Smokey Sessions: Rising Stars!

Smokey Sessions: Rising Stars!

Smokey Sessions: Rising Stars!

Cape Smokey is pumped to announce our Second Annual FREE Canada Day concert, spotlighting Cape Breton’s next generation of musical talent!

What is Smokey Sessions: Rising Stars? 

It's your chance to step into the spotlight and perform live at one of the most spectacular venues on Cape Breton Island! Showcase your skills, entertain the community, and gain unforgettable stage experience. We're on the lookout for talented young musicians - send in your video submissions by May 31 and show us what you've got!

Junior High Category:

  • Showcase your talent and gain valuable stage experience!
  • Winner receives a Cape Smokey Ski Pass.

High School Category:

  • Step into the spotlight and showcase your music.
  • Winner receives a $500 bursary, selected by a panel of impartial judges.

Lakewind Sound Studios Grand Prize (25 & Under):

  • Open to any Cape Breton performer age 25 or younger.
  • Your performance at the event can include cover songs, but the recording prize must be completely original material.
  • Winner records their original single professionally at LAKEWIND SOUND STUDIOS, Atlantic Canada’s premier recording facility.
  • Includes a full digital release on major streaming platforms.

Cape Smokey and LAKEWIND SOUND STUDIOS are proud to champion our island’s young talent. The Second Annual Smokey Sessions: Rising Stars concert is a free community event for everyone—join us July 1, 2025, and celebrate Cape Breton’s emerging artists!

Ready to apply?  
Submit your application and video here: Application Form

For any inquiries, contact us at: smokeyrisingstars@gmail.com

Please note: bring a blanket or your own chairs (we recommend low-to-the-ground beach chairs for comfort on the ski hill slope).

 

 

Experience the Wild Your Way

Summer | Winter
cabot
1
Journey the Cabot Trail
An unforgettable drive. A place you’ll want to stay forever. Few places in the world leave a mark like the Cabot Trail. With every winding turn, you’re met with dramatic ocean cliffs, dense forests, and sweeping views that feel almost too vast to capture. It’s the kind of road trip you’ll never forget - not just for the scenery, but for the feeling it leaves behind.
More information
Summer | Winter
polar
2
See northern lights
Chase the Northern Lights - A sky worth watching. Watch the aurora dance across an ink-black sky, free from city lights. It’s nature’s most magical performance - and you’ll have front-row seats.
More information
Summer | Winter
Gondola ride
3
Gondola ride
Glide high above Cape Smokey for sweeping ocean and mountain views. In winter, float over snow-laden trees; in fall, drift above hills ablaze with colour. Every ride ends with a view you’ll never forget.
More information
Summer
Guided Wildlife Boat Tours
4
Guided Wildlife Boat Tours
Venture into the waters around Cormorant Rock, where humpback and minke whales breach the surface, bald eagles glide overhead, and playful seals pop up to greet you. With expert guides leading the way, every trip is a front-row seat to nature’s most captivating marine and coastal wildlife.
More information
Winter
skii
5
On the slopes
Carve through pristine snow with ocean views on Cape Smokey’s slopes. From gentle beginner runs to adrenaline-pumping expert trails, every turn comes with breathtaking mountain scenery and the thrill of winter at its best.
More information
Summer | Winter
Wildlife watching
6
Wildlife watching
From bald eagles soaring overhead to moose stepping through the morning mist, nature here comes right to your doorstep. At Cormorant Rock, the wild isn’t far away - it’s part of everyday life.
More information
Summer | Winter
Taste of region
7
Taste of region
Savour the flavours of Nova Scotia - fresh Atlantic lobster, wild blueberries, and maple tapped from nearby trees. From beachside boils to fireside feasts, every bite is rooted in the land, the sea, and the seasons. It’s not just a meal - it’s a memory made here.
More information
Summer
Canoe Adventure
8
Canoe Adventure
Glide through calm waters alive with birdsong and reflections. Each paddle stroke takes you deeper into untouched wilderness, whether chasing the sunrise or drifting under a starlit sky. Here, canoeing isn’t just an activity - it’s pure peace.
More information