British Columbia Canada Blog

Whistler is definitely one of the most sought after vacation destinations in British Columbia but did you know that:

1. Whistler was once known as Alta Lake, which itself was originally named Summit Lake.

2. Whistler was a First Nation trading route between the Lil’wat Nations and the Squamish Nation.

3. Whistler officially opened for skiing in 1966 and it wanted to host 1968 winter olympics but it lost this honor to Grenoble, France.

4. Nester’s Market on Highway 99 north of the village on the way to Emerald Estates and other residential areas has the best seafood that you can get in the area.

5. Although Whistler has only 10,000 permanent residents, during peak season their are about 40,000 visitors at this resort.

6. It has more than 200 trails and 38 lifts with world’s most advanced high tech capabilities.

7. You do not need car to travel within Whistler. Whistler Village is pedestrian-only and a free shuttle  is available that operates in and around Whistler Village, along with the Upper Village, at regular intervals.

8. Whistler has the most ski-in/ski-out accommodations out of any other mountain resort in Canada and there are more that 5000 rooms to accommodate thousands of visitors that flock this BC resort.

9. Ever wondered, how did Whistler Mountain get its name? It got its name from Western Hoary Marmots who live among the rocks and made strident Whistling sounds. Before that it was called London mountain by British Surveyors. 

10. Top activities to do in Whistler besides snoboarding and skiing are: Rafting, Mountain biking, Fishing, Heli Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Partying and Golfing.

 Related Posts:

Top 5 Whistler Pubs

Whistler Attractions
 

 British Columbia does not only have some world class wineries but also boasts of some excellent breweries. If you love a good beer then check out some of our favourite BC breweries in and around Vancouver:

1. Dockside Brewing Company, Vancouver, BC 

2. Yaletown Brewing Company, Vancouver, BC 

3. Dix BBQ and Brewery, Vancouver, BC 

4. Steamworks Brewing Company, Vancouver, BC

5. Sailor Hagars, Vancouver, BC 

6. Hugo’s Brewpub, Victoria, BC 

7. Canoe Club,Victoria, BC 

8. Vancouver Island Brewing Company, Victoria, BC 

9. Big River Brewpub, Richmond, BC 

10. Howe Sound Brewing, Squamish, BC 

Related Links:

Top 10 places to visit in British Columbia

Top 10 BC attractions

Nelson Arts and Heritage Festival 2010 which focusses on celebrating local culture and talent will be held this year for a two-and-a-half week starting September 29th and will include a weekend of storytelling, plus concerts and the world premiere of an original Lucas Myers play.

Tentative schedule for the Nelson festival is as follows:

It’s set to open September 29 with a variety show at the Capitol Theatre featuring local musicians. The next night will see storyteller James Murray and singer-songwriter Blu Hopkins team up at the TNT playhouse, and then on October 1 and 2, local funnyman Lucas Myers will premiere his latest one-man opus at the Capitol .

On the weekend of October 2 and 3, storytelling events will be held at TNT, Self Design High School, and a third venue, possibly Central School.

On Oct. 3, Self Design High will host a spoken word event involving students, while musical performances have been pencilled in for the weekend of Oct. 8 and 9 at TNT, along with a yet-to-be-determined theatre production opening on Oct. 15.

Volunteers are needed for the festival so if you are interested, call : 825-0069 or e-mail histerian@hotmail.com

Related Links:

Nelson Accommodations

We celebrate fall in British Columbia with hot festivals like Pentastic Jazz Festival which is  being held in Penticton for the 14th year from September 10-12, 2010. Get ready for three days of amazing Jazz at Penticton, British columbia following Labour Day.  A leading Jazz Festival in the Pacific Northwest, Penticton Jazz Festival is the largest event of its kind throughout the region.

Wondering what to expect? The great sounds of Dixieland, Swing, Blues and Zydeco, dance lessons and demo and the ever-popular Gospel music .

For more information, contact:

113-437 Martin Street, Box 386,
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1
250.4770.3494
Toll Free 1.866.599.3494
www.pentasticjazz.com

Related Posts:

Fall Getaways, British Columbia

BC’s summer wouldn’t be exciting without these interesting summer festivals which are held in the month of July in various cities of British Columbia. We would highly recommend attending some of these summer festivals, if you can to get true taste of BC’s culture and to make your 2010 summer special. You can also plan a summer weekend getaway and have fun at these BC events.

4th Annual North Vancouver Party-at-the-Pier : Celebrating the North Shore’s maritime community, featuring marine-themed activities, displays, entertainment and the Seaspan Tugboat Ballet. - Foot of Lonsdale and the adjacent piers, North Vancouver - July 17 and 18

More info: www.lowerlonsdalebusinessassociation.com

Nanaimo Marine Festival : Features the world-famous Bathtub Race. - Nanaimo Harbour, Nanaimo, B.C. - July 22-25 - Free entrance

More info: www.bath-tubbing.com

23rd Annual Mission Folk Music Festival : Diverse and eclectic lineup of music from across Canada and around the world. - Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, B.C - July 23-25

More info: www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca

6th Annual Bonfire Music Festival : A three-day, hassle-free, art-infused weekend of exceptional music, camping and fun. - The Moon Farm, 9506 Pemberton Portage Rd., Birken, B.C. - July 23-25

More info: www.bonfirefestival.com

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest : Family oriented, and agriculturally educational annual event.  Maple ridge, BC- July 24 and 25 

More info: www.mrpmcountryfest.com

Caribbean Days Festival : A weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. - Waterfront Park, North Vancouver - July 24 and 25

More info: www.caribbeandays.ca

6th Annual Honeybee Festival : Celebrates honeybees and our community with a host of amazing exhibits and fun activities. - Honeybee Centre, 176th St. and Fraser Hwy., Surrey, BC- July 24 and 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Free,

More info:  www.honeybeecentre.com

Vancouver Early Music Festival : This early-music festival celebrates 40 years with a concert series dedicated to Monteverdi. - UBC Campus - July 25-Aug. 14

More info: www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Kamloops PowWow : One of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture in Western Canada. - Kamloops, B.C.-July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.tourismkamloops.com

Komasket Music Festival : Okanagan’s cultural family music celebration features music and dance by more than 150 performers. - Komaskey Park, Vernon, B.C-July 30-Aug. 1

Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival : A great variety and lineup of groups performing on the unique floating stage that rests just offshore the sandy beach of Kootenay Lake. - Kaslo, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.kaslojazzfest.com

Centre of Gravity Festival : Concert series, DJ and fashion shows, after parties and over 150 pro athletes competing in six different sports. - City Park, Kelowna, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.centerofgravity.ca

The Filberg Festival : More than 120 artisans, great food and lively entertainment for all ages. - Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, Comox, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2 

More info: www.filbergfestival.com

Spirit of the Sea Festival : Weekend full of free fun, including a children’s carnival and parade, beach games and races, fireworks and continuous live entertainment.  White Rock, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2

More info: www.spiritofthesea.ca

20th Annual Harmony Arts Festival : Brings programs, events and concerts along the West Vancouver’s waterfront– all free of charge. July 30-Aug. 8 

More info: www.harmonyarts.net

7th Annual Vancouver Dyke March and Festival: Afternoon of celebration, music and fun. - March from McSpadden Park to Victoria Park, Commercial Drive area - July 31, march at 12 p.m., festival at 1 p.m. 

More info: www.vancouverdykemarch.com

Tsawwassen Sun Festival : Features a parade, children’s midway, antique fair, marketplace, slow pitch tournament, BMX air show, main stage entertainment, fireworks and food. - Winskill Park, Tsawwassen - July 31-Aug. 2

More info: www.sunfestival.ca

I am excited about the weekend since it marks the start of 2010 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival.  The Spring Wine Festival  which starts tomorrow i.e. April 30th 2010 will run until May 9th 2010. This 10 day festival with over 100 wine-related events is world famous and not to be missed. If you haven’t already planned your Kelowna trip then do it now. 

The festival has events to suit all sorts of tastes and price-points but few events that have captured my fantasy include: 

April 30 – May 3 – Summerhill Comparison Taste Tests: Cost- just $10 ($5 refundable with purchase)

April 30 – May 1, May 6-8: Cooking Classes at the Hotel Eldorado:Cost – $15 

May 3 – Cadbury’s Melt in Your Mouth Chocolate with Heavenly Wines: At the Manteo Resort for only $43/person.

May 1st- Valley First Vintages in the Park at the historic Father Pandosy Mission for $40/person

May 8th- Grand Opening of Tantalus Vineyards which will include  dramatic gallery style tasting room for complimentary wine tastings and hors d’oeurves from NOON to 5PM.

 This Thursday, on April 29th 2010 at 7.00 pm you can sample 4 delicious wines at Once Upon A Vine located in Maple Ridge, British Columbia:

#600 - 20395 Lougheed Hwy
Maple Ridge, BC, British Columbia V2X 2P9
ph. 604-460-8463

Once Upon A Vine is hosting this wonderful wine tasting event so that guests can come and sample four (4) delicious wines, commercial “benchmarks” of wine kits that can  be made at home at economical prices. Each wine will be paired with a scrumptious appetizer. Entry fee is $15.00 Per Person - redeemable towards the purchase of any wine kit made that evening. If you purchase one FEATURED wine, you will receive an ADDITIONAL $10 off! 

Interested? Register to attend by calling: 604-460-8463

Related Links:

BC wineries

Top 5 BC wines

Best Okanagan Wineries

The Kamloops Rodeo is one of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Associations annual events.  Featuring some of the best professional rodeo sportsmen, the Rodeo will feature saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling and team roping; not forgetting barrel racing, the only rodeo event for women.

Todd Mountain Ranch specials include: 14th - 17th May 2010  $625 per person

Rate includes 3 nights accommodation, riding on Saturday and Sunday, transport to and from the rodeo grounds, all meals and drinks at the ranch and the rodeo grounds, entrance fees to rodeo on both Saturday and Sunday, use of all ranch facilities during your stay. Price excludes taxes of 6.2%.

For booking , visit: Tod Mountain Ranch  or call: 1-877-488-8881

To plan your next horseback riding trip to BC, visit: bctravelguide.ca

So, you’ve got time off from work, kids have summer holidays, your flight and hotel is booked for an exciting vacation in BC but did you give a thought to other travel requirements for visiting BC? If you are an international traveler, coming to BC for a vacation then do look into the following travel requirements for visiting BC.

1. One of the questions that BC visitors often ask me is “How much money can I bring to Canada?” Well, there is no limit to the amount of money you can bring in. So, feel free to bring as much money as you like but important thing to keep in mind is that you have to report all imports and exports of currency and monetary instruments equal to or greater than $10,000 CAN.
2. Double check and see if you need a visa to travel to Canada. Most visitors to BC, require a valid passport and a visa. Some exceptions are: Persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who have a Green card or can provide other evidence of permanent residence, British citizens and British Overseas Citizens who can be readmitted to the United Kingdom, Persons holding a valid and subsisting Special Administrative Region passport issued by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China etc.For more information, we suggest contacting your local visa office or checking out: cic.gc.ca 
3. Make sure you have your identification documents handy to show to the customs. They won’t be of any use if they are tucked at the bottom of your suitcase. Are you wondering, what kind of documents serve well as Identification proof? Valid Passport, your birth certificate or certificate of citizenship, and a valid photo identification such as a drivers licence are all accepted as your Id proofs. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., don’t forget to bring your green card. If you are travelling with children, keep their documents with you as well. Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. If you are travelling with a child who is not your own, you need a note from the guardians granting you permission to have the child with you.
4. Carry a copy of your medical exam with you if you are travelling from a ‘Red Flagged’ country. A medical examination is required if you have resided for six or more consecutive months in a designated “red flagged” country/territory in the one year prior to your travel to Canada. Some of these countries include: Afghanistan, Bahamas, Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopa, Guam, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, and Mexico. Again, visit: cic.gc.ca for complete list. 
5. Do not carry prohibited items with you unless you want to be stopped at the customs and interrogated. Some of the items that you are forbidden from bringing to BC (and Canada in general) are: · firearms and/or offensive weapons · drugs · certain fruits and/or plants that could contain harmful pests and diseases · meat etc.There is also a limit on Alcohol and Tobacco that you can bring in BC. For more details concerning customs regulations, call (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064.

Once all your travel plans are sorted out, relax and enjoy beautiful British Columbia. We offer plenty of fun activities to our visitors ranging from strolling through downtown Vancouver, skiing down Whistler’s mountain, Horseback riding in the wilderness of BC forests, Camping, White Water Rafting, Getting familiar with our wildlife, Whale watching etc. You name it, we’ve got it. Stay at one of our bed and breakfast locations and you’ll never forget BC hospitality.
Other related posts:

Tips for BC travellers
Save money on your next BC trip
New regulations for driving in BC

Visiting Vancouver in April and looking for some fun? Why not attend Mardi Gras 2010 by Student Nurses of Douglas College in Vancouver on Thursday, April 29th 2010 from 7.00 pm to 3.00 am at Ceilis Irish Pub in Downtown Vancouver on 670 Smithe and Granville St.

The entry fee is only $10.00/person.  MARDI GRAS 2010 is actually a grad fundraiser and proceeds from the event will go towards their graduation ceremony. The event features live bands with east coast music, tons of beads, prizes and 50/50 draw.

Food and Drink specials include:
Buckets of ribs $4
All domestic and premium domestic pints $4
Highballs $4

It’s a 21+ event so be prepared to show your ID.

Interested? For ticket info. email:
laughdancegraduate@gmail.com

 Related links:

Your guide to Vancouver