Hiking and trekkingPractically every type of walking activity is available in Canada’s most mountainous province, with its long, jagged coastline, extensive interior forests and numerous lakes and rivers. Seven national parks and more than 450 provincial parks offer superb opportunities to observe wildlife and experience pristine wilderness. In Vancouver, 'EcoWalk' tours of Stanley Park provide interesting information on Canada's unique West coast ecology as well as on the aboriginal First Nations culture and legends of the park (website:
www.ecowalkbc.com). Long-distance
hiking trails include the beautiful West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park (Vancouver Island), so much in demand that a quota system is in place; and the
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, also on Vancouver Island. Giant trees may be seen in the old coastal rainforests on the Island and the Pacific coast. Ample camping and other facilities exist in the national parks.
Skiing and snowboardingThere are excellent facilities for skiing and other snow-based activities in the Rocky Mountains. Canada’s best-known ski resort is
Whistler, which has over 200 marked runs; this and some other resorts (including
Cypress Mountain,
Hemlock and
Valley Ski Resort) lie conveniently close to Vancouver. Other well-known centers include
Mount Washington on Vancouver Island,
Red Mountain in Rossland (home to Canada’s Olympic ski medallists), the
Kimberley Alpine Resort and
Big White Ski Resort in the Okanagan Valley. Other activities on offer include snowboarding, glacier skiing (in summer), heli-skiing and snowcat skiing (where skiers are taken to remote areas by snowcat). Cross-country skiing is widely practiced, and ski touring in the back country through snow-covered forests is popular; accommodation is often in simple huts. The hundreds of watersheds among the Rocky Mountains have provided British Columbia with countless rivers and lakes in every park area.
WatersportsSailing, canoeing and whitewater rafting are all available.
Campbell River on Vancouver Island is world-famous for salmon fishing.
Ocean-based activitiesThe famous
Inside Passage from the southern end of Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert in the north provides excellent opportunities for protected ocean cruising, which can be done by charter yacht, ocean kayak, ferry or cruise ship. For independent sailors, there are many anchorages and marinas providing facilities for safe moorage and other services. Beautiful views of the fjord-indented coastline and the snow-capped
Coast Mountains beyond are one of the attractions of sailing here. Whale-watching cruises providing the chance to view killer whales are also available; at certain times of the year, grey whales can be seen on their way to the Gulf of Alaska.
First NationsThere is a number of cultural centers which introduce visitors to the heritage of the First Nations people. Of particular interest in this respect are the
Queen Charlotte Islands, home to the Haida people who were nearly eradicated by smallpox when they first came into contact with Europeans. Nowadays around 2000 of the Haida live here, many of whom produce highly regarded art and craft items.
Winery tours: The Thompson Okanagan region has a variety of vineyard and winery tours to offer along the Okanagan Wine Route.
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