Tourism in British Columbia
British Columbia, where the challenge is not what to do, but how to do it all. Mountains and oceans, forests and beaches, it's perfect setting for outdoor activities, in summer and winter.
B.C. is Canada's most westerly province set between the province of Alberta on the East and the Pacific Ocean on the West. It's highest point is Fairweather Mountain, 4,663 m (15,299 ft, it's lowest Point is the Pacific Ocean, sea level.
The Capital City of British Columbia, Victoria, is on Vancouver Island, Canada's largest island at 32,137 sq km (12,408 sq mi).
The First Nations have a strong, rich and diverse culture. See aboriginal artists carving a totem pole, explore traditional lands and waters with an Aboriginal guide, enjoy Aboriginal dance and music performances, view Northwest native art, experience a Canadian Aboriginal festival, relax in native-owned resorts, and even enjoy a round of golf on a native-owned championship golf course!
British Columbia can be divided into 6 regions, each offering it's own unique character to the tourism industry.
- Northern BC
- Kootenay Rockies
- Thompson Okanagan
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
- Vancouver Island
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Vancouver, Coast and Mountains
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Northern British Columbia is a wilderness area more than half the size of British Columbia, approximately 500,000 sq km (193,051 sq mi). This is wildernis in it's purest form. Jagged mountain peaks, roaring rivers, rugged coastlines and ancient island archipelagos. Famous for freshwater and saltwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting and powder skiing.
National and provincial parks are a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife, including the Grizzly Bears. Visit the Queen Charlotte Islands, rich in Haida culture.
The Kootenay Rockies snow capped mountains offer some of North America's finest powder skiing and snowboarding. Be a cowboy at one of the Dude ranches offering authentic cattle rides. Be on the lookout for Eagles, Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Coyotes, Moose, Cougar as well as Black and Grizzly Bears.
Outdoor water activities are cycling, windsurfing, water-skiing canoeing, boating, and whitewater rafting.
The Thompson Okanagan Region is famous for its orchards and vineyards. It is home to the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and a waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls. It also has Canada's only true desert environment.
The region is full of museums and heritage sites, bringing it's colorful past to life.
To the north of the central wine-and-fruit producing valley are vast boreal forests and to the south the desert of the Great Basin. Each year, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Thompson Okanagan to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, fish, kayak, canoe, camp and view wildlife.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is an area with thousands of lakes, rivers and a magnificent stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline. You just have to paddle the legendary Bowron Lake Provincial Park Canoe Circuit.
Visit the volcanic mountains of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, and the ancient hoodoos and shifting sand dune of Farwell Canyon.
Vacation at a local Dude Ranch, drive the original Cariboo Waggon Road on the historic Gold Rush Trail and visit one of the many rodeos and stampedes.
Vancouver Island is a large, sparsely populated area, including Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and a portion of the mainland. Rainforests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes are home to a multitude of wildlife species.
The region is famous for whale watching and salmon and trout fishing. Beaufort Mountain Range is home to one of Canada's biggest all-natural ski bases. The tranquility of this region attracts artists and artisans. Galleries, studios and shops sell unique, locally produced arts and crafts.
Mountains, ocean, lakes, rivers and beaches, the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. The climate in this region is mild and you can indulge in recreational activities all year long.
Cycle, hike, camp, kayak, golf, sail, ski and snowboard. Leave your home, turn one way to go skiing or turn the other way for a round of golf. Do it both in the same day. The city of Vancouver is known for its cosmopolitan shops, superb dining and many entertainment options.
