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It will be an annus mirabilis for 13 lucky winners of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s LOCALS KNOW Ultimate Upload contest, which launched today. Canadian winter—its culture, sport, food, people and adventure—is in the global spotlight like never before with the 2010 Winter Games kicking off this week. This contest is an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate all that is Canada—and win a fabulous prize to boot.

To enter, head to the CTC’s LOCALS KNOW site and upload your favourite Canadian winter spot. On offer is a chance to win one of 13 trips in different parts of Canada, one from each province and territory. Air Canada is CTC’s partner for the contest, with top experiences from every province and territory in the prize pot, too.   

There are some cracking prizes; here’s a peek at two. In Ontario, the Toronto International Film Festival and Tourism Toronto have joined forces to put up a package including a stay at the Fairmont Royal York Toronto, limo and back-stage passes to movies and parties. Foodies might want to enter to get a chance to head to Prince Edward Island. There, the winner will get to hang out with top local chefs shopping at local markets and haggling with fishers, then back to the kitchen to cook—just for you.

To get the ball rolling, CTC chose a five-strong panel of Canadian experts. Travel journalist Liz Fleming, adventure-travel writer and TV personality Robin Esrock, adventurer, photographer and author Bruce Kirkby, intrepid young travel author Laurie Gough and reporter/blogger Marie-Julie Gagnon put their collective noggins together to compile their own top 13 must-see winter destinations list from images already uploaded by the public to the LOCALS KNOW site.

From Feb. 12 to 28, ”Canada AM” on CTV will be highlighting destinations from the must-see list. The contest closes March 21. The panel will then sift through the entries based on the uniqueness of each spot, description and its photo. The commission will notify winners in late March.

“There’s a tremendous sense of excitement as the Games approach, one that has spread around Canada with each passing of the Olympic Torch,” says Gisèle Danis, CTC executive director of Strategic Marketing. “This contest is a perfect opportunity for Canadians to share the pride they feel in their country and what it has to offer year-round; not just with themselves, but with the world.”

Elsewhere, the kudos for LOCALS KNOW continues to spread far and wide. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) honoured Danis last week at its Adrian Awards. Danis was one of 25 in the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” list. (Of course, we knew she was sharp as a tack already!) The gala dinner awards event was Feb. 1 at the New York Marriott Marquis.