British Columbia Canada Blog

People say when in Rome, do as Romans do. We, in British Columbia say when in BC do as BC residents do. If you are visiting BC this summer, then join us in these TOP 10 BC ACTIVITIES and experience the real BC Summer:

1. BC HORSEBACK RIDING : Horse Back riding is one of the most popular activity not only for BC residents but also tourists. If you want to experience a true western heritage then do book a day trip or a few hours trail ride with one of our BC guest ranches today. 

Depending on length of your vacation, you can choose in -town ride or take your group/family for a journey through backcountry trails of British Columbia. Horseback riding is not too difficult and is usually enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

2. BC WHITEWATER RAFTING: You’ve not had a real BC adventure if you haven’t tried Whitewater Rafting. My favourite places to go for Whitewater Rafting include Kicking Horse near Golden and Clearwater which is about 4 hours drive from Kamloops.

3. BC CAMPING: If you want to enjoy wilderness and save money on lodging then Go camping. Most campgrounds in BC are reasonably priced from $20-$40/night. However, if you are planning to go camping during long weekends then make sure to book ahead.

4. BC KAYAKING/CANOEING: Another way to discover British Columbia is through Canoeing or Kayaking. Crystal clear waters of BC against the backdrop of majestic mountains offer a really memorable experience. If you are interested in sea kayaking, then coastline of BC lined with the Pacific ocean will provide you the perfect getaway opportunity. There are various touring companies which provide guided Sea Kayaking tours with a chance to spot killer whales. If you are good at canoeing or kayaking then you don’t even need a guide. Just grab a map and head out on one of BC’s beautiful lakes or rivers.

5. BC GOLFING: We in British Columbia take golf seriously and are known for some gorgeous golf courses. Popular destinations in British Columbia for Golfing include: Kelowna, Kamloops, Golden, Vancouver, Whistler and Fernie. Have you reserved your tee time yet?

6. BC MOUNTAIN BIKING: British Columbia has a lot of provincial parks and most of them offer mountain biking to the riders on specific trails. Many of our ski resorts are open during summer for downhill and cross-country biking. Silver Star Mountain Resort is one of my favourite places for mountain biking because they operate chair lifts to get riders and their bikes to the top of the mountain. Although, BC has thousands of kilometres of trails and logging roads, it is also known for bears. So beware of wild life and take precautions while riding a mountain bike in BC. Oh and if you are looking for some cool bike racks then check out: My Bike Racks

7. BC FISHING: Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, Char, Pike, Bass etc can all be found in waters of British Columbia. The most popular fishing spots throughout BC include: Capilano river, Callaghan Lake, Quesnel Lake, Queen Charlotte Islands, Okanagan Lake, Columbia and Kootenay River.

8. BC HIKING: If you don’t want to indulge in extreme adventure but still want to be active then consider hiking. BC offers excellent day hikes, lovely picnic spots and exciting fun-filled backpacking trips. It is pretty inexpensive activity too because all you need for a good hike is a decent pair of shoes and a back pack with essentials like water bottle, Bugs Spray etc.  

9. BC HOUSEBOATING : Shushwap, Salmon Arm and Sicamous are your best bets for Houseboating in British Columbia. Luxury, Service and Adventure, you’ll find everything on a BC Houseboating tour.

10. BC WINE TOURS: You will find great wineries throughout British Columbia but some of the world’ best wineries are located in Thompson Okanagan region. Wine tasting tours are the best way to savour the fine wines while enjoying the natural beauty of beautiful British Columbia.  

Who wants to stay indoors when beautiful summer is around? Shine those bikes and get ready to have a lot of fun at ‘Whistler Mountain Bike Park.’

Whistler Mountain Bike Park is now open for riders and you can get a real deal by purchasing Triple Play Card. The Early bird offer will end on June 19th 2009. The deal is: Adult price: $115, Youth/Senior price: $102, Child price: $59. Also, $115 before June 19 gets you your first 3 days in the Bike Park included, plus the lowest available daily rate all summer long. That’s over $38 savings, and you’ll save more if you ride more.You will also get 15% off food at the GLC.

I have already purchased my Triple Play card and am ready for a lot of riding this summer. How about you? Oh and if you are looking for good bike racks, check out: My Bike Rack.

If you visit, BC during summer, you can’t miss going on a houseboat.

One of the reasons I love visiting Silver Star ski resort is that there is always something exciting happening in terms of activities and events besides winter sports. Guess, what is happening next weekend i.e. Saturday, January 17th 2009? Well, it’s a superhero day. Sounds interesting. Isn’t it? 

On superhero day, you can leave behind your plain old clothes, grab your cape and mask and hit the slopes dressed as your favourite super hero, or arch nemisis. One of my friends who is crazy about snowboarding is quite excited about ‘ Super Hero Day’ in Silverstar and is going to wear his halloween costume which is of  ‘Batman. I can’t wait to see ’Batman’ on Silverstar slopes. I am sure you will get to witness some other popular superheroes on ski hill too.

After you are done skiing and snowboarding for the day,  ‘The Saloon’ is the place to be for apres ski snacks, with prizes for the best costume, great music and a chance to win your very own BEER FRIDGE with every beer you buy. The Saloon features an inviting atmosphere and is big enough to host great group gatherings. Families are welcome in the Saloon until 8 p.m. every night, and features FREE wireless Internet connections. I love ‘The Saloon’ in Silver star because it has live music and is the only place on the mountain with a nice big dance floor that gets you shaking your leg. It is Open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. until the closing. For more information, call: (250) 558-6081

Related Links:

BC ski resorts
Top 5 BC ski resorts
 

Guest Post from: Martin Vernon.  Martin and his wife Linda, have operated a Victoria Bed and Breakfast in British Columbia, Canada for over ten years: see http://www.gazebo-victoria.com/

Victoria BC has a diverse range of appealing attractions and activities so it naturally draws a wide range of visitors who stay at equally diverse bed and breakfasts. There’s something for everyone to do and somewhere for everyone to stay.

This tiny part of BC on southern Vancouver Island offers a microcosm of the province including ocean beaches, pretty lakes, rainforest parks and mountain vistas. There are first rate attractions too such as the Butchart Gardens, the Royal BC Museum, Craigdarroch Castle and the Inner Harbour. Visitors enjoy enthralling activities such as whale-watching, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golf, biking and hiking - there are 48 regional, provincial and federal parks in Greater Victoria.

A moderate Mediterranean climate makes Victoria BC a year-round vacation destination, with substantially less rain than either Vancouver or Seattle. Summers are pleasantly hot and winters surprisingly mild (a flower count is held in the last week of February - there were over 3.9 billion blossoms in 2000!).  The relaxed lifestyle and safe environment have also helped to Victoria a top world travel destination.

As well as the usual selection of hotels, resorts, motels, vacation rentals, campgrounds and RV parks there are literally hundreds of Victoria BC bed and breakfasts. These are delightful places to stay - you can choose from a heritage home, waterfront guest house, country manor house, lakeside lodging, elegant inn, country cottage, a farm or a woodland retreat. Some are in peaceful country settings near the Butchart Gardens, others in Cordova Bay a small community just 15-20 minutes from downtown Victoria, the ferries and the airport. All include a full breakfast so their rates are highly competitive.

Other area attractions near Greater Victoria BC bed and breakfasts include Glendale Gardens, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory/Centre of the Universe and Saanich Commonwealth Place (a swimming and recreational centre of Olympic standards). Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is popular for swimming, rowing, windsurfing, fishing, walking and horseback riding. Nearby you can stroll on an ocean beach or hike through woodland and lakeside trails, tour wild marine parks, visit wineries and sample BC wines, or snack on local fruit at roadside stands.

Your B&B hosts will gladly provide insights into all these attractions and activities. Their hospitality extends beyond providing bed and breakfast needs, they can pass on travel tips, restaurant recommendations and local secrets to enhance your visit. Regard this as a bonus - the chance to acquire local knowledge whilst chatting at the breakfast table. They will help “tailor-make” your visit so that you make the most of your stay in this lovely area.

Why go to Australia, when you’ve got Vancouver Island right here in British Columbia.  The capital city, Victoria is about a 10 minute plane ride from Vancouver and a little over an hour from the interior of British Columbia.  Rent a car or Rent a bike to visit one of Vancouver Island’s many parks, whale watching tours and campsites.  Click a city in Vancouver Island below to find out more about activities and accommodations in that region:

Alert Bay BC
Bamfield BC
Bowser BC
Brentwood Bay BC
Campbell River BC
Cobble Hill BC
Comox BC
Comox Valley BC
Courtenay BC
Cowichan Bay BC
Crofton BC
Cumberland BC
Duncan BC
Gabriola Island BC
Galiano Island BC
Gold River BC
Hornby Island BC
Ladysmith BC
Malahat BC
Mill Bay BC
Nanaimo BC
Nanoose Bay BC
Parksville BC
Pender Island BC
Port Alberni BC
Port Hardy BC
Port Mcneill BC
Quadra Island BC
Qualicum Bay BC
Qualicum Beach BC
Shawnigan Lake BC
Sooke BC
Tofino BC
Ucluelet BC
Victoria BC
Zeballos BC

There are several things to do and see in Victoria but check out the list below for 5 must see attractions:

1. You cannot visit Victoria without seeing the Parliament building. The grandeur of this building just leaves you in owe.  Located downtown Victoria, the Parliament Building is beautiful in the day and night.
2. Royal B.C. museum is a must see because it throws light on B.C. culture and natural history.  Take your time because you don’t want to miss out on any of the rich British Columbian history.
3. The Butchart Gardens will remind you: A Thing of Beauty is a Joy forever.  Flowers in Victoria bloom as early as late March and with the most pristine flower gardens in all of Canada, the Butchart Gardens are definitely worth seeing.
4. Whale Watching is a fun activity to do while in Victoria and with so many Whale Watching Tours, I suggest you take a customized trip with more than just one tour company.
5. Undersea Gardens: Experience the magical world of Victoria’s Undersea Gardens.  They feature More than 5,000 animals of different species.

Bonus: Hotels in Victoria: I suggest you head downtown and check out some of the elegant hotels in Victoria overlooking the harbor. Many of the downtown hotels are walking distance to fine restaurants, bus tours, and museums.

Related Links
Vancouver Island
Victoria Accommodations

Attention Snowboarders!

One of the most happening events is about to take place at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, British Columbia, called You Look Good Rider’s Cup (YLGRC08). The event is scheduled to take place at Sun Peaks on March 15, 2008. This is YOUR chance to win $30,000. You Look Good Rider’s Cup is an event for you to meet pro snowboarders, models and local celebrities. Check out the details on YLGRC08 below:

• Practice: Open Practice

• Qualifiers: All riders will receive 2 judged runs. Best run counts. Number of finalists determined at Mandatory.Riders meeting on event day.

• Finals: 2 Judged runs, Best Run Counts. In the case of a Tie Break judges will use second run score.

CASH & PRIZING:

SALOMON Amateurs Top Men/Women will receive new gear from SALOMON SNOWBOARDS and a chance to earn a 2008 SALOMON SNOWBOARDS sponsorship contract

RIPZONE Best Trick: Ripzone will be awarding $500 Cash for the single best trick during the finals on the Ripzone specific feature. Riders of any age, male or female, must make it to the finals to be eligible for the Ripzone Best Trick.

CAMP OF CHAMPIONS

CAMP OF CHAMPIONS will be awarding one five day camp in the Salomon Amateur category and one eight day Pro camp in the Coors Light Pro Category at each of the five YOU LOOK GOOD Rider’s Cup events. In addition COC will select the most deserving stand out rider that competed throughout the series and award them with a 2008 coaching opportunity at the CAMP OF CHAMPIONS.

YAMAHA MOTOR CANADA

Yamaha will be awarding a 2008 Yamaha Phazer to the overall series champion, the individual who collects the most points throughout the series in the Coors Light Pro Open (men or Women) COORS LIGHT PRO: Top three in each category will receive cash prizes.

PRO MEN: 1st $2000 2nd $1000 3rd $500

PRO WOMEN: 1st $500 2nd $300 3rd $200

When searching for travel, accommodation or vacation information in British Columbia, how do you search, what keywords do you use?  We are interested in better understanding this so to help us out, please answer our question in the British Columbia travel poll below. Thank you!

Here are some photos from Fernie and Kimberley British Columbia. Both cities offer world class ski resorts and lodges where visitors can wake up to perfect snow conditions every day.