Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1520274
and the mainland are the Gulf Islands, populated by a quirky mix of artisans and fisherfolk. Further north is Haida Gwaii, a remote archipelago of 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 and mountain bike trails too. 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 Kettle Valley 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 interior for unparalleled wilderness experiences. That could mean bear watching, 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 Barkerville Historic Town and Park. WHAT'S NEW? Vancouver, for the first time, has Michelin- starred restaurants with nine restaurants making the cut. In the contemporary category, AnnaLena, Barbara, Burdock & Co and Published on Main were included. Kissa Tanto, Okeya Kyujiro and Masayoshi all serve Japanese cuisine while iDen & Quanjude Beijing Duck House are known for Chinese dishes. St. Lawrence, a marriage of classic French cuisine and the gastronomic culture of Les Québécois, completes the list. The new Malahat SkyWalk is located about half an hour north of Victoria and features a spiral tower 250 metres above sea level with a sweeping panorama of Mt. Baker, Finlayson Arm and the Saanich Peninsula. Choose your descent with a return walk down the ramp or take the fast route on the Spiral Slide (www.malahatskywalk.com). The Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver has moved to its permanent home in the Wing Sang Building. It features a national exhibition called The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, marking the centennial of the start of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. In Whistler, the Fitzsimmons Express chairlift is now upgraded from a 4-person high speed chair to an 8-person high speed chair. On famous Powder Highway, Panorama Mountain Resort has added more attrac- tions: a new mountain coaster and aerial adventure park (panoramaresort.com). 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 only McArthurGlen Designer Outlet (www.mcarthurglen.com). Embraced by the ocean and mountains, the city features a livable mix of high-rises and heritage homes, graceful gardens and funky neighbourhoods. At its heart is the lushly forested 400-ha (1,000-acre) Stanley Park, one of the world's BC 39 SUN PEAKS RESORT • DESTINATION BC/CRISTINA GAREAU