unspoiled natural beauty and traditional
Indigenous culture.
PEAKS OF PERFECTION
Think of B.C. as wave upon wave of towering
mountain ranges: the Coastal Mountains,
Cascades, Selkirks, Kootenays and Rockies,
just to name a few. Those mountains are not
only scenic, they are also popular destina-
tions for outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts.
Many are located in the province's more
than 1,000 parks and protected areas.
Others, like Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks
and Big White, are world-class ski resorts
with full-service villages and year-round
activities, including dozens of top-notch
golf courses.
COWBOYS AND CHARDONNAY
The sunny Thompson and Okanagan valleys
stretch through the middle of the province.
To the west is the cowboy country of the
Thompson region, with its dude ranches
and vast grasslands. To the east, the
Okanagan is B.C.'s wine country, with its
vineyards, orchards and sophisticated
culinary culture. Both offer plenty for
outdoor enthusiasts to do, whether it's
houseboating on Shuswap Lake, scaling the
Skaha Bluffs or cycling along the trestles of
the abandoned railway line that hurtles
across Myra Canyon.
INTO THE WILDERNESS
Back in the 1860s, gold was discovered up in
the Cariboo region, and the Rush was on.
Today, people are more likely to visit the
wide open spaces of B.C.'s north for unparal-
leled wilderness experiences. That could
mean bear watching along the northern
coast, fly fishing in a rushing river, paddling
through the still waters of the Bowron
Lakes, camping out under the northern
lights or panning for gold in historic
Barkerville.
WHAT'S NEW?
Savour some of the best Chinese food
outside China with two tours in the City of
Richmond. On the Richmond Dumpling
Trail Tour, sample everything from crisp
wontons to broth-filled xiao long bao
(www.vancouverfoodtour.com). Then,
indulge in all the basil, chili and garlic-scented
deliciousness of the Authentic Asian Eats tour
(www.foodietours.ca).
Enjoy crisp, local wines, spectacular scenery
and the occasional whale sighting on a
luxurious five-day "Wines and Islands" cruise
through the Southern Gulf Islands from
boutique outfitter, Maple Leaf Adventures
(www.mapleleafadventures.com).
Discover the culture of the Osoyoos First
Nation in the south Okanagan Valley. Explore
sacred Spotted Lake with a local Syilx
(Okanagan) tour guide (www.swiwsspirit
tours.com), then visit Spirit Ridge at Nk'mip
Resort—home to Canada's first Indigenous-
owned and operated winery—and enjoy
gourmet Indigenous cuisine at the newly
revamped restaurant: The Bear, The Fish,
The Root & The Berry (www.bearfish
rootberry.com).
Get up close and personal with the abundant
wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest on
B.C.'s north coast. The BC Ferries summer
sailing (June through September) whisks
visitors direct from Port Hardy to Bella
Coola, a prime spot for bear watching
(www.bcferries.com). Then stay at Indige-
nous-owned Spirit Bear Lodge, which
provides exclusive access to sacred sites and
wildlife areas (www.spiritbear.com).
Whistler-Blackcomb has more reasons than
ever to get out of the village and into the
woods. Among them: Forest Bathing, which
boosts wellness along the serene Medicine
Trail (www.canadianwilderness.com), and
the Salish Stroll, where cultural ambassadors
from the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
guide visitors through local flora and fauna
(www.slcc.ca).
CITY LIGHTS
Beauty and personality—Vancouver has it
all. Think craft beer and food truck festivals,
yoga on the beach and glitzy shopping
destinations such as North America's
BC
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POWDER SKIERS, WHISTLER • TOURISM VANCOUVER/TOURISM WHISTLER
