British Columbia Canada Blog

Another great escape in Central BC is the Prestige Hotel in Salmon Arm. Last year, my girlfriend and I dropped in for a few nights and the staff were kind enough to upgrade us to one of their theme suites. It was the Barbados Suite and it had a hot-tub right in the room and a fabulous view out over the Salmon Arm of the Shuswap Lake.  It was the ‘off-season’ and the hotel was very quiet. That’s by far the best time to go anywhere, in my opinion. Salmon Arm is another one of those BC cities that bursts at the seams in the peak of the summer season due its hot weather and proximity to the Shuswap Lake.  So if you can get there in the off-season, you’ll find everything that you need and more, but no crowds. There’s plenty of shops along the main street in town, and several great little restaurants. One of the restaurants that we ate at (I can’t remember the name) served awesome seafood, and had a live pianist that was amazing. Everything is within walking distance of the hotel, so you don’t have to hold back on the wine with dinner!

I am back from my trip to Fernie and Kimberley and I must say that the trip has been a total rejuvenation of my senses.  It’s quite a drive if you plan to take a road trip from Kelowna to Kimberley but it’s totally worth it because of the amazing scenic beauty.  It takes about six hours to drive from Kelowna to Kimberley via Grandforks, Christina Lake, Castlegar, Nelson, Creston and Cranbrook. The nearest Airport from The Kimberley Alpine resort is Cranbrook.

Although Kimberley is a small ski resort compared to Fernie it offers fun and adventure to all ages. Winter Activities that can be enjoyed here include skiing, snowboarding and skating.  During the summer months mountain biking, hiking, fishing and golfing attracts tourists from all over the world.  In Kimberley I stayed at the Residence Inn, Marriott Trickle Creek which is a gold star property with all the amenities of a modern living.  I was totally impressed with this hotel as it is built with tall, lodge pole pine beams and river rock pillars.  One can relax in the outdoor heated pool, hot tubs or try their fully equipped fitness center. Visitors can also choose to unwind with a nice book in front of the fireplace with wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains and Ski slopes.  Stay at Residence inn includes a complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet which is really mouth watering and hits the spot.

Trickle Creek Golf resort is one of the top ten places to Golf in Canada as per Gold Digest.  After a long day of outdoor adventure one can enjoy a sumptuous meal at Kelsey’s which is located just next to Trickle Creek Marriott.  Other nice places to stay include Polaris Lodge which has some nice spacious units.  If you decide to stay on the slope side you can pick from a number of town homes or condos like Northstar and McGinty’s landing. On the lower mountain which is about 15 minutes walk from the ski runs, you can find reasonable lodging in Mountain Edge and Silver Birch. Visit Kimberley for a wonderful Purcell mountains experience.

Related Links:
Kootenay Rockies
Fernie Hotels
British Columbia Skiing

I found a little treasure to share with you!  It is called An Inn for Two, and that is exactly what it is, a romantic getaway for two.   It’s a place off the beaten path, far from the hustle of everyday life.  A calming place that offers peace and quiet and privacy.  The Inn for two is tucked away in the gorgeous valley of the West Kootenay’s Arrow Lake, not far from the quaint little town of
Fauquier, British Columbia.  If you are coming from Kelowna or Vernon area, you get to experience the Needles Ferry that crosses the Arrow Lake to get you to your destination.  

The view from the private deck of the log faced cabin is spectacular.  It overlooks Arrow Lake and the Monashee Mountains. Inside, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting.  Each cabin has a gas fireplace, a large soaker tub, a stereo, a kitchenette and dining table.  The queen sized bed overlooks the lake and is covered with DOWN filled duvets and fluffy pillows to help you get a good night sleep.

We just went for one night, but you could spend a few days exploring the area.  Nakusp, 55km north of Fauquier, boast shops, culture and recreation. This bustling town is known for its scenic beauty and rich history.  There are many fine 9 hole golf courses that surround Fauquier.  Enjoy relaxing in steaming mineral waters at the geothermal hot springs in Nakusp.  Or, you can go for walks and hikes that start just outside your cabin.  I enjoyed it so much, I will definitely be back!

Vancouver – the most beautiful city on Earth? The most desirable city to live in?  The answers are YES, but… you must love rain. Where I’m from in the prairies, it occasionally rains for an hour or two off and on through the spring, summer and fall. Say, from 5 to 7 pm. You can get away without rain gear just by waiting it out. It often just rains for a few minutes while a storm blows past. That’s NOT Vancouver.

When I moved to Vancouver 10 years ago I was not prepared. I’d prepared myself to live in “The most beautiful city on Earth” and the city that has repeatedly made the top 5 in the most desirable cities on Earth to live. What I found was not rain from 5 to 7 pm but rather, rain from September to April! Constant rain too. The best though are the lifers that shrug it off and say, “We’ll at least its not snow, and 20 below, like on the prairies!” Well, having lived in both places, let me tell you that I’ve never been colder than when I lived in Vancouver. With the temperature barely above freezing, the wind blowing and everything within 100 miles is soaking wet - my bones were cold! And how do you warm up when everything is damp? On the prairies, one prepares for the winter and the cold weather by dressing appropriately. When the snow falls, we just brush it off and continue. You can’t brush off rain. Sure, you can dress appropriately in rain gear, but ‘appropriately’ would mean waterproof coat, pants, hat, gloves and rubber boots! If your gear keeps the rain off, you’ll still be soaked by your own sweat!

So how is Vancouver so beautiful then? When it’s at its best, it’s spectacular. When the North Shore mountains are freshly covered in snow, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, it takes your breath away and makes you forget about the 8 months of grey and rain that you just endured. So in summary, Vancouver may be the most beautiful city on Earth and a very desirable city to live in, but be warned, it’s not like that very day of the year. I can’t wait to hear what the world thinks of Vancouver during its two weeks in the spotlight in 2010.

Related Links:
Vancouver Accommodations