Destination overview

British Columbia is Canada's western-most enjoys a relatively temperate climate, making it a hotspot for outdoor recreation. A land of lakes, marshes, rivers and streams, BC has a highly celebrated system of parks created to protect its diverse ecosystems for conservation, recreation, education and scientific study. Easy walking trails and challenging backcountry routes abound, leading to such natural sites as crashing waterfalls and ancient lava beds.

Ringed by sky-piercing peaks on one side and water on the other, it also has premier shopping and sophisticated nightlife, which means there is something for everyone. The climate is considered mild, but when it’s wet, go shopping. You will find fabric and textiles, unique carvings and exquisite wall hangings, among so many other alluring must-haves. Granville Island is good for glass or jewellery, and you must try Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale from its brewery, and oysters and chips, or whatever else tempts your taste buds, at the Public Market. Robson Street is a shopping mecca all on its own.

Then there’s downhill or cross-country skiing and snowboarding at Grouse or Cypress Mountain, just near downtown, fishing for salmon at the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, swimming off one of the 11 beaches, whale watching, surfing, diving and hiking. The best waves in BC are off Long Beach in Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim National Park. Just near Ucluelet, a First Nation village, it also offers many miles of spectacular hiking trails through ancient rainforest, sandy beaches, rocky coves and pristine peninsulas. The sport fishing is legendary - offshore and in the rivers and lakes. Sea lions, seals and eagles can be spotted off the promenade, though much more wildlife is found at the Broken Group archipelago. Grey, Humpback and Killer whales are a big feature.

Visit the Wickaninnish Interpretive Center, kayak the waters of Kennedy Lake, Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands or play the picturesque Long Beach Golf Course. In Nanoose Bay, clam digging is a favourite past-time. Birdwatch from the Qualicum National Wildlife Area and visit local artisans on the Art Loop and Scenic Drive and hike up the Notch for an outstanding ocean view.

There are interesting wrecks and abundant marine life for divers. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park has 1.3 miles of beaches. The spectacular canyon at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is framed between two cascading waterfalls and Whistler is a pretty alpine village. It’s also one of the world’s most popular ski resorts. And, despite warm, dry summers and mild winters, you can ski most of the year. When the snow’s gone, you simply move on to Blackcomb’s glacier for skiing. The parks and mountains are beautiful, the ski fields superb and the après-ski legendary. Snowboard, tube, or take a snowcat tour. You can even zip line above it all at high speed. Kids can go on sleigh rides and toboggans. The 16 feet of powder snow, three mountains and long runs of Sun Peaks have all the fun snow sports, including ice skating under lights.

When the snow melts, golf the Graham Cooke designed course, hike and ride through the valleys and mountains or go white-water rafting. Tour the thousand lakes, visit a working cattle ranch, farmer’s markets and fairs. You must also visit Sicamous and Celista on the Shuswap Lake system and explore the Glacier and Wells Gray Parks. You will marvel at the heritage of Revelstoke and a cruise on the Cinnemousun Narrows to the Indian pictographs will be something you won’t forget. Cross-country ski the extensive trails of Larch Hills, try the slopes at Silver Star and snowmobile the deep powder snow to your heart’s content.

And you simply have to explore the orchard laden, winegrowing area of Okanagan Valley from Kelowna. Perched on the edge of Lake Okanagan, it’s close to quaint wineries, lovely lakes and beautiful mountains. For a blast from the past, take the restored vintage train, visit Father Pandosy’s Mission, or cruise on the MV Fintry Queen. Kids will love Mariner’s Reef Waterslide Park, Planet Spacewalkers and the beautiful beach at the City Park.

You’ll love the canyon and waterfalls at Bear Creek Provincial Park, the deep pools, black bears and bald eagles of Fintry Provincial Park and salmon fishing at Mission Creek Park. If you’re a diver, you will have to try Paul’s Tomb; it’s an adventure.

On the eastern edge of BC, there are four huge mountain ranges. Panorama, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs are all magnificent. Panorama’s steep slopes offer plenty of space to have fun in the snow. Radium’s Hot Springs are free of smelly sulphur and curve against scenic cliffs, while the old trading post of Invermere graces the beaches of Windermere Lake. And the run-off from Fairmont’s hot springs pool forms a lovely waterfall.

Fish Windermere Lake for trout and Columbia River for Kokanee salmon (or simply watch them spawn in their hundreds) – it’s a delight to behold. Why not play the 18-hole Greywolf Golf Course, or relax at the lovely spring-fed Lake Lillian. Whitewater raft in beautiful wilderness settings, hang-glide or paraglide from Mount Swansee over the Columbia Valley, rock or ice climb - there are so many options. And, a hike to the Stanley Glacier will be well worth the effort. Explore Radium Hot Spring’s quaint little shops, drive past the Great Blue Heron Rookery, admire the stunning views from the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint and the Continental Divide and absorb the atmosphere at historic Fernie.

Wherever you end up going, the blue skies of summer, russets of autumn, white wonderlands of winter and green verdancy of spring will leave you breathless. And keen for more. “It has it all” might sound like a cliché, but in this case, British Columbia does have it all. Don’t ever miss a chance to go there.