Page 35 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to Canada

BC
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COWBOYS AND CHARDONNAY
The sunny Thompson and Okanagan valleys
stretch through the middle of the province. To
the west is the cowboy country of the
Thompson region, with its dude ranches and
vast grasslands. To the east, the Okanagan is
B.C.’s wine country, with its vineyards,
orchards and sophisticated culinary culture.
Both offer plenty for outdoor enthusiasts to
do, whether it’s houseboating on Shuswap
Lake, scaling the Skaha Bluffs or cycling along
the trestles of the abandoned Kettle Valley
Railway line that hurtles across Myra Canyon.
INTO THE WILDERNESS
Back in the 1860s, gold was discovered up in
the Cariboo region, and the Rush was on.
Today, people are more likely to visit the
wide open spaces of B.C.’s interior for
unparalleled wilderness experiences. That
could mean bear watching, fly fishing in a
rushing river, paddling through the still
waters of the Bowron Lakes, camping out
under the northern lights, panning for gold
in Barkerville Historic Town and Park, or
immersing in the cowboy culture at the
Williams Lake Stampede.
WHAT’S NEW?
Vancouver, for the first time, has Michelin-
starred restaurants with ten restaurants
making the cut. In the contemporary
category, AnnaLena, Barbara, Burdock & Co
and Published on Main were included. Kissa
Tanto, Okeya Kyujiro and Masayoshi all serve
Japanese cuisine while iDen & Quanjude
Beijing Duck House are known for Chinese
dishes. St. Lawrence, a marriage of classic
French cuisine and the gastronomic culture
of Les Québécois, completes the list.
Nestled deep in the Comox Valley, the
Healing Caves at Kingfisher Pacific Resort &
Spa are redefining luxury wellness with a
one-of-a-kind, 70-minute sensory journey
through six immersive caves. (www.king
fisherresort.ca)
Perched high above Vancouver, Grouse
Mountain’s brand-new mountain coaster is
set to be the most exhilarating alpine thrill
ride in the region, promising heart-pounding
descents and breathtaking forest views. Pair
that with the resort’s state-of-the-art blue
gondola—one of the fastest in Canada at just
5.5 minutes per trip—and you’ve got an un-
beatable adventure that whisks you to the peak
in record time. (www.grousemountain.com/
mountain-coaster)
Revelstoke Mountain Resort will unveil its
most breathtaking attraction yet—the Cliff
Walk and Suspension Bridge—offering the
most heart-stopping panoramic views in the
region. Suspended high above the rugged
landscape, this awe-inspiring experience will
redefine adventure, giving visitors a vantage
point over the towering peaks and deep
valleys of British Columbia’s wildest terrain.
(www.revelstokemountainresort.com)
CITY LIGHTS
Beauty and personality—Vancouver has it
all. Think craft beer and food truck festivals,
yoga on the beach and glitzy shopping
destinations such as North America’s
HIKING ON TOP OF WHISTLER MOUNTAIN • DESTINATION BC/BLAKE JORGENSON
Between Vancouver Island and the mainland
are the Gulf Islands, populated by a quirky
mix of artisans and fisherfolk. Further north
is Haida Gwaii, a remote archipelago of
unspoiled natural beauty and traditional
Indigenous culture. A historic Haida Aborig-
inal title agreement announced in 2025 now
officially recognizes the Haida Nation’s deep
connection to Haida Gwaii, marking a
significant milestone in reconciliation.
PEAKS OF PERFECTION
Think of B.C. as wave upon wave of towering
mountain ranges: the Coastal Mountains,
Cascades, Selkirks, Kootenays and Rockies,
just to name a few. Those mountains are not
only scenic, they are also popular destina-
tions for outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts.
Many are located in the province’s more
than 1,000 parks and protected areas.
Others, like Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks
and Big White, are world-class ski resorts
with full-service villages and year-round
activities, including dozens of top-notch
golf courses and mountain bike trails too.