I have been to Canada and Alaska 5 times in my Husky. Update the Garmin
GPS, buy WAC charts (at leas that is what I used), and follow the good
weather up. There are many routes, from Regina the obvious is the
Alaska highway, although the Cassiar highway and coast is fine also
(plane on low clouds along the coast). A Cessna 172 with 180 horse
engine, or better yet, a 182 will do the job nicely. Make sure you get
the Canadian "green" book (the equivalent of the US airport facilities
directory). They use 126.70 a lot for FSS frequency. The border
crossings are just starting to require passports of Americans, being
Swiss, I guess you will HAVE to have that. Gas is readily avialable and
the airports are no further apart than 200 miles or so. It is really
quite frequently flown. Flight plans are requred in Canada and a good
idea. Just bring the credit card and go. It's a great trip.

In Alaska try and get to West Alaska as this is where there are no
roads and you can fly to towns where there are no roads, only way to
get there is by airplane (or maybe boat). Way cool. I highly recommend
the town of "Flat" in West Alaska.

I agree on your assessment of floats. If you wnt to buy some float time
in Achorage at Lake Hood or Moose Pass on the Kenai penninsula. Would
be a great break from land plane flying....