VancouverNicknamed
Hollywood North for the ever-present film crews,
Canada's west coast gem of
Vancouver is young, thriving and diverse, with the perfect combination of exquisite natural beauty and the modern conveniences of a city side by side. Named after
Royal Navy sea captain George Vancouver who sailed into the
Burrard Inlet on the British Columbian coast in 1792, Vancouver was barely even a town 100 years ago. Today more than two million souls call it home, and the shiny Jetson-style towers of Yaletown and the downtown core contrast dramatically with the snow-capped mountain backdrop,
creating a laid back atmosphere amongst the bustle of Canada's third biggest city.
Approximately the same size as the downtown area, the city's green heart is Canada's largest city park,
Stanley Park, covering hundreds of acres filled with lush forest and crystal clear lakes. Visitors can wander the sea wall along the exterior of the park, catch a free trolley bus tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the
Vancouver Aquarium housed within the park. The city's past is preserved in historic
Gastown with its cobblestone streets, steam powered clock and quaint feel, though this is combined with expensive souvenir shops and galleries aimed at tourists. Neighbouring Chinatown, with its weekly market,
Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese gardens and restaurants adds an exotic flair. For some retail therapy or celebrity spotting, there is always the trendy Robson Street.
During the winter months snow sports are the order of the day on nearby
Grouse Mountain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, although the city itself gets more rain than snow. Vancouver's incredible ethnic diversity and combination of mountains, sea and city, offers visitors an endless supply of things to see and do, no matter the budget.
Getting Around: The efficient, integrated Translink public transport system is good value and includes buses; electric trolley buses; the computerised Sky Train (light rail) that has four underground downtown stops as well as an elevated track; West Coast Express trains (week days only) and SeaBus passenger ferries that connect downtown to
North Vancouver. The network reaches every part of the city, including the beaches and ski slopes. After midnight the regular bus system is replaced by a limited 'Owl' night bus service on main routes. Fares are based on a zone system and tickets are valid for buses, the SkyTrain and SeaBus with transfers valid for 90 minutes from the time they are validated. Various travel passes are available, but the cheapest is probably the DayPass, which allows unlimited transport and is valid across all zones. Taxis are easy to come by at taxi stands, hotels or by telephone, but can be difficult to hail outside of the downtown area. Vancouver's traffic and road situation is fairly well-ordered, but hiring a car is not necessary in the city because the public transport is more than sufficient.
Climate: Snowfall is rare in the city of Vancouver, but is more than adequate for the ski slopes on the Coast Mountains to the north where Whistler is situated. As with all Canadian ski resorts, Whistler can get very cold. Go prepared for the occasional blizzard. In general though, temperatures are moderate throughout the winter season, rarely dipping below 12°F (-10°C) in the valley and 5°F (-15°C) on the peaks during the coldest part of the year. Average daily alpine temperature during most of the winter months is 22°F (-5°C).
Vancouver IslandDubbed Canada's 'Paradise on the Pacific',
Vancouver Island is an exquisite combination of dense rainforest, pristine coastline, rugged mountains, glittering glaciers and crystalline lakes and rivers, all within an easy distance from the Mainland of
British Columbia.
The Island is 285 miles (460km) long and 50 miles (80km) wide, and the Vancouver Island Ranges, running down most of the island's length, divide it into a drier, undulant east coast and a wetter, rockier west coast. The rugged west coast (known as the Pacific Rim) is littered with bays, inlets and fjords and boasts beautiful landscapes and a diversity of wildlife, making it a popular spot for tourists, who come to indulge in hiking, fishing, kayaking with Orcas, whale watching and more. This area does, however, receive some of the heaviest precipitation in the world and visitors should plan activities around the possibility of heavy storms in winter and plenty of rain.
Inland, one finds dozens of lakes (the largest of which is Kennedy Lake), and dominating the central part of the Island is the popular
Strathcona Provincial Park, home to the Island's glaciers, including the largest, the Comox Glacier, as well an abundance of birds and wildlife that includes
Roosevelt Elk, cougars and wolves.
Victoria, on the southern tip of the Island, is the capital of British Columbia, and home to just less than 50 percent of the island's population. The city is a major tourist destination and visitors flock to enjoy its many sights and sounds, including the Legislative Buildings and the famous
Butchart Gardens. Vancouver Island is well worth a visit and with so much to see and do, one could never claim to be bored.
Getting Around: Vancouver Island is easy to negotiate and there are several transportation options. Ferry services operate from both Vancouver (run by
BC Ferries) and neighboring
Washington State in the
USA, as well as between points on the Island and neighboring
Gulf Islands. Scheduled flights by major airlines, as well as helicopter and floatplane services are also available There is a rail service between several Island communities along the east side of the Island, from Victoria to Courtenay, and the island's highway connects all major points and has loops to scenic marine-side highways.
Climate: Vancouver Island has a temperate climate, and is in fact the mildest place in the country, with temperatures modified by the currents and winds of the
Pacific Ocean. Summers are warm and sunny, and winters are temperate, though the Pacific Rim (the west coast of the island) receives the most precipitation in
North America and can be battered by strong winds. The average temperature on Vancouver Island in summer is about 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C), with temperatures cooling in the evenings, while the average temperature in winter is just below 32°F (0°C). Snowfall occurs in winter, though more so in the higher altitudes and the west coast seldom sees significant snowfall. November, December and January are the wettest months, which is worth taking into consideration when traveling to Vancouver Island.
Ski ResortsThe skiing in British Columbia is world renowned, largely due to the popularity of
Whistler Blackcomb, which is regularly voted the
World's Best Ski Resort.Locals of British Columbia, however, know that there are many other lesser-known resorts, which also offer exceptional skiing.
Vancouver's North Shore is where most locals learn to ski. The resorts at Grouse Mountain,
Mount Seymour and Cypress Bowl may not have the most challenging runs, but they command a loyal following being less than an hour's drive from central Vancouver and easily accessible by public transport. Vancouver Island also has its own ski resort, Mount Washington. After Whistler, it is BC's most popular ski resort with the most reliable snow conditions in the province.
Whistler Blackcomb is an extensive ski area sixty miles (100km) north of Vancouver. It is most popular for downhill skiing but offers a full array of winter activities including snowboarding, heli-skiing and dog sledding. Whistler is within the Garibaldi Provincial Park, a popular area for cross-country skiing. North of Whistler, the Pemberton Icefield is a popular heli-skiing destination.
There are many lesser-known ski resorts in the interior of British Columbia, including Apex Mountain, Big White, Sun Peaks and Silver Star, which also offer world-class skiing. Big White has a growing reputation and due to the dry air of the interior it offers some of the best powder skiing in the world.
