Page 42 - 2024-25 Travel Guide to Canada

BC
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great urban parks. But Vancouver is also the
glittering glass towers of downtown; the
multicultural neighbourhoods of Chinatown,
Little Italy and Little India; the hipster cool of
Gastown and the trendy restaurants of
Kitsilano; as well as attractions including
Science World, the North Shore ski hills
and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
(www.destinationvancouver.com).
Across the Strait of Georgia, at the
southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is
a city of historic charm, passionate foodies
and endless outdoor activities. It is consid-
ered by many to be Canada’s most cycling-
friendly city, and is home to several spectacu-
lar gardens, including the world-renowned
Butchart Gardens, which celebrates its 120th
anniversary this year. Many of the city’s
attractions cluster around the bustling Inner
Harbour, including the floating homes of
Fisherman’s Wharf, the Royal BC Museum
and the neo-baroque BC Parliament
Buildings (www.tourismvictoria.com).
Head inland to the Okanagan Valley and
you’ll come to Kelowna, a bustling centre of
commerce, technological innovation and
wine culture (www.tourismkelowna.com).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
In British Columbia, the great outdoors truly
is just that—great: from ocean playground to
mountain peaks, windswept plains and
fertile farmland.
Head for the hills. This mountainous
province boasts 13 major ski resorts (and
many smaller ones) with epic powder,
heart-stopping descents and pristine
backcountry bowls, as well as miles of trails
for those who prefer skinny skis and
snowshoes. In summer, the resorts turn
their lifts and trails over to daredevil
mountain bikers and hikers eager to explore
the alpine meadows.
But you don’t have to climb a mountain to
find adventure here. Awash as it is with
rivers, lakes and the Pacific Ocean, B.C. is
popular for water sport enthusiasts. You can
sail alongside orcas in Desolation Sound,
paddle the Bowron Lakes, raft down the
Fraser Canyon, surf the waves near Tofino or
cast for trout in Lake Country.
Those who prefer to stay on dry land can
also hike through dozens of national and
provincial parks or ride a horse under the
endless skies in the grasslands. Even city
slickers can find mountains to climb and
waters to sail right in their own backyard.
HERITAGE AND CULTURE
First there were the Indigenous Peoples who
fished, hunted and traded for some 10,000
years in what is now British Columbia.
Then the Europeans arrived, followed by
newcomers from Asia. Today, the three
cultural strands are woven together here,
vibrantly and indelibly.
First Nations culture is preserved in many
galleries and museums, including the
renowned UBC Museum of Anthropology
(www.moa.ubc.ca), and thrives in
www.HelloBC.com/things-to-do/events
Special Events
JANUARY – FEBRUARY
• DINE OUT VANCOUVER
MARCH
• PACIFIC RIM WHALE FESTIVAL, TOFINO/
UCLUELET
APRIL
• SURREY VAISAKHI PARADE, SURREY
• VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
• WORLD SKI & SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL,
WHISTLER
MAY
• CLOVERDALE RODEO & COUNTRY FAIR
• WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES NATURE
FESTIVAL, INVERMERE
MAY – JUNE
• VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S
FESTIVAL
MAY – OCTOBER
• RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET
JUNE
• OKANAGAN SPRING WINE FESTIVAL SKA &
REGGAE FESTIVAL, VICTORIA
• VICTORIA INDIGENOUS CULTURAL FESTIVAL
JUNE – JULY
• TD VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL
JAZZ FESTIVAL
• WILLIAMS LAKE STAMPEDE
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
• BARD ON THE BEACH SHAKESPEARE
FESTIVAL, VANCOUVER
JULY
• HONDA CELEBRATION OF LIGHT
FIREWORKS COMPETITION, VANCOUVER
• NANAIMO MARINE FESTIVAL & WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP BATHTUB RACE
AUGUST
• FILBERG FESTIVAL, COMOX
• KAMLOOPA POWWOW, KAMLOOPS
• PRIDE, VANCOUVER
SEPTEMBER
• VANCOUVER FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
• OKANAGAN FALL WINE FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER
• CORNUCOPIA, WHISTLER
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER
• CANADA’S NATIONAL GINGERBREAD
SHOWCASE, VICTORIA
GROUSE MOUNTAIN GRIZZLY BEARS • DESTINATION VANCOUVER/GROUSE MOUNTAIN
HUNDREDS OF SPECIES OF BIRDS VISIT
B.C. EACH YEAR—INCLUDING THE
DESIGNATED IMPORTANT BIRD AREA
(IBA) BOUNDARY BAY—WHEN THEY
MIGRATE ALONG THE PACIFIC FLYWAY
FROM ALASKA TO PATAGONIA.
Quick Fact