price. in canada, distance and cost are not directly related.
why east? for geography, or convenience or sights?

there are cheap flights/busses available around the places you want to go, but it will take some research. you may be able to buy some sort of student pass for via rail.

i'm an east coast booster, but even i agree that your desire to visit friends may not be compatible with a trip east.