British Columbia Canada Blog

If you’ve been to Wildplay Park in Whistler, I am sure you realize how much fun it is and now a new adventure park is opening in Victoria called WildPlay Victoria.

WildPlay Victoria will open on Wednesday, November 4th 2009 under a partnership with West Shore Parks and Recreation. It will feature the Monkido aerial adventure courses and the park will be located at 1767 Island Highway behind the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and next to the Bear Mountain Arena.

If you love adventure as much as we do, I am sure you’ll be the first in line to come to this new adventure park in Victoria.

Other Related Links:

Victoria Accommodations

Victoria Activities 

Good News Skiiers and BC tourists!

Did you hear about new flights to Sun Peaks, British Columbia?  WestJet is introducing new flights to Sun Peaks, BC.  Starting Nov. 1, WestJet Airlines will expand its service to nearby Kamloops and Sun Peaks with a Vancouver flight connection. The new service will have WestJet departing Kamloops at 10:45 a.m. each morning, arriving at Vancouver International Airport at 11:41 a.m. For skiers heading to Sun Peaks, the flight leaves Vancouver at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Kamloops at 1:19 p.m.

I am excited about these new flights because it means more time for skiing and less time stuck on the road (in the winter traffic.) The new WestJet schedule also changes the times of the Calgary-Kamloops flight to allow an easy connection for passengers departing from Toronto at 7:15 a.m. The aircraft connects through Calgary at 10:05 a.m. and arrives in Kamloops at 10:12 a.m., allowing skiers and snowboarders to be on the slopes of Sun Peaks that afternoon. The return flight departs at 2:00 p.m. daily, and will arrive in Calgary at 3:57 p.m.

Oh and we all have had our share of facing chaos and bad service at Kamloops airport. This winter, the Kamloops Airport terminal expansion will take place to better handle the increased volume which comes with the additional WestJet flights into the region.

If you haven’t planned your winter Ski trip yet then do it today. Visit: BC Travel Guide

Other Related Links:

Accommodations British Columbia

Top 5 ski resorts in BC

West Jet Flights to Sun Peaks
 

John Muir, once said:

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you…
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

Yes, care will drop off from you like Autumn leaves if you visit Whistler. It will rejuvenate and fill you with passion for life once again. Whistler is only 1.5 to 2 hours from Vancouver and the drive is beautiful.

I remember my first visit to Whistler, British Columbia- about four years ago and ever since, I have been a regular visitor. The highway which is practically clinging to the mountainside is exciting and the spectacular views of Howe Sound will keep you entertained on the way. You will start seeing snow capped peaks after the small town of Squamish along with lovely Cedar and Douglas Fir Forests which endow the valley.

If you wish to detour or take a break, keep an eye out for Diamond Head and Elfin Lakes or various provincial parks like Alice Lake Provincial Park and Brandywine Falls provincial park. Once in Whistler, enjoy Golfing, Mountain biking or take a ride on a jet-boat or a glider out of the magnificent Pemberton valley only 25 minutes north of Whistler.

I will strongly recommend visitors to pack their snack bags for munching on the way as there are not very many restaurants along the way.  Life is short so enjoy it to its fullest and one of the best ways to do it is by visiting Whistler, British Columbia.

Related Links:

Top Whistler Pubs

Accommodations around Vancouver

Did you  hear, what Darron Kloster (Times colonist) said about discounted hotel accommodations on Canada.com. He mentioned that the prices for hotel accommodations across Canada have dropped down especially in our beautiful British Columbia. Now, isn’t thata great reason to travel this fall. See the data that Darron presented:

• The average price for a hotel room tumbled 17 per cent around the globe in the first half of the year — the lowest level in five years. (As per survey by Hotels.com)
•  Victoria’s major hoteliers, mostly in the Inner Harbour area, cut rates by eight per cent to $130 a night
• Calls to smaller operators indicated price cuts ranged from $10 to $70 depending on the month.
• Whistler cut rates by 27 per cent to $173 a night.
• The occupancy rate in Greater Victoria’s 4,400 hotel rooms slipped to 60 per cent over the first six months of the year — down four per cent from 2008, according to the latest figures from Bourree’s Chemistry Consulting. The average daily room rate was $116, off $6 from a year ago, while revenue per available room slid more than $8 to $70.32.
• Mandy Farmer, who runs the Accent Inn chain of six hotels across British Columbia, said occupancy was better than last year in the Okanagan and Kamloops areas, but weaker at properties in Vancouver and Victoria.

Instead of taking trips to Europe this fall, I am going to take more weekends trips to nearby beautiful BC destinations. How about you? Are you going to take advantage of discounted hotel rates in BC?

Yesterday, I came across a very interesting article on Yahoo, called “ Canada’s Top 10 Hotels” by Bob Harris- a Forbes traveller but what was more interesting was the fact that five of British Columbia’s Hotels were featured in this list (List was compiled by the Forbes Traveler 400 board of experts, who had gathered to determine Canada’s finest luxury hotels and resorts.) Curious to know, which BC hotels made it to the list? Check it out below:

Four Seasons Whistler and Fairmont Chateau Whistler : These resorts offer high-end accommodation with amenities like quality spa, excellent location, multiple whirlpools and finest dining facilities.

On Vancouver Island, the Sooke Harbour House was the clear choice in the British Columbia capital of Victoria along with Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino  .

Finally, in the city of Vancouver, the Opus Hotel (a youthful 96-unit boutique property) located in Yaletown district, made it to the list.

If you get a chance do travel to these outstanding BC hotels and if you have a favourite Hotel in British Columbia, do share it with us. 

Related Links:

British Columbia Accommodations

British Columbia Bed and Breakfasts

You can save some money on your BC trip by staying at economical places like Travelodge.  We just came across a great Travelodge discount deal on smartcanucks.ca. Check it out below:

Travelodge Canada - 50% off the 2nd night stay! (BC, ON, AB)

Travelodge Canada has a nice hotel deal going on right now. You can get a 50% discount on your 2nd night! I don’t see an expiry date for this one, so I’d scoop this deal right up before it’s gone! This offer is only available to residents of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

Offer Code: SGL

Book online or call Travelodge reservations at 1-800-578-7878 and quote the Honey of a Hotel Deal offer, stating the offer code above.

Of course there are a few conditions:
The 50% discount will be applied at the completion of your stay. Available only at participating properties in Canada. Only a limited number of rooms will be offered at the “Honey of a Hotel Deal”, rate and may not be available during certain high seasons, holidays or special events. Offer not valid in connection with other special rates, discounts or programs or in connection with meetings, conventions or groups. 50% discount applies only to standard room charges (single or double occupancy) and does not apply to food, beverages, other incidentals, service charges or taxes. Extra person charges may apply. To qualify for the “Honey of a Hotel Deal” rate, a guest must stay consecutive nights at the same hotel.

Other Related links:

British Columbia Accommodations

Kelowna, located in the heart of Thompson-Okanagan is always bustling with activity especially during the month of August and September.  A lot of exciting events take place during these months in Kelowna. On Sunday, September 20^th 2009,  Kokanee Salmon Festival will be held in Kelowna at Mission Creek Regional Park (Springfield and Durnin roads) and Hardy Falls Regional Park ( Hardy Road off Hwy 97 south in Peachland).   Kokanee Salmon Festival is a free family event in which the whole family can participate and enjoy different activities like checking out the displays and watching Kokanee Salmon Spawning, local artists doing Salmon chalk art, musical entertainment and a barbeque. This year, children are being encouraged to dress in colourful costumes and swim, crawl or stroll into a huge, inflatable, interactive Salmon story telling tent. There will be interesting story tellers at Salmon story telling tent narrating native legends about the Salmon.  If you or your kids love fish, then don’t miss this fish focused event in Kelowna and Peachland. Kokanee Salmon Festival will run from 11.00 am until 3.00 pm For more information, visit: Regional District Website or call: 250-469-6140