Page 35 - 2026-2027 Travel Guide to Canada

BC
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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.
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.
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 B.C.’s
interior for unparalleled wilderness experi-
ences. That could mean bear watching, fly
fishing in a rushing river, paddling through
the still waters of the Bowron Lakes,
camping 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?
Malahat SkyWalk will unveil The Overhang—
Canada’s first sky-high glass cube, dramati-
cally suspended atop its spiral tower.
Opening Victoria Day weekend, this world-
first experience promises to deliver heart-
racing views, redefining coastal sightseeing
(www.malahatskywalk.com/explore/
the-skywalk/overhang/).
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).
New to Fort Langley, the “Fort Langley
Rooted” experience at Tradish: The Ancestor
Café invites guests into Indigenous
foodways with acclaimed chef Sarah
Meconse Mierau. Tea blending, storytelling,
and a soulful lunch create a rare, meaningful
connection—an essential cultural stop in
British Columbia (www.chewonthistasty
tours.com/).
New in Squamish, Squamish Canyon delivers
an unbeatable walk through the Sea-to-Sky’s
wild heart. A 1.5-km (1 m.) elevated
boardwalk clings to cliff faces, and glides
above the rushing Mamquam River toward
misty Mamquam Falls. Expect interpretive
stops, towering cedars, and an immersive
experience rooted in nature (www.squamish
canyon.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. Embraced by the ocean and
mountains, the city features a livable mix of
high-rises and heritage homes, graceful
gardens and funky neighbourhoods. At its
INSIDE THE HAIDA GWAII MUSEUM IN SKIDEGATE • NORTHERN BC TOURISM/SHAYD JOHNSON
Vancouver and Nanaimo in 70 minutes. You
can also take a scenic sea plane from the
island to the lower mainland. It is home to
B.C.’s historic capital city, Victoria, as well as
vineyards, mountain parks and the surfing
mecca of Tofino. 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 Aboriginal 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